Our new method for removal (etching) of organic impurities from medical devices was presented at the conference. We investigated the rate of etching of PET polymer, which is the most commonly used material in biomedical applications, in the late flowing afterglow of oxygen plasma. Etching of PET polymer was studied as a function of pressure or dose of oxygen atoms to the surface. We have found an important conclusion that not only oxygen atoms are important in the etching process, but some other particles must contribute to the etching as well since the etching rate did not increase with the increasing dose of oxygen atoms to the surface. Our contribution was awarded at the conference.
E.01 National awards
COBISS.SI-ID: 25833255We have constructed a new plasma reactor of large dimensions, which serves as the source of oxygen atoms, which are carried through a special tube to the processing chamber, which is suitable for treating of various materials. We have improved the coupling between the plasma and generator for plasma excitation to optimize the transimted power and consequently, to optimize the efficiency of the generator.
F.33 Slovenian patent
COBISS.SI-ID: 24429351I was a supervisor of a young researcher who has studied and optimized a coupling between plasma and generator for plasma excitation. With such optimized coupling it was possible to create a discharge in two different modes: so called E-mode and H-mode. In E-mode the plasma is highly concentrated in a small volume, while in H-mode it propagates along the whole tube of the plasma reactor. A young researcher managed to measure the density of oxygen atoms during transition from E-to H-mode and vice versa for the first time.
D.09 Tutoring for postgraduate students
COBISS.SI-ID: 262624000