In this study, a sustainable air plasma-based nitrogen fixation into reactive nitrogen species in water (e.g. nitrate and nitrite) is presented, which mimics the lightning-based nitrogen fixation that occurs in nature. We report a hybrid plasma system that combines a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) reactor (as an efficient ozone source) and an arc plasma reactor (as an efficient NO _x source). This hybrid plasma system completely converts gaseous NO _x and O ₃ into NO x − in water with almost zero emissions (NO _x and O ₃ ). Gaseous outlets, in-liquid species, and electrical parameters were investigated. The energy cost for nitrate production via a single-pass reaction was extremely reduced to 8 MJ mol ⁻¹ , which enhanced the applicability of the direct one-step nitrogen fixation into NO x − in water for distributed fertilizer production to decrease the dependence on the Haber–Bosh process toward sustainable agricultural development.

A surface streamer in a simplified packed-bed reactor has been studied both experimentally (through time-resolved ICCD imaging) and theoretically (through two-dimensional numerical modeling). The propagation of streamers on an alumina spherical bead without catalytic coating shows three distinct phases—the generation and propagation of a primary streamer (PS) with a moderate velocity and electric field, fast PS acceleration with an enhanced electric field, and slow secondary streamer (SS) propagation. The velocity of the streamer is less than that of propagation in a gaseous media. The electric field and velocity at the streamer front are maximized when a PS propagates during the interval from the midpoint of the bead to the bottom electrode. The SS exhibits a much lower velocity and electric field compared with the PS. The PS velocity is affected by an external applied voltage, especially when it approaches the ground electrode. However, that of the SS remains constant regardless of the voltage change. The simulation shows that the PS exhibits a high electric field mainly created by the space charge induced by electrons, whereas the SS relies on ion movement with electron decay in a charge-filled thin streamer body.

The cutoff probe (CP) is a precise diagnostic technique that measures electron density using two cylindrical probe tips and holders inserted in a low-pressure plasma. However, a recent study has reported that the insertion of the probe tips and holders can perturb the plasma condition and act as a source of error in the measurement of electron density. This study proposes a planar cutoff probe (PCP), which does not have invasive probe tips and holders, to minimize the plasma perturbation during plasma measurement. We embed the PCP on the existing substrate chuck of the plasma chamber instead of inserting an additional probe holder into the chamber. The adjusted conditions for the radii of the probe’s antennas and the gap distance between the two probe antennas are obtained via an electromagnetic simulation. The comparative experiment results show that the inferred electron densities of the optimized PCP are in good agreement with those of the previous CP and within reasonable discrepancies stemming from the differences in measurement positions. We believe that the PCP, which can be embedded in the inner surface of the chamber and measure the electron density during the plasma (wafer) process, would be an alternative technical tool to realize advanced process control of plasma based on non-invasive diagnostic methods.

(1) Background: Nonthermal plasma (NTP) induces cell death in various types of cancer cells, providing a promising alternative treatment strategy. Although recent studies have identified new mechanisms of NTP in several cancers, the molecular mechanisms underlying its therapeutic effect on thyroid cancer (THCA) have not been elucidated. (2) Methods: To investigate the mechanism of NTP-induced cell death, THCA cell lines were treated with NTP-activated medium -(NTPAM), and gene expression profiles were evaluated using RNA sequencing. (3) Results: NTPAM upregulated the gene expression of early growth response 1 (EGR1). NTPAM-induced THCA cell death was enhanced by EGR1 overexpression, whereas EGR1 small interfering RNA had the opposite effect. NTPAM-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) affected EGR1 expression and apoptotic cell death in THCA. NTPAM also induced the gene expression of growth arrest and regulation of DNA damage-inducible 45α (GADD45A) gene, and EGR1 regulated GADD45A through direct binding to its promoter. In xenograft in vivo tumor models, NTPAM inhibited tumor progression of THCA by increasing EGR1 levels. (4) Conclusions: Our findings suggest that NTPAM induces apoptotic cell death in THCA through a novel mechanism by which NTPAM-induced ROS activates EGR1/GADD45α signaling. Furthermore, our data provide evidence that the regulation of the EGR1/GADD45α axis can be a novel strategy for the treatment of THCA.

Surface streamers propagating on the surface of titanium dioxide (TiO ₂ ) and alumina ( γ -Al ₂ O ₃ ) were studied in negative polarity using intensified charge coupled device (ICCD) imaging and numerical simulation. Detailed time-resolved ICCD images of cathode-directed streamers (CDSs) emanating from a ground electrode are first presented in this report. Instead of primary streamers in positive polarity, only a glow-like discharge appeared in the early stage at the cathode under negative polarity. After this discharge disappeared, a counter-propagating CDS initiated from the ground electrode (anode). Numerical simulation indicated that strong electric fields at the pellet-anode and the formation of positive ion rich local spots were the main reason for the CDS formation near the ground electrode. The maximum velocity was 750 km s ⁻¹ for Ag-supported γ -Al ₂ O ₃ and 550 km s ⁻¹ for Ag-supported TiO ₂ , respectively. In contrast to the CDS in the gas-phase with a positive polarity, the CDS in a catalyst packed-bed under negative polarity showed more branching and a larger number of streamers in the presence of oxygen than in pure N ₂ .