Article
Polymer Science
Samira Elaissi, Norah A. M. Alsaif
Summary: A nonthermal atmospheric plasma reactor was used to sterilize polymer surfaces in a biological medium. The study analyzed the behavior of a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) and its parameters, and found that increasing voltage or frequency increased ionization levels and sterilization efficiency. The study also identified the need for short gap width and oxygen admixture for effective bio-decontamination. These findings can benefit plasma-based pollutant degradation devices.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Alba E. Illera, Vanessa R. Souza, Nooshin Nikmaram, Linyi Tang, Kevin M. Keener
Summary: This study optimized the HVACP treatment method for reducing Salmonella enteritidis (SE) on the surface of chicken eggs. The results showed that HVACP treatment can effectively reduce SE contamination without affecting key quality parameters of the eggs. This provides a basis for future scale-up of the process in the food industry.
INNOVATIVE FOOD SCIENCE & EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Vladimir Scholtz, Jana Jiresova, Bozena Sera, Jaroslav Julak
Summary: NTP is a new and safe microbicidal agent with significant beneficial effects on cereals and products, showing high potential for future practical use in decontamination and disinfection.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Tomasz Czapka, Irena Maliszewska, Angelika Winkler
Summary: The study found that the decontamination efficacy of surgical sutures' biofilms under atmospheric pressure nonthermal plasma treatment is time-dependent, with longer exposure times leading to better results. Combining plasma treatment with washing the biofilms with a phosphate buffered saline was proposed to be more effective than using plasma treatment alone.
PLASMA CHEMISTRY AND PLASMA PROCESSING
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Yovana Todorova, Evgenia Benova, Plamena Marinova, Ivaylo Yotinov, Todor Bogdanov, Yana Topalova
Summary: The transformation from linear to cyclic system is a priority task for society, and the safety of using waste streams as materials is crucial. Non-thermal atmospheric plasma has emerged as a potential solution for safety and quality control, capable of inactivating microorganisms, decontaminating surfaces and liquids, and degrading toxic chemical compounds.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Yijie Zhao, Ziyi Meng, Lele Shao, Ruitong Dai, Xingmin Li, Fei Jia
Summary: Cold atmospheric plasma has been gaining attention as a non-thermal food processing technology. In this study, air and nitrogen plasma were used to investigate microbial inactivation and shelf-life extension of chilled chicken. The results showed that air plasma had stronger microbial inactivation effects, while nitrogen plasma better maintained the sensory properties. The treatment time and working gases were found to be important factors affecting the microbial community composition.
FOOD RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Silvia Mosovska, Veronika Medvecka, Lubomir Valik, Anna Mikulajova, Anna Zahoranova
Summary: The efficacy of multi-hollow surface dielectric barrier discharge treatment against Escherichia coli, Salmonella Enteritidis and Bacillus subtilis was studied. Different working gases were used, including ambient air, O-2, O- and N-2. The results showed that all plasma treatments inactivated the tested microorganisms, with the most sensitivity observed to the ambient air plasma. Within a short time of plasma treatment, significant reductions in bacterial counts were achieved.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Dan Sun
Summary: Pool scrubbing is an important process for removing contaminated aerosols from nuclear power generation systems, and understanding the dynamics of particles in rising bubbles is crucial for efficient decontamination. Numerical modeling is complex and challenging due to the multiple phases involved, but can help guide equipment design for achieving high aerosol separation efficiency.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Natasa Hojnik, Martina Modic, James L. Walsh, Dusan Zigon, Uros Javornik, Janez Plavec, Bojana Zegura, Metka Filipic, Uros Cvelbar
Summary: Aflatoxins, particularly AFB(1), are a major dietary risk factor for humans, with the WHO identifying it as a potent carcinogen. This study demonstrates an efficient targeted degradation of AFB(1) using non-equilibrium plasma, with detailed mechanisms elucidated through sensitive analytical methods. The approach not only renders AFB(1) harmless in a short amount of time, but also outperforms other non-thermal methods like UV irradiation.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jiao Lin, Jishen Zhang, Renwu Zhou, Li Guo, Dingxin Liu, Mingzhe Rong, Michael G. Kong, Kostya (Ken) Ostrikov
Summary: Pathogenic microorganisms pose a global threat to public health and environment. Electrolyzed oxidizing water (EOW) is a promising environment-friendly alternative disinfectant, but its production processes and mechanisms are unclear. This study presents an effective hybrid plasma electrochemical EOW production process and reveals the mechanisms by combining nonthermal plasmas and a two-chamber electrochemical cell separated by a cation exchange membrane (CEM). The study also explores the antibacterial ability of EOW produced under different conditions.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Peeramas Sammanee, Phakamas Ngamsanga, Chalita Jainonthee, Vena Chupia, Choncharoen Sawangrat, Wichan Kerdjana, Kanninka Na Lampang, Tongkorn Meeyam, Duangporn Pichpol
Summary: This research successfully reduced the bacterial loads of various bacteria on pork and chicken meat by applying cold plasma in a liquid state or liquid plasma, with minimal effect on meat characteristics.
