A filter traps particles and a basic ionizer charges them. AURA's reactive species work three ways at once: they charge fine particles, they oxidize odors and VOCs, and they can inactivate certain microorganisms. Three treatment pathways instead of one.
Pathway 1: Particle charging
Ions produced in the plasma attach to fine airborne particles such as smoke, dust and dander. Charged particles are attracted to one another and to surfaces, so they clump into larger clusters. Larger clusters settle out of the air or are caught by your HVAC filter instead of slipping through it.
This is the same pathway a basic ionizer uses, and for an ionizer it is the only one. Note that particles removed this way still need to be captured or cleaned up, which is why AURA works best alongside good filtration.
Pathway 2: Chemical oxidation of odors and VOCs
Odors and volatile organic compounds are gases, not particles, so a filter does little to stop them. Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species react with these molecules and break them into simpler compounds. The result is that odor is reduced at its source rather than masked by a fragrance.
Typical sources aboard and ashore include:
- Musty odors from humidity and mold behind panels and in lockers
- Galley and cooking odors
- Smoke
- Fuel and exhaust odors that find their way inside
- Chemical smells from cleaners, adhesives and new furnishings
Pathway 3: Microbial inactivation
Microorganisms are held together by membranes, protein coats and cell walls. Reactive species can oxidize these structures and the genetic material inside them, disrupting what the organism needs to remain infectious or to reproduce.
| Contaminant | What reactive species act on |
|---|---|
| Viruses | The viral envelope and surface proteins the virus needs to remain infectious |
| Bacteria | The cell membrane, internal proteins and genetic material |
| Mold and fungal spores | The spore's outer wall, disrupting its ability to germinate |
| Odors and VOCs | The molecules themselves, oxidized into simpler byproducts |
Case study: a mold spore
- Intact sporeA tough outer wall of chitin and glucan normally protects it from drying out and from passive filtration.
- Reactive species arriveHydroxyl radicals, superoxide and other reactive species reach the spore's surface.
- Wall oxidizedThey oxidize structural proteins and lipids, breaching the wall and membrane.
- Spore inactivatedWith its structure disrupted, the spore can no longer germinate.
In a working office in Costa Rica, Lab San Martín measured an 80% reduction in airborne fungi and yeasts after 30 minutes of plasma operation. See how to read our lab results.
What AURA does not do
- It does not replace HVAC filtration or ventilation. Heavier dust and allergens are best handled by filters.
- It does not fix the source of a moisture problem. A serious mold problem needs professional remediation first.
- It does not guarantee that every microorganism or every VOC is removed. Results depend on the space, airflow and exposure time.
Results reflect specific test conditions and vary with space size, airflow, installation and use. AURA is not a medical device and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
