Abstract: A method for activating chemical reactions using a non-thermal capillary discharge plasma (NT-CDP) unit or a non-thermal slot discharge plasma (NT-SDP) unit (collectively referred to as “NT-CDP/SDP”). The NT-CDP/SDP unit includes a first electrode disposed between two dielectric layers, wherein the first electrode and dielectric layers having at least one opening (e.g., capillary or a slot) defined therethrough. A dielectric sleeve inserted into the opening, and at least one second electrode (e.g., in the shape of a pin, ring, metal wire, or tapered metal blade) is disposed in fluid communication with an associated opening. A non-thermal plasma discharge is emitted from the opening when a voltage differential is applied between the first and second electrodes. Chemical feedstock to be treated is then exposed to the non-thermal plasma.

Abstract: Process for making C6 to C12 dibasic acids or azelaic acid using ozone generated from substantially pure carbon dioxide.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a plasma polymerization surface modification of a metal for enhancing its applicability for use in refrigerating and air conditioning such as in constructing heat exchanges, by using a DC discharge plasma, comprising the steps of: (a) positioning an anode electrode which is substantially of metal to be surface-modified and a cathode electrode in a chamber, (b) maintaining a pressure in the chamber at a predetermined vacuum level, (c) blowing a reaction gas composed of an unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon monomer gas or fluorine-containing monomer and silicon containing monomer gas at a predetermined pressure and a non-polymerizable gas at a predetermined pressure into the chamber, and (d) applying a voltage to the electrodes in order to obtain a DC discharge, whereby to obtain a plasma consisting of positive and negative ions and radicals generated from the unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon monomer gas and the non-polymerizable gas, and then forming a poly

Abstract: A method for oxidizing an organic contaminant in an aqueous medium generates H2O2 in the aqueous medium through the use of a corona discharge procedure. A quantity of hydroxyl radicals is generated from the H2O2. An organic contaminant is oxidized in the aqueous medium by reacting the hydroxyl radicals with the organic contaminant, the oxidation being enhanced by methods for facilitating the generation of hydroxyl radicals.

Abstract: Hydrophobic polymer materials having improved dyeability with water-based dyes are prepared by treating a hydrophobic polymer with aglow discharge plasma generated from working gases selected from SO2, O2, N2, He, H2, CO2, CF4, NO, N2O, 2-Hydroxypropyl Methacrylate (HPMA), air or combinations thereof, in which a treated material comprises a hydrophobic inner core and a hydrophilic outer sheath having polar functional groups. A method of treating hydrophobic polymer materials using a glow discharge plasma, preferably at high pressure (e.g., about 50 Torr or greater), thereby modifying the active surface characteristics of the polymer to contain polar functional groups is also presented.

Abstract: A high-voltage capacitive electrostatic device is used to improve the performance of membrane-separation processes, particularly reverse-osmosis units, wherein species of a given ionic polarity are separated from water. The device is immersed in the water flowing across the membranes and is operated continuously at very high voltages, preferably greater than 30,000 volts DC. The charge on the wetted surface of the suspended particles is altered by the electrostatic field so generated and is found to reduce biofilm formation, thereby materially enhancing the performance of the membrane-separation system. The application of high-voltage electrostatic fields is also found to reduce corrosion of metallic surfaces in the system.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a plastic film that is inapt to cause winding deviation, wrinkling and blocking even under a high-speed running condition. The invention provides a plastic film wherein at least 1,000 positive electrified patterns and at least 1,000 negatively electrified patterns each having an area of at most 10 mm2 and an arbitrary shape are distributed per 100 cm2 of the film, and a polypropylene film wherein the static friction coefficient &mgr;s between one surface of the film and another surface of the film is at least 0.2, and the dynamic friction coefficient &mgr;d therebetween is at least 0.08.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a device and method for activating and/or increasing the charge density of a polymer or polymer solution. Included is a reactor having a chamber capable of receiving and discharging polymer or polymer solution. The chamber may be configured in a vertical orientation. The chamber may also be torus or doughnut-shaped. A pulsar for imparting electrical energy to the solution in the reactor chamber is also provided. An inlet and an outlet which cooperate with the chamber to deliver and discharge the polymer solution may also be provided. The inlet may be located on the bottom of the chamber and the outlet may be located on the top of the chamber.

