Sharp Air Purifier Review – The Efficacy of Plasmacluster Ion Technology

Small at heart but enormous in potential impact best describes Plasmacluster Ion technology which runs on a tiny dynamo. Our Sharp air purifier review will now highlight the enhanced high concentration Plasmacluster Ion generator. At only 57mm by 28.5mm by 15.5mm, it is small in relation to the air purifier but its role of producing the reactive agents is paramount.

Plasmacluster Ion Technology Overview

Plasma is formed upon delivery of negative and positive voltages to the discharge electrodes in the Plasmacluster Ion generator. After gas, liquid, solid, the three commonly known states of matter, there is a fourth, plasma. Plasma is a partly ionized fluid mixture of free electrons, atoms and moelcules. The disintegration of naturally occurring water molecules in the plasma lead to the formation of negative oxygen ions and positive hydrogen ions. Separately, water molecules in the air cluster around the oxygen and hydrogen ions, resulting in the distinctively stable Plasmacluster Ions being created. Any contact by Plasmacluster Ions with pathogens leads to the instantaneous formation of the highly unstable and reactive hydroxyl radical. With such volatile characteristics, the hydroxyl radicals rapidly bond with hydrogen atoms that are constituent parts of pathogen surface membrane. The result; a disabled pathogen and a harmless by-product, water. The perfect scenario! But is it real or imaginary?

Plasmacluster Ion – Scientific Fact or Fiction?

A serious Sharp air purifier review will not cast aside a crucial issue – are Plasmacluster Ions fiction or fact? Plasmacluster Ions, like many other emerging nanotechnology products, are totally invisible to the human eye. Complicating the problem for individuals who use air purifiers is the lack of means to authenticate the claims. There is really no choice but to depend on reported results of experiments with Plasmacluster Ions. Efficacy tests (in laboratory settings) and efficiency tests (in real-world scenarios) are the 2 experiments that are conducted.

Addressing these very real concerns of consumers instead of skirting the issue is testament to Sharp’s long track record of successes. In this regard, Sharp has developed the art of academic marketing. Working in conjunction with reputable academic institutions, Sharp subjects its claims regarding Plasmacluster Ions to the scrutiny of reputable scientists. The scientific data that is produced forms the basis for new Sharp products. The definition of effectiveness has been fine-tuned into efficacy and efficiency. The years between 2000 and July 2009 has seen Sharp focusing on efficacy testing. It has begun and is developing efficiency testing with end users of Plasmacluster Ion technology.

Plasmacluster Ion – Authentication at Cellular Level

Seeking further for the purpose of this Sharp air purifier review, we discovered that Sharp is doing its utmost in efficacy and efficiency testing so as to be outstanding in the industry. Sharp announced on 17 November 2004 the scientific findings of Professor Gerhard Artmann of the Department of Cell Biophysics and Bioengineering, University of Applied Sciences, Germany. Armed with an electron microscope, leading cellular engineering authority Professor Artmann confirmed that Plasmacluster Ions led to the destruction of more than 60 protein types on the cell membranes of viruses and bacteria, thereby inactivating them.

A very significant result indicated that Plasmacluster Ions will not pierce the pathogens’ cell membranes to reach the core cell DNA. This is claimed as an advantage over other air purification technologies like those using ultra-violet light which rely on DNA destruction to work. Clearly, the danger of cancer from DNA destruction is also being alluded to with regard to other air purification technologies .

Plasmacluster Ion – Efficacy Tests

This current Sharp air purifier review puts on one page the efficacy tests on various pathogens performed by organizations engaged by Sharp. Via tests conducted between September 2000 to July 2009 under the umbrella of academic marketing, research scientists have demonstrated the efficacy of Plasmacluster Ions in destroying at least 28 types of airborne pathogens. Of the virulent microorganisms, the most important ones are MRSA (notorious for causing mortifying infections in hospitalized patients), the terrifying SARS virus, the potentially deadly H5N1 avian flu virus and a variant of the H1N1 virus that surfaced in Mexico in 2009.

Among other viruses inactivated by Plasmacluster Ions are the polio virus, the coxsackie virus that afflicts one with the common cold and the feline coronavirus which infects cats. Also inactivated are staphylococcus, white staphylococcus, enterococcus, micrococcus, escherichia coli, serrata bacterium, candida, sarcina, pseudomonas and bacillus subtilis. A whole variety of fungi (alternaria, stachybotrys, aspergillus, penicillium, cladosporium, mucor), pollen, allergens and mites are also effectively eliminated.

