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A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Applied Physics General".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 December 2021) | Viewed by 32757

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Dr. Andrei Vasile Nastuta

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Physics and Biophysics Education Research Laboratory (P&B-EduResLab), Biomedical Science Department, Faculty of Medical Bioengineering, "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi, Str. M. Kogalniceanu no. 9-13, 700454 Iasi, Romania
Interests: plasma sources; plasma diagnosis; plasma-cell interactions; atmospheric pressure plasmas; non-thermal plasmas; plasma-surface modification of polymers; plasma-surface interface; surface characterization; atomic force microscopy; surface energy-contact angle; thin film deposition; nanoparticles; nanomaterials
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Dear Colleagues,

Atmospheric pressure plasmas represent a feasible and eco-friendly alternative to conventional physicochemical methods used in technology today for facing materials. The complex physical and chemical processes occurring when plasma interacts with mater offer a rich source of short- and long-lived chemical species, mostly reactive nitrogen and oxygen species (RNS/ROS). They are also crucial for many applications ranging from the food industry, environmental related fields, agriculture and healthcare, to material science and even automotive. Exciting novel applications of plasma–surface, plasma–liquid, and plasma–gas interactions are at the focus of many challenging multidisciplinary scientific inquiries.

The range of potential plasma applications is broad, from plasma (bio)medicine (antibacterial/disinfectant/antiseptic agent, wound healing promoter, selective treatment of cancer cells and tumors), plasma pharmacology, plasma and food, plasma bioengineering, plasma agriculture (as seed germination inducer or even as a green fertilizer), to plasma and automotive. Nevertheless, all of these plasma fields are plasma–based technologies.

This Special Issue on ‘Frontiers in Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Technology’ is open but not limited to recent findings in novel and possible future applications of plasmas in life sciences, biomedicine, agriculture, and automotive.

Papers providing fundamental insights into the understanding of plasmas and detailed analysis of electrical discharges, pushing forward cutting-edge techniques in plasma science and technology, are especially welcome.

Dr. Andrei Vasile NASTUTA
Guest Editor

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Keywords

Plasma medicine
Plasma pharmacology
Plasma and food
Plasma agriculture
Plasma and automotive
Plasma bioengineering

Published Papers (11 papers)

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Editorial

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3 pages, 173 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Frontiers in Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Technology

by Andrei Vasile Nastuta

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(13), 6369; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12136369 - 22 Jun 2022

Viewed by 1087

Abstract

Atmospheric pressure plasmas represent a feasible and eco-friendly alternative to conventional physicochemical methods used in technology today for facing materials [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Frontiers in Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Technology)

Research

Jump to: Editorial, Review

15 pages, 4358 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Characteristics of 2.45 GHz Surface-Wave-Sustained Argon Discharge for Bio-Medical Applications

by Evgenia Benova, Plamena Marinova, Radka Tafradjiiska-Hadjiolova, Zafer Sabit, Dimitar Bakalov, Nikolay Valchev, Lubomir Traikov, Todor Hikov, Ivan Tsonev and Todor Bogdanov

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(3), 969; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12030969 - 18 Jan 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1981

Abstract

Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) applications in various fields, such as biology, medicine and agriculture, have significantly grown during recent years. Many new types of plasma sources operating at atmospheric pressure in open air were developed. In order to use such plasmas for the treatment of biological systems, plasma properties should fulfil strong requirements. One of the most important is the prevention from heating damage. That is why in many cases, the post-discharge region is used for treatment, but the short living particles in the active discharge zone and reactions with them are missed in that case. We use the active region of surface-wave-sustained argon plasma for biological systems treatment. The previous investigations showed good bactericidal, virucidal, seeds germination and decontamination effects at a short treatment time, but the discharge conditions for bio-medical applications need specific adjustment. A detailed theoretical and experimental investigation of the plasma characteristics and their possible optimization in order to meet the requirements for bio-medical applications are presented in this paper. The length of the plasma torch, the temperature at the treatment sample position and the microwave radiation there are estimated and optimized by the appropriate choice of discharge tube size, argon flow rate and microwave power. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Frontiers in Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Technology)

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16 pages, 9335 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Cold Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Jet Operated in Ar and He: From Basic Plasma Properties to Vacuum Ultraviolet, Electric Field and Safety Thresholds Measurements in Plasma Medicine

by Andrei Vasile Nastuta and Torsten Gerling

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(2), 644; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12020644 - 10 Jan 2022

