A plasma torch having an open end from which a plasma plume is emitted in use is disclosed. The plasma torch includes a central cathode rod, a grounded conductive tube having an open end and being arranged around the cathode and spaced therefrom to form a first cylindrical cavity open at one end; and a high voltage electrode having a dielectric barrier material at a radially inward-facing surface thereof and being arranged around the grounded conductive tube and spaced apart therefrom to form a second annular cylindrical cavity open at one end. A constant direct current (DC) electrical power plus a high voltage pulsed electrical power is provided to the cathode producing an arc discharge in the first cavity between the cathode and grounded tube to generate a central thermal plasma emitted at an open end of the first cylindrical cavity. A high voltage alternating current electrical power or pulsed electrical power is provided to the high voltage electrode producing a dielectric barrier discharge in the second annular cylindrical cavity to generate a non-thermal plasma emitted from an open end of the second cavity as a halo around the central thermal plasma.

A dielectric barrier discharge electrode of an embodiment has: a dielectric; a first electrode provided to be exposed on the dielectric; a second electrode provided to be covered by the dielectric; and a third electrode provided to be covered by the dielectric in a neighborhood of the first electrode.

Exemplary devices and methods for generating plasma are provided, which may include a first electrode component with a first side portion and a second side portion, a second electrode component having a proximate front side portion and a proximate back side portion, a plasma producing region, a ground connector component into engagement with the second electrode component, a first dielectric segment for coating the second side portion of said first electrode component. An electric power receiver into engagement with the first electrode component, wherein the electric power, when applied, converts gas disposed in the plasma producing region, into plasma.

Non-thermal Atmospheric Plasma (NAP) from a plasma source is mixed with a liquid medium and the resulting compound is applied to the scalp to treat hair loss. The NAP-medium compound may be applied to the surface of the scalp, or produced in situ, or injected into the scalp.

A micro-hollow cathode discharge device. The device includes a first electrode layer comprising a first electrode. A hole is disposed in the first electrode layer. The device also includes a dielectric layer having a first surface that is disposed on the first electrode layer. The hole continues from the first electrode layer through the dielectric layer. The device also includes a semi-conducting layer disposed on a second surface of the dielectric layer opposite the first surface. The semi-conducting layer is a semiconductor material that spans across the hole such that the hole terminates at the semi-conducting layer. The device also includes a second electrode layer disposed on the semi-conducting layer opposite the dielectric layer.

A micro-hollow cathode discharge device. The device includes a first electrode layer comprising a first electrode. A hole is disposed in the first electrode layer. The device also includes a dielectric layer having a first surface that is disposed on the first electrode layer. The hole continues from the first electrode layer through the dielectric layer. The device also includes a semi-conducting layer disposed on a second surface of the dielectric layer opposite the first surface. The semi-conducting layer is a semiconductor material that spans across the hole such that the hole terminates at the semi-conducting layer. The device also includes a second electrode layer disposed on the semi-conducting layer opposite the dielectric layer.

In an active gas generation apparatus of the present invention, an auxiliary conductive film provided on a first electrode dielectric film is provided to overlap part of an active gas flow path in plan view, and the auxiliary conductive film is set to the ground potential. An active gas auxiliary member provided on a second electrode dielectric film is provided to fill part of the active gas flow path between a discharge space and a gas ejection hole in a dielectric space between the first and second electrode dielectric films in order to limit to an active gas flow gap.

A beauty care or skin treatment apparatus using plasma includes: a body having a handle part on which a ground is formed; an electrode unit which is formed on one surface of the body and forms atmospheric plasma by application electric power thereto; an image input unit which is provided in the body so as to photograph an image of the skin which faces the image input unit; and a transmission unit which is configured to transmit an image signal inputted from the image input unit to a terminal connected thereto.

An exhaust aftertreatment system for purifying an exhaust gas feedstream that is expelled from an internal combustion engine that is operable at an air/fuel ratio that is lean of stoichiometry is described. The exhaust aftertreatment system includes a barrier discharge plasma reactor that is disposed upstream relative to a catalytic reactor and electrically connected to a plasma controller. The barrier discharge plasma reactor is controlled to generate ozone from constituents of the exhaust gas feedstream when the internal combustion engine is operating at a lean air/fuel ratio and at a low temperature condition. The generated ozone reacts, in the catalytic reactor, to oxidize non-methane hydrocarbons contained in the exhaust gas feedstream when the internal combustion engine is operating at lean air/fuel ratio and at low temperature conditions.

A method for the treatment of teeth which comprises enhancing transport of substances through the tooth enamel by generating a gaseous plasma in proximity to the tooth.