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Plasma diagnostics for the therapeutic applications
Kletzander, Lukáš ; Slavíček, Pavel (referee) ; Krčma, František (advisor)
Plasma, an ionized gas, is often regarded as the fourth state of matter. It has many useful applications, from arc welding to plasma displays. An emerging application of low-temperature plasma is in medicine, too. Reactive species generated in plasma discharges are the source of its usefulness in sterilization and supporting would healing. The detailed characterization of plasma is a key point before its real application in medicine. Thus, this is the main goal of this thesis. The subject of this thesis was the characterization of three new experimental applicators generating microwave plasma at 2,45 GHz in argon. The angle of argon flow into the applicator was the differentiating factor, the three versions have had angles of 0, 15 and 30 degrees. This angle affected the spatial distribution of the generated reactive species, as well as the discharge length and its stability. The reactive species, which included nitric oxide, oxygen radical and hydroxyl radical, were analyzed using optical emission spectroscopy. The diagnostic was done along the discharge axis for different mass flows of argon and at different power. In addition, photos of the discharges at selected powers and argon flows were taken. The lengths of the discharges were measured from the images. It was found out that the intensity of spectral transitions of the reactive species is dependent on the aforementioned parameters – mass flow of argon and supplied power. The intensity of these particles’ radiation related to their concentrations generally increased as more power was supplied to the applicator. The intensity subsequently decreased with increasing gas flow. The active region of the discharge also decreased as gas flow was increased. The length of the discharges was also dependent on supplied power and gas flow. The three versions of the applicators have shown differences – a maximum and a subsequent decrease in length with increasing gas flow were observed, the rate of the decrease being different for the three versions. The average length of the discharge was also different for the three applicators.
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Impact of plasma-treated liquids on selected microorganisms
Klementová, Kamila ; Jirásek, Vít (referee) ; Trebulová, Kristína (advisor)
The subject of this bachelor thesis is the study of the effects of plasma-treated liquids on bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The evolving resistance of bacteria against antibiotics is currently a highly debated topic. Plasma treated liquids have the potential to address this problem due to their antimicrobial effects. However, these effects have not yet been fully explained, therefore they are the focus of this work. The theoretical section of the study is mainly focused on the microbiology part, specifically on the morphology of the bacterial cell and the individual bacteria which was used in the experimental section. Furthermore, plasma, cold atmospheric-pressure plasma (CAP) and plasma-liquid interactions are described. The last part of the theoretical section considers the potential applications of cold plasma and plasma-treated liquids (PTL) in the fields of food and agricultural industry and healthcare. In the experimental section, plasma-treated liquids were prepared from saline solution using two plasma systems. Solutions simulating the composition of the prepared PTL, and standard solutions of nitrites, nitrates and hydrogen peroxide were also prepared. The effects of plasma-treated liquids were compared with those of solutions simulating the composition of plasma-treated liquids and with standard solutions. The effects were tested on standardized bacterial cultures of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Their suspensions were exposed to the plasma-treated liquids, prepared standard solutions and PTL alternatives. At the selected exposure times, the number of viable bacteria was determined by inoculation onto the solid culture medium and after 24 hours of incubation, the antimicrobial effects were evaluated by counting colony forming units using Aurora software. The results of this study proved better antimicrobial efficacy of plasma-treated liquids compared to the solutions simulating their composition. There was a difference in the effects between the two plasma-treated liquids that were tested. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was also shown to be more susceptible to plasma-treated liquids than Staphylococcus aureus.
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Surface cleaning of archaeological objects by plasma generated in water solutions
Tihonová, Jitka ; Grossmannová, Hana (referee) ; Krčma, František (advisor)
This bachelor thesis is focused on the plasma surface treatment of historical ceramics by low temperature electrical discharges in water solution. Four samples were chosen - two of the Lusatian Urnfields Culture and two of Anabaptist Faience. The treatment was done at minimum power of the power supply. Stainless steel electrode and a specially designed electrode system with wolfram wire in the quartz glass capillary were used for generation of discharge using an audio frequency power supply. Elemental analysis by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was done before and after the treatment and values were compared with the elemental analysis of material’s core. Samples of the Lusatian Urnfields Culture were successfully treated without any surface damage. The first one of samples of Anabaptist Faience was damaged. The experiment was repeated on the glass to determine the cause. It was find out that damage was probably caused by thermal stress. The second one of Anabaptist Faience was already treated without damage. Next research will be focused on determining specific conditions of the power supply, modification of water solution and modification of sample’s surface for the most efficient ancient ceramics cleaning.