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 4072

Abstract

Application desired functionality as well as operation expenses of cold atmospheric pressure plasma (CAP) devices scale with properties like gas selection. The present contribution provides a comparative investigation for a CAP system operated in argon or helium at different operation voltages and distance to the surface. Comparison of power dissipation, electrical field strength and optical emission spectroscopy from vacuum ultraviolet over visible up to near infrared ((V)UV-VIS-NIR) spectral range is carried out. This study is extended to safety relevant investigation of patient leakage current, induced surface temperature and species density for ozone (O

_{3}

) and nitrogen oxides (NO

_{x}

). It is found that in identical operation conditions (applied voltage, distance to surface and gas flow rate) the dissipated plasma power is about equal (up to 10 W), but the electrical field strength differs, having peak values of 320 kV/m for Ar and up to 300 kV/m for He. However, only for Ar CAP could we measure O

_{3}

up to 2 ppm and NO

_{x}

up to 7 ppm. The surface temperature and leakage values of both systems showed different slopes, with the biggest surprise being a constant leakage current over distance for argon. These findings may open a new direction in the plasma source development for Plasma Medicine. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Frontiers in Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Technology)

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11 pages, 2889 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Investigation of Nonthermal Plasma Jet Excitation Mode and Optical Assessment of Its Electron Concentration

by Anton S. Ivankov, Anastasia M. Kozhevnikova, Dmitry V. Schitz and Igor V. Alekseenko

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(19), 9203; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11199203 - 3 Oct 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1698

Abstract

The results of a study of a plasma jet of atmospheric-pressure helium driven by a capacitive discharge using sine and pulsed modes of excitation are presented. The homogeneous discharge of a multi-channel plasma jet at gas temperature of 34 °C and helium flow rate of 0.5 L/min was achieved with short pulse excitation. A digital holography method is proposed to estimate a basic plasma parameter, i.e., its electron concentration. An automated digital holographic interferometry set-up for the observation and study of a nonthermal plasma jet in a pulse mode is developed and described. The synchronization features of recording devices with the generation of plasma pulses are considered. The electron concentration of the plasma jet is also estimated. The disadvantages of the proposed technique and its further application are discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Frontiers in Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Technology)

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25 pages, 5912 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Helium Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Jet Source Treatment of White Grapes Juice for Winemaking

by Ramona Huzum and Andrei Vasile Nastuta

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(18), 8498; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11188498 - 13 Sep 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2868

Abstract

In the last few years, new emerging technologies to develop novel winemaking methods were reported. Most of them pointed out the need to assess the barrel aging on the wine product, fermentation process, green technologies for wine treatment for long term storage. Among these, plasma technologies at atmospheric pressure are on the way of replacing old and expensive methods for must, wine and yeast treatment, the goal being the long-term storage, aging and even decontamination of such products, and seems to meet the requirements of the winemakers. Using the principles of dielectric barrier discharge, we power up an atmospheric pressure plasma jet in helium. This plasma is used for treatment of fresh must obtained from white grapes. Our research manuscript is focused on the correlation of plasma parameters (applied voltage, plasma power, reactive species, gas temperature) with the physico-chemical properties of white must and wine (1 and 2 years old), via ultraviolet–visible and infrared spectroscopy, and colorimetry. Two types of white must were plasma treated and studied over time. The 10 W plasma source did not exceed 40 °C during treatment, the must did not suffer during thermal treatment. A higher quantity of RONS was observed during plasma-must exposure, supporting further oxidation processes. The UV-Vis and FTIR spectroscopy revealed the presence of phenols, flavones and sugar in the wine samples. Simultaneous visualization of CIE L*a*b* and RGB in color space charts allows easier understanding of wine changing in color parameters. These experimental results supporting the possible usability of atmospheric pressure plasma for winemaking. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Frontiers in Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Technology)

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20 pages, 3680 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Role of HNO₂ in the Generation of Plasma-Activated Water by Air Transient Spark Discharge

by Mário Janda, Karol Hensel, Peter Tóth, Mostafa E. Hassan and Zdenko Machala

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(15), 7053; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11157053 - 30 Jul 2021

