Procuring Cold Plasma Technology for Food and Agriculture Research.

Recipient Organization
AUBURN UNIVERSITY
108 M. WHITE SMITH HALL
AUBURN,AL 36849

Performing Department
(N/A)

Non Technical Summary
Cold plasma, the fourth state of matter, has found significant applications in sectors such as material sciences and medicine. Its application in the food and agriculture sector remains in its infancy because of the novel nature of the technology and the availability of equipment to conduct experiments at a scale suitable for the sector. Current cold-plasma research in food and agriculture at Auburn University is limited because of a cold-plasma machine with a small jet (2-3 mm dia), restricting the size/quantity of substrate (2-5 mm dia or approximately 2-3 g) exposed to the plasma. Existing technology cannot be used in bulk applications, which is important for our stakeholders. We propose the acquisition of a cold plasma machine (Tetra150) that can generate plasma in large volumes and treat bulk quantities (up to 5 kg) of products. The equipment will build upon the PI's previous research and be used collaboratively by researchers conducting basic and applied research in food and feed microbiology and chemistry, poultry nutrition, plant seed biochemistry, and biosystems engineering. Procuring the equipment will enable multidisciplinary researchers and students to research the application of cold plasma and enable us to apply for larger grants to commodity groups, associations, and federal agencies. The ultimate goal is to establish the Center for Applied Cold Plasma for Societal Benefit at Auburn University.

Animal Health Component

70%

Research Effort Categories

Basic

30%

Applied

70%

Developmental

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
501	3299	1103	75%
501	5240	1020	25%

Knowledge Area
501 - New and Improved Food Processing Technologies;

Subject Of Investigation
5240 - Seeds and other plant propagules; 3299 - Poultry, general/other;

Field Of Science
1103 - Other microbiology; 1020 - Physiology;

Keywords

Goals / Objectives
Procure and install cold plasma technology at Auburn University.

Project Methods
We have procured a quote from the cold plasma machine manufacturer. Once the money is disbursed, the company will install the system at Auburn University by December 2024.

Progress 09/15/24 to 09/14/25

Outputs
Target Audience: Nothing Reported Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?1. We anticipate that the plasma equipment will be installed. 2. Equipment functioning will be optimized. 3. Students and concerned researchers will be trained 4. We would have submitted some project proposals to obtain funding.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? For the eqipment grant we have accomplished the following: 1. Senta PO to the company making the equipment. 2. Worked with the company to finalize the design of the equipment and all the components. 3. Worked with Auburn University's Facilitities division to design and install electricals and air handling required for the plasma machine. 4. Worked on getting a transformer unit required for the plasma machine. 5. Routine followups with the plasma equipment company.

Publications