Stephen G Wilkinson

US Patent:

62005391, Mar 13, 2001

Filed:

Jul 20, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/357403

Inventors:

Daniel M. Sherman - Knoxville TN
Stephen P. Wilkinson - Poquoson VA
J. Reece Roth - Knoxville TN

Assignee:

The University of Tennessee Research Corporation - Knoxville TN

International Classification:

B01J 1908

US Classification:

42218604

Abstract:

A substrate is configured with first and second sets of electrodes, where the second set of electrodes is positioned asymmetrically between the first set of electrodes. When a RF voltage is applied to the electrodes sufficient to generate a discharge plasma (e. g. , a one-atmosphere uniform glow discharge plasma) in the gas adjacent to the substrate, the asymmetry in the electrode configuration results in force being applied to the active species in the plasma and in turn to the neutral background gas. Depending on the relative orientation of the electrodes to the gas, the present invention can be used to accelerate or decelerate the gas. The present invention has many potential applications, including increasing or decreasing aerodynamic drag or turbulence, and controlling the flow of active and/or neutral species for such uses as flow separation, altering heat flow, plasma cleaning, sterilization, deposition, etching, or alteration in wettability, printability, and/or adhesion.