Plasma Application
1. In-situ Resource Utilization on Mars
2. C1 Molecules Conversion on Earth
3. Plasma-Surface/Liquid Interactions
In-situ Resource Utilization on Mars
The application of plasma technology on Mars is a rapidly evolving research field that leverages the planet's atmosphere, rich in carbon dioxide, to produce valuable resources. The primary focus of this field is the vibration decomposition of carbon dioxide using plasma, which can be combined with membrane technology to extract oxygen. Additionally, this process can separate other molecules, such as nitrogen and carbon monoxide, to produce fertilizers and other essential compounds, thereby supporting sustainable Martian agriculture.
C1 Molecules Conversion on Earth
On Earth, the global climate change caused by rising greengouse gas (GHG, C1 molecules, e.g. CO2/CH4) concentration and energy shortage have become the major pressing worldwide challenge in the 21st century. Plasma technology, renowned for generating abundant reactive species and high chemical activity, can help to overcome the dissociation barrier of thermally stabilized C1 molecules and convert them into high value-added chemicals. Furthermore, the integration of renewable energy sources with plasma can reduce energy costs and enhance environmental sustainability. Consequently, plasma technology is regarded as a promising solution for C1 molecules conversion on Earth.
Plasma-Surface/Liquid Interactions
Plasma, often referred to the fourth state of matter, is a partially ionized gas characterized by the presence of highly energetic free electrons, reactive chemical species, and positively or negatively charged ions. Applying plasma as a energy input into a chemical/materal synthesis process usually involves complicated interactions between plasma species and a surface or a liquid. However, the fundamentals of these interactions are poorly understood, leading to a difficult optimization for an efficient plasma process. Therefore, we employ advanced diagnotic and surface characterization techniques to investigate the plasma-induced physicochemical changes on the systems. Specal focus is on the interface between plasma and a surface/liquid. The outcomes of the research are expected to contribute to the future chemical/material industry both on Earth and on Mars.
