Design of multidimensional microplasma array for biofilm removal and dynamic photonic crystals

Microplasma having electron densities of 10^13 (cm^(-3)) – 10^17 (cm^(-3)) opens new and unique avenues for electronic and photonic devices. To advance this unique ability for dynamic functional materials, this thesis focuses on designing and realizing of multidimensional periodic structures of microplasma arrays and understanding their interactions with biofilms and electromagnetic waves. Biofilms are ubiquitous in municipal drinking water distribution systems, and they present significant human health concerns because they often harbor pathogens. Biofilms serve as pathogen reservoirs by supplying nutrients and shielding pathogens from disinfectants. The first contribution of this dissertation is the demonstration of the first 3D-printed microplasma jet array and its ability in disruption of drinking water biofilms. Three-dimensional reconstruction of biofilms, obtained by spatially-resolved optical coherence tomography, provides powerful insight to understanding how the pore structure controls the removal rate. Integration of the diagnostic process, enabled by the real-time feedback provided by 3D reconstructed images, together with the biofilm disruption treatment by the microplasma jet array, provides a particular value for intervention of the biofilm in residential or commercial plumbing. These biofilms are known to have been compromised by one or more pathogens, and previous and persistent efforts to purge or disinfect the system have proven unsuccessful. Based on understanding of the interaction between a microplasma jet array and drinking water simulated biofilm, the microplasma jet array integrated-otoscope has been conceived and realized as an alternative to antibiotic treatment. For the first time, a non-drug based treatment for infectious ear biofilms is offhand for controlling the ear infectious biofilm. Furthermore, in combination with the photons generated by UV irradiation, microplasma jet array-induced inactivation yields a non-selective pathogen inactivation process not available in the past. Photonic crystals are materials with periodically varying refractive index on the order of the wavelength and are known for the capability to interact with the electromagnetic waves. Conventional designs of photonic crystals are based on solid-state materials, and so reconfigurability of the 3D photonic crystals is constrained by the nature of the properties, including their electronic structures and fixed index of refraction. This dissertation reports the first demonstration of dynamic, electronically tunable and reconfigurable, 3D photonic crystals in the mm-wave region (110 – 300 GHz). Owing to the unique dielectric permittivity of low temperature plasma, tunable electromagnetic devices such as attenuators, phase shifters, and resonators have been realized by inserting microplasma columns into dielectric/metal structures. Because the microplasmas are generated within a 3D network of microchannels fabricated in the polymer, the result is a transient double crystal in which the microplasma network and polymer scaffold are coupled. The enhanced spatial and temporal coupling offer the capability to electronically control the electromagnetic response, including but not limited to the photonic band gap and synergy of the Bragg modes with surface plasmon modes. These hybrid plasma/dielectric/metal materials have properties not available in the past, such as reconfigurability at electronic speeds, and are ideally-suited for electromagnetics applications.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Environ Engr in Civil Engr

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2020

Author dc:creator

• Sun, Peter Peng

Contributors dc:contributor

• Nguyen, Thanh H.
• Eden, J. Gary
• Espinosa Marzal, Rosa M.
• Braun, Paul V.

• microplasma
• funtional dynamic material
• biofilm
• photonic crystal
• multidimensional microplasma array

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2019 Peter P. Sun

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/106435

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/106435