The following organizations worked with Sharp:

- University of Lübeck, Germany

- CT&T, Aachen University of Applied Science, Germany

- Retroscreen Virology, Ltd., London, UK

- Harvard School of Public Health, USA

- Asthma Society of Canada

- Ishikawa Health Service Association, Japan

- Kitasato Research Center of Environmental Sciences, Japan

- Graduate School of Advanced Sciences of Matter, Hiroshima University, Japan

- Kitasato Institute, Medical Center Hospital, Japan

- Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, China

- Seoul University, Korea

The last reported efficacy test was reported on 27 July 2009 involving the Osaka City University Medical School validating the inhibitory power of Plasmacluster Ions on allergic reactions caused by mite allergens or mite dust (mite feces and dead mites).

To summarize our Sharp air purifier review on efficacy testing, we place great importance on the OECD GLP (Good Laboratory Practices) status of the testing organizations as the test results attain international recognition. GLP status has to be renewed every 3 years. Absolutely valuable yet critics of air purification technologies and academic marketing choose to overlook this factor completely. Another important fact that is overlooked is that the results produced by a GLP laboratory can be expected to withstand the scrutiny of a scientific peer review. As we know, the scientific peer review is the missing final jigsaw piece in the puzzle of all air purification technologies, Plasmacluster Ion technology included!

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Sharp Air Purifier Review – The Efficacy of Plasmacluster Ion Technology

Tiny in size but not in might aptly describes the little dynamo at the centre of Plasmacluster Ion technology. Our Sharp air purifier review continues with a focus on the intense high concentration Plasmacluster Ion generator. Removing this tiny gadget, which measures only 57mm by 28.5mm by 15.5mm, would turn an air purifier into nothing but an electricity guzzler.

Plasmacluster Ion Technology Overview

Positive and negative voltages are applied to discharge electrodes inside the Plasmacluster Ion generator to produce plasma. Plasma is recognized as the 4th state of matter after gas, liquid, solid. It is a partially ionized gas-like state wherein some electrons are free and not bound to an atom or molecule. Positive hydrogen ions and negative oxygen ions are formed from the decomposition of water molecules in the plasma. Distinct and stable Plasmacluster Ions are created when atmospheric water molecules form clusters around the hydrogen and oxygen ions. Upon contact with the surfaces of pathogens, Plasmacluster Ions are transformed into hydroxyl radicals which are highly reactive but unstable. This characteristic causes the hydroxyl radical to combine with hydrogen atoms on the surface membrane of the pathogen. And the result; inactivated pathogens and a harmless by-product, water. A perfect solution! But is it real?

Plasmacluster Ion – Scientific Fact or Fiction?

A reliable Sharp air purifier review has to deal with a basic issue – are Plasmacluster Ions science fiction or fact? Plasmacluster Ions, like many nano-technological products, are completely invisible to the naked human eye. Compounding the issue, the individuals who use air purifiers have no means to validate the claims. Individuals really have no alternative but to base their decisions on tests results of Plasmacluster Ion applications. Efficiency tests (in real-life locations) and efficacy tests (in laboratory conditions) are the 2 usual testing methods.

Addressing these very real concerns of consumers instead of skirting the issue is testament to Sharp’s long track record of successes. It has developed to an art what they term as academic marketing. Based upon cooperation between Sharp and well-known academic institutions, scientific experiments are conducted to verify the claims in relation to Plasmacluster Ion technology. The data forms the basis of new products introduced to the market. Sharp has fine-tuned the definition of effectiveness into efficacy and efficiency. Between 2000 and July 2009, it focused on efficacy testing. Taking centrestage now is efficiency testing which is carried out at end user locations where Plasmacluster Ion technology is employed.

Plasmacluster Ion – Certification at Molecular Levels

Digging deeper for this Sharp air purifier review, it became clear to us that Sharp firmly believes that the science in efficacy and efficiency testing will give them the industry lead. On 17 November 2004, Sharp announced the results of studies by Professor Gerhard Artmann of the Department of Cell Biophysics and Bioengineering, University of Applied Sciences, Germany. Cellular engineering expert Professor Artmann used an electron microscope to demonstrate that Plasmacluster Ions destroyed at least 60 types of proteins on the cell membranes of bacteria and viruses.

That the pathogenic cell DNA is unaffected by Plasmacluster Ions which do not puncture the cell membrane is of great importance. Unlike other competing air purifiers which rely on DNA destruction to be effective, an advantage is claimed here by Plasmacluster Ions technology. The danger to users of other air purification technologies being exposed to cancer from DNA damage was implied.

Plasmacluster Ion – Efficacy Tests

This current Sharp air purifier review highlights the efficacy tests that Sharp has conducted, together with several organizations, on various pathogens. Conducted over the years from September 2000 to July 2009, the tests have proven that Plasmacluster Ions are effective in removing 28 kinds of harmful airborne microorganisms. Of the virulent pathogens, the most significant are the lethal SARS virus, the deadly H5N1 avian flu virus, a variant of the potentially fatal H1N1 virus which re-appeared in Mexico in 2009 and MRSA, the resistant bacterium that causes devastating infections in hospitalized patients.

