Abstract: Low- or atmospheric pressure RF plasma-enhanced thin film deposition methods are provided for the deposition of hydrophobic fluorinated thin films onto various substrates. The methods include at least two steps. In the first step, RF plasma-mediated deposition is used to deposit a fluorinated film onto a substrate surface. In a second step, plasma-generated active sites on the fluorinated film are quenched by reacting them with stable fluorinated gas-phase molecules in situ, in the absence of plasma, to provide a hydrophobic fluorinated thin film having a very low oxygen content. In some instances the hydrophobic fluorinated thin films have an atomic oxygen concentration of no more than about 3%.

Abstract: An apparatus is utilized for producing colloidal dispersions of nanoparticles of electrically conducting materials. The colloidal dispersions are produced in a dense media plasma reactor comprising at least one static electrode and at least one rotating electrode. The plasma reaction sputters off minute particles of the electrically conducting material from which the electrodes are made. Methods of using the colloidal dispersions thus made are also described. Colloidal dispersions of silver produced in this manner are highly effective for bactericidal purposes.

Abstract: Hard-carbon films with unique structures, methods for producing the films, and articles coated by the films are provided. These hard-carbon films are synthesized by the plasma surface treatment of a polymer substrate or a polymer-coated substrate in a plasma containing SFx species, where x is less than 6, and may be produced under room temperature, low pressure environments.

Abstract: Hard-carbon films with unique structures, methods for producing the films, and articles coated by the films are provided. These hard-carbon films are synthesized by the plasma surface treatment of a polymer substrate or a polymer-coated substrate in a plasma containing SFx species, where x is less than 6, and may be produced under room temperature, low pressure environments.

Abstract: A dielectric liquid having entrained bubbles of gas or vapor is subjected to an electric field applied between spaced electrodes (112, 116) which generates microdischarges (and thus plasma) within the bubbles, allowing modification of the properties of the dielectric liquid. The invention is particularly useful for treating hydrocarbon liquids such as gasolines and other liquid hydrocarbon fuels, which have extremely low dielectric constants. Generating microdischarges within bubbles in such fuels can create compounds useful for higher combustion efficiency and/or lower emissions in internal combustion engines. The invention may be directly implemented in an engine's fuel line upstream from the combustion chamber (e.g., immediately prior to a fuel injector), thereby allowing the invention to be usefully implemented for fuel treatment prior to combustion.

Abstract: In a milking machine teat cup wherein an animal to be milked has its teat inserted into a teat cup liner during milking, a first electrode extends about or within at least a portion of the teat cup liner. To clean and/or disinfect the liner, a second electrode is inserted into the liner and the two electrodes are charged so as to generate plasma in any free space between the inserted second electrode and the interior surface of the liner. The generated plasma species destroy organisms that cause mastitis, and can additionally kill other unwanted organisms and/or perform cleaning of the liner's interior.

Abstract: Methods for producing plasma-treated, functionalized carbon-containing surfaces are provided. The methods include the steps of subjecting a carbon-containing substrate to a plasma to create surface active sites on the surface of the substrate and reacting the surface active sites with stable spacer molecules in the absence of plasma. Biomolecules may be immobilized on the resulting functionalized surfaces. The methods may be used to treat a variety of carbon-containing substrates, including polymeric surfaces, diamond-like carbon films and carbon nanotubes and nanoparticles.

Abstract: Hard-carbon films with unique structures, methods for producing the films, and articles coated by the films are provided. These hard-carbon films are synthesized by the plasma surface treatment of a polymer substrate or a polymer-coated substrate in a plasma containing SFx species, where x is less than 6, and may be produced under room temperature, low pressure environments.