Abstract: A method of cracking a hydrocarbon composition having a normal boiling range beginning at a temperature of at least about 200° C., includes the steps of providing the hydrocarbon composition in a reactor including a first electrode mechanism, a second electrode mechanism and at least one layer of a normally solid dielectric material positioned between the first and the second electrode mechanisms. The hydrocarbon composition within the reactor is exposed to a dielectric barrier discharge, and the dielectric barrier discharge is controlled to convert the hydrocarbon composition into products having normal boiling points of below about 200° C.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for treating a photographic support in the form of a web, said process comprising providing a first grounded drum shaped electrically conductive electrode and at least one electrically conductive wire electrode of which the diameter varies between 60 and 1500 &mgr;m facing said drum shaped electrode, establishing an AC voltage with a frequency range between 100 Hz to 300 kHz over said electrodes, moving the web at atmospheric pressure along said drum shaped electrode, thereby exposing it to atmospheric pressure glow discharge established between the said drum shaped and wire electrode.

Abstract: A highly combustible fuel which exhibits low exhaust pollutants is developed by exposing an atmosphere of a gaseous hydrocarbon fuel, for example, gasoline, to a source of energy such as an electrical potential difference, ultra-violet radiation, microwave radiation or laser radiation. The combustible fuel can be fed directly to the cylinders of an internal combustion engine. It is clearly visible in the flask as being whitish silvery grey in color. The combustible fuel can also be condensed and the condensate employed as a fuel.

Abstract: A method, and its associated equipment, for producing synthetic gas by means of an electric arc-activated, non-catalytic burner which utilizes up to three streams of product inputs. A primary spray is heated by an electric arc formed between two electrodes. A second spray is then injected and mixed with the heated primary fluid. The resulting high-temperature, high pressure mixture is combined with a tertiary spray, an oxidant. The end product thereby produced is a synthetic gas, which becomes immediately available for combustion in furnaces, reactors, and other processes in the chemical, petroleum, and metals fabrication industries. The invention overcomes the deficiencies of existing processes.

Abstract: To increase the anti-wettability of a body vis a vis a fluid the body is subjected in a treatment enclosure to a post-discharge nitrogen plasma. A fluorinated vapor is fed into the plasma on the input side or on the output side of the discharge cavity.

Abstract: A copolymer of general formula (I), wherein unit A is a monomer of an electronically conductive polymer, unit B is a nucleotide, an oligonucleotide or an analogue thereof, x, y, z are integers of 1 or higher or y is 0, and 1 is a covalent bond, or a spacer arm. Methods for preparing polymer (I) and its use, in particular for nucleic acid synthesis, sequencing and hybridization, are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method of using the apparatus are provided for converting a gas stream containing hydrocarbons to a reaction product containing effluent molecules having at least one carbon atom, having at least one interior surface and at least one exterior surface, a first electrode and a second electrode with the first and second electrodes being selectively movable in relation to each other and positioned within the housing so as to be spatially disposed a predetermined distance from each other, a plasma discharge generator between the first and second electrodes, gas stream introducer and a collector for collecting the reaction product effluent produced by the reaction of the gas stream containing hydrocarbons with the plasma discharge between the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: A process for the simultaneous production of dicarboxylic acids and diamines from a) polymers based on polyamides of dicarboxylic acids or their derivatives with diamines, orb) compositions containing essentially such polymers, by splitting these polymers into their monomeric constituents, comprises treating these polymers or compounds with a base in alcoholic medium, and subsequently converting the resulting dicarboxylate salts electrochemically into the corresponding dicarboxylic acids and bases.

Abstract: A process for antifelt finishing of wool material composed of especially animal hairs by means of a low temperature plasma treatment, characterized in that moist wool material having a water content of 4 to 40% by weight is exposed, prior to further processing into textile fabrics or webs, to a high frequency discharge having a frequency of 1 kHz to 3 GHz and a discharge power density of 0.001 to 3 W/cm.sup.3 at a pressure of 10.sup.-2 to 10 mbar for a period of 1 to 600 sec in the presence or absence of non-polymerized gases.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the chemical modification of solids containing alkyl groups. It is provided that the solids containing alkyl groups are heated to temperatures above their melting point and subjected to a plasma treatment in a frequency range from 10 kHz to 10 GHz.

