The future for plasma science and technology

• Published in: Plasma processes and polymers Vol. 16; no. 1
• Main Authors: Weltmann, Klaus‐Dieter, Kolb, Juergen F., Holub, Marcin, Uhrlandt, Dirk, Šimek, Milan, Ostrikov, Kostya (Ken), Hamaguchi, Satoshi, Cvelbar, Uroš, Černák, Mirko, Locke, Bruce, Fridman, Alexander, Favia, Pietro, Becker, Kurt
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Weinheim Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.01.2019
• Subjects: economic potential and impact; Gas discharges; Plasma; plasma technology; Plasmas; research needs; societal challenges; trends and directions
• ISSN: 1612-8850; 1612-8869
• DOI: 10.1002/ppap.201800118

The application of gas discharge plasmas has assumed an important place in many manufacturing processes. Plasma methods contribute significantly to the economic prosperity of industrialized societies. However, plasma is mainly an enabling method and therefore its role remains often hidden. Hence the success of plasma technologies is described for different examples and commercial areas. From these examples and emerging applications, the potential of plasma technologies is discussed. Economic trends are anticipated together with research needs. The community of plasma scientists strongly believes that more exciting advances will continue to foster innovations and discoveries in the first decades of the 21st century, if research and education will be properly funded and sustained by public bodies and industrial investors. Plasma treatments and processes contribute in many areas to technological advances. Plasma methods are crucial for manufacturing processes in the aerospace and automotive industry, the treatment of optics, glass, plastics and textiles, and for the generation and distribution of electrical energy. In general, many of the latest developments and trends are based at least in part on the successful implementation of a plasma process. Plasma treatments have demonstrated unique benefits and potential for environmental remediation and protection technologies, for medical therapies, and towards agriculture. The range of applications is steadily growing, based on dedicated research and development by a committed research community. However, continuing progress requires the ongoing support and interest of the societies that benefit from the accomplishments.