From Lab To Market: How Plasma Science And A*STAR Built A Next-Generation Air Sanitiser

When the COVID-19 pandemic revealed the limits of conventional air purification, a Singapore start-up saw an opportunity to reinvent the standard. Plasma Science, an A*STAR spin-off, joined forces with A*STAR scientists to develop an air sanitiser capable of eliminating airborne viruses and bacteria in minutes. Today, their proprietary “Safe Air Dome” technology is redefining air quality standards and opening new possibilities for healthcare, agriculture, and building management.

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In 2020, most air purification technologies took two to three hours to disinfect a space—and largely in controlled lab environments. For public spaces, clinics, and homes, this was too slow to meaningfully curb virus transmission.

Co-founders Samuel Teh and A*STAR scientists Dr Ady Suwardi, Dr Davy Cheong, and Dr Ivan Tan recognised that a new solution had to achieve:

• Speed — neutralising viruses and bacteria in minutes, not hours.
• Efficacy — proven elimination of viruses such as coronaviruses and bacteria.
• Practicality — scalable, low-maintenance, and energy-efficient for real-world use.

Through a Research Collaboration Agreement (RCA) with A*STAR Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (A*STAR IMRE), the team explored cold plasma technology’s potential in killing viruses and bacteria, including coronaviruses.

The “Safe Air Dome” technology was then developed by Plasma Science was the outcome of a synergistic collaboration between the A*STAR scientists and the engineering expertise of Teh and his industry partners. The “Safe Air Dome” technology has since been featured in the Trident series of air sanitisers.

About the technology

• Rapid and superior elimination: Kills up to 99.99% of bacteria and viruses within minutes of usage.
• Proprietary technology with proven results: “Hunt, catch, and kill” airborne microorganisms while removing allergens, odours, mould, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the air with the use of cold plasma ions and calibrated advanced graphene electrostatic (Bio-CAGE) plates.
• Low maintenance: Washable filters that reduce energy use and operating costs, compared to disposable HEPA filters.
• Superior performance: Higher Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) and larger coverage area with lower energy consumption.

From concept to launch took just two years — a timeline accelerated by joint R&D and validation with A*STAR.

The project drove revenue growth and market expansion, while improving airborne infection control, reducing waste and energy use, enhancing public health resilience, and building applied R&D capabilities through collaboration with A*STAR scientists.

• Commercial adoption: Over 1,000 units sold since 2022, with deployments in healthcare facilities, including Livingstone Health Holdings clinics.

  

  Trident air sanitisers being deployed in Livingstone Health Holding clinics

• Industry recognition: Winner of “Most Promising Start-Up” at the 2022 Emerging Enterprise Awards.

  

  Plasma Science team receiving the “Most Promising Start-Up” award at the Emerging Enterprise Awards 2022

• Revenue growth: Tripled sales in Singapore in 2023, hitting S$1 million in the first half of the year.
• Market expansion: Plans to launch in Southeast Asia, Europe, Australia, and the US.

Beyond air sanitisation, Plasma Science is collaborating with partners in Changi Airport Group, childcare centres, and centralised air-conditioning retrofits, while exploring agricultural, food storage, and medical applications.

To keep up with the growing demand, Plasma Science is targeting to expand their local team in the areas of R&D, engineering, customer service and business development.

Moving forward, the company is already deep into the next phase of development, working closely with A*STAR scientists to pioneer cutting-edge technologies in new products.

Because we are going into so many different areas, a large part of our growth and development will depend on R&D and our partnership with A*STAR.

- Samuel Teh, Co-founder Plasma Science