In this work, the results of SiO _x thin film deposition by an atmospheric pressure plasma jet using HMDSO (hexamethyldisiloxane) as precursor are presented. The experiments were performed for different process parameters like initial applied power, substrate to nozzle distance and speed of the moving substrate holder. In order to determine the properties of deposited films the samples were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy and profilometer. The formation mechanism of particles and their size distribution depending on the process parameters are described and discussed. The results show the possibility to change properties of deposited films and particle formation by tuning the experimental settings.

This contribution presents the results of a study of the germination rate and growth parameters of wheat seeds after atmospheric pressure surface coplanar dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma treatment. The germination rate and biometric parameters such as the root, shoot length, mass of the seedlings, and the $\alpha $ -amylase enzyme activity were studied at different plasma exposure time. The seed coat surface wettability and morphology were determined by apparent contact angle measurement and scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis. Seed surface disinfection and the presence of filamentous fungi have also been investigated at different discharge parameters. It is shown that the optimal plasma treatment duration for increasing the growth parameters and enhancing the enzymatic activity is 5–15 s. It was found that the longer plasma exposure requires complete sterilization of the seed surface from pathogens, compared to the optimal treatment time for high germination. Based on the obtained results, the possible mechanisms of the positive effect of plasma treatment on the enhanced germination of wheat seeds are discussed.

A series of experiments on the modernized "Coulomb crystals" setup on board of the International Space Station (ISS) was performed. Formation of a cluster of charged and uncharged particles was observed. Excitation and damping of cluster oscillations, as well as its destruction in the high electric field were investigated. Charges of the particles were evaluated on the basis of their rate of expansion from the cluster. Some conclusions about the cluster structure have been presented.