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Study of low-temperature plasma products using mass spectrometry and their relation to thin film chemistry
Maršálek, Blahoslav ; Bránecký, Martin (referee) ; Čech, Vladimír (advisor)
The aim of this thesis was to analyse and interpret the spectra of tetravinylsilane as a function of plasma discharge power in order to find a relationship between plasma products, layer deposition and thin film chemistry. Another objective was to carry out a literature search in the field of plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition (PECVD) and mass spectrometry. Low temperature organosilicate-based plasma technology enables the synthesis of specific materials with controlled chemical and physical properties. The targeted synthesis of surfaces with controlled properties is determined by the atomic and molecular processes in the plasma, which are responsible for building the chemical structure and the resulting material in the form of a thin film. In this work, mass spectrometry has been used to detect and quantify the particles produced in the PECVD process, which is one of the methods that allow the characterization and identification of plasma products. Analysis of the mass spectra revealed that the molecules responsible for the growth of the layer contain carbon and silicon. The deposition rate determined by in situ spectroscopic ellipsometry correlates quantitatively with the flux of carbon and silicon particles that are chemisorbed on the film surface. The ratio of carbon and silicon deposited on the surface also correlates strongly with the C/Si flux ratio of the power driven plasmas. The contribution of silicon-containing particles as building blocks to the film growth decreases with increasing power and accounts for 20% (2 W), 5% (10 W) and only 1% (75 W) of the total chemisorbed fraction. This ratio between bound silicon containing particles and carbon particles affects the elemental composition and chemical structure of the deposited layers. The relationships between plasmachemical processes and particle adhesion on the surface are quite complex. The adhesion of silicon particles first increases sharply to a maximum at 25 W and then gradually decreases, which is characteristic of the so-called precursor-deficient PECVD. Similarly, the concentration of vinyl groups incorporated into the deposited layer and the fraction of sp2 hybridization of carbon correlate with the particle fluxes of the corresponding plasma. This work has demonstrated that mass spectroscopy is a suitable method for the study of plasmachemical deposition from the gas phase (PECVD). PECVD technology is promising for the deposition of silicon-containing layers, which is technologically applicable in many directions of materials research.
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Plasma Chemical Surface Treatment of Polymeric Materials for Biomedical Applications
Mikušková, Radka ; Kozáková, Zdenka (referee) ; Krčma, František (advisor)
The theoretical part of bacalor thesis summarizes a plasma application for surface modification of materials used for biomedical applications. The main focus is on polymeric materials. Practical part focuses on specific surface modifications. An aim is to obtain from the initially hydrophobic surface hydrophilic by plasma chemical surface treatment and to optimize the method. Hydrophilicity is achieved by treating the sample in low temperature low pressure plasma generated in air based gaseous mixtures. The surface treatment efficiency is characterizad by water leak through the material. Structural changes of material surface are confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.
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Fibre reinforcement with plasma in cement composites
Žižková, Lucie ; Hela,, Rudofl (referee) ; Bodnárová, Lenka (advisor)
The usage of polymer fibres can be increased by the new progressive method of the plasma treatment. This thesis is focused on verification of the influence of the low-temperature treatment on polymer fibres´ surface used in concrete. The treatment of polypropylene fibres in low-temperature plasma is described in the theoretical part. The impact of the treatment on the volume differences of cement composites is also evaluated. The influence of the addition of commercially available fibres and plasma treated fibres on the volume differences of cement composites is also experimentally verified.
