多多直播 physics professor uses new method to study plasma with DOE grant
Contact: Sarah Nicholas
STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥擟huji Wang, a professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at 多多直播, is the recipient of a $199,000 grant from the Department of Energy鈥檚 Discovery Plasma Science: Measurement Innovation Program to study the effects of plasma in complex settings using a novel method鈥攖he cavity ringdown spectroscopy (CRDS) technique.
The Measurement Innovation Program supports the development of novel and groundbreaking diagnostic techniques and their applications to new, unexplored or unfamiliar plasma regimes or scenarios.
Wang鈥檚 proposal 鈥淭ime-, space- and molecule-resolved multiple plasma reactive species in complex settings using an innovative approach of cavity ringdown spectroscopy鈥 received a 24-month grant to demonstrate the feasibility of the state-of-the-art approach by measuring reactive species (RS) in challenging settings鈥攐n the surface of water as well as under the water.
Wang hopes this CRDS system will enhance the diagnostics and measurement capabilities of low temperature plasma. LTP has broad applications stemming from interactions of the LTP agents鈥擱S, electrons, and ultraviolet light鈥攚ith a targeted medium.
鈥淜nowing the absolute concentration of LTP RS in time and in space remains one of the most challenging yet most important LTP diagnostic tasks,鈥 Wang said. 鈥淭his challenge is further compounded when an LTP source is set for interactions with a wet medium such as a biological surface, where the interface between the plasma gas and the liquid forms a time- and space-dependent multiphase reaction zone, or interfacial reaction zone.鈥
Wang said the behavior of the RS in interfacial reaction zones is largely unexplored because of technical challenges, which hinders researchers鈥 understanding of the complicated physics, gas dynamics and heterogeneous chemistry of LTP in the complex settings.
Wang鈥檚 research career at 多多直播 has involved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy of free radicals, laser photolysis/laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy of large alkoxy radicals and the development of plasma-cavity ringdown spectroscopy, all involving physics, chemistry and optical engineering. He seeks to develop and apply measuring, monitoring and sensing technologies to address problems in energy, the environment and biomedical engineering.
多多直播鈥檚 College of Arts and Sciences provides diverse units for research and scholarly activities, including natural and physical sciences, social and behavioral sciences, and the humanities.聽For more details about the college or the Department of Physics and Astronomy, visit or .
多多直播 is Mississippi鈥檚 leading university, available online at . 聽