School:
Carpinteria Middle School
Grade Level:
Junior High
Teaching Position:
General Science
Supervisor:
Michael Gordon
Department:
Materials
Mentor:
Oleksandr Polonskyi
Research Project Year:
2022
Research Project Title:
Surface Modification by DBD Plasma Treatment
Research Project Description:
This research explored highly localized surface treatment using a dielectric barrier discharge plasma pen. The pen's movement was controlled similarly to a 3D printing configuration in which the operator could define specific locations for plasma treatment. Visual analyses and wettability analyses were used to characterize the effects of treatment of different intensities and durations of plasma regimes across various surfaces. This method of precise surface modification has myriad applications, including creating surfaces with mixed wettability properties which are of particular interest for biomedical and technological developments.