PLASMA PHYSICS APPLICATIONS IN STERILIZATION AND CANCER TREATMENT

Abstract

Advances in plasma physics enable widespread applications of plasma technology, notably in sterilization and cancer treatment. Sterilization necessitates effective microbial elimination without high temperatures, and corona discharge plasma achieves bacterial and viral inactivation at temperatures below 80 °C. Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) developments facilitate sterilization of heat-resistant medical devices at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. Plasma's suitability extends to cancer treatment since it generates reactive oxygen species and charged particles inducing various forms of cancer cell death. Plasma constitutes an ionized gas comprising positive and negative charged particles and neutrals, exhibiting collective behavior due to electromagnetic interactions. At sufficiently low gas temperatures, plasma attains thermodynamic equilibrium and behaves as a neutral fluid. Common plasma types include thermal plasma, glow discharge plasma, and corona discharge plasma. Various techniques can generate plasma from neutral gases, such as DC discharge, glow discharge, and corona discharge methods.