Overview

The Plasma Assisted Combustion Lab (PACL) dedicates its efforts to exploring novel technical area involving contemporary issues in energy and environment. Particularly, in PACL, plasma refers to electrical discharges in a moderate range of pressure, which include dielectric barrier discharge (DBD), nanosecond discharge, arc discharge and microwave discharge. By combining plasma into combustion processes, we are seeking innovative ways of controlling flame instability and reducing hazardous emissions. In addition, the effects of sub-critical electric fields (weaker field prior to electrical discharges) on flames are also of interest subject to achieve a comprehensive picture of PAC. The main research subjects are highlighted as below:

  • Plasma fuel reforming
  • Plasma physics in electrical discharges
  • Plasma chemistry for hydrocarbons
  • Plasma assisted flame control
  • Electrically controlled flame characteristics
  • Laminar flame study 
PACL pursues technical advances in daily applications based on solid understanding for fundamental impact of electron impact reactions and electric field on a flame and combustion. To bridge a gap between fundamental findings and practical applications, we also values intellectual properties as equally important as scientific explorations.

Latest News

10 December, 2017

Wet plasma makes a nano-sized splash

​A thin, pancake-shaped plasma cloud formed at oil–water interfaