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A Plasma Air Decontamination System (PADS) is being developed by ORBITEC for trace contaminant control in spacecraft cabin air, based on non-thermal, atmospheric pressure plasma discharges that generate various highly reactive species that can react with and break down trace air contaminants. It uses a simple and modular design, and may be scaled up or down to meet the requirements of different applications. The prototype PADS reactor has successfully demonstrated removal of ammonia and other selected volatile organic carbons from air, including acetone, ethylbenzene, methane, and methylene chloride. It has the potential to replace the existing high-temperature catalytic oxidizers.

Orbital Technologies Corporation (ORBITEC) and the University of Wisconsin (UW) have demonstrated the feasibility of utilizing plasma manufacturing methods to functionalize fluid handling surfaces. Performance of hydrophilic coatings generated with both oxygen plasma and dichlorosilane plasma on aluminum (SiH2Cl2) substrates was demonstrated. Both give similar results, significantly decreasing contact angles and improving wicking ability of machined capillary grooves. Deposition of silver nanoparticles using plasma was also demonstrated and tested. Silver concentrations of 2% were obtained on hydrophilic-coated samples. Testing indicated that the silver-coated samples were biocidal against Listeria monocytogenes. Oxide-coated aluminum substrates were also shown to exhibit biocidal action against L. monocytogenes and a variety of other microorganisms.