Abstract: Two methods and corresponding electrode designs are provided for the generation of a plasma, for example, at or about one atmosphere. Using these methods, various webs, films and three-dimensional objects are beneficially treated in a reduced amount of time. A first method utilizes a repetitive, asymmetric voltage pulse to generate a plasma discharge between two electrodes. An asymmetric voltage pulse is used to generate a discharge in which a substrate can be exposed predominately to either positive or negative plasma species depending on the voltage polarity used. A second method uses the gap capacitance of an electrode pair and an external inductor in shunt to form a resonant LC circuit. The circuit is driven by a high power radio frequency source operating at 1 to 30 MHz to generate a uniform discharge between the electrode pair. Both methods have temperature controlled discharge surfaces with supply gas temperature, humidity and flow rate control.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a method for preparing a silver complex diffusion transfer reversal material comprising a grained and anodized aluminum foil as support and a photosensitive silver halide emulsion coating, characterized in that said grained and anodized aluminum foil is corona treated in a corona station comprising a roller and at least one electrode, that has been coated with a dielectric coating before said foil is coated by a photosensitive layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the chemical modification of solids containing alkyl groups. It is provided that the solids containing alkyl groups are heated to temperatures above their melting point and subjected to a plasma treatment in a frequency range from 10 kHz to 10 GHz.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for altering a carbon containing compound in an aqueous mixture. According to a first aspect of the present invention, it has been discovered that for an aqueous mixture having a carbon containing compound with an ozone reaction rate less than the ozone reaction rate of pentachlorophenol, use of corona discharge in a low or non-oxidizing atmosphere increases the rate of destruction of the carbon containing compound compared to corona discharge an oxidizing atmosphere. For an aqueous mixture containing pentachlorphenol, there was essentially no difference in destruction between atmospheres. According to a second aspect of the present invention, it has been further discovered that an aqueous mixture having a carbon containing compound in the presence of a catalyst and oxygen resulted in an increased destruction rate of the carbon containing compound compared to no catalyst.

Abstract: A substrate structure having three-dimensional functional film network comprising a plurality of radio frequency discharge plasma film layers. The plasma film layers include a first layer, comprising a plurality of a first functional group, and a second layer, comprising a plurality of a second functional group. The employment of three-imensional film networks with desired functional groups located either on the periphery or both the periphery and interstitial spaces of the networks provides means for significantly increasing the surface functional density.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reacting dense-medium chemicals in an induced plasma state and novel reaction products resulting from the method are described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the chemical modification of thermoplastics that contain alkyl groups. It is proposed to granulate the thermoplastics that contain alkyl groups and to subject them to a plasma treatment in a frequency range of from 10 kHz to 10 GHz.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the chemical modification of liquids containing alkyl groups. It is provided that the liquids containing alkyl groups are subjected to a plasma treatment in a frequency range from 10 kHz to 10 GHz.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for making thermoplastic web from polyester or polyester blends for subsequent aqueous coating without requirement of an undercoat or primer coat for adhesion of subsequent coatings. Feedstock pellets of polymer, such as polyethylene terephthalate or polyethylene naphthalate, are melted in a screw extruder. Molten polymer is extruded from an extrusion die as a thick, high-viscosity ribbon, which is tempered and stretched in both the machine direction and the transverse direction to form a web of biaxially-oriented polymer of the desired width and thickness. The web is heated to a temperature above T.sub.g to set the biaxial orientation and then is glow discharge treated by passing it through an in-line glow discharge apparatus at atmospheric pressure wherein a stable glow discharge is produced in a gas mixture containing helium between two electrodes connected by an alternating power source operating at a voltage between 0.5 kV and 20 kV at a frequency between 60 Hz and 40 MHz.

Abstract: Two methods and corresponding electrode designs are provided for the generation of a plasma at or about one atmosphere. Using these methods, various webs, films and three-dimensional objects are beneficially treated in a reduced amount of time. A first method utilizes a repetitive, asymmetric voltage pulse to generate a plasma discharge between two electrodes. An asymmetric voltage pulse is used to generate a discharge in which a substrate can be exposed predominately to either positive or negative plasma species depending on the voltage polarity used. A second method uses the gap capacitance of an electrode pair and an external inductor in shunt to form a resonant LC circuit. The circuit is driven by a high power radio frequency source operating at 1 to 30 MHz to generate a uniform discharge between the electrode pair. Both methods have temperature controlled discharge surfaces with supply gas temperature, humidity and flow rate control.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of producing a photographic support. The method includes providing a photographic paper and transporting the photographic paper through an atmospheric glow discharge zone, wherein the atmospheric glow discharge zone contains a gas with a dielectric strength which is less than air. The atmospheric glow discharge zone is subjected to an electric frequency between 40 kHz and 13.56 Mhz and an electric field such that an atmospheric glow discharge is formed; and the photographic paper is coated with a polymeric coating.

