Abstract: A plasma system has at least one inductively coupled high-frequency plasma jet source having a burner body delimiting a plasma generating space, having an outlet orifice for the plasma jet, and a chamber communicating with the plasma jet source through the outlet orifice, having a substrate situated in the chamber, where it is exposed to the plasma jet. The substrate is situated on a substrate electrode to which an electric voltage may be applied. In addition, a method of producing a functional coating on the substrate using such a plasma system is also described. In a preferred embodiment, during operation of the plasma system, both the plasma jet and the electric voltage on the substrate electrode are pulsed and/or a pressure gradient is maintained between the interior of the plasma jet source and the interior of the chamber.

Abstract: Vital data are continuously recorded and/or measured for the remote diagnostic monitoring and support of patients. The vital data are interpreted and evaluated using signal technology with regard to their trend and the context in which they were recorded/measured. The vital data are linked to a patient profile and evaluated based on threshold values in order to detect deviations of the patient's condition from a previously established target condition. A categorization is made whether, based on the evaluation, an interaction with the patient is required immediately, in a predefined time frame, or not at all.

Abstract: A pump piston and/or elements sealing the pump piston, in particular a sealing ring of elastomeric material with an additionally applied coating are/is proposed. To improve the durability characteristics, the pump piston and/or the elements sealing the pump piston have a coating which is formed at least predominantly of halogen-, silicon-, carbon-containing and/or metal-organic monomers. Furthermore, a device and a method for coating an object of elastomeric material utilizing a plasma are proposed.

Abstract: A plasma system has at least one inductively coupled high-frequency plasma jet source having a burner body delimiting a plasma generating space having an outlet orifice for the plasma jet, a coil surrounding the plasma generating space in some areas, an inlet for supplying a gas and/or a precursor material into the plasma generating space and a high-frequency generator which is connected to the coil for igniting the plasma and for injecting an electric power into the plasma. The plasma jet source has an electric component using which the intensity of the plasma jet is variable periodically over time. In addition, a method of producing the functional coating on a substrate by using this plasma system is described.

Abstract: A method for producing a nanostructured, in particular a ceramic-like functional coating on a substrate is described. To that end, using at least one plasma source, a pulsed plasma is produced with which a matrix phase and at least one nano-scale interstitial phase embedded in it are deposited on the substrate via a material input. Preferably a plurality of pulsed plasma sources that are time-correlated or synchronized with each other are used. Also proposed is a nanostructured functional coating, in particular one producible by this method, which is free of chlorine and/or sulfur, and which contains at least one metal and/or at least one element selected from the group oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, carbon, helium, argon or neon.

Abstract: A method and device for sterilizing containers in which a plasma treatment is executed through excitation of an electromagnetic oscillation so that the plasma is excited in a vacuum in the vicinity of the container regions to be sterilized. Between arrival and discharge, the container regions to be sterilized are moved closer to the oscillation-generating device in the chamber, with continuous movement of the container and/or of the oscillation-generating device for one or more predetermined time intervals in such a way that a plasma is excited in these regions inside and/or outside the container. The chamber is provided with a transport apparatus inside it, which produces an essentially rotating motion of the container during the transport from the arrival to the discharge in the chamber.

Abstract: A tribologically loaded component, in particular an injection needle, an injection valve, or a component of a combustion-engine injection system. This component has a surface region, which moves in relation to a counterbody during operation, is tribologically loaded in the process, and is provided with a first coating. This first coating has a first layer of diamond-like carbon having a hydrogen level of at least 30 atom %. Additionally provided is a gas engine or an internal combustion engine, which is driven by a dry gas, such as natural gas or hydrogen, as a fuel, or is driven under oil-free and/or water-free combustion conditions, and has such a tribologically loaded component.

Abstract: A pump piston and/or elements sealing the pump piston, in particular a sealing ring of elastomeric material with an additionally applied coating are/is proposed. To improve the durability characteristics, the pump piston and/or the elements sealing the pump piston have a coating which is formed at least predominantly of halogen-, silicon-, carbon-containing and/or metal-organic monomers. Furthermore, a device and a method for coating an object of elastomeric material utilizing a plasma are proposed.

Abstract: A device and a method for at least partial removal of electric charges from dielectric surfaces, in particular surfaces of plastic films, paper webs or plastic fibers are described. First, a plasma is generated through microstructure discharges with a plasma device in at least one plasma region. In addition, the dielectric surface is introduced into the plasma region with a feed mechanism and is temporarily exposed to electrically charged particles generated by the plasma there.