Article
Microbiology
Silvie Hejzlarova, Marta Chanova, Josef Khun, Jaroslav Julak, Vladimir Scholtz
Summary: The study found that different types of corona discharges have different effects on the inactivation of Schistosoma, with positive discharge being the most effective. The observation of various reactions among plasma-damaged schistosomes suggests that the mechanisms of inactivation by different types of discharges are different.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Dan Sun
Summary: The decontamination of aerosol particles in ellipsoidal rising bubbles is simulated in this study, investigating the effects of bubble dynamics and particle properties on particle coagulation/agglomeration and decontamination.
Article
Physics, Applied
Natasa Hojnik, Martina Modic, Dusan Zigon, Janez Kovac, Andrea Jurov, Aaron Dickenson, James L. Walsh, Uros Cvelbar
Summary: The study reported the complete removal of aflatoxin B-1 from corn kernels using indirect cold atmospheric pressure plasma treatment, which induced slight oxidation on the surface of the kernels. This research confirms the effectiveness of cold plasma technology as a food processing method for mycotoxin decontamination and paves the way for its acceptance as a safe food processing method.
PLASMA PROCESSES AND POLYMERS
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Eun Song Lee, Ye Jeong Jeon, Sea C. Min
Summary: The study focused on the effects of using ADCP treatment on the microbiological safety and quality of chicken salad in packaging. The results showed that ADCP effectively eliminated some bacteria and viruses, while not affecting the quality and color of the food. The research demonstrated that ADCP treatment can effectively remove microorganisms from packaged chicken salad without altering the sensory properties of the food.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Tianqi Zhang, Renwu Zhou, Shuai Zhang, Rusen Zhou, Jia Ding, Fengwang Li, Jungmi Hong, Liguang Dou, Tao Shao, Anthony B. Murphy, Kostya (Ken) Ostrikov, Patrick J. Cullen
Summary: This study demonstrates successful ammonia synthesis from nitrogen and water using nonthermal plasma catalysis. The findings suggest that plasma-induced vibrational excitation and matched catalysts in the nonthermal plasma discharge reactor contribute to molecular dissociation. The results show that the ruthenium catalyst supported on magnesium oxide exhibits superior performance in ammonia production. This research highlights the potential of nonthermal plasma catalysis for sustainable ammonia production.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Wenshao Li, Carlos H. Luna-Flores, Raveendra Anangi, Renwu Zhou, Xinle Tan, Marius Jessen, Lian Liu, Rusen Zhou, Tianqi Zhang, Alexander Gissibl, Patrick J. Cullen, Kostya (Ken) Ostrikov, Robert E. Speight
Summary: In this study, a bubble discharge reactor was developed to generate plasma-activated water (PAW) to produce PAW-made yeast malt (YM) medium. Strains cultured in 15 and 30 min-treated PAW-made medium produced significantly higher amounts of carotenoids and astaxanthin due to oxidative stress induced by PAW. This study demonstrates the potential of PAW to increase astaxanthin yields for industrial-scale production.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Sitao Wang, Xuewen Zhao, Zhijie Liu, Xueling Yang, Bolun Pang, Yuting Gao, Renwu Zhou, Dehui Xu, Jinying Zhang, Tianqi Zhang, Michael G. Kong
