Plasma is one of the four fundamental states of matter and is made up of ionized gas containing positive ions and free electrons. It was discovered in the 1920s but has since transformed many industries through plasma technology. Plasma technology involves using electromagnetic fields to alter plasma's properties in order to clean and treat surfaces, enabling new layers to adhere. Some applications of plasma technology include plasma TV screens, integrated circuits, and surface coatings in industries like automotive, medical, and aerospace. While plasma TVs are obsolete, plasma technology continues to be important in electronics manufacturing and offers potential in new areas like waste remediation.

1. A BRIEF LOOK AT
PLASMA
TECHNOLOGY
Presented by Haihui Joy Jiang, Ph.D.

2. Introduction
Technology has become a word that is used a great deal
to signify the advances in an industry or process. It
encompasses not only tools and materials, but also the
innovative thinking that leads to a new product or
service. It has even merged with another word to create
a new definition due to the impact it has had on the
financial services industry — fintech.

3. Fintech is a combination of finance and technology. In
the past five years, there have been several new services
and products (e.g apps) that have reshaped banking.
This same transformation of an industry (and
terminology) can be applied to plasma technology. It
enables the creation of a product that has transformed
many industries and products.

4. Plasma has been around for some time — since the Big
Bang and before life originated. First discovered by
chemist Irving Langmuir in the 1920s, plasma is one of
the four fundamental states of matter (in addition to
solid, liquid and gas). When enough energy is added to a
gas, it will produce enough ionization to create plasma.
When introduced to electromagnetic fields, plasma will
conduct electricity (think of static electricity).
Plasma Technology

5. Many Moving Parts
Plasma is made up of many moving parts, such as
negative electrons, positive ions, and UV light.
Langmuir’s research of plasma led to four areas of
study: the ionosphere, astrophysics, nuclear energy,
and space plasma physics. He opened up the world of
possibilities for this new state of matter.

6. No Shape or Volume
Langmuir also discovered how malleable plasma is since it has neither a
shape nor volume (like a gas). Thus, it can be altered by changing the
variables such as the pressure, gas mixture and power. There is a great deal
of internal energy within plasma because of the free radicals in it, which
creates a glow effect. As a result, we get neon and fluorescent lights.
However, it’s primarily used as a coating for cleaning and treating surfaces.
It’s impressive to see how plasma is made. In a large vacuum chamber, the air
is replaced with gas. An electrified current is added, charging the gas to a
plasma.

7. A Plasma Treatment
How a plasma is used is called a treatment. Cold plasma treatment can be applied to
heat-sensitive surfaces. Depending on its thickness, it can be applied to 3D objects
and micro-channels. It can be applied to conductors and semiconductors as well.
Plasma can be used to clean without the use of water and leaves no waste chemicals.
It can clean down to the nanoscale, essentially prepping a surface for glue, bond or
paint. Plasma is commonly used on oils and grease, and reduces the risk of
contamination compared to conventional cleaning products.

8. Plasma Surface
Activation
Once the surface has been cleaned, plasma surface activation enables one
layer to adhere to another layer, producing a clean print or bonding. This
process also improves manufacturing time and provides consistent results.
This technology is used in many industries, such as automotive, medical,
aerospace, and textiles. Plasma technology is also used in electronics.

9. The
Electronics
Industry
We have all heard about plasma TVs, which are not built anymore. At one
time, they were very popular because of the picture quality and size of the TV
screens. These TVs consisted of pixels that were filled with gas. When an
electric current hit the pixels, different colors appeared making up the picture
on the screen. This type of plasma technology has become obsolete due to
LCD TVs.

10. However, plasma technology still plays an important
part in the tech industry. Plasma is used to make
electronic devices, integrated circuits for computers,
transmitters, and high-temperature films, to name a
few. Plus, there are new uses on the horizon, such as
eradicating toxic substances and cauterizing wounds
(hot plasma).

11. Man-Made Plasma
Man-made plasma is powerful, but don’t forget that
natural plasma occurs in our daily life, such as lightning
and electrostatics. In fact, each cloud-to-ground lightning
strike has an average 300 million volts, 30000 amps,
lasts ~0.1 s, and generates ~5.6 x10³² electrons. Also,
the static shock people get in winter is also plasma,
which has ~20000 volts.

12. Plasma technology has evolved since Langmuir’s research. It
is now used in many fields because of its surface
applications. Not only has it improved products, but it has
also improved manufacturing processes. From particles in
nuclear fusion to neon lights, plasma technology offers
endless possibilities.

13. Research
One of my research interests is to utilize natural
plasma as a free energy source to drive chemical
reactions, either in the context of explaining the
origin of life or in the context of developing
applicable technology. I am eager to see the new
advances that emerge in the next decade.

14. THANK YOU
FOR YOUR TIME
To read the entire blog,
please visit haihuijoyjiang.co.