Abstract: A method and device for sterilizing containers in which a plasma treatment is executed through excitation of an electromagnetic oscillation so that the plasma is excited in a vacuum in the vicinity of the container regions to be sterilized. Between arrival and discharge, the container regions to be sterilized are moved closer to the oscillation-generating device in the chamber, with continuous movement of the container and/or of the oscillation-generating device for one or more predetermined time intervals in such a way that a plasma is excited in these regions inside and/or outside the container. The chamber is provided with a transport apparatus inside it, which produces an essentially rotating motion of the container during the transport from the arrival to the discharge in the chamber.

Abstract: A method for producing a nanostructured, in particular a ceramic-like functional coating on a substrate is described. To that end, using at least one plasma source, a pulsed plasma is produced with which a matrix phase and at least one nano-scale interstitial phase embedded in it are deposited on the substrate via a material input. Preferably a plurality of pulsed plasma sources that are time-correlated or synchronized with each other are used. Also proposed is a nanostructured functional coating, in particular one producible by this method, which is free of chlorine and/or sulfur, and which contains at least one metal and/or at least one element selected from the group oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, carbon, helium, argon or neon.

Abstract: A pump piston and/or elements sealing the pump piston, in particular a sealing ring of elastomeric material with an additionally applied coating are/is proposed. To improve the durability characteristics, the pump piston and/or the elements sealing the pump piston have a coating which is formed at least predominantly of halogen-, silicon-, carbon-containing and/or metal-organic monomers. Furthermore, a device and a method for coating an object of elastomeric material utilizing a plasma are proposed.

Abstract: A subassembly of an internal combustion engine is described, in particular an injection system or a fuel injector having a tribologically stressed component, in particular an injection needle, having a surface area which moves relative to a mating body during operation and is thus tribologically stressed, the surface area having an at least mostly an inorganic hard material coating. The subassembly is suitable in particular for use in an internal combustion engine which is operated with a dry gas such as natural gas or hydrogen as the fuel or under oil-free and/or water-free combustion conditions. In addition, a gas engine having such a subassembly is described.

Abstract: A device is proposed for the ceramic-type coating of a substrate (2), means being provided for depositing a material (5, 7), especially by using a plasma (8), on a surface of the substrate (2), which, in contrast to the related art, allows a ceramic coating (3) of comparatively temperature-sensitive substrates (2). According to the present invention, this is achieved in that an energy source that differs from a material source (4, 6) of the material (5, 7) provided for the coating, is provided for the locally defined energy input into the material (3, 5, 7, 8) present in front of and/or on the surface.

Abstract: A tribologically loaded component, in particular an injection needle, an injection valve, or a component of a combustion-engine injection system. This component has a surface region, which moves in relation to a counterbody during operation, is tribologically loaded in the process, and is provided with a first coating. This first coating has a first layer of diamond-like carbon having a hydrogen level of at least 30 atom %. Additionally provided is a gas engine or an internal combustion engine, which is driven by a dry gas, such as natural gas or hydrogen, as a fuel, or is driven under oil-free and/or water-free combustion conditions, and has such a tribologically loaded component.

Abstract: A device and a method for at least partial removal of electric charges from dielectric surfaces (30), in particular surfaces of plastic films, paper webs or plastic fibers are described. First, a plasma is generated through microstructure discharges with a plasma device (1) in at least one plasma region (12, 40). In addition, the dielectric surface (30) is introduced into the plasma region (12, 40) with a feed mechanism (2) and is temporarily exposed to electrically charged particles generated by the plasma there.

Abstract: A method is proposed for producing a functional coating on a substrate (19) disposed in a chamber (40), a plasma (21) being generated by an inductively coupled, high-frequency plasma jet source (5) having a burner member (25) which delimits a plasma generating space (27) and has a discharge aperture (26). This plasma (21) then exits via the discharge aperture in the form of a plasma jet (20) from the plasma jet source (5) and enters into the chamber (40) connected thereto, where it acts on the substrate (19) for producing the functional coating. In this context, it is also provided that between the interior of the chamber (40) and the plasma generating space (27), at least at times a pressure gradient is produced which accelerates particles contained in the plasma jet (20) toward the substrate (19).

Abstract: A plasma reactor for treating exhaust gases of internal combustion engines is provided, the plasma reactor having a ceramic body with a plurality of channels running through it. A gas may be passed through a first set of channels, while a second set of channels contains an electrically conducting material such that a plasma is generated in the interior of the second set of channels by applying an electric voltage. Also, a method of manufacturing a plasma reactor is provided, whereby first a green ceramic body having a plurality of channels running through it is produced and sintered to form a ceramic body, and then an electrically conducting material is introduced into a second set of channels in the ceramic body.