The coxsackie virus which causes the common cold and the polio virus are also inactivated by Plasmacluster Ions. Also annihilated are candida, pseudomonas, serrata bacterium, sarcina, escherichia coli, bacillus subtilis, micrococcus, enterococcus, white staphylococcus and staphylococcus. Also effectively eliminated are a whole array of fungi (stachybotrys, penicillium, mucor, cladosporium, aspergillus, alternaria), mite, pollen and other allergens.

The following organizations worked with Sharp:

- Retroscreen Virology, Ltd., London, UK

- Harvard School of Public Health, USA

- University of Lübeck, Germany

- Asthma Society of Canada

- Seoul University, Korea

- CT&T, Aachen University of Applied Science, Germany

- Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, China

- Kitasato Institute, Medical Center Hospital, Japan

- Kitasato Research Center of Environmental Sciences, Japan

- Ishikawa Health Service Association, Japan

- Graduate School of Advanced Sciences of Matter, Hiroshima University, Japan

The last reported efficacy test was reported on 27 July 2009 involving the Osaka City University Medical School validating the inhibitory power of Plasmacluster Ions on allergic reactions caused by mite allergens or mite dust (mite feces and dead mites).

To wrap up our Sharp air purifier review in relation to efficacy testing, we note the importance of the GLP (Good Laboratory Practices), an OECD standard that lends weight to test results, status of the testing organizations. GLP status has to be renewed every 3 years. A critical piece of information yet it is often disregarded by the critics of air purification technologies and academic marketing. Curiously, the fact that test data generated by a GLP laboratory can be readily peer reviewed by fellow scientists is also disregarded. The all-important scientific peer review, as we know, is the key missing piece in the puzzle of air purification technologies, including Plasmacluster Ion technology!

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Sharp Air Purifier Review – Plasmacluster Ion Technology Efficacy

Tiny is mighty may well describe the little dynamo that lies at the heart of Plasmacluster Ion technology. Our Sharp air purifier review will feature the ultra-high concentration Plasmacluster Ion generator. Measuring only 57mm by 28.5mm by 15.5mm, the little gadget produces the critical reactive agents.

Plasmacluster Ion Technology Overview

Plasma is formed upon delivery of negative and positive voltages to the discharge electrodes in the Plasmacluster Ion generator. Plasma is often described as the fourth state of matter after solid, liquid and gas. A partly ionized gas-like state, it contains free electrons that are not bound to a molecule or atom. Positive hydrogen ions and negative oxygen ions are formed from the decomposition of water molecules in the plasma. Separately, water molecules in the air cluster around the oxygen and hydrogen ions, resulting in the distinctively stable Plasmacluster Ions being created. Upon contact with the surfaces of pathogens, Plasmacluster Ions are transformed into hydroxyl radicals which are highly reactive but unstable. The quirky nature of hydroxyl radicals made them ideal for speedy bonding with hydrogen atoms lining the surface membranes of pathogens. The result; a disabled pathogen and a harmless by-product, water. Simply perfect! But is it fact or fiction?

Plasmacluster Ion – Fiction or Fact?

A reliable Sharp air purifier review has to deal with a basic issue – are Plasmacluster Ions fiction or fact? As with many other products emerging from the field of nanotechnology, Plasmacluster Ions are invisible to the naked eye. To complicate matters, individuals who use air purifiers have no scientific means to ascertain if the claims are genuine. There is really no choice but to depend on reported results of experiments with Plasmacluster Ions. There are 2 ways to do this, in the real world or efficiency testing or in the laboratory or efficacy testing.

Addressing these very real concerns of consumers instead of skirting the issue is testament to Sharp’s long track record of successes. To deal with this, Sharp introduced academic marketing. In association with leading academic institutions, Sharp puts its claims for Plasmacluster Ions to the test by scientists. The scientific data that is produced forms the basis for new Sharp products. Sharp has fine-tuned the definition of effectiveness into efficacy and efficiency. Efficacy testing has been the focus from the year 2000 to July 2009. Moving to center-stage currently is efficiency testing, typically conducted on the premises of business end users of Plasmacluster Ion technology.

Plasmacluster Ion – Authentication at Cellular Level

Delving deep for this Sharp air purifier review, we sense that Sharp may be cementing its lead in this controversial industry with its focus on efficacy and efficiency testing. On 17 November 2004, Sharp announced the results of studies by Professor Gerhard Artmann of the Department of Cell Biophysics and Bioengineering, University of Applied Sciences, Germany. A leading authority in the field of cellular engineering, Professor Artmann through the use of an electron microscope confirmed that Plasmacluster Ions damaged more than 60 protein types on the cell membrane of pathogens leading to inactivation of the cells (both bacteria and viruses were tested).

