Tsung-Chan “Cliff” Tsai Dr. David Staack

 4 th state of matter: ionized gas  Most abundant in the cosmos  Made of electrons and ions  Electrically charged particles that respond to electric and magnetic fields

High temp electrons (20000 °F) Cold neutral gas –safe to touc h Examples: Natural Aurorae borealis Artificial Fluorescent lamp Plasma in action

Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD) MMA Floating substrate HV Power Supply Helium Electrode Dielectric tubePlasma jet * * * * * * * * * Film Characteristics Non-thermal plasma Adhesive to varies surfaces Sterilizer

MMA Polymerization

Applications  Suitable for live tissues Polymeric bandage on wounds Sterilizes

Research Objective

Method CI + CI

Setup

Experiments Solubility of dye in MMA incorporation In solution Sublimed Stability of dye after plasma ejection Optimal conditions of power supply Properties on PMMA Select new dyes

Data Generated  Conditions to incorporate color indicator onto the film Color indicator solvent and concentration Sublimation temperature and gas flow Power supply ○ Voltage ○ Frequency of electricity ○ Line spectra ○ Power  Color changes on film (spectral analysis)

 Sensitive to changes in pH or temperature  Could signal chemical and/or metabolic changes microbial activity

Summary  Use of low temperature plasma to deposit a film  Film is functional band-aid: compatible with life tissues, sterilizers and protects from re-infection  Film could indicate chemical/metabolic changes or microbial activity

Relatedness to Class Concepts Matter Physical and Chemical Changes Atom and Atomic Theory Ions Bonding Chemical Reactions Solutions pH

Acknowledgements  Enrichment Experience in Engineering (E 3 )  Dr. David Staack  Tsung-Chan “Cliff” Tsai  Texas A&M University  Mechanical Engineering Department  National Science Foundation (NSF)