Development of industrial processing capability by atmospheric pressure, cool plasma

A major constraint on current plasma technology is that the systems operate at low pressure with a closed perimeter typically allowing only off-line, batch processing of discrete workpieces at low to moderate throughput levels. These limitations are addressed by atmospheric pressure plasmas (APP) which offer open perimeter systems providing on-line continuous processing of large area, high throughput webs or conveyor-carried discrete workpieces. Several SME companies in Europe are developing or have recently introduced new APP industrial processing systems to address what is potentially a major market across many industrial sectors.