• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
• /
• 2012.02a
• /
• pp.476-476
• /
• 2012

Although plasma is an efficient means of microbial sterilization, mechanism of plasma effect on microorganisms still needs to be clarified. In addition, a limited number of studies are available on eukaryotic microorganisms such as yeast and fungi in relation to plasma application. Thus, we investigated cellular and molecular aspects of plasma effects on a filamentous fungus, Neurospora crassa by making use of argon plasma jet at atmospheric pressure. The viability and cell morphology of N. crassa spores exposed to plasma were both significantly reduced depending on the exposure time when treated in water. The intracellular genomic DNA content was dramatically reduced in fungal tissues after a plasma treatment and the transcription factor tah-3 was found to be required for fungal tolerance to a harsh plasma environment.

• The Transactions of The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers
• /
• v.61 no.5
• /
• pp.717-720
• /
• 2012

Various types of dielectric-barrier-discharge (DBD) devices have been developed for diverse applications for the last decade. In this study, a flat non-thermal DBD micro plasma source under atmospheric pressure has been developed. The flat-panel type plasma is generated by bipolar pulse voltages, and driving gas is air. In this study, the plasma source was investigated with intensified charge coupled device (ICCD) images and Optical Emission Spectroscopy (OES). The micro discharges are generated on the crossed electrodes. For theoretical analysis, 2-dimensional fluid simulation was performed. The plasma source can be driven in air, and thus the operation cost is low and the range of application is wide.

• Proceedings of the Korean Powder Metallurgy Institute Conference
• /
• 2006.09a
• /
• pp.234-235
• /
• 2006

In this study, the plasma sprayed $Al_2O_3$ and $Y_2O_3$ coatings have been investigated for applications of microelectronic components. The plasma sprayed coatings had a well-defined splatted lamellae microstructure, intersplat pores and a higher amount of microcracks within the splats. The plasma sprayed $Y_2O_3$ coating had a relatively lower hardness of 300-400Hv, compared to 650-800Hv for $Al_2O_3$ coating, and would be readily damaged by mechanical attacks such as erosion, wear and friction. For a reactive ion etching against F-containing plasmas, however, the $Y_2O_3$ coating had a much higher resistance than the $Al_2O_3$ coating because of the reduced erosion rate of by-products.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
• /
• v.50 no.7
• /
• pp.1106-1111
• /
• 2018

Electromagnetic waves potentially have been used to heat overdense nuclear fusion plasmas through a double mode conversion from ordinary to slow extraordinary and finally to Electron Bernstein Wave (EBW) modes, OSXB. This scheme is efficient and has not any plasma density limit of electron cyclotron resonance heating due to cut-off layer. The efficiency of conversion depends on the isotropic launching angles of the microwaves with the plasma parameters. In this article, a two-step mode conversions of OSXB power transmission efficiency affected by the fast extraordinary (FX) loses at upper hybrid frequency are studied. In addition, the kinetic (hot) dispersion relation of a overdense plasma in a full wave analysis of a OSXB in Wendelstein 7X (W7-X) stellarator plasma has been numerically simulated. The influence of plasma dependent parameters such as finite Larmor radius, electron thermal velocity and electron cyclotron frequency are represented.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
• /
• 2014.02a
• /
• pp.260-260
• /
• 2014

Dermatophytes can invade in keratinized tissues and cause dermatophytosis [1] that rank among the most widespread and common infectious diseases world-wide. Although several systemically and topically administered drugs with activities against these fungi are available, still complete eradication of some of these infections, is difficult and relapses and remissions are often observed [2,3]. In addition, some people are allergic to many of the available drugs which add complications even more. Therefore, the search for novel, selective and more effective therapy is always required and it may help the clinicians to choose the correct treatment for their patients. Non-thermal plasmas primarily generate reactive species and recently have emerged as an efficient tool for medical applications including sterilization. In this study, we evaluated the ability of non-thermal dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma for the inactivation of clinical isolates of Trichophyton genera, Trichophyton mentagrophytes (T. mentagrophytes) and Trichophyton rubrum (T. rubrum), which cause infections of nails and skin and, are two of the most frequently isolated dermatophytes [4]. Our results showed that DBD plasma has considerable time dependent inactivation potential on both T. mentagrophytes and T. rubrum in-vitro. Furthermore, the mechanisms for plasma based T. mentagrophytes and T. rubrum inactivation and planning for in-vivo future studies will be discussed.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
• /
• 2011.07a
• /
• pp.1536-1537
• /
• 2011