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 3219

Abstract

Transient spark (TS), a DC-driven self-pulsing discharge generating a highly reactive atmospheric pressure air plasma, was employed as a rich source of NOx. In dry air, TS generates high concentrations of NO and NO₂, increasing approximately linearly with increasing input energy density (E_d), reaching 1200 and 180 ppm of NO and NO₂, at E_d = 400 J/L, respectively. In humid air, the concentration of NO₂ decreased down to 120 ppm in favor of HNO₂ that reached approximately 100 ppm at E_d = 400 J/L. The advantage of TS is its capability of simultaneous generation of the plasma and the formation of microdroplets by the electrospray (ES) of water directly inside the discharge zone. The TS discharge can thus efficiently generate plasma-activated water (PAW) with high concentration of H₂O₂⁻_(aq), NO₂⁻_(aq) and NO₃⁻_(aq), because water microdroplets significantly increase the plasma-liquid interaction interface. This enables a fast transfer of species such as NO, NO₂, HNO₂ from the gas into water. In this study, we compare TS with water ES in a one stage system and TS operated in dry or humid air followed by water ES in a two-stage system, and show that gaseous HNO_2, rather than NO or NO₂, plays a major role in the formation of NO₂⁻_(aq) in PAW that reached the concentration up to 2.7 mM. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Frontiers in Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Technology)

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14 pages, 1600 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of O₂ Addition on the Discharge Parameters and Production of Reactive Species of a Transferred Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Jet

by Fellype Nascimento, Kleber Petroski and Konstantin Kostov

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(14), 6311; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11146311 - 8 Jul 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1707

Abstract

The therapeutic effects of atmospheric pressure plasma jets (APPJs) have been associated with the presence of reactive species, mainly the reactive oxygen and nitrogen ones, generated in this kind of plasmas. Due to that, many studies attempting to enhance the production of reactive [...] Read more.

O_{2}

) or water vapor, is one of the most common methods to achieve such goal. This work presents a study of how the addition of small amounts of

O_{2}

affects the electrical parameters and the production of reactive species in a transferred APPJ produced at the tip of a long and flexible plastic tube. The study was carried out employing helium (He) as the working gas and applying a high voltage (HV) in the form of amplitude-modulated sine waveform (burst mode). With this configuration it was possible to verify that the

O_{2}

addition reduces the discharge power and effective current, as a result of late ignition and shorter discharge duration. It was also found that the addition of

O_{2}

to a certain content in the gas admixture makes the light emission from oxygen atoms increase, indicating an increment in oxygen related reactive species in the plasma jet. However, at the same time the light emitted from hydroxyl (OH) and nitric oxide (NO) exhibits the opposite behavior, i.e., decrease, indicating a reduction of such species in the APPJ. For these reasons, the addition of

O_{2}

to the working gas seems to be useful for increasing the effectiveness of the plasma treatment only when the target modification effect is directly dependent on the content of atomic oxygen. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Frontiers in Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Technology)

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14 pages, 1266 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Inhibitory Effect of Cold Atmospheric Plasma on Chronic Wound-Related Multispecies Biofilms

by Maria Alcionéia Carvalho de Oliveira, Gabriela de Morais Gouvêa Lima, Thalita M. Castaldelli Nishime, Aline Vidal Lacerda Gontijo, Beatriz Rossi Canuto de Menezes, Marcelo Vidigal Caliari, Konstantin Georgiev Kostov and Cristiane Yumi Koga-Ito

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(12), 5441; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11125441 - 11 Jun 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2170

Abstract

The presence of microbial biofilms in the wounds affects negatively the healing process and can contribute to therapeutic failures. This study aimed to establish the effective parameters of cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) against wound-related multispecies and monospecies biofilms, and to evaluate the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of the protocol. Monospecies and multispecies biofilms were formed by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterococcus faecalis. The monospecies biofilms were grown in 96 wells plates and multispecies biofilm were formed on collagen membranes. The biofilms were exposed to helium CAP for 1, 3, 5 and 7 min. In monospecies biofilms, the inhibitory effect was detected after 1 min of exposure for E. faecalis and after 3 min for MRSA. A reduction in P. aeruginosa biofilm’s viability was detected after 7 min of exposure. For the multispecies biofilms, the reduction in the overall viability was detected after 5 min of exposure to CAP. Additionally, cytotoxicity and genotoxicity were evaluated by MTT assay and static cytometry, respectively. CAP showed low cytotoxicity and no genotoxicity to mouse fibroblastic cell line (3T3). It could be concluded that He-CAP showed inhibitory effect on wound-related multispecies biofilms, with low cytotoxicity and genotoxicity to mammalian cells. These findings point out the potential application of CAP in wound care. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Frontiers in Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Technology)

