Generation of cold atmospheric plasma has been developed with various basic technologies by Plasmawise and its academic and industry partners. The different techniques developed were achieved by focusing on the ability to employ them across different application areas.
The reactive mixture produced by cold atmospheric plasma is made of electrons, ions, excited atoms and molecules, heat, UV radiation and reactive species (such as O3, NO, NO2, etc.). Every application of interest takes advantage of a specific plasma component. For example, odours can be effectively destroyed by short-lived electrons, while inactivation of microorganisms that helps disinfecting and sterilizing surfaces are achieved by a subtle mix of reactive plasma components.
Plasmawise seeks to adapt its different basic technologies in order to target a specific application. Among the technologies developed in recent year: Surface Micro Discharge Technology (SMD), Microwave Plasma Technology (MWP), Magnetically Oriented Plasma Technology (MOP) and Venturiplasma Technology (Venturi).
Surface Micro-Discharge Technology
The Surface Micro-Discharge Technology (SMD) is a scalable and flexible technique consisting of a combination of electrodes: a first continuous high-voltage electrode covered by an insulating layer and a second grounded electrode. Micro-discharges with a length of only a few millimeters are generated on the structured electrode by applying high voltage. The interesting feature of this technique is that these micro-discharges can be varied by changing the overall shape of the plasma source and/or the operating parameters suc as the frequency or the voltage. By selecting the appropriate plasma source design, the SMD technology is suitable for many differenent applications, including:
- Elimination of odour molecules in textiles
- Inactivation of microbes on surfaces (including human skin and wounds)
- Inactivation of microbes in liquids
- Inactivation of microbes in narrow capillaries
The SMD technology has been used in many different application areas due to its flexibility
Questions & answers:
At what high voltage is operated the SMD technology?
Depending on the design specifications, our SMD sources are operated with a range of voltages of approximately 3.5 to 18 kV
Is ozone produced by the SMD technology?
Similar to almost all cold plasma technology, yes ozone is produced. However, if it is required by the intended application, it can be drastically reduced.
How large are SMD plasma sources?
The size can be adapted according to your requirements because the SMD technology uses flexible and scalable plasma sources. Large electrodes were developed for big volumes and large areas but also small, battery-powered devices have been designed.
Microwave Plasma Technology
Plasmawise has developed its microwave plasma technology in collaboration with its academic partners at Marseille University. The plasma discharge uses mainly Argon gas for the wounds treatment and studies of skin diseases, however different other gases were tested for specific other applications.
Questions & answers:
Were there any clinical tests using the microwave technology?
Yes, wound infections were treated with cold microwave plasma in about 400 patients in many different clinical trials around various test centers. Contact us for mor information.
Does Plasmawise provide products with microwave plasma technology?
Only research instruments are available and can be purchased at this time.
Magnetically Organized Plasma Source
The magnetically organized plasma (MOP) technology is based on a DC plasma discharge created inside a chamber where a magnetic field is a applied. This combination allows to initiate a plasma layer in which contaminants are passed through and efficiently destroyed by the generated electrons. Odour and other molecules can be treated and eliminated using this technique by the “Electron-Impact-Dissociation” phenomena. Plasmawise has developed its own equipment and is able to adapt it to several configurations based on specific application areas.
Questions & answers:
Does MOP technology operate in ambient air?
Yes, no extra gases are needed for plasma generation.
Can the MOP technology be scalable for large volumes?
Yes absolutely, multiple MOP cells can be combined together and used in parallel to achieve high throughput volume. Also smaller units can be designed for laboratory tests.
How odour molecules are destroyed by the plasma?
Electrons generated by the plasma destroy the covalent bonds of the molecules responsible for odours and contaminants.
Is Ozone produced in high quantity by the MOP technology?
No, extremely small quantities of ozone are produced well below the WHO regulations of 0.05 ppm for 8 hours of continuous inhalation.
Venturiplasma Technology
Some applications need a particularly high flow velocity in order to obtain the desired effect of plasma species, – e.g. the disinfection of pressure hoses or endoscopes. Plasma ignition in a controlled way is such conditions with high flow velocity is of a particular complexity. In a collaboration with its academic partners at Marseille University, Plasmawise has developed this innovative technique using the so-called “Venturi principle”