What is non-thermal plasma?

Non-thermal plasma (NTP) is a type of plasma that is created at low temperatures and without significant heating of the surrounding gas. It is also known as cold plasma or non-equilibrium plasma. NTP can be created by applying an electric field to a gas, such as air or nitrogen, causing the gas to ionize and form a plasma.

NTP has a range of applications, including surface modification, air and water purification, biomedical applications, and plasma-assisted combustion. It can be used to kill bacteria and viruses, and to remove pollutants from gases and liquids. In surface modification, NTP can be used to improve the adhesion of coatings or to create hydrophilic or hydrophobic surfaces.

One advantage of NTP is that it does not require high temperatures, making it more energy-efficient and less damaging to sensitive materials than other forms of plasma. It also produces fewer by-products than other types of plasma, which can make it more environmentally friendly.

However, NTP is relatively new technology and there are still many challenges to be addressed, such as optimizing plasma efficiency and controlling the plasma chemistry. Despite these challenges, NTP has the potential to make a significant impact in a wide range of applications.