An investigation of plasma formation in electromechanically-driven free bubbles at resonance in water with applications for the treatment of contaminated water

[1033141]福斯特摘要：本研究探讨了利用分散在液体中的气泡内的等离子体放电对液体进行体积处理。这是一种非常基本的实验方法，由发达的气泡动力学理论驱动，并得到一些有趣的初步观察的支持。这项研究将是一项基本性质的研究，但也受到水净化应用和开发可在该领域使用的小型系统的强烈推动。一系列有趣的实验计划，使用高速相机和时间分辨光学发射光谱仪。如果成功，这项研究将为非平衡等离子体这一新兴领域提供新的见解，也可能有助于发展具有重大社会意义的应用。这项研究是新颖的，经过深思熟虑的，对这一现象的物理理解和社会利益都有广泛的影响，特别是在不发达国家的水净化方面。更广泛的影响：本研究提供了一种将等离子体注射到任何液体系统的方法。这一努力有望极大地扩展我们对气泡中等离子体放电的物理知识，为进一步研究形成新的指导方针，并导致在实际等离子体化学反应器中实施的手段。排放副产物如臭氧、自由基、电子、氧原子和紫外线等扩散到水中，可以驱动化学反应。液体系统中的这种放电可以开辟化学处理的新领域，其中等离子体提供驱动能量。由于排放产品具有很强的抗菌性，在水中开始等离子体排放可自动对水进行消毒，并为在水传播疾病占儿童死亡80%的不发达国家应用基于等离子体的使用点水处理提供了可能性。此外，作为拟议研究的一部分，将建立几个等离子示范和简单的动手实验室系统，用于外展计划。小组对推广和教育活动以及这一基础研究在水处理方面的潜在应用印象深刻。

1033141FosterABSTRACTIntellectual Merit: The research looks into the volumetric treatment of liquids using plasma discharge within gas bubbles dispersed in the liquid. It is a very basic experimental approach, driven by developed theory of bubble dynamics and backed by some interesting preliminary observations. The study will be of a fundamental nature, but is also strongly motivated by the application of water purification, and the development of a small system that can be used in the field. A range of interesting experiments are planned, using a high speed camera and a time-resolvable optical emission spectrometer. If successful, the research will provide new insights into this emerging area of non-equilibrium plasmas and could also contribute to the development of an application of great societal importance. The research effort is novel, well thought out and has broad impacts to both the physical understanding of the phenomenon as well as to the benefit of society, specifically with regard to water purification in underdeveloped countries.Broader Impact: This research enables a method for in-volume plasma injection into essentially any liquid system. This effort is expected to greatly expand our knowledge of the physics of plasma-in-bubble discharges, forming new guideposts for further research and leading to a means for implementation in practical plasma-chemical reactors. The diffusion of discharge byproducts such as ozone, radicals, electrons, atomic oxygen, and UV emission into the water can drive chemical reactions. Such discharges in liquid systems can open new frontiers in chemical processing, where the plasma supplies the driving energy. Since the discharge products are strongly antiseptic, initiation of a plasma discharge in water automatically disinfects water and opens the possibility of plasma-based, point-of use water treatment for application in underdeveloped countries where water-borne diseases account for 80% of childhood deaths. Further, as part of the proposed research several plasma demonstration and simple hands on laboratory systems will be built for use in outreach programs. The panel was impressed both by the outreach and educational activities as well as the potential applications of this fundamental research in water treatment.