Summary: The overuse of antibiotics has caused water contamination, and green and enhanced treatment technologies are needed to limit the spread of antibiotic pollution. In this study, an efficient photocatalysis-self-Fenton system based on violet phosphorus (VP)-Fe3O4 was constructed to achieve significant degradation performance. The combination of VP-Fe3O4 and underwater bubble plasma (UBP) showed a higher NOR degradation rate compared to sole VP-Fe3O4 and UBP. The study also elucidated the synergistic degradation mechanism in the VP-Fe3O4/UBP system.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
N. R. H. Rao, X. Chu, K. Hadinoto, Angelina Angelina, R. Zhou, T. Zhang, B. Soltani, C. G. Bailey, F. J. Trujillo, G. L. Leslie, S. W. Prescott, P. J. Cullen, R. K. Henderson
Summary: This study evaluated the efficacy of cold plasma-activated bubbles in treating algal-impacted waters. The results showed that both air and oxygen-activated bubbles were effective in reducing cell numbers and increasing cell damage and inactivation. However, oxygen-activated bubbles were preferred due to lower nitrite and nitrate concentrations in the treated water. The study also found that different reactive species had varying impacts on algal cell removal and damage.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Physics, Fluids & Plasmas
Kun Liu, Wenqiang Geng, Xiongfeng Zhou, Qingsong Duan, Zhenfeng Zheng, Kostya (Ken) Ostrikov
Summary: Two modes of the atmospheric-pressure plasma discharge, characterized by the dominant O-3 and NO (x) species, were studied using numerical and experimental methods. A global chemical kinetics model was developed to investigate the mode transition mechanisms, and it accurately described the transition. The individual and synergistic effects of discharge energy and gas temperature on species density and the relative contributions of dominant reactions were quantified under increasing discharge voltage conditions.
PLASMA SOURCES SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Darwin Kurniawan, Jacob Mathew, Michael Ryan Rahardja, Hoang-Phuc Pham, Pei-Chun Wong, Neralla Vijayakameswara Rao, Kostya (Ken) Ostrikov, Wei-Hung Chiang
Summary: This study reports the development of smart anticancer drug nanocarriers through plasma engineering technique. The nanocarriers containing chitosan and nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dots can release drugs in a pH-responsive manner and exhibit enhanced toughness. The loaded nanocarriers demonstrate improved drug loading capability and stable release, showing great potential in cancer treatment.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xin Zeng, Shuai Zhang, Yadi Liu, Xiucui Hu, Kostya Ken Ostrikov, Tao Shao
Summary: To meet global net-zero emission targets, sustainable and low-carbon alternatives are urgently needed for energy-intensive industrial processes like ammonia synthesis. In this study, plasma catalysis is used to achieve renewable-electricity-driven ammonia synthesis under mild conditions. By identifying energy loss pathways and optimizing process parameters, such as pulse voltage and gap distance, high ammonia yields with high energy efficiency and low emission footprint are obtained.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Physics, Applied
Zhijie Liu, Xiamin Tantai, Sitao Wang, Bolun Pang, Yuting Gao, Feng Zhang, Xinyi Zhao, Dehui Xu, Aswathi Soni, Anne Mai-Prochnow, Patrick Cullen, Renwu Zhou
Summary: This study investigated the physicochemical properties and anticancer effects of plasma-activated solutions (PAS), showing that different solutions significantly affected the gas-liquid interaction reactions and the color penetration distribution of H2O2 and NO2-. The anticancer effects of PAS were found to be in the order of DI > PB approximate to saline > PBS > RPMI 1640, attributed to the important role of H2O2 and NO2- in inactivating cancer cells. This research provides insights for designing and applying PAS in practical anticancer therapy.
