About Atmospheric Plasma
WHAT IS PLASMA?
Plasma is the 4th state of matter. When energy is applied to a state of matter it goes through phase a change:
Solid → Liquid → Gas → Plasma.
With enough energy anything will turn into a plasma. The Plasma’s properties are dependent upon the chemical composition of the materials which form it.
Ice → Water → Steam → Plasma
PLASMA IN EVERYDAY LIFE
In everyday life, people observe plasma in the aurorae, lightning, and fluorescent light bulbs. The spark plugs in a car use plasma to start the engine. Each of these applications have a plasma that is different due to the composition, pressure, and amount of energy applied. Industrial plasma applications are typically categorized by pressure (low, atmospheric, and high) and their thermodynamic properties (thermal and non-thermal). For example, semiconductor wafer cleaning and fluorescent light bulbs are low-pressure plasma applications. Fusion energy and hypersonic vehicles are systems that make use of high-pressure plasmas.
“Cold” – Non-Thermal Plasmas
“Hot” – Thermal Plasmas
Plionyx creates an Atmospheric, Non-Thermal Plasma
Using only the inputs of electricity and ambient air our systems can do the work of coating removal, surface cleaning and adhesion activation. The process works when energy is applied to the gas (air) which causes a “breakdown”. The air molecules are ionized resulting in free electrons of oxygen and nitrogen. These electrons then become highly energetic and react with the surrounding gas to form reactive chemical species. As coatings are removed and the surface cleaned the bi-products are safe levels of water vapor and carbon dioxide. Each use case should be assessed to ensure safety prior to implementation.
