Materials, Advanced Design
&
Manufacturing
92
2.4
Technological plasma
Keywords
Plasma discharges, plasma diagnostics, materials
processing, dusty plasmas, pulsed power supplies
Expertise
Electrical plasma and its use as a materials processing
tool underpins many multi-billion dollar industries.
Microelectronics, telecommunications, aerospace,
automotive, environmental control, packaging and
textiles all make use of electrical plasma competencies.
The University of Liverpool specialises in experimental
and modelling studies of plasma discharges which have
considerable relevance to industry. Our expertise covers
fundamental plasma physics and plasma chemistry,
the design of plasma processing systems, plasma
measurement, the study of dusty plasmas, the design
and development of discharge power supplies and the
modelling of discharges and plasma surface interactions.
We also developed a wide variety of plasma sensors and
diagnostics tools and associated electronics, as well as
computer models and plasma simulation which
complement our experimental studies.
Current areas of research include: pulsed low pressure
plasma deposition and treatment systems; high-pressure
micro-discharges for biomaterials applications and
graded chemical functionality of polymeric materials;
atmospheric pressure plasmas (DBDs and micro-jets)
for 3D materials modification and water purification.
Our industrial plasma laboratory is equipped with
diagnostic and modelling tools to study a range of
industrial plasma discharges. We design and build new
plasma systems including power delivery systems for a
multitude of process applications. Innovation includes the
design of new plasma-based surface analytical tools and
we are at the forefront of advances in systems for reactive
plasma control and surface processing.
Capabilities and facilities
•
Electrical and optical plasma diagnostic tools
including optical imaging of nanostructures
•
Molecular beam mass spectrometry
•
Vacuum and atmospheric pressure-based plasma
discharges – for physical and chemical vapour
deposition, plasma polymerisation and treatment rigs
•
Facilities for studying complex dusty plasmas
•
A comprehensive range of discharge power supplies:
DC, pulsed DC (mid frequency), RF and
nanosecond pulsed
•
Time-resolved Schlieren photography.
Also see:
Materials, Advanced Design &
Manufacturing –
2.9
Complex plasmas and charged
aerosols, page 98
For further information
on all our specialist
centres, facilities and
laboratories
go to page
179
