title: Compact solar autoclave based on steam generation using broadband light-harvesting nanoparticles.
abstract: The lack of readily available sterilization processes for medicine and dentistry practices in the developing world is a major risk factor for the propagation of disease. Modern medical facilities in the developed world often use autoclave systems to sterilize medical instruments and equipment and process waste that could contain harmful contagions. Here, we show the use of broadband light-absorbing nanoparticles as solar photothermal heaters, which generate high-temperature steam for a standalone, efficient solar autoclave useful for sanitation of instruments or materials in resource-limited, remote locations. Sterilization was verified using a standard Geobacillus stearothermophilus-based biological indicator.
authors.affiliation: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Laboratory for Nanophotonics, Rice Quantum Institute, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA.
authors.forename: Oara
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Neumann
authors.forename: Curtis
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Feronti
authors.forename: Albert D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Neumann
authors.forename: Anjie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Schell
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Quinn
authors.forename: Shea
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: Nathaniel
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Grady
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nordlander
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Oden
authors.forename: Naomi J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Halas
mesh_terms: D001411:Geobacillus stearothermophilus; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry; D006358:Hot Temperature; D008027:Light; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D012993:Solar Energy; D013227:Steam; D013242:Sterilization / Q000295:instrumentation*
chemical_list: D013227:Steam; D006046:Gold
keywords: energy conversion; nanoscience; nanoshells; plasmon