Another significant finding was that Plasmacluster Ions do not penetrate the pathogen cell membrane to impact the cell DNA. This is highlighted as a clear advantage over any air purification technology that relies on DNA destruction to inactivate pathogens. Without quite saying so, the dangers of cancer from DNA annihilation is clearly alluded to for users of other air purification technologies.

Plasmacluster Ion – Efficacy Testing

This current Sharp air purifier review highlights the efficacy tests that Sharp has conducted, together with several organizations, on various pathogens. From September 2000 to July 2009, efficacy tests have proven that Plasmacluster Ions destroy 28 different kinds of harmful airborne pathogens. Of the virulent microorganisms, the most important ones are MRSA (notorious for causing mortifying infections in hospitalized patients), the terrifying SARS virus, the potentially deadly H5N1 avian flu virus and a variant of the H1N1 virus that surfaced in Mexico in 2009.

The coxsackie virus which causes the common cold and the polio virus are also inactivated by Plasmacluster Ions. Also annihilated are candida, pseudomonas, serrata bacterium, sarcina, escherichia coli, bacillus subtilis, micrococcus, enterococcus, white staphylococcus and staphylococcus. Also effectively eliminated are a whole array of fungi (stachybotrys, penicillium, mucor, cladosporium, aspergillus, alternaria), mite, pollen and other allergens.

The following organizations conducted tests on Plasmacluster Ion technology:

- Ishikawa Health Service Association, Japan

- Kitasato Institute, Medical Center Hospital, Japan

- Kitasato Research Center of Environmental Sciences, Japan

- Graduate School of Advanced Sciences of Matter, Hiroshima University, Japan

- Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, China

- Seoul University, Korea

- Asthma Society of Canada

- Harvard School of Public Health, USA

- CT&T, Aachen University of Applied Science, Germany

- University of Lübeck, Germany

- Retroscreen Virology, Ltd., London, UK

The most recent test reported on 27 July 2009 was conducted by Osaka City University Medical School to validate the inhibitory effects of Plasmacluster Ions on allergic reactions caused by mite allergens or mite dust (mite feces and dead mites).

To wrap up our Sharp air purifier review in relation to efficacy testing, we would highlight that a key factor is that they were conducted by organizations which have attained GLP (Good Laboratory Practices) status, an OECD guideline that attests the reliability of tests results produced. Renewable on a 3-year basis, GLP status is internationally recognized. An important factor, yet this fact is often given no weight by critics of academic marketing and air purification technologies. Another conveniently overlooked factor is the fact that the data from a GLP laboratory can be easily the subject of a scientific peer review. The venerated scientific peer review, we know, is the last missing link in the world of Sharp’s Plasmacluster Ion technology and for that matter, all other air purification technologies!

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Ionic Air Purifiers - Safety Tops All Criteria

User safety tops all criteria in the selection of an ionic air purifier for use in the home, office, factory or school.

Existing ionic air purifier technology, regardless of whether they originate in North America, Europe, Japan or China produce a primary beneficial reactive agent.These reactive agents are known variously by names like negative ions, bipolar ions, plasmacluster ions and so on. Their prime objective is to eliminate contaminants in the air we breathe. Much has been published on the efficacy of these reactive agents in eliminating contaminants. What we do not know is whether these same potent reactive agents also cause harm to delicate human tissues such as those that line our breathing passages from the trachea to the lungs.

There is also an information vacuum about whether there are other by-products and if these are harmful to human tissues as well. In the industry, however, it is has been established that current ionic air purifier technology inadvertently results in the production of by-products that may, in sufficient concentrations, prove harmful to human tissue. One of the main by-products which attracts much attention is ozone, which in high concentrations is known to be harmful to human tissues.

In the light of the above, the issue of safety for the user of an ionic air purifier has to be addressed from these two perspectives:

(1) Potential harm from the beneficial reactive agents, and

(2) Potential harm from the unintended by-products.

We have done intensive web research on these two important perspectives. The reports are featured on Ezinearticles.com.

Don’t miss these 2 in-depth Ezine articles. To read, click on the Ezine Author Badge on The Ionic Air Purifier Blog.

Ezinearticles.com, within their terms and conditions, allows publishers to freely reproduce these two articles. So help yourself, publish the two articles on your websites as a complete set, via these links:

(1) Beneficial reactive agents

(2) Unintended by-products

In addition, keep updated with our progress as we research other aspects of the very broad and constantly changing field of ionic air purifier technologies.