Promise of nonthermal plasmas in addressing emerging environmental and health problems: Present and future

Nonthermal atmospheric pressure plasmas transform input electrical energy efficiently into reactive species, charged particles, and photons. This “activated gas” is being investigated as solutions for a range of environmental and health problems facing society today. In this Perspective, we take a c...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Physics of plasmas 2022-06, Vol.29 (6)
Main Authors: Foster, John E., Garcia, Maria C.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Charged particles
Crop yield
Depolymerization
Plasma physics
Plasmas (physics)
Social problems
Sterilization
Trace contaminants
Water reuse
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Summary:Nonthermal atmospheric pressure plasmas transform input electrical energy efficiently into reactive species, charged particles, and photons. This “activated gas” is being investigated as solutions for a range of environmental and health problems facing society today. In this Perspective, we take a cursory look at a few of these societal problems and the reflected role that plasmas may play in charting the pathway to a solution buoyed by supporting research. Here, we survey the plasma-based opportunities in the removal of trace contaminants in water supporting methodologies such as water reuse, which addresses scarcity and pollution, the opportunity posed by plasmas-based chemical depolymerization for plastics recycling, and the application of plasmas for food security, which includes sterilization of foodstuffs and the improvement of crop yield. Finally, we also included a short review on how plasmas may help control disease spread. In each case, the scope of the problem is presented along with the potential plasma-based solution.
ISSN:1070-664X
1089-7674
DOI:10.1063/5.0083766