Technology

RF Biocidics (RFB) is developing a novel electrically-driven disinfectant and disinfestation technology that relies on the interaction of electrical fields with microbial and insect pests in a host material. The technology is characterized by its ability to differentially heat and eliminate undesirable pathogens and arthropods, while minimizing the heating effect on the host material. The RF process generates well-controlled, short-lived thermal heating which is effective at deactivating human and plant pathogens such as E.coli and Salmonella as well as controlling the biological cycles of insect pests (eggs, larva, pupa, adults).

Our patented technology provides significant advantages that include rapid disinfection and disinfestations turn time, low energy use and do not require the use of chemicals or dangerous radiation. The amount of thermal energy imparted to the host commodity is below the threshold level that would induce irreversible chemical changes thus retaining all sensory characteristics and little to no degradation of nutritional characteristics. RF Biocidics technology has been demonstrated to be effective at controlling pests and pathogens in the following commodities:

• Nuts – Almonds, Walnuts, etc.
• Grains – Rice, Wheat, etc.
• Dried Fruits –figs, plums, apricots, etc.
• Seeds – Crop and edible seeds,Agricultural soils and soil amendments
• Liquids – Fruit Juices, Milk, waste water, ballast water
• Wood – Pallets, Furniture

RF economics are competitive with chemical fumigants and large-scale systems can be designed to operate in batch as well as continuous flow operations. The physical size of an RF system is small enough to allow easy integration into existing facilities with minimal changes to any operation.