A field study was conducted to reduce airborne bacteria by supplying active ions to indoor spaces used by vulnerable human groups spending substantial amounts of time in places such as schools and hospitals. In an experiment conducted during school hours (8:00-15:00), the average number of airborne bacteria in classrooms was 345.53 CFU/m3 or more without active ions. However, ion supply reduced the airborne bacteria to an average of 113.23 CFU/m3, indicating an efficiency of 61.61%. As a result of tests in 33 rooms used for surgery in small and middle sized hospitals, ion supply for 2 to 4 hours reduced the average airborne bacteria concentration from 243.88 CFU/m3 to 104.34 CFU/m3, representing a 41.53% reduction. A laboratory test to confirm the ion activity has shown that the mortality rate of E. coli used as a test bacterium increased with exposure time to ions. The initial colony number of E. coli was 251 CFU, but decreased to 4 CFU after 60 minutes of exposure to active ions. Therefore, it was confirmed that the supply of active ions can contribute to the control of airborne bacteria in the indoor environment of schools, hospitals and other public facilities.

The objectives of this study were the development of a synthesis technique for highly active nanosized ITO powder and the understanding of the reaction mechanisms of the ITO precursors. The precipitation and agglomeration phenomena in ITO and precursors are very sensitive to reaction temperature, pH, and coexisting ion species. Excessive ion and ions had a negative effect an synthesizing highly active powders. However, with a relevant stabilizing treatment the shape and size of ITO and precursors could be controlled and high density sintered products of ITO were obtained. By applying the reprecipitation process (or stabilization technique), highly active ITO and powders were synthesized. Sintering these powders at for 5 hours produced 97% dense ITO bodies.