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.

Some embodiments are directed to a generator and separator assembly for generating ions via atmospheric pressure, low temperature plasma and separating the generated ions. The generator and separator assembly include a plasma generator for generating the generating atmospheric pressure, low temperature plasma that is configured to eject positively and negatively ions. A separator is disposed to receive the positively and negatively ions ejected from the plasma generator, and includes a first separator electrode; a second separator electrode spaced from the first separator electrode; and a separator power supply that supplies electric power in the form of at least one of different voltages and different polarities to the first and second electrodes ranging from 0 kV and 10 kV, such that the received positively charged ions are redirected in one direction and the received negatively charged ions are redirected to another direction different from the one direction.

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.

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.

A printer head for a three-dimensional printer includes a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) disk configured to generate a plasma, where the DBD disk requires a high voltage alternating current (AC) voltage signal to generate the plasma. The printer head also includes a transformer assembly including a transformer and a housing that contains the transformer. The transformer is configured to transform an incoming AC voltage signal into the high voltage AC signal for the DBD disk. The printer head also includes an electrical wire that electrically connects the transformer to the DBD disk. The printer head also includes a wire guide defining a passageway, where a portion of the electrical wire is received by the passageway in the wire guide. The passageway of the wire guide is shaped to direct the electrical wire towards the DBD disk.

Some embodiments are directed to a decomposing and collection apparatus for use with a fluid. The apparatus includes an assembly for generating ions via applying atmospheric pressure, low temperature plasma to the fluid and separating the generated ions. The assembly includes multiple plasma generator and separator units that are vertically stacked relative to each other. Each of the multiple plasma generator and separator units includes a plasma generator for generating the generating atmospheric pressure, low temperature plasma, and a separator disposed to receive the positively and negatively ions ejected from the plasma generator and configured to redirect the received positively charged ions in one direction and the received negatively charged ions are redirected to another direction different from the one direction. The apparatus also includes a collector configured to collect at least one of the redirected positively charged ions and the negatively charged ions.

A plasma generator includes an AC power supply, a power supply electrode and a ground electrode, one of which is disposed in a gas flow path and the other of which is a conductive wall constituting the gas flow path, an inflexible connection member configured to electrically connect the AC power supply and the power supply electrode, and an insulating material (power supply side insulating material, ground side insulating material) covering a side of one of the power supply electrode and the ground electrode, the side facing the other electrode.

The invention provides a microplasma photonic crystal for reflecting, transmitting and/or storing incident electromagnetic energy includes a periodic array of elongate microtubes confining microplasma therein and having a column-to-column spacing, average electron density and plasma column diameter selected to produce a photonic response to the incident electromagnetic energy entailing the increase or suppression of crystal resonances and/or shifting the frequency of the resonances. The crystal also includes electrodes for stimulating microplasma the elongated microtubes Electromagnetic energy can be interacted with the periodic array of microplasma to reflect, transmit and/or trap the incident electromagnetic energy.

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.

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.