This book explores the exciting and evolving world of plasma physics in materials manufacturing and processing. From ionized discharges to non-thermal equilibrium plasmas, new phenomena in physics are constantly emerging. Written, organized, and edited by internationally recognized experts, the various chapters delve into diverse issues in plasma science, including new applications at the nanoscale to the development of diagnostic tools and simulations. The interactions between the plasma state and matter, both surface and bulk, as well as gases and liquids, are explored. As electric discharges in plasmas continue to expand towards new horizons, anyone interested in this fascinating field would benefit from this book as an up-to-date and essential resource.

Non-Thermal Plasma Technology for Polymeric Materials: Applications in Composites, Nanostructured Materials and Biomedical Fields provides both an introduction and practical guide to plasma synthesis, modification and processing of polymers, their composites, nancomposites, blends, IPNs and gels. It examines the current state-of-the-art and new challenges in the field, including the use of plasma treatment to enhance adhesion, characterization techniques, and the environmental aspects of the process. Particular attention is paid to the effects on the final properties of composites and the characterization of fiber/polymer surface interactions. This book helps demystify the process of plasma polymerization, providing a thorough grounding in the fundamentals of plasma technology as they relate to polymers. It is ideal for materials scientists, polymer chemists, and engineers, acting as a guide to further research into new applications of this technology in the real world. - Enables materials scientists and engineers to deploy plasma technology for surface treatment, characterization and analysis of polymeric materials - Reviews the state-of-the-art in plasma technology for polymer synthesis and processing - Presents detailed coverage of the most advanced applications for plasma polymerization, particularly in medicine and biomedical engineering, areas such as implants, biosensors and tissue engineering

Plasma Science and Engineering transforms fundamental scientific research into powerful societal applications, from materials processing and healthcare to forecasting space weather. Plasma Science: Enabling Technology, Sustainability, Security and Exploration discusses the importance of plasma research, identifies important grand challenges for the next decade, and makes recommendations on funding and workforce. This publication will help federal agencies, policymakers, and academic leadership understand the importance of plasma research and make informed decisions about plasma science funding, workforce, and research directions.

The aim of this book is to elucidate a number of basic topics in physics of dense plasmas that interface with condensed matter physics, atomic physics, nuclear physics, and astrophysics. The different plasmas examined here include astrophysical dense plasmas - like those found in the interiors, surfaces, and outer envelopes of such astronomical objects as neutron stars, white dwarfs, the Sun, brown dwarfs, and giant planets. Condensed plasmas in laboratory settings cover metals and alloys (solid, amorphous, liquid, and compressed), semiconductors (electrons, holes, and their droplets), and various realizations of dense plasmas (shock-compressed, diamond-anvil cell, metal vaporization, pinch discharges, and more.)Statistical Plasma Physics: Volume II, Condensed Plasmas is intended as a graduate-level textbook on the subjects of condensed plasma physics, material sciences, and condensed-matter astrophysics. It will also be useful to researchers in the fields of plasma physics, condensed-matter physics, atomic physics, nuclear physics, and astrophysics.

Plasma catalysis is gaining increasing interest for various gas conversion applications, such as CO2 conversion into value-added chemicals and fuels, N2 fixation for the synthesis of NH3 or NOx, methane conversion into higher hydrocarbons or oxygenates. It is also widely used for air pollution control (e.g., VOC remediation). Plasma catalysis allows thermodynamically difficult reactions to proceed at ambient pressure and temperature, due to activation of the gas molecules by energetic electrons created in the plasma. However, plasma is very reactive but not selective, and thus a catalyst is needed to improve the selectivity. In spite of the growing interest in plasma catalysis, the underlying mechanisms of the (possible) synergy between plasma and catalyst are not yet fully understood. Indeed, plasma catalysis is quite complicated, as the plasma will affect the catalyst and vice versa. Moreover, due to the reactive plasma environment, the most suitable catalysts will probably be different from thermal catalysts. More research is needed to better understand the plasma–catalyst interactions, in order to further improve the applications.