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11 pages, 4393 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Irradiation Facilitates Transdermal Permeability of Aniline Blue on Porcine Skin and the Cellular Permeability of Keratinocytes with the Production of Nitric Oxide

by Sunmi Lee, Jongbong Choi, Junghyun Kim, Yongwoo Jang and Tae Ho Lim

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(5), 2390; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11052390 - 8 Mar 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2086

Abstract

The transdermal delivery system of nutrients, cosmetics, and drugs is particularly attractive for painless, noninvasive delivery and sustainable release. Recently, atmospheric pressure plasma techniques have been of great interest to improve the drug absorption rate in transdermal delivery. Currently, plasma-mediated changes in the lipid composition of the stratum corneum are considered a possible mechanism to increase transdermal permeability. Nevertheless, its molecular and cellular mechanisms in transdermal delivery have been largely confined and still veiled. Herein, we present the effects of cold plasma on transdermal transmission on porcine skin and the cellular permeability of keratinocytes and further demonstrate the production of nitric oxide from keratinocytes. Consequently, argon plasma irradiation for 60 s resulted in 2.5-fold higher transdermal absorption of aniline blue dye on porcine skin compared to the nontreated control. In addition, the plasma-treated keratinocytes showed an increased transmission of high-molecular-weight molecules (70 and 150 kDa) with the production of nitric oxide. Therefore, these findings suggest a promoting effect of low-temperature plasma on transdermal absorption, even for high-molecular-weight molecules. Moreover, plasma-induced nitric oxide from keratinocytes is likely to regulate transdermal permeability in the epidermal layer. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Frontiers in Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Technology)

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Review

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22 pages, 2696 KiB

Open AccessReview

Optical Emission Spectroscopy as a Diagnostic Tool for Characterization of Atmospheric Plasma Jets

by Rok Zaplotnik, Gregor Primc and Alenka Vesel

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(5), 2275; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11052275 - 4 Mar 2021

Cited by 27 | Viewed by 4867

Abstract

A suitable technique for localized surface treatment of solid materials is an atmospheric pressure plasma jet (APPJ). The properties of the APPJ plasma often depend on small details like the concentration of gaseous impurities what influences the surface kinetics. The simplest and often most useful configuration of the APPJ is presented, characterized by optical emission spectroscopy (OES), and results are discussed in view of various papers. Furthermore, results of additional recent papers on the characterization of the APPJ by OES are presented as well. Because the APPJ is operating at atmospheric pressure, even the water vapor traces may significantly alter the type and concentration of reactive species. The APPJ sustained in noble gases represents a source of vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) radiation that is absorbed in the surface of the treated material, thus causing bond scission. The addition of minute amounts of reactive gases causes significant suppression of VUV radiation and the formation of reactive radicals. These radicals such as OH, O, N, NO, O₃, and alike interact chemically with the surface causing its functionalization. Huge gradients of these radicals have been reported, so the surface finish is limited to the area reached by the radicals. Particularly OH radicals significantly prevail in the OES spectra, even when using very pure noble gas. They may cause suppression of other spectral features. OH radicals are especially pronounced in Ar plasmas. Their density decreases exponentially with a distance from the APPJ orifice. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Frontiers in Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Technology)

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14 pages, 709 KiB

Open AccessReview

Applications of Cold Atmospheric Pressure Plasma in Dentistry

by Aline C. Borges, Konstantin G. Kostov, Rodrigo S. Pessoa, Geraldo M.A. de Abreu, Gabriela de M.G. Lima, Leandro W. Figueira and Cristiane Y. Koga-Ito

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(5), 1975; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11051975 - 24 Feb 2021

Cited by 42 | Viewed by 4333

Abstract

Plasma is an electrically conducting medium that responds to electric and magnetic fields. It consists of large quantities of highly reactive species, such as ions, energetic electrons, exited atoms and molecules, ultraviolet photons, and metastable and active radicals. Non-thermal or cold plasmas are partially ionized gases whose electron temperatures usually exceed several tens of thousand degrees K, while the ions and neutrals have much lower temperatures. Due to the presence of reactive species at low temperature, the biological effects of non-thermal plasmas have been studied for application in the medical area with promising results. This review outlines the application of cold atmospheric pressure plasma (CAPP) in dentistry for the control of several pathogenic microorganisms, induction of anti-inflammatory, tissue repair effects and apoptosis of cancer cells, with low toxicity to healthy cells. Therefore, CAPP has potential to be applied in many areas of dentistry such as cariology, periodontology, endodontics and oral oncology. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Frontiers in Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Technology)

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