Research

Currently most of our time and resources are focused on Dielectric Barrier Discharges (DBDs) and their effect on Ozone generation. DBDs are a method by which microplasmas are more easily formed and in the case of Ozone production, is currently is the most efficient means of producing this chemical. Ozone (O3) is the triatomic form of Oxygen (O2) and is the most powerful commercial oxidizing agent available. Although in the eyes of the public it may have a notorious reputation throughout recent history, such as in the case of its high concentration in smog-rich cities like Los Angeles, CA, or the depletion of the O3 layer that made headlines throughout the 80’s and 90’s, it actually is a very versatile compound with a plethora of people-friendly uses. Currently its use in industry is widespread ranging from chemical preparation in organic chemistry, to microchip development processes for computers, and it even found its way into water purification. It is this use in water purification that really sparked our curiosity though.

Ozone (O3) for use in water disinfection dates as far back as 1840. Created from Oxygen (O2) gas, O3 has a high molecular instability meaning it cannot be stored and must be generated onsite to be used when needed. For the purpose of water purification it is simply created in a plasma reactor housed outside the reservoir and then pumped into the water. As it percolates through the fluid O3 wants to return to a more stable O2 state and does so by bumping into contaminants in the water and losing one of its atomic Oxygen (O1) atoms. This results in a powerful oxidation reaction, typical resulting in the destruction of the contaminant’s molecular form. It is this power to destroy even the most tenacious of water pollutants coupled with controllability and the knowledge only safe byproducts are formed, that has been the motivation for renewed interest in this fascinating reaction. Aside from this ease of use, what is also bolstering this contemporary re-investigation is its stark contrast to the currently favorable method of water purification which is Chlorine disinfection. Chlorine is a dangerous chemical requiring storage facilities, proper handling and dosing, systematic testing of the concentrations of dangerous byproducts (like the known carcinogenic chloroform for instance) that are formed and, most unsettling, has also been recently linked in numerous studies to increased risk of certain types of cancer over long term exposure. So between the pitfalls of Chlorine and the seemingly infallible abilities of O3, it is no surprise that this method of water treatment has caught the eyes of public health policy makers and is rapidly growing in its implementation around the world. However, there is a reason why it hasn’t just taken over immediately though. That reason is cost.

Like any new technology Ozone production has its drawbacks. The major flaw hindering its immediate radical widespread implementation is the fact that the generation of this chemical is energy intensive and therefore, can be costly. It is for this reason that in many cases the benefits are outweighed by the costs and the cheaper alternatives like chlorine are used. There is a bright side to this deterrence though; this isn’t a permanent Achille’s heel. At this point in time the production cost to O3 output ratio isn’t a fundamental production efficiency problem, limited by a theoretical maximum yield, but merely a physics and engineering issue requiring an improvement of our fundamental knowledge of this realm of chemical physics. What this means is that somewhere along the lines, the fundamental physics of exactly how this reaction process occurs is blurred and industry starts making estimations and best guesses. This is where our research team comes in.

Currently our primary work at L.E.A.P. research facility is a thorough investigation of the fundamentals of how Ozone is generated. Subsequently we get the added bonus of also learning what variables in that reaction sequence can be optimized for increased productivity. To reiterate our organization’s mission though, this is not simply an engineering endeavor. We focus on discovering and learning fundamental physical properties like plasma discharge parameters and their effects chemical reaction kinetics, electrical waveform variations and its effect on power consumption, chemical reactant composition and their effects on both of the preceding, etc. This isn’t a simple system optimization. Although we do receive O3 generation reactors of proprietary design from tech-companies from around the world, it is to do fundamental research they do not have the time, resources, or expertise to do. What this allows us to do is to take our microplasma knowledge base and apply it to understanding how and why this chemical reaction occurs. We get to learn and see things few people in the world are even thinking about. Yes the work is catered to help these companies but the knowledge obtained is can be used across the scientific field and not just for this particular reaction. As an example, just from the preliminary data we have collected over the past year we have already theorized other applications for the reaction sequences we have tailored and even have a standing proposal with the U.S. Air Force. It just goes to show you that they call fundamental research fundamental for a reason.

Some of the other benefits of working with industry, or at least in this case, is that the things we learn and discoveries we make can be (and already have been)implemented in facilities around the world, improving efficiency and helping better society as a whole. Our research niche has taken the turn-around time from the lab to the consumer and shortened extensively. From a human perspective it is quite gratifying to see your work come to fruition, especially when you know what you are doing is bringing clean water to more homes. What things like this serve to do is fuel your desire to look more, find more, and do more and here at L.E.A.P., we like to do more. Aside from helping industrial Ozone operations, we also took what we have learned and have started building small, portable Ozone reactors for our own experimentation as well as for the thought of finding a way to simplify, package, and mass produce them for the average consumer. Here in America we are blessed with having relatively clean water everywhere but in 2nd and 3rd world nations around the world our fundamental right to clean water is a privilege or luxury to them. Imagine having a relatively inexpensive solution for permanently bringing clean water to these places? Just the thought alones inspires us to keep our lab open and operational nearly 18 hours a day.