Abstract: A copolymer of general formula (I), ##STR1## wherein unit A is a monomer of an electronically conductive polymer, unit B is a nucleotide, an oligonucleotide or an analogue thereof, x, y, z are integers of 1 or higher or y is 0, and l is a covalent bond, or a spacer arm. Methods for preparing said polymer and its use, in particular for nucleic acid synthesis, sequencing and hybridization, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A plasma sterilizable fabric which is subjected to charging, for example electrostatic charging, is provided. Plasma sterilizable fabrics may include nonwovens and laminate nonwovens. The plasma sterilizable fabrics may also be treated with an antistatic material before or after subjecting the same to charging.

Abstract: This invention relates to the preferential glow discharge at the inside diameter (ID) of plastic tubing, particularly very small tubing.

Abstract: The surface of a web or film is modified to impart the material with improved properties including wettability, printability, adhesion and static reduction. Such surface modification is achieved with an electrode structure which causes a filamentary discharge to pass generally horizontally across a surface of the electrode structure. A substrate to be treated is then positioned adjacent to the surface of the electrode structure so that the filamentary discharge is caused to flow horizontally across the surface of the substrate, in turn modifying the surface of the substrate and achieving the desired improvement in properties.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for treating an aqueous solution, in which a pulsed electric field is generated in the aqueous solution between two electrodes. In accordance with the invention, at least one of the electrodes is covered with a layer of a dielectric material which, during operation of the device, completely separates this (these) electrode(s) from the aqueous solution. This measure in accordance with the invention enables field strengths to be used which are much higher than those permissible in the known devices. The use of an oxygen-containing gas and a bipolarly pulsed electric field leads to a further improvement of the method in accordance with the invention.

Abstract: A three-dimensional functional film network comprising a plurality of radio frequency discharge plasma film layers. The plasma film layers include a first layer, comprising a plurality of a first functional group, and a second layer, comprising a plurality of a second functional group. The employment of three-dimensional film networks with desired functional groups located either on the periphery or both the periphery and interstitial spaces of the networks provides means for significantly increasing the surface functional density.

Abstract: A method of polarizing at least one large area sheet of ferroelectric material (1). The method comprises the following successive steps: placing films of ferroelectric material (2, 3) of thickness e.sub.1 against two opposite faces (1a, 1b) of the sheet (1) of thickness e.sub.2, the thickness e.sub.1 being a function of the respective coercive fields of the materials constituting the sheet (1) and the films (2, 3); placing electrodes (4, 5) on either side of and against the films of ferroelectric material (2, 3); compressing the resulting complex; and applying a cyclical voltage between the two electrodes (4, 5).

Abstract: A pollutant destruction system connects a capacitive corona discharge chamber in a self-resonant circuit with an inductive element. Intermittent energizing signals are furnished from a power supply to induce corona discharges within the chamber, with the resonant circuit responding to the energizing signals by initiating additional corona discharges between energizing signals in a highly energy efficient operation. One or more discharge chambers can be provided in the resonant circuit, with each discharge chamber comprising a dielectric enclosure with a distributed electrode outside and an elongate electrode inside the enclosure. The inner electrode can extend either along the chamber axis, or along the inner chamber wall for better support and heat dissipation.

Abstract: This invention relates to the preferential glow discharge at the inside diameter (ID) of plastic tubing, particularly very small tubing.

Abstract: A self-supporting sheet-like structure is described, which contains a substrate layer and a structured coating on at least one surface of the substrate layer. The structured coating is produced by treating at least one surface of the substrate layer by means of an electric corona discharge, which takes place between a high voltage electrode and a grounded counter-electrode. In this procedure, an aerosol containing discrete inert particles is simultaneously introduced into the corona discharge space during the corona discharge to improve the slip characteristics and reduce friction of the substrate layer.

Abstract: This invention is drawn to a Volatile Organic Compound environment effective reduction apparatus comprising a reactor-efficient coronal discharge zone, and at least one pair of high-dielectric coated electrodes. In particular embodiments Halogenated volatile organic compounds are reduced and the reaction chamber is chlorine and fluorine resistant.

Abstract: A liquid decontamination method and apparatus uses a series of pulsed electrical arcs across electrodes placed within a liquid stream which passes through a decontamination module. Sufficient energy is delivered by a pulse generator to the electrodes whereby lethal ultraviolet radiation and mechanical shock waves are created by the arcs within the decontamination module. A plurality of modules can be operated in parallel or in series to vary the capacity of the apparatus. Gas is injected through one of the electrodes to facilitate the generation of arcs within the liquid.

