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As investigations in the biomedical applications of plasma advance, a demand for describing safe and efficacious delivery of plasma is emerging. It is quite clear that not all plasmas are "equal" for all applications. This Perspective discusses limitations of the existing parameters used to define plasma in context of the need for the "right plasma" at the "right dose" for each "disease system." The validity of results extrapolated from in vitro studies to preclinical and clinical applications is discussed. We make a case for studying the whole system as a single unit, in situ. Furthermore, we argue that while plasma-generated chemical species are the proposed key effectors in biological systems, the contribution of physical effectors (electric fields, surface charging, dielectric properties of target, changes in gap electric fields, etc.) must not be ignored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A nonthermal, pulsed spark discharge is applied to three polymer powders in Ar and Ar–H2 ${{\rm{H}}}_{2}$ gas mixtures. Hydrogen is introduced to assess plasma‐driven decomposition. Gaseous decomposition products, including methane, acetylene, and ethylene, are observed with Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR). Surface modifications are observed on the residual polymer via attenuated total internal reflection‐FTIR. Time‐averaged rotational, vibrational, and excitation temperatures are characterized in the discharge. The plasma density is found to be around 3×1022 m−3 $3\times 1{0}^{22}\unicode{x0200A}{{\rm{m}}}^{-3}$, with rotational and vibrational temperatures ranging from 1500 to 2200 K and an excitation temperature of 1–2 eV. While spark properties did not change with either gas composition or polymer composition, it was determined that the addition of hydrogen promoted higher concentrations of gaseous phase products (promoting hydrogenolysis). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High voltage nanosecond pulse driven electric discharges in de-ionized water with an argon bubble suspended between two electrodes were experimentally investigated. Two electrode configurations were used to temporally resolve the time scales of the discharge from the applied voltage rise time (7 ns), through the end of the first pulse (∼ 30 ns), and longer (>50 ns). We found that, in positive and negative applied voltage polarities, discharge initiates in the water at the tip of the anode. The discharge in the water rapidly extends (∼ 10 4 m/s) to the apex of the bubble and light emitted from inside the bubble begins to form. The steep rate of rise of the applied voltage (d V / d t < 4 kV/ns) and the short time for the development of discharge in the water suggest that cavitation is a likely mechanism for discharge initiation and propagation in water. In addition, the short duration of the applied voltage pulse results in only a partial Townsend discharge inside the bubble. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Outside Front Cover: A spark discharge in an argon and argon–hydrogen mixture provides evidence of plastic depolymerization of low‐density polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyethylene terephthalate. Light hydrocarbon products and the resulting polymer surface are analyzed and connected to the discharge properties.For further information see the article by Roxanne Z. Walker, Sophia Gershman, Dorothy E. Doughty, and John E. Foster (e2300155).By Roxanne Z. Walker; Sophia Gershman; Dorothy E. Doughty and John E. FosterReported by Author; Author; Author; Author [Extracted from the article]

3D printing has become popular for a variety of users, from home hobbyists to scientists and engineers interested in producing their own laboratory equipment. In order to determine the suitability of 3D printed parts for our plasma physics laboratory, we measured the accuracy, strength, vacuum compatibility, and electrical properties of pieces printed in plastic. The flexibility of rapidly creating custom parts has led to the 3D printer becoming an invaluable resource in our laboratory. The 3D printer is also suitable for producing equipment for advanced undergraduate laboratories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plasmas have a beguiling way of getting students interested in physics. We argue that plasmas can and should be incorporated into the undergraduate curriculum as both demonstrations and advanced investigations of electromagnetism and quantum effects. We describe a device, based on a direct-current (dc) glow discharge tube, which allows for a number of experiments into topics such as electrical breakdown, spectroscopy, magnetism, and electron temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]