PLASMA PROCESSES AND POLYMERS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jing Sun, Tianqi Zhang, Jungmi Hong, Rusen Zhou, Hassan Masood, Renwu Zhou, Anthony B. Murphy, Kostya Ken Ostrikov, Patrick J. Cullen, Emma C. Lovell, Rose Amal, Ali Rouhollah Jalili
Summary: Current industrial nitrogen fixation technology relies on fossil fuels and has negative environmental impacts, but using electricity-driven non-thermal plasma catalysis shows promise for sustainable nitrogen fixation. This study combines a structured catalyst with a water-electrode bubble reactor to fix nitrogen at ambient conditions with high selectivity and stability. The enhanced production of nitrate ions is attributed to abundant oxidized nitrogen species from the air plasma, with the TiO2 supported by graphene oxide playing a crucial role in improving nitric oxide surface association and minimizing backward dissociation. These findings advance the potential of plasma-catalyzed nitrogen fixation for clean energy and eco-friendly chemical production.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hsiuan Ling Ho, Jung Yen Yang, Chun Hung Lin, Jiann Shieh, Yu Fang Huang, Yi Hong Ho, Tsung Shine Ko, Chiung Chih Hsu, Kostya (Ken) Ostrikov
Summary: The development of reliable and cost-effective molecular detection at the attomolar level on analyte-immobilizing surfaces without lithographic patterning is a challenge in chemical sensing. This study presents a novel approach using plasma etching to produce custom-designed adhesive superhydrophobic silicon nanograss surfaces. These surfaces enable effective immobilization of Ag nanoparticles and R6G target molecules, providing a reliable Raman scattering platform for detecting trace analytes. The study also introduces a plasma-enabled approach for precise interface nanostructuring, potentially leading to unprecedented capabilities in molecular-level sensing technologies.
ADVANCED MATERIALS INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Joanna G. G. Rothwell, Jungmi Hong, Stuart J. J. Morrison, Heema Kumari Nilesh Vyas, Binbin Xia, Anne Mai-Prochnow, Robyn McConchie, Kim-Yen Phan-Thien, Patrick J. J. Cullen, Dee A. A. Carter
Summary: Plasma-activated water (PAW) is a competitive sanitizer technology in the fresh food industry, achieving significant reduction of pathogens and spoilage microorganisms while maintaining the quality and shelf life of the produce item.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Zhongyan Li, Matthew Crago, Timothy Schofield, Haoxiang Zeng, Heema Kumari Nilesh Vyas, Markus Mullner, Anne Mai-Prochnow, Syamak Farajikhah, Sina Naficy, Fariba Dehghani, Sepehr Talebian
Summary: In this study, a flexible pH-responsive hydrogel was developed by functionalizing hydrophilic polyurethanes with either cationic or anionic moieties. The physicochemical characterization of the resulting polymers was carried out, and the loading of the hydrogels with various compound models showed that the electrostatic forces between the polymeric backbone and the compound model determined the release rate at any given pH. The potential application of these hydrogels for chronic wound drug delivery was assessed and showed different degrees of antibacterial effect. Overall, cationic and anionic hydrophilic polyurethanes show potential as flexible pH-responsive materials for therapeutic delivery to chronic wounds. Rating: 8/10.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Binbin Xia, Heema Kumari Nilesh Vyas, Renwu Zhou, Tianqi Zhang, Jungmi Hong, Joanna G. Rothwell, Scott A. Rice, Dee Carter, Kostya (Ken) Ostrikov, Patrick J. Cullen, Anne Mai-Prochnow
Summary: Microbial biofilms cause contaminations and pose risks to human health. Cold plasma and plasma-activated water (PAW) have disinfectant activity, but the best gas choice for generating PAW is unclear.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Rusen Zhou, Yadong Zhao, Renwu Zhou, Tianqi Zhang, Patrick Cullen, Yao Zheng, Liming Dai, Kostya (Ken) Ostrikov
Summary: This review explores the use of plasma techniques for up-carbonization, a process that converts low-value, renewable, carbon-rich resources into high-value forms. It discusses the advantages of discharge plasmas in creating intense and reactive environments for efficient conversion, and highlights the potential for integrating plasma-based processes with renewable electricity. The review also identifies the current challenges and research needs in this field.
