A plasma plate is used to minimize drag of a fluid flow over an exposed surface. The plasma plate includes a series of plasma actuators positioned on the surface. Each plasma actuator is made of a dielectric separating a first electrode exposed to a fluid flow and a second electrode separated from the fluid flow under the dielectric. A pulsed direct current power supply provides a first voltage to the first electrode and a second voltage to the second electrode. The series of plasma actuators is operably connected to a bus which distribute powers and is positioned to minimize flow disturbances. The plasma actuators are arranged into a series of linear rows such that a velocity component is imparted to the fluid flow.

Applications of dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) based atmospheric pressure plasma jets are often limited by the relatively small area of treatment due to their 1D configuration. This system generates 2D plasma jets permitting fast treatment of larger targets. DBD evolution starts with formation of transient anode glow, and continues with development of cathode-directed streamers. The anode glow can propagate as an ionization wave along the dielectric surface through and outside of the discharge gap. Plasma propagation is not limited to 1D geometry such as tubes, and can be organized in a form of a rectangular plasma jet, or other 2D or 3D shapes. Also described are a method for generating 2D plasma jets and use of the 2D plasma jets for cancer therapy.

A wing comprising a leading edge composed of a skin transparent to microwaves, magnetrons implanted under the skin and arranged in rows and in columns alongside one another, between two successive rows of magnetrons, a discharge row successively comprising an electrode and a ground electrode, where each electrode passes through the skin and where each ground electrode is under the skin.

A wing comprising a leading edge forming a caisson delimited by a wall and an electrically conductive skin forming a lower surface and an upper surface and pierced with holes. A pump is provided to suck the air present in the caisson and/or to inject air into the caisson. The wing includes a voltage generator. Each hole is equipped with an anti-clogging system which comprises an electrically conductive electrode, an electrically insulating body having a stem which lodges in the hole and which has a central orifice in which the electrode lodges. The outer face of the stem has at least one tooth, where each tooth protrudes from the outer face of the stem and extends over the height of the stem. The at least one tooth is distributed around the stem so as to create at least one channel.

A small and inexpensive plasma actuator is capable of accelerating induced flow and increasing the effect of controlling flow. A plurality of electrode pairs are disposed on a dielectric layer upstream to downstream along a predetermined direction. Each electrode pair includes an upstream electrode disposed on one surface of the dielectric layer and a downstream electrode disposed on another surface of the dielectric layer to sandwich the dielectric layer between the upstream electrode. A lowest electrode is on the one surface of the dielectric layer displaced downstream from the downstream electrode in an the most downstream electrode pair to have the same potential as the downstream electrode. A voltage application device is configured to apply voltage including AC voltage or repeated pulse voltage to each electrode pair such that the potential of the applied voltage inverts at adjacent electrode pairs.

A system for generating and delivering a low temperature, wide, partially ionized tunable plasma stream is described. The system employs a fast rising, repetitive high voltage pulse generator, flowing gas, and a plasma head to produce the described atmospheric pressure plasma stream and its associated active species. The plasma head may have an exit slit with a relatively wide dimension to produce a relative wide plasma stream. Electrodes may be located proximate the exit slit, for example one in an interior of the plasma head via with gas flows toward the exit slit, and the other exterior to the plasma head and offset from the exit slit. The plasma may include baffle material to enhance a uniformity of flow through and across the exit slit. Plasma heads with having exit slit with different widths may be provided as a kit.

A blower having high efficiency and low noise by actively controlling airflow in the blower, and an air conditioner having the blower is provided. The air conditioner has a blower. The blower includes a fan having a hub and at least one blade provided on an outer circumferential surface of the hub, a motor to rotatably drive the hub, a shroud configured to surround the periphery of the fan and at least one actuator installed in the shroud and configured to form an airflow along an inner circumferential surface of the shroud.

An apparatus configured to reduce drag is provided. The apparatus includes a plasma actuator including a hollow cylinder with two open bases, a first electrode disposed inside the cylinder, a second electrode disposed outside the cylinder, and a plasma layer disposed inside the cylinder next to the first electrode, a surface including the plasma actuator disposed on the surface, and a motion actuator configured to move the plasma actuator in a sweeping motion across a face of the surface.

Plasma applications are disclosed that operate with argon or helium at atmospheric pressure, and at low temperatures, and with high concentrations of reactive species in the effluent stream. Laminar gas flow is developed prior to forming the plasma and at least one of the electrodes can be heated which enables operation at conditions where the argon or helium plasma would otherwise be unstable and either extinguish, or transition into an arc. The techniques can be employed to clean and activate a metal substrate, including removal of oxidation, thereby enhancing the bonding of at least one other material to the metal.

Disclosed herein are flexible plasma applicators based on fibrous layers that are capable of rapidly sanitizing a surface via either direct or indirect contact with said surface.