The Laboratory of Cold Plasma and Advanced Techniques for Improving Environmental Systems (PlaNET) within FORTH/ICE-HT structure began its research activities in 2018.
PlaNET’s mission is to advance plasma-based research with applications in environmental and industrial challenges. Its work spans fundamental studies in plasma physics and chemistry to the development of plasma reactors at both laboratory and pilot scales.
The laboratory’s core research areas include:
(i) Soil and waste remediation
(ii) Wastewater treatment
(iii) Plasma characterization and characterization of plasma-activated water
(iv) Adsorbent activation and regeneration for wastewater treatment
Additionally, PlaNET explores the potential of non-thermal plasma in food decontamination, biomass valorization, materials functionalization, and cancer treatment.
PlaNET serves as a bridge between fundamental research and large-scale industrial applications. Equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, it is well-positioned to support its research and development activities.
PlaNET’s long-term vision is to establish a comprehensive research framework that integrates non-thermal plasma with other scientific approaches. This framework aims to develop sustainable, cost-effective, and scalable solutions for environmental restoration. At the same time, PlaNET is committed to unlocking the full potential of non-thermal plasma technology across diverse research fields.
Wastewater treatment by non-thermal plasma
Lab-scale studies of several plasma configurations (gas-liquid DBD and corona, plasma bubbles) for the degradation of various organic pollutants (e.g. PFAS, antibiotics, dyes) in aqueous solutions. Inactivation of bacteria by cold plasma. Process optimization and exploration of plasma and pollutant degradation mechanisms
Soil/Solid waste remediation by non-thermal plasma
Lab-scale study and numerical modeling of NTP as a method for the advanced oxidation of recalcitrant pollutants (e.g. PFAS, petroleum cuts, pesticides, pharmaceuticals) in contaminated soil. Appropriately configured plasma lab-scale reactors to produce discharges above and/or directly inside the pore space of soils. Process optimization and exploration of plasma and pollutant degradation mechanisms
Modification/regeneration of materials/catalysts by plasma
Materials and catalysts surface modification/activation for potential use in organic pollutants’ removal/determination. Regeneration of spent adsorbents by cold plasma techniques
Plasma-catalysis
Catalysis-assisted plasma treatment for soil and wastewater remediation
Species detection and physicochemical characterization of plasma-activated water (PAW)
Measurement of plasma species in aqueous solutions (OH radicals, O3, H2O2, NO3-, NO2-, etc.), pH, ORP, electrical conductivity
Biomass valorization and adsorption processes for wastewater treatment
Valorization of agricultural wastes for the development of low-cost adsorbents capable to remove multi-species pollutants from wastewater
Treatment of cancer cells by cold plasma
Process optimization and critical plasma species identification towards cancer cell apoptosis
Electrical & optical characterization of plasma
Current-voltage (I-V) waveforms and determination of plasma power, optical emission spectroscopy (OES) for the identification of plasma excited species in the gas phase
Chemical analysis of emerging contaminants in water
Chemical oxygen demand (COD), total oxygen demand (TOC), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and UV-Vis spectroscopy
Physicochemical characterization of water samples
Water hardness by determining concentrations of calcium and magnesium ions, assessment of nutrient levels, such as nitrogen and phosphorus compounds, total suspended solids (TSS), colorimetric analysis
