University of Michigan Engineers Secure $2 Million USDA Grant to Neutralize Airborne Bird Flu via Nonthermal Plasma Technology

University of Michigan engineers receive $2M to test nonthermal plasma that kills 99.9% of airborne bird flu in livestock barns. Read the latest 2026 update.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 28, 2026, 4:21 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from University of Michigan

Engineering Solutions for Agricultural Bio-Security

The devastating economic impact of the H5N1 outbreak, which has resulted in the loss of 175 million birds and over $1 billion in costs, has prompted a shift toward engineering-based mitigation strategies. Researchers at the University of Michigan, supported by a $2 million grant from the USDA, are focused on identifying how the virus degrades in the air of industrial farms. According to Associate Professor Herek Clack, the primary goal is to move beyond reactive mass culling by establishing science-based guidelines and technical barriers that can neutralize the virus before it infects a flock or a human worker.

The Mechanics of Nonthermal Plasma Inactivation

At the heart of this project is the application of nonthermal plasma to render viral aerosols harmless. This technology functions by exposing contaminated air to intense electric fields, which generate temporary free electrical charges that structurally damage the virus. Previous testing by Clack’s team demonstrated that plasma reactors could reduce infectious viral loads in the air by as much as 99.9 percent. By physically altering the virus at the molecular level, this method provides a continuous filtration system that does not rely on traditional chemical disinfectants or restrictive physical barriers.

Chemical Interference in Livestock Environments

The effectiveness of plasma treatment is often complicated by the unique chemical composition of the air found in enclosed animal housing. Specifically, the presence of ammonia, a common byproduct of livestock waste, has been shown to inhibit the inactivation process at even low concentrations. Professor Clack notes that the research will specifically examine how these pollutants raise the pH of the air, potentially neutralizing the plasma’s ability to lower pH levels. Understanding this chemical tug-of-war is essential for ensuring that the technology remains effective in the high-ammonia environments typical of poultry and cattle operations.