A method and apparatus for decontaminating substantially enclosed environments by using ultrasonic cavitation of a cleaning fluid to produce a low pressure, low air flow mist that can be activated by a nonthermal plasma actuator to create a cloud of activated hydroxyl species with the capacity to decontaminate articles, open surfaces or substantially enclosed spaces of pathogens, including bacteria, and other pathogenic microorganisms. An automated system and related non-transitory computer medium are also disclosed.

Exemplary methods of and system for generating an antimicrobial wipe to clean and disinfect a surface contaminated with bacteria, viruses, spores, fungi, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the method includes applying non-thermal plasma to a moistened wipe to activate a liquid in the wipe. In some embodiments, the method includes applying non-thermal plasma to a liquid and then applying the activated liquid to a wipe. In one embodiment of a system for generating an antimicrobial wipe the system includes a housing having an opening; a supply of wipes disposed within the housing; a non-thermal plasma generator disposed within the housing; a power supply electrically coupled to the non-thermal plasma generator; and a feed system disposed within the housing, wherein the feed system moves one or more wipes from the supply of wipes past the plasma generator and out of the opening. As the feed system moves the wipes past the plasma generator, the plasma generator applies non-thermal plasma to the wipes.

A plasma generator generates atmospheric pressure, low temperature plasma (cold plasma), and includes a first electrode, a second electrode arranged so as to define a predetermined gap between a planar bottom surface of the first electrode and a planar top surface of the second electrode; at least one supplemental electrode, a first dielectric layer, a second dielectric layer, at least one supplemental top dielectric layer having a relative permittivity between 2 and 500, and a thickness of 3 mm or less, at least one supplemental bottom dielectric layer having a relative permittivity between 2 and 500, and a thickness of 3 mm or less, and a power supply configured to supply electrical power to the first, second, and supplemental electrodes at a predetermined voltage and frequency, such that, based on the predetermined gaps between the first, second, and supplemental electrodes, atmospheric pressure, low temperature plasma is generated.

A plasma generator generates atmospheric pressure, low temperature plasma (cold plasma), and includes a first electrode; a second electrode opposing the first electrode so as to define a predetermined gap therebetween; at least one supplemental electrode opposing a planar top surface of the second electrode and a planar bottom surface of the first electrode; a first dielectric layer; at least one supplemental dielectric layer that is disposed on a additional planar bottom surface of the at least one supplemental electrode having a relative permittivity between 2 and 500, and a thickness of 3 mm or less; and a power supply configured to supply electrical power to the first and second electrodes at a predetermined voltage and frequency, such that, based on the predetermined gap between the first and second electrodes, atmospheric pressure, low-temperature plasma is generated.

A plasma treatment apparatus, comprising a housing defining a void (13); a source of ionised gas plasma (14) in communication with the void; and agitation apparatus (12) arranged to agitate contents of the void. The plasma can typically be generated at ambient pressure from the ambient air in the void. The apparatus can be used, in particular, for the treatment of materials comprising many small components, such as seeds, granular material, plastic beads and the like.

An apparatus is provided for treating a liquid with a plasma. The apparatus includes one or two dielectric barriers, and the dielectric barrier(s) and high voltage electrode define a discharge zone therebetween. A high voltage electrode may be electrically insulated from the discharge zone by the inner dielectric barrier. In this apparatus, the outer dielectric barrier is gas and the discharge zone is configured to accept a gas flow therethrough.

The plasma rail device of the invention is a novel method and device to generate plasma right at the surface or slight above the surface for surface treatment, specifically for surface sanitization. The device generally comprises pairs of electrodes held together by a frame. The device features a fame that holds and positions the electrodes in a close proximity towards the surface under treatment. Discharges are created in the space bounded by the electrodes to generate plasma on the surface and above the surface for treatment so that the device can be positioned outside the object under treatment.

Provided herein is a plasma generating device for medical treatment and sanitizing purposes which comprises a control unit and a plasma generator connecting to the control unit. The plasma generator comprises a plasma tube having a first end and a second end; a first dielectric layer disposed on the inner surface of the plasma tube; a first electrode disposed on the first dielectric layer; a second dielectric layer disposed on the first electrode; a second electrode disposed on the second dielectric layer; and a plasma nozzle disposed on the bottom cover on the second end of the plasma tube.

A device for inhibiting condensation distortion on an optical element is provided. The device may include a housing; a chamber within the housing; electrical circuitry in the housing; a plasma activation region configured to retain the optical element in a manner exposing an optical surface to the plasma activation region, wherein the electrical circuitry is configured to form an electrical connection with a first electrode located on the first side of the dielectric barrier; a second electrode located on a second side of the dielectric barrier, opposite the plasma activation region; and at least one processor configured to: control electricity flow through the circuitry to cause an electric field associated with a voltage drop between the first electrode and a second electrode to generate plasma within the plasma-activation region; and maintain the generated plasma for a time period sufficient to cause the optical surface to become hydrophilic.

Device and method suitable for disinfecting herbs using plasma are disclosed. The device comprises a chamber and two sets of electrodes in an opposed position one relative to the other, inside the chamber. Each electrode in one set has a counterpart electrode in the other set, the two electrodes positioned facing each other and being configured to connect to a RF HV power supply, to produce a plasma-generating EM field in the space between the electrodes. The device further comprises a dielectric carrier positioned inside the chamber in the space between the two sets of electrodes, the carrier being dimensioned and configured to carry herbs in granular form such as powder or particles thereon. A portable sealable container comprising a unidirectional valve is also disclosed, configured to store herbs thereinside during plasma treatment in the device, and to store the disinfected herbs after treatment under vacuum. A device for disinfecting herbs by evaporating a disinfection agent in an evacuated chamber is also disclosed where plasma is used in any of several methods to enhance, improve and expedite the disinfection process.