Industrial plasma applications
Part of the team of the industrial Plasma Processing research line.
Low-temperature non-equilibrium plasmas (LTPs) enable unique chemical processes that cannot be achieved using conventional thermal or liquid-phase chemistry. They are at the core of many present-day industrial technologies. In LTPs, energetic electrons dissociate molecules and generate highly reactive species. These short-lived radicals drive chemical reactions at relatively low temperatures, making plasma an efficient and gentle tool for processing sensitive materials.
Unlike fusion plasmas, industrial plasmas operate at low bulk gas temperature: only the electrons are energetic, while the surrounding gas remains close to room temperature. This strong non-equilibrium enables chemical reactions without overheating the material — a key advantage for advanced manufacturing and high-precision applications.
MICROELECTRONICS AND ADVANCED MATERIALS
Plasma processes are essential in the fabrication of modern microchips. They enable highly controlled etching and deposition of ultra-thin layers at the nanometer scale — a fundamental requirement for today’s computing, communication, and sensing technologies. In materials engineering, plasmas are widely used to:
- Modify surface properties
- Improve adhesion
- Apply protective or functional coatings
Applications span aerospace components, medical implants, optical systems, and high-performance coatings. Plasma technologies also enable the synthesis of advanced materials such as diamond-like carbon films and nanostructured layers.
ANALYTICAL TECHNOLOGIES AND DIAGNOSTICS
Plasmas serve as powerful ion sources in advanced analytical instrumentation. For example, en Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS), a focused ion beam sputters a material surface, and the emitted particles are analyzed to determine elemental and isotopic composition with extremely high sensitivity. SIMS plays a critical role in:
- Semiconductor manufacturing
- Thin-film characterization
- Battery research
- Materials failure analysis
ENVIRONMENTAL AND ENERGY APPLICATIONS
Plasma technology contributes to cleaner and more sustainable industrial processes. Applications include:
- Treatment of waste gases
- Decomposition of pollutants
- Assistance in hydrogen production
Because plasma processes often operate at low temperature and without harmful chemical reagents, they provide efficient and environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional methods.
PROJECT EXAMPLE: PLASMAS IN SATELLITES
From 2010 to 2022, the SPC addressed in collaboration with RUAG-space (nowadays Beyond Gravity) a key challenge for next-generation high-power satellites : safely increasing operating voltages from today’s 30–100 volts to 300–600 volts to reduce weight and cost. A critical component affected by this change is the slip ring assembly, which transfers electricity from rotating solar panels to the satellite body and is vulnerable to electrical breakdown during pressure changes from launch to space.
Our group studied how gas discharges occur inside these systems using experiments and computer simulations. They developed an innovative design using specially configured and passively biased “limiting discs” to control electric fields and suppress breakdown. The new design was successfully tested under realistic conditions, demonstrating its potential for reliable use in future high-power satellites.
