Farmers and seed suppliers chemically treat seeds in order to improve their viability and health by eliminating pest infestation. Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Electron Beam and Plasma Technology (Fraunhofer FEP) in Dresden, Germany have developed a different method which kills pathogens without harming the environment. Aside being more environmentally friendly, it also means… »

Technology developed during the long-running research conducted on the International Space Station is opening up a new way to keep hospital patients safe from infections. By using plasma (superheated, electrically charged gas), Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics director Gregor Morfill is developing ways to kill bacteria and viruses that can cause infections in hospitals…. »