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Use of plasma jet for wound healing
Dvořáková, Eva ; Márová, Ivana (referee) ; Skoumalová, Petra (advisor)
This diploma thesis was focused on the possibility of using a plasma nozzle to accelerate the wound healing process. The benefits of using low-temperature plasma in medicine or biomedical applications are known from many studies, and low-temperature plasma is already used to sterilize medical devices, materials or surgical instruments. Some studies also report a high potential of usinh plasma nozzle in the treatment of skin wounds. In the experimental part of this work, an in vitro wound healing test was performed using two different low-temperature plasma sources. Source No. 1 was a surface wave microwave discharge and source No. 2 was a torch microwave discharge. An in vitro scratch healing test was performed on a monolayer of HaCaT keratinocytes and testing was performed using various parameters. The influence of the plasma treatment time was monitored, as well as the influence of the plasma discharge power and also the influence of the argon working gas flow. Especially when using a torch microwave discharge, faster wound healing was recorded at most of the parameters used compared to the control. Thus, it can be said that this source appears to be potentially suitable for faster wound healing. Furthermore, in the work using the MTT cytotoxicity test, the viability of skin cells after their plasmination was also monitored using the same conditions as in the in vitro wound healing test. When performed in the standard MTT assay, none of the settings or sources used showed any cytotoxic effects on keratinocytes. LDH cytotoxicity tests were also performed concurrently to verify the accuracy of the MTT assays. The results of both tests agreed and the use of low-temperature plasma in skin treatment can be considered as safe. Overall, the results show that the plasma nozzle can find use in medicine in the healing of skin wounds and chronic defects as a potentially fast, inexpensive and effective method.
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Study of the properties of cement composites with polypropylene fiber modified low-temperature plasma
Žižková, Lucie ; Herka, Petr (referee) ; Bodnárová, Lenka (advisor)
Plasma treatment of polypropylene fibers presents a new progressive method, how to increase the utility properties of these fibers. The thesis is focused on verifying the effect of surface treatment of polypropylene fibers in concrete with low-temperature plasma discharge in the normal atmosphere. The paper describes the procedure for treatment of polypropylene fibers with low-temperature plasma and evaluate the impact of this adjustment on the volume changes of cement composites. It should also be emphasized that the thesis is focused on the initial volume changes, ie volume changes in the early stages of solidification and only for your own mixture, which is not considered an external load. Subsequently, the experimental verification of the effect of the addition made commercially available fibers and fibers treated plasma volume changes to a selected physico-mechanical properties of the test compounds.
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Monitoring of vitamin E content in the samples of cereals
Cibulcová, Pavla ; Borkovcová,, Ivana (referee) ; Benešová, Karolína (advisor)
Thesis deals with the analysis of vitamin E in cereal samples, namely barley and wheat and malt produced from them. Selected samples were treated with low-temperature plasma, fungicide and biological treatment to elimination fungus and mycotoxins. The aim of the thesis was to find out the influence of the treatment, the combination of several types of treatment on vitamin E content in grain and malt. If the content of health-positive substances is not reduced and grain can be used for food, malt, or for feed purposes. The theoretical part focuses on the properties, occurrence, biochemistry and importance of vitamin E for living organisms. It also focuses on the properties of cereals that are a significant source of vitamin E. Malt production and sample treatment are also described. The experimental part describes the field experiment, individual types of treatment, extraction of vitamin E from the samples and determination of vitamin E content by high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. The results are compared with the current literature. It was found that the treatment did not have a significant negative effect on vitamin E content.
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Study of plasma interaction with bacteria for wound healing
Šrámková, Sarah ; Krčma, František (referee) ; Kozáková, Zdenka (advisor)
This thesis focuses on the study of the interaction of plasma with bacteria to enhance the promotion of wound healing. Firstly, the wound healing process is described, followed by low temperature plasma, its effect on bacterial cells and its use in biomedicine. The experimental part deals with the application of low-temperature plasma generated by microwave jet on selected microorganisms and the influence of experimental conditions on the antimicrobial effect of the plasma. One representative of the microorganisms occurring in the wounds was selected as representatives of Gram-positive bacteria and Gram-negative bacteria, namely Staphylococcus epidermidis and Escherichia coli. Using the results obtained, the antimicrobial effect of plasma generated by microwave jet in argon was confirmed. The degree of antimicrobial effect is related to the concentration of the microorganisms, the time of treatment and whether the bacteria are Gram-positive or Gram-negative.
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