Seminars

Abstract

Reactive plasmas, with their unique non-equilibrium energy distribution, offer transformative potential for chemical processes—from converting greenhouse gases into fuels to enabling energy-efficient synthesis of critical chemicals. However, their complexity,arising from multiscale interactions between electromagnetic fields, charged particles, and neutrals, demands advanced diagnostic tools and tailored excitation schemes to unlock their full potential. This work develops and applies novel optical diagnostics to probe reactive plasmas at fundamental timescales while designing excitation strategies to optimize chemical conversion. The vision is twofold: (1) resolve the multiscale physics governing plasma-chemical processes, and (2) leverage this understanding to overcome longstanding limitations in industrial chemistry, such as the selectivity-conversion tradeoff in methane-to-methanol conversion. By bridging plasma physics and chemical engineering, this work aims to advance scalable, electrified pathways for sustainable fuel and chemical production.