Flow control with plasma-based actuator in different velocity regimes: Momentum and heat transfer effects

In this study, control of the airflow by the direct current (DC) electrical discharge with bare electrodes has been investigated in different velocity regimes. The discharge characteristics of the plasma model are obtained numerically. An induced electrohydrodynamic (EHD) force on neutral flow was characterized based on momentum transfer from charged particles. The change in the incident flow parameters was studied by applying Navier–Stokes (N-S) equations, considering source terms arising from a weakly ionized plasma. The effect of the discharge on the low- and high-speed flow was simulated in this study. It was concluded that the changes of the velocity profile, airflow pressure, and oblique shock wave could be attributed to the EHD force from a nonthermal plasma to the incoming airflow. It was seen that the incident airflow is accelerated also by the induced EHD force. Our results show that the most important mechanism in the plasma-based flow control is the momentum transfer from the electrical discharge to the incident flow and that the gas heating has no significant role.     

Spin-dependent transport characteristics of Fe met-cars

Using non-equilibrium Green’s function and first-principles calculations we study structural, electronic, and transport properties of Fe₈C₁₂ met-car cluster sandwiched between two Au (1 0 0) electrodes. Several orientations were considered for the cluster attached to the gold surface and full structural optimization has been performed for the whole two-probe system. It was found a large current value for the present device and the molecular orientation plays an important role in the conducting behavior of the system. In energetically favorable case the I–V characteristic remains almost linear at low bias voltage (up to 1.5 V). This finding can be attributed to this fact that the transmission coefficient is almost flat around the gold Fermi level since the transmission is dominated by several broad molecular orbitals. We show that the electronic transmission is significantly spin-polarized while its size is large for the C atoms linkage. We also observe and discuss the NDR behavior of this novel molecular device in the range of 1.0–1.5 V for the energetically favorable configuration. The results are rationalized by analyzing the device transmission coefficient and density of states spectra.     

Characterization of a non-thermal plasma torch in streamer mode and its effect on polyvinyl chloride and silicone rubber surfaces

In this study, a non-thermal plasma torch in steamer mode was characterized to apply for surface modification in ambient air. The plasma source is a central rod-ring configuration based on DBD operation. Mixture of Ar/air gases was passed through the hollow Copper rod. A home-built high voltage generator at 18.8 kHz was employed to ignite the plasma. Electrical features of plasma torch were studied and different regions of plasma were examined using optical emission spectroscopy to explore the reactive species that result in efficient treatment. The surfaces of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and silicone rubber (SIR) films were treated by the cold plasma torch. Contact angle measurement shows the improvement of surface hydrophilicity and wettability. Analysis revealed that the surface energy of the films increases indicating their activation after plasma treatment. This process is attributed to increasing the polar component of the surface energy.     

Effect of electrical discharge in water on concentration of nitrate solution

In this work, the effect of electrical discharge on nitrate concentration is considered in aqueous solution. The atmospheric pressure plasma was produced by a high-voltage power supply at 27 k Hz using pin-to-pin configuration. Air, argon,and argon/methane mixture were used to study the working gas effect. UV-VIS spectroscopy and ion chromatography were used to analyze the effect of the electrical discharge on nitrate concentration in deionized water. Optical emission spectroscopy(OES) was applied to diagnose active species inside and on the surface of the deionized water solution. The results of the present work showed that the atmospheric pressure electric discharge with air increases nitrate concentration while it remains constant using argon and argon/methane electrical discharges. It was also revealed that in the presence of air, the electrical discharge reduces p H, acidifying the solution and increasing solution conductivity due to production of extra nitrate ions. On the other hand, argon electrical discharge increases p H and conductivity due to production of OHion in water.     

All-optical flip-flop by nonlinear coupling of microring and waveguide

Careful studies of coupling show that transmittance power between microring and waveguide is dependant to field intensity. Also more researches show that optical multistable behavior of microring had been affected by nonlinear power coupling efficiency in high field intensities. Operation of microring in nonlinear regions can be so useful in designing all optical switches and control techniques. In this paper has been proposed an all-optical flip-flop based on nonlinear treatment of microring.     

Nonthermal Atmospheric Argon Plasma Jet Effects on Escherichia coli Biomacromolecules

Nonthermal atmospheric plasma jet, a promising technology based on ionized gas at low temperatures, can be applied for disinfection of contaminated surfaces. In this study, Escherichia coli cells and their macromolecules were exposed to the nonthermal atmospheric argon plasma jet for different time durations. Total protein, genomic DNA, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels of E. coli were assessed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and silver staining; agarose gel electrophoresis; and measurement of absorbance at 534 nm, respectively. After exposure, the spectroscopic results of liquid samples indicated that the survival reduction of E. coli can reach to 100 % in an exposure time of 600 s. Moreover, inactivation zones of E. coli, DNA degradation, and MDA levels were significantly increased. Additionally, banding patterns of total protein were changed and amino acid concentrations increased following ninhydrin test. The experimental results suggest that the nonthermal plasma could serve as an effective instrument for both sterilizing E. coli and degrading macromolecules from the surface of the objects being sterilized.     

Obliquely propagating quantum solitary waves in quantum‐magnetized plasma with ultra‐relativistic degenerate electrons and positrons

The oblique propagation of the quantum electrostatic solitary waves in magnetized relativistic quantum plasma is investigated using the quantum hydrodynamic equations. The plasma consists of dynamic relativistic degenerate electrons and positrons and a weakly relativistic ion beam. The Zakharov‐Kuznetsov equation is derived using the standard reductive perturbation technique that admits an obliquely propagating soliton solution. It is found that two types of quantum acoustic modes, that is, a slow acoustic mode and fast acoustic mode, could be propagated in our plasma model. The parameter that determines the nature of soliton, that is, compressive or rarefactive soliton, for slow mode is investigated. Our numerical results show that for the slow mode, the determining parameter is ion beam velocity in the case of relativistic degenerate electrons. We also have examined the effects of plasma parameters (like the beam velocity, the density ratio of positron to electron, the relativistic factor, and the propagation angle) on the characteristics of solitary waves.     

Cell Repellent Coatings on Inner Walls of Tubes by Means of Transporting Discharge in Atmospheric Pressure

Plasma Chemistry and Plasma Processing - We report a method to obtain biocompatible PEG copolymer coatings inside high density polyethylene and Pyrex tubes, which was successfully developed by...     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">E. coli</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">P. aeruginosa</Emphasis>, and <Emphasis Type="Italic">B. cereus</Emphasis> Bacteria Sterilization Using Afterglow of Non-Thermal Plasma at Atmospheric Pressure

We developed and employed a new geometrical structure of dielectric barrier discharge in atmospheric pressure for bacterial broad spectrum sterilization. We utilized a plasma source having an AC power supply at 50 HZ and 5,400 V (rms value). We prepared suspensions of the Gram-negative bacteria species (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and a Gram-positive of Bacillus cereus with Luria–Bertani broth media up to OD_600 nm = 0.25 of McFarland standard. Afterglow of non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma treated these suspensions. The influence of the atmospheric plasma afterglow on the species was assayed in different time durations 5, 10, and 15 min. The spectroscopic results of this investigation indicated that the survival reduction of the species can reach to 100% for P. aeruginosa in an exposure time of 10 min, E. coli and B. cereus in an exposure time of 15 min.