Flexible Low-Temperature RF Plasma Source for Biomedical Applications

Authors

Keywords:

engineering in medicine and biology, low-temperature plasmas, optical emission spectroscopy, plasma applications, plasma devices

Abstract

A flexible low-temperature plasma (LTP) source device was developed utilizing a radiofrequency (RF) generator coupled to a coaxial cable through a homemade L-shape matching network and a supple plastic hose that conveys a gas flow and shields the coaxial cable up to the reactor’s nozzle. The impedance matching network provides an electric power transfer of minimum of 94.11% operating under normal conditions. The LTP device arrangement is described, and later characterized via optical emission spectroscopy and electric power consumption. This procedure is essential to determine the adequate application of the generated plasma over heat-sensitive materials, primarily organic matter, to provide adequate information about its physicochemical activity. The produced LTP interacts with surrounding air particles, generating reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) that exhibit bactericidal and antiseptic properties due to their strong biochemical reactivity. The electromagnetic irradiation, ultraviolet (UV) emission, and thermal surface effect produced under normal working conditions of the LTP source device are safe to apply to heat-sensitive matter. The device’s inactivation property was validated through qualitative deactivation trials of Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis and quantitative deactivation trials of Escherichia coli. The device inactivated 99.996% of E. coli at a concentration of 3.6×106 colony forming units per mL (CFU/mL) in 180 s at 16 W, this result corresponds to a 4.43-log10 reduction in E. coli viability.

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Author Biographies

Rosendo Peña-Eguiluz, Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Nucleares

Rosendo Pena (Member, IEEE) holds a B.Sc., and M.Sc. in Electronic Engineering from Instituto Tecnológico de Toluca, and an Eng.D. in Electrical Engineering from Institut National Polytechnique de Toulouse, France. He currently serves as a Full-Time Researcher at the Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Nucleares, Mexico. His primary research focuses on electric power converters, plasma generators, RF amplifiers, plasma medicine, plasma applications, and applied digital control. He is the author of several publications in indexed journals and international events.

Antonio Mercado-Cabrera, Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Nucleares

Antonio Mercado received his M.Sc., and Ph.D. in Plasma Physics and Engineering, with specialization in radiative coefficient calculations, chemical kinetics, and modeling of thermal plasmas, from Paul Sabatier University, France. Currently, Antonio is a Full-Time Researcher at the Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones, Mexico. His currently research interests include chemical kinetics, computational fluid dynamics for air pollution control, and new technologies for wastewater treatment. He is the author of several publications in indexed journals and international events.

Alma Hernández-Arias, Universidad Tecnológica del Valle de Toluca

Alma Hernandez holds a B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering, and a Ph.D in Electronic Engineering from the Instituto Tecnológico de Toluca, Mexico. She currently serves as Teacher of subject at the Universidad Tecnológica del Valle de Toluca, Mexico. Her current research interests include new technologies for water remediation, water microorganism deactivation by plasma, and advanced oxidation processes. She is the author of several publications in indexed journals and international events.

Benjamín Rodríguez-Méndez, Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Nucleares

Benjamin Rodriguez received a Ph.D in Electronic Engineering from the Instituto Tecnológico de Toluca, Mexico. He is currently a Full-Time Researcher at the Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Nucleares, Mexico. He actually is focusing on power electronics for the electrical discharges generation and plasma applications. His current research interests include modeling, and electronic instrumentation in plasma sciences. He is the author of several publications in indexed journals and international events.

Régulo López-Callejas, Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Nucleares

Regulo Lopez received a Ph.D. in Electronic Engineering from the Instituto Tecnológico de Toluca, Mexico. He is a Full-Time Researcher of Plasma Physics Instrumentation at the Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Nucleares, Mexico. His current research interests include plasma applications, and electronic instrumentation. He is the author of several publications in indexed journals.

Raúl Valencia-Alvarado, Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Nucleares

Raul Valencia holds a Ph.D. in Nuclear Science from the Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Mexico. He is a Full-Time Researcher at the Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Nucleares, Mexico. His current research interests include the plasma processing of materials. He is the author of several publications in indexed journals.

Bethsabet Jaramillo-Sierra, Tecnológico Nacional de México

Bethsabet Jaramillo holds a B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering and a Ph.D. in Electronic Engineering from the Instituto Tecnológico de Toluca, Mexico. She actually serves as full-time profesor at the Tecnológico de Estudios Superiores de Tianguistenco, Mexico. Her current research interests include new technologies for water remediation, advanced oxidation processes, pollution control, and chemical kinetics. She is the author of several publications in indexed journals and international events.

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Published

2025-10-01

How to Cite

Peña-Eguiluz, R., Mercado-Cabrera, A., Hernández-Arias, A., Rodríguez-Méndez, B., López-Callejas, R., Valencia-Alvarado, R., & Jaramillo-Sierra, B. (2025). Flexible Low-Temperature RF Plasma Source for Biomedical Applications. IEEE Latin America Transactions, 23(11), 1131–1142. Retrieved from https://latamt.ieeer9.org/index.php/transactions/article/view/9847

Issue

Vol. 23 No. 11 (2025): Ordinary Issue

Section

Electronics