Alter Surface Chemistry
The ability to control and tailor surfaces with specific chemical functionalities is oftentimes critical for studying surface interactions of materials or improving interfacial, biological, and electronic properties for optimal material performance. Depending on the process gas and processing conditions used, plasma can alter the surface to be more hydrophilic or hydrophobic, or to introduce specific chemical functionalities to the surface without affecting the bulk material. This page provides brief summaries on the application of plasma treatment to alter surface chemistry.
Military PPE
To provide adequate protection against biological and chemical warfare agents, military personal protective equipment ( Military PPE ) must filter and/or degrade the toxic agent to safe levels. These processes are achieved by surface engineering of...
Copper
Copper is widely used in engineering research due to its high conductivity and ductility. Plasma treatment enhances the performance of copper surfaces across a wide range of applications, from improving sample adhesion on electron microscopy (EM)...
Hydrogels
Hydrogels are hydrophilic, polymerized networks with high biocompatibility. Hydrogels trap water and other fluids, making them ideal for drug delivery, cell seeding, and tissue engineering applications. Hydrogel fabrication relies on plasma...
Breath Sensor
Flexible polymer-based sensors offer a non-invasive and cost-effective alternative to traditional diagnostic procedures like biopsies or blood tests. These sensors are easy to use and can be worn on or near the skin. One class of these sensors,...
PDMS Clinostat
The study of microgravity’s effects on cells has become increasingly significant as long-duration space missions become more likely. Since actual microgravity environments, such as aboard the International Space Station (ISS), are expensive and...