The high-voltage circuit breaker plays an important role in the electrical system because there has been a need for suitable switching devices capable of initiating and interrupting the flow of the electric fault current. It continues as the contacts recede from each other and as the newly created gap is bridged by a plasma. The arc plasma happens inside the insulation nozzle of SF6 self-blast interrupter which is newly developed as the next-generation switching principle. The ablation of PTFE nozzle is caused by this high temperature medium, the PTFE vapor from the nozzle surfaces flows toward the outlets and the pressure chamber. The vapor makes the pressure of the chamber increased by heat and mass transfer from the arcing zone. Because the rate of ablation depends on the magnitude of applied current, it decreases when the current goes to zero. The compressed gas inside the chamber flows reversely toward the arc plasma during this moment. According to this principle, the arc can be cooled down and the fault current can be interrupted successfully. In this study, we calculate arc plasmas and thermal-flow characteristics caused by fault current interruption inside a SF6 self-blast interrupter, and to investigate the effect of PTFE ablation on the whole arcing history.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
• /
• v.33 no.10
• /
• pp.820-826
• /
• 2009

The anisotropic phonon conductions with varying Joule heating rate of the silicon film in Silicon-on-Insulator devices are examined using the electron-phonon interaction model. It is found that the phonon heat transfer rate at each boundary of Si-layer has a strong dependence on the heating power rate. And the phonon flow decreases when the temperature gradient has a sharp change within extremely short length scales such as phonon mean free path. Thus the heat generated in the hot spot region is removed primarily by heat conduction through Si-layer at the higher Joule heating level and the phonon nonlocality is mainly attributed to lower group velocity phonons as remarkably dissimilar to the case of electrons in laser heated plasmas. To validate these observations the modified phonon nonlocal model considering complete phonon dispersion relations is introduced as a correct form of the conventional theory. We also reveal that the relation between the phonon heat deposition time from the hot spot region and the relaxation time in Si-layer can be used to estimate the intrinsic thermal resistance in the parallel heat flow direction as Joule heating level varies.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Combustion
• /
• v.12 no.4
• /
• pp.8-13
• /
• 2007

Plasma assisted combustion is an old subject for the combustion society, but recently, the subject is refocused partly because techniques for non-thermal plasmas are progressed significantly, and partly because there are lots of applications which need to be overcome by a new reaction technology. In the present study, we have developed plasma assisted burner (plasma burner), which can be used as a heating source in a diesel particulate filter system. The burner can burn 20-60 cc/min of diesel fuel with 50 lpm of fresh air in an exhaust pipe of 2.0 liter diesel engine. Using 20 cc/min of diesel fuel, an exhaust temperature for 2.0 liter diesel engine can be raised up to around $600^{\circ}C$ for a wide range of engine speed (idle-3,000 rpm). The characteristics of the plasma burner are reported, and the possible operating mechanism of it will be discussed based on the effects of an electric field and a plasma on flames.

• 한국연소학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 2007.05a
• /
• pp.202-206
• /
• 2007

Plasma assisted combustion is an old subject for the combustion society, but recently, the subject is refocused partly because techniques for non-thermal plasmas are progressed significantly, and partly because there are lots of applications which need to be overcome by a new reaction technology. In the present study, we have developed plasma assisted burner (plasma burner), which can be used as a heating source in a diesel particulate filter system. The burner can bum 20 - 60 cc/min of diesel fuel with 50 lpm of fresh air in an exhaust pipe of 2.0 liter diesel engine. Using 20 cc/min of diesel fuel, an exhaust temperature for 2.0 liter disel engine can be raised up to around $600^{\circ}C$ for the range of engine speeds is idle - 3,000 rpm. The characteristics of the plasma burner are reported, and the possible operating mechanism of it will be discussed based on the effects of an electric field and a plasma on flames.

• Particle and aerosol research
• /
• v.5 no.3
• /
• pp.123-131
• /
• 2009

This paper presents simulation results of particle transport in low-pressure, low-temperature plasma environment. The size dependent transport of particles in the plasma is investigated with a two-dimensional simulation tool developed in-house for plasma chamber analysis and design. The plasma model consists of the first two and three moments of the Boltzmann equation for ion and electron fluids respectively, coupled to Poisson's equation for the self-consistent electric field. The particle transport model takes into account all important factors, such as gravitational, electrostatic, ion drag, neutral drag and Brownian forces, affecting the motion of particles in the plasma environment. The particle transport model coupled with both neutral fluid and plasma models is simulated through a Lagrangian approach tracking the individual trajectory of each particle by taking a force balance on the particle. The size dependant trap locations of particles ranging from a few nm to a few ${\mu}m$ are identified in both electropositive and electronegative plasmas. The simulation results show that particles are trapped at locations where the forces acting on them balance. While fine particles tend to be trapped in the bulk, large particles accumulate near bottom sheath boundaries and around material interfaces, such as wafer and electrode edges where a sudden change in electric field occurs. Overall, small particles form a "dome" shape around the center of the plasma reactor and are also trapped in a "ring" near the radial sheath boundaries, while larger particles accumulate only in the "ring". These simulation results are qualitatively in good agreement with experimental observation.