Science & Technology

Ebola-killing robots zap viruses in hospitals

By T.K. Randall
October 12, 2014 ·  7 comments

Disinfecting hospitals is a vital task. Image Credit: sxc.hu Representing the latest line of defense against the increasingly prevalent threat of an Ebola outbreak, the autonomous virus busting robots from San Antonio's Xenex Disinfection have been rolled out to 250 hospitals across the country.

The robots take a high-tech approach to fighting viruses and bacteria by using ultra-violet light to destroy their DNA. Each session involves bathing an area in pulses of light for a period of five minutes to kill any pathogens that might be present.While ultra-violet light has been used for this purpose before, previous efforts have relied on antiquated mercury-based light bulbs which are toxic to humans.

These new robots however use xenon gas to produce ultra-violet light up to 25,000 times more intense than that produced by the sun which makes them far more effective at killing germs.

If all goes well then the robots may soon also be sent to Africa to tackle the virus at its source as well as to airports to help disinfect airliners that have returned from affected countries.

Source: Discovery News | Comments (7)

Tags: Ebola, Robot