Development of a Plasma jet for gas phase electrochemistry
Lead Research Organisation:
University College London
Department Name: Chemistry
Abstract
The outcome of this proposed work will be to develop a stable air plasma jet that can be used as a medium for plasma electrochemistry. The work proposed here will build on our expertise in unusual electrically conducting gases (or electrolytes). The intention here is to combine our complementary expertise in plasma generation and ionisation detection to develop an air plasma jet powered by RF discharge and develop suitable plasma electrodes for use for dynamic electrochemistry. Gaseous plasmas are defined by containing mobile charge carriers, regardless of how they are produced. Their technological utility in part stems from their complex nonequilibrium chemistry that provides access to a dynamic chemistry not available through any other means. They have been used successfully in a great deal of technological applications, such as materials processing in the microelectronics industry to surface modification for adhesion. A wide variety of different diagnostic approaches have been developed; arguably the most successful are Langmuir conductivity probes, used to determine ion and electron number densities, electron temperatures and plasma potentials.
At UCL we have developed strong capability to characterise flames and more recently RF generated plasma jets using electrochemical methodology (including conductivity and voltammetry).
At UCL we have developed strong capability to characterise flames and more recently RF generated plasma jets using electrochemical methodology (including conductivity and voltammetry).
Publications
Sener M
(2020)
Patterning of metal oxide thin films using a H 2 /He atmospheric pressure plasma jet
in Green Chemistry
Sener M
(2018)
Modulation of copper(I) oxide reduction/oxidation in atmospheric pressure plasma jet
in Electrochemistry Communications
Studentship Projects
Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
EP/N509577/1 | 30/09/2016 | 24/03/2022 | |||
1935379 | Studentship | EP/N509577/1 | 30/09/2017 | 30/03/2021 | Mustafa Sener |
Description | A novel method for coating temperature sensitive (ie. paper, plastic) surfaces with conductive metals has been developed. This should allow the manufacture of low-cost flexible electronics and 3-D printed circuit boards. A second result has been the development of an radio based diagnostic method for plasmas and a new imaging technology associated with the diagnostic method. |
Exploitation Route | The deposition/printing technology has already been licensed to an US based company for use in flexible electronics and similar areas. The diagnostic method can be applied during the printing process as a feedback loop or can be used for impedance mapping of non-even surfaces as an alternative to scanning capacitance microscopy or in some cases for non destructive imaging of hidden PCB traces without resorting to X-ray methods. |
Sectors | Aerospace Defence and Marine Electronics Energy Manufacturing including Industrial Biotechology |
Description | The findings have been licensed for commercialization, the licensee aims to engineer products based on these findings that will enable new manufacturing methods. |
First Year Of Impact | 2018 |
Sector | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Electronics,Energy,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology |
Impact Types | Economic |
Description | Single Step Plasma Jet Material Deposition |
Amount | £706,741 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/T024836/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 05/2020 |
End | 12/2023 |
Description | Collaboration With Space Foundry Inc. in development of plasma jet printing technology |
Organisation | Space Foundry Inc. |
Country | United States |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | I have developed a technology that allows low temperature direct metal printing onto polymeric substrates using atmospheric pressure plasma jets. UCLB has moved to protect the IP arising from the technology. |
Collaborator Contribution | Our commercial partner has licensed the technology, implementing it in a commercial printing system and demonstrated the viability of the technology in different plasma driving frequency regimes ranging from RF to LF bands. |
Impact | The developed technology was licensed by Space Foundry Inc. I have spent time during the tech transfer process at Ames Research center, developing a commercial printer utilizing the research done at UCL. |
Start Year | 2018 |
Title | Low Temperature Plasma Printing |
Description | The development related to a deposition system capable of printing conductive traces on temperature sensitive materials at atmospheric pressure. |
IP Reference | |
Protection | Protection not required |
Year Protection Granted | |
Licensed | Yes |
Impact | Patents applied for: PCT/EP2019/074106 Not Yet Published Ongoing development by Space Foundry Inc. and NASA Ames Research Centre |