The invention relates to a method for decontaminating a preform made of thermoplastic material by exposing at least part of the preform to reactive species obtained by mixing a precursor agent with a plasma, the plasma being generated by injection of a carrier gas into a reactor, the method including mixing of the precursor agent with the plasma is carried out exclusively outside the reactor before it is in contact with the preform. The invention also relates to a decontamination device for carrying out the method.

Apparatus for reducing the translucence or opacity caused by smoke within a closed environment includes a fibrous substrate comprising non-conductive fibers. The apparatus further includes elongated, substantially parallel electrodes disposed on the substrate arranged as one or more pairs of adjacent electrodes, wherein a discharge gap is defined between each pair. The apparatus additionally includes a component configured for applying a voltage between each pair to generate a non-thermal microplasma in a corresponding discharge gap to collect or bind one or more airborne particulate combustion byproducts.

A corona plasma cell includes a polarized electrode and a ground electrode, including a cylinder and a porous film, with the cylinder having a low profile and the polarized electrode not entering the cylinder; a corona plasma dual element including a first cell, a second cell having such a structure, which first and second cell are symmetrically arranged; and finally a plasma reactor including a plurality of cells or dual elements.

A method for plasma coating an object includes an object profile, having the steps of: a) manufacturing a replaceable shield comprising a jet inlet, a nozzle outlet and a sidewall extending from the jet inlet to the nozzle outlet, wherein the nozzle outlet includes an edge essentially congruent to at least part of the object profile; b) detachably attaching the replaceable shield to a jet outlet of a plasma jet generator; c) placing the object at the nozzle outlet such that the object profile fits closely to the nozzle outlet edge; d) plasma coating the object with a low-temperature, oxygen-free plasma at an operating pressure which is higher than the atmospheric pressure by providing a plasma jet in the shield via the plasma jet generator and injecting coating precursors in the plasma jet in the shield.

A hollow electrode assembly through which gas from a gas supply can pass and be effused across the casing of the electrode for supplying a gas for a plasma discharge. The gas passing the electrode goes from a higher gas pressure environment inside the electrode to a lower gas pressure environment on the outside of the electrode. The casing of the electrode through which the gas effuses can be a metal or metal allow which provides for a controlled flow of the gas through the wall. The flow rate of the gas can be controlled by one or more of the porosity of the metal or metal alloy used, the type of gas used, the pressure differential between the inside and outside of the electrode, and the temperature of the system. The electrode assembly can be used in and high temperature plasma generators.

Systems and apparatuses for converting nitrogen gas, such as from ambient air, into fertilizer via interaction with a controlled plasma field using low energy inputs. Mechanisms and methods for cooling splitter apparatuses during production of fertilizer from nitrogen gas. Methods of producing fertilizer from nitrogen gas, such as ambient air, via a splitter creating a plasma output, and for collecting produced fertilizer.

An array of non-thermal plasma emitters is controlled to emit plasma based on application of an electric current at desired frequencies and a controlled power level. A power supply for an array controller includes a transformer that operates at the resonant frequency of the combined capacitance of the array and the cable connecting the array to the power supply. The power into the array is monitored by the controller and can be adjusted by the user. The controller monitors reflected power characteristics, such as harmonics of the alternating current, to determine initiation voltage of the plasma and/or resonant frequency plasma emitters. The array of non-thermal plasma emitters may be used in therapeutic, diagnostic, and/or medical sanitization applications, such as to prevent, limit, and/or treat the development of diseases caused in humans by infectious agents.

A pulsed metal plasma thruster (MPT) cube has a plurality of thrusters, each having a first cathode electrode and a trigger electrode separated from the first electrode by an insulator sufficient to support an initiation plasma, and a porous anode electrode positioned a separation distance from the face of all of the cathode electrodes. The cathode electrode can be either the inner electrode or the outer electrode. A power supply delivers a high voltage pulse to the trigger electrode with respect to the cathode electrode sufficient to initiate a plasma on the surface of the insulator. The plasma transfers between the anode electrode and cathode electrode of selected thrusters, thereby generating a pulse of thrust.

Disclosed herein are embodiments of a system for selectively ionizing samples that may comprise a plurality of different analytes that are not normally detectable using the same ionization technique. The disclosed system comprises a unique split flow tube that can be coupled with a plurality of ionization sources to facilitate using different ionization techniques for the same sample. Also disclosed herein are embodiments of a method for determining the presence of analytes in a sample, wherein the number and type of detectable analytes that can be identified is increased and sensitivity and selectivity are not sacrificed.

A connector is configured to electrically connect a plasma emitter array with an identification chip to a power supply controller, and to further mechanically support the emitter device supporting the array during use. Cooperating components of the connector and emitter device form a magnetic latch assembly: the connector includes one or more magnets flush with a top receiving surface of the connector, and one or more alignment pegs extending outward from the receiving surface; the emitter device includes a steel plate attached to a substrate, and one or more holes disposed through the plate and the substrate. The holes align with the alignment pegs and the magnets attract the plate and secure the emitter device against the top receiving surface. Electrical contacts of the connector establish electrical communication with the identification chip, providing power to the emitter device and enabling the controller to read data stored in the identification chip.