Cold Plasma in Food and Agriculture: Fundamentals and Applications is an essential reference offering a broad perspective on a new, exciting, and growing field for the food industry. Written for researchers, industry personnel, and students interested in nonthermal food technology, this reference will lay the groundwork of plasma physics, chemistry, and technology, and their biological applications. Food scientists and food engineers interested in understanding the theory and application of nonthermal plasma for food will find this book valuable because it provides a roadmap for future developments in this emerging field. This reference is also useful for biologists, chemists, and physicists who wish to understand the fundamentals of plasma physics, chemistry, and technology and their biological interactions through applying novel plasma sources to food and other sensitive biomaterials. - Examines the topic of cold plasma technology for food applications - Demonstrates state-of-the-art developments in plasma technology and potential solutions to improve food safety and quality - Presents a solid introduction for readers on the topics of plasma physics and chemistry that are required to understand biological applications for foods - Serves as a roadmap for future developments for food scientists, food engineers, and biologists, chemists, and physicists working in this emerging field

Gas plasma is the fourth state of matter, alongside solid, liquid, and gas. There are many naturally-occurring events and man-made products related to gas plasma, including aurora, thunderstorms, high-intensity discharge headlamp bulbs, oxonizers, semiconductors, and solar battery panels. A gas plasma is generated by removing electrons from a gas, e.g. nitrogen gas, to produce a highly-excited mixture of charged nuclei and free electrons. It has enormous potential as a broad spectrum antimicrobial sterilization procedure with applications in medical, industrial, and agricultural settings (e.g. decontamination of medical instruments). A major advantage is the shallow penetration of gas plasmas: approximately 10-20 nanometers from the surface, thereby minimizing damage to the material being sterilized. An important obstacle to overcome is the 'understanding-gap' between the engineering researchers who are developing the gas plasma sterilization technology and the microbiologists who aim to fine tune it for their needs. This timely book bridges that gap, permitting engineers and microbiologists to develop more coherent multidisciplinary strategies. The book opens with introductory chapters that explain the background and principles of gas plasma sterilization and outline the possible mechanisms of action. The requirements for achieving the 'gold-standard' sterilization level, i.e. a sterility assurance level (SAL) of 10-6, are also covered. The book also covers the applications of this technology, ranging from the inactivation of spores and endotoxins to inactivation of viruses and seed-borne plant pathogens. The final section of the book tackles sterilization validation (from several ISO documents), common data-interpretation errors, and speculation about future trends. [Subject: Microbiology, Engineering]

Written by a team of pioneering scientists from around the world, Low Temperature Plasma Technology: Methods and Applications brings together recent technological advances and research in the rapidly growing field of low temperature plasmas. The book provides a comprehensive overview of related phenomena such as plasma bullets, plasma penetration into biofilms, discharge-mode transition of atmospheric pressure plasmas, and self-organization of microdischarges. It describes relevant technology and diagnostics, including nanosecond pulsed discharge, cavity ringdown spectroscopy, and laser-induced fluorescence measurement, and explores the increasing research on atmospheric pressure nonequilibrium plasma jets. The authors also discuss how low temperature plasmas are used in the synthesis of nanomaterials, environmental applications, the treatment of biomaterials, and plasma medicine. This book provides a balanced and thorough treatment of the core principles, novel technology and diagnostics, and state-of-the-art applications of low temperature plasmas. It is accessible to scientists and graduate students in low-pressure plasma physics, nanotechnology, plasma medicine, and materials science. The book is also suitable as an advanced reference for senior undergraduate students.

Filling the gap for a book that covers not only plasma in gases but also in liquids, this is all set to become the standard reference for this topic. It provides a broad-based overview of plasma-chemical and plasmacatalytic processes generated by electrical discharges in gases, liquids and gas/liquid environments in both fundamental and applied aspects by focusing on their environmental and green applications and also taking into account their practical and economic viability. With the topics addressed by an international group of major experts, this is a must-have for scientists, engineers, students and postdoctoral researchers specializing in this field.