• Treatments of seeds

Our plasma systems are created for treatment of sensitive samples that can withstand vacuum and we have used it for treatment of seeds. It was shown that plasma treatments increase germination of the seeds and also in the process sterilize the treated sample. In the experiments we have used commercial seeds (maize, spring wheat, soya, blue lupine) and, also, seeds of rare and medicinal plants (Gentiana species). All the work was done in collaboration with Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”, Belarus Academy of Sciences and Institute of Food Technology (FINS), University of Novi Sad.

• Removal of organic and inorganic contamination and functionalization of sensitive surfaces

Processing of surfaces covered with thin organic/inorganic films or nano-structured surfaces in low-pressure non-equilibrium plasma proved to be efficient way to functionalize or clean the surface layer of samples without increasing the surface roughness or damaging the capping layer. Parallel-plate chamber provide homogeneous cm-size low temperature plasma that can process wide and thick samples (up to 10 cm in width and 5 cm in height). Plasma can be ignited in different gasses depending on the particular application. Currently, we investigate treatment of samples with sensitive surfaces contaminated with carbon (i.e. UV-range optical elements) in oxygen or hydrogen based plasmas. We plan to study functionalization and changing the properties of the surfaces by deposition of certain metals onto the surfaces.