Plasma processing for environment and cell-biology

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Deposition of thin films and etching via the use of "cold" (thermodynamically non-equilibrium) low-pressure (LP) plasmas achieved prominence in information technology since the 1960s. Those two processes and a third, surface modification of polymers, are now also being used in many other industries. Recently, there has been much progress in implementing atmospheric-pressure (AP) cold plasmas, mostly the dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) variety, for those three process categories. Research in the applicant's laboratory of the types above (LP-, AP-, but also UV-photochemical) has over the years resulted in over 450 refereed publications, in two dozen patents, and in much technology transfer to industry. He proposes to continue innovative research (A) on thin organic films deposited on substrates for use in diverse bio-medical applications; here, 3D electro-spun nano-fibre scaffolds constitute a particularly attractive substrate type, a very powerful one in several areas of use such as drug screening and tissue engineering. Bio-active cell-adhering coatings on nano-fibres must be rich in certain types of chemical functionalities such as primary amines (-NH2), carboxylic (COOR) or hydroxyl (-OH) groups, they must adhere strongly to the substrate materials, must resist "ageing" in atmosphere and dissolution in aqueous (cell-culture) media, among other criteria. Finally, of course, they must first and foremost elicit the desired bio-response from the cell-type(s) being cultured. (B) A second research theme, one that is quite new in the applicant's laboratory, involves cold AP plasmas for bio-oriented environmental applications, namely water decontamination and plant fertilization (nitrogen fixation) in an agricultural (greenhouse) context. Two types of plasma sources are to be perfected for this program: a "Jet" and a "microwave" one, along with suitable (pulsed) power for pilot-scale operation. For both themes cited above, (A) and (B), strong collaborations with other complementary groups, including industry, have been established; they include specialists in the cell-biological and medical sciences that are being addressed in all proposed sub-project areas. During the past two decades, the applicant's laboratory has developed networks of collaborations with senior researchers in the medical faculties of McGill and Montréal universities. A key overall objective is the training of highly qualified personnel (HQP); over the course of the proposed program it is foreseen that at least ten (10) young researchers will be trained.