Plasma applications are disclosed that operate with argon and other molecular gases at atmospheric pressure, and at low temperatures, and with high concentrations of reactive species. The plasma apparatus and the enclosure that contains the plasma apparatus and the substrate are substantially free of particles, so that the substrate does not become contaminated with particles during processing. The plasma is developed through capacitive discharge without streamers or micro-arcs. The techniques can be employed to remove organic materials from a substrate, thereby cleaning the substrate; to activate the surfaces of materials, thereby enhancing bonding between the material and a second material; to etch thin films of materials from a substrate; and to deposit thin films and coatings onto a substrate; all of which processes are carried out without contaminating the surface of the substrate with substantial numbers of particles.

The present invention relates to a device for generating a dielectric barrier discharge for treatment of an object (1) to be activated with non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma, comprising a dielectric working chamber (2) which has a wall (3) of a dielectric material and which encloses a working space (4), wherein a metallization (6) is applied to an outer side (5) of the wall (3) facing away from the working space (4), wherein the working space (4) is an open volume, and a high-voltage source (9) which is configured to apply a high voltage to the metallization (6) or to the object (1) to be activated when the object (1) to be activated is in the working space (4). According to a further aspect, the invention relates to a method of treatment of an object (1) to be activated with a non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma.

A handheld cold plasma device in which the device includes power source, control electronic circuit boards connected to high-frequency high-voltage transformers, user control panels, insulating case covering control electronic circuits, high-frequency high-voltage transformer and user control panel to form a monoblock, the plasma generating unit contains the active electrode and the passive electrode outside the housing to allow the user to be connected to the neutral wires of the device. The device according to the present disclosure uses the principle of direct discharge (or dielectric barrier discharge with floating electrodes) with small size, inexpensive and does not use consumable materials.

An electrotechnical core for generating a cold atmospheric pressure or low-pressure plasma for the treatment of human, animal, or technical surfaces. The core has a side facing the surface and a side facing away from the surface and comprises the following layers, starting from the side facing the surface: a first insulation layer, a first electrode structure with a first contact between the first electrode structure and a power supply unit, a second insulation layer to galvanically isolate the first electrode structure and a second electrode structure from one another, wherein the second electrode structure is driven during operation by a voltage signal sufficient to ignite a plasma, a third insulation layer to galvanically isolate the second electrode structure from a third electrode structure, wherein the third electrode structure grounds the third electrode structure during operation.

Disclosed is a plasma surface treatment apparatus for conductive powder. The plasma surface treatment apparatus for conductive powder comprises: a reaction chamber including a linear gas inlet at the lower end thereof and a gas outlet at the upper end thereof, and having a vertical cross section that is funnel-shaped; and a plasma jet generation device that is located below the linear gas inlet and is configured to discharge a plasma jet into the reaction chamber from below in an upward direction through the linear gas inlet, wherein powder is accommodated in the reaction chamber and is treated by plasma while buoyed by the plasma jet.

A BID includes: a discharger (2) including a dielectric pipe (8) and a pair of electrodes (14, 16) attached on an outer wall of the dielectric pipe, the pair of electrodes (14, 16) being arranged at a distance from each other in a direction along a central axis of the dielectric pipe (8), the discharger (2) being arranged so that plasma generating gas is introduced from a first end of the dielectric pipe (8) and configured to generates dielectric barrier discharge inside the dielectric pipe (8) to generate plasma; a detection section (4) including a sample gas introduction section (31) and a collection electrode (26) for collecting ions, the detection section (4) being configured to ionize components in the sample gas using light emitted from the plasma generated in the discharger (2) and to detect the generated ions by collecting them using the collection electrode (26); and a voltage supply (6; 6′) for generating a potential difference between the pair of electrodes (14, 16).

Disclosed is a method for treating actinic keratosis of tissue of a patient, the method including contacting non-thermal, atmospheric pressure plasma over areas of the tissue having actinic keratosis for a time and at treatment conditions effective to give rise to an at least partial amelioration of the keratosis.

Various embodiments relate to plasma actuators that generate fluidic flow. In one or more embodiments, a plasma actuator includes a first electrode and a second electrode. A dielectric film physically separates the first electrode and the second electrode of the plasma actuator. The dielectric film is configured to be attached to a surface to facilitate the plasma actuator providing fluidic flow for an environment. A method of using the dielectric film can include attaching the dielectric film to a surface of a machine, applying a voltage across electrodes of the dielectric film, and moving the machine based on an electrohydrodynamic (EHD) body force produced by the dielectric film.

A pulsed voltage is repeatedly applied between a first electrode and a second electrode to which a gas is supplied, a plasma is generated between the first electrode and the second electrode, and an active species is produced in the plasma. The energy necessary for plasma generation is set to a value greater than or equal to 1.8 W/cm.sup.3 and less than or equal to 8.5 W/cm.sup.3.

A first electrode and a second electrode, and a ceramic structural body into which a gas is introduced, and which is configured to introduce into water an active species produced by a plasma which is generated between the first electrode and the second electrode are provided. The ceramic structural body and at least one electrode from among the first electrode and the second electrode are formed together in an integrated manner.