%0 Journal Article
%T Microwave Detection, Disruption, and Inactivation of Microorganisms
%A Victor J. Law
%A Denis P. Dowling
%J American Journal of Analytical Chemistry
%P 135-161
%@ 2156-8278
%D 2022
%I Scientific Research Publishing
%R 10.4236/ajac.2022.134010
%X This paper reviews three complex interactions between microwave energy and microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, and viruses). The first interaction comprises the detection of viruses within human blood using a 50-Ohm transmission-line vector net-analyzer (typically 0 to 10 dBm @ 2 to 8.5 GHz) where the blood is placed within a test chamber that acts as a non-50-Ohm discontinuity. The second interaction employs 1 to 6.5 W @ 8 to 26 GHz for microwave feed-horn illumination to inactivate microorganisms at an applied power density of 10 to 100 mW<sup>-2</sup>. The third interaction is within multi-mode microwave ovens, where microorganism cell membrane disruption occurs at a few 100 s of W @ 2.45 GHz and microorganism inactivation between 300 to 1800 W @ 2.45 GHz. Within the first microwave interaction, blood relaxation processes are examined. Whereas in the latter two microwave interactions, the following disruption, and inactivation mechanisms are examined: chemical cellular lysis and, microwave resonant absorption causing cell wall rupture, and thermodynamic analysis in terms of process energy budget and suspension energy density. In addition, oven-specific parameters are discussed.
%K Bacteria
%K Fungi Virus
%K Hepatitis C Virus
%K Human Immunodeficiency Virus
%K Detection
%K Disruption Inactivation
%K N95 Respirator
%K Microwave Oven
%U http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=116654