Abstract: A process for preparing a coated article which includes the step of electromotively coating an article molded or extruded from a composition having a conductivity of at least about 10.sup.-14 Siemens/cm (S/cm) comprising (a) a thermoplastic polymer, thermoset polymer, or mixture thereof and (b) an electronically conductive charge transfer complex or inherently semiconducting polymer different from (a). It has been discovered that the process of the invention provides a means by which electromotively coated polymer articles may be conveniently prepared.

Abstract: A method for forming synthetic crystals of proteins in a carrier fluid by use of the dipole moments of protein macromolecules that self-align in the Helmholtz layer adjacent to an electrode. The voltage gradients of such layers easily exceed 10.sup.6 V/m. The synthetic protein crystals are subjected to x-ray crystallography to determine the conformational structure of the protein involved.

Abstract: A plastic tube extruded from an extruder is conveyed through a plasma treatment apparatus. The plasma treatment apparatus is equipped with a tubular electrode body having a high-voltage side electrode and a grounded-side electrode disposed on a tubular insulator and a high frequency electric power source connected to the electrodes. When the plastic tube is conveyed through the electrode body with one end of the tube open to the atmosphere, a mixture of a glow discharge-stabilizing gas and a treating gas is fed into the other end of the tube and an alternating-current high-voltage is applied to generate a plasma region at a pressure near to atmospheric pressure in which the tube is treated with a glow discharge plasma. This method allows an interior and/or exterior surface of a plastic tube designed to convey a medical fluid to be continuously treated by a glow discharge plasma at atmospheric pressure to form an anti-thrombotic and blood-compatible film on the surface treated.

Abstract: This invention relates to the preferential glow discharge at the inside diameter (ID) of plastic tubing, particularly very small tubing.

Abstract: An atmospheric pressure glow discharge plasma treatment method, in which a gaseous mixture comprising argon, argon and helium, or argon and hydrogen, mixed with water vapor or water vapor and ketones at room temperature or a specified temperature, is introduced into a plasma reactor having a dielectric-coated electrode comprising a solid dielectric disposed on the surface of at least one of opposing electrodes, and a high-frequency voltage is applied under atmospheric pressure to generate atmospheric pressure glow discharge and excite a plasma, thereby making surface treatment of plastics or fibers disposed between the electrodes.

Abstract: An electrorheological crystalline mass of a molecule is formed by dispersing the molecule in a dispersion fluid and subjecting the molecule dispersion to a uniform electrical field for a period of time during which time an electrorheological crystalline mass is formed. Molecules that may be used to form an electrorheological crystalline mass include any organic or inorganic molecule which has a permanent dipole and/or which is capable of becoming an induced dipole in the presence of an electric field. The molecules used to form the electrorheological crystalline mass are preferably macromolecules, such as biomolecules, such as proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, lipoproteins and viruses.Molecules are crystallized by a method in which an electric field is maintained for a period of time after the electrorheological crystalline mass has formed during which time at least some of the molecules making up the electrorheological crystalline mass form a crystal lattice.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for glow discharge treatment of opposite surfaces of a moving web such as a plastic film or metallic sheet. The web moves in a vacuum housing between two rows of elongated electrodes arranged in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of the web. Coolant flows through an elongated hollow space in each electrode. The electrodes are fitted into a single common socket which is removably attached to the vacuum housing. A shielding member made of metallic material covers only the part of each electrode which is laterally offset to a side of the web. Each shielding member is connected to ground via a conductor and is spaced away from the outer peripheral surface of each electrode by a gap which is sufficiently small to prevent discharging of electricity from occurring in the gap when the web is subjected to glow discharging treatment.

Abstract: A process for producing disilane from monosilane comprising introducing monosilane into a reaction zone in which the monosilane is subjected to an electric discharge generated by a high frequency current. The monosilane is mixed with at least one inert gas selected from the group consisting of helium and argon. The pressure of the gaseous mixture in the reaction zone is between 0.1 and 3 bar, and the gaseous mixture is contacted in the reaction zone under electric discharge with a wall cooled to a temperature which is sufficiently low for the saturation vapor pressure of the disilane to be negligible, but not low enough for the monosilane to condense at the working partial pressure. Apparatus for conducting this process is provided.

Abstract: A method for making books, papers and film more resistant to moisture and pollution degradation using a low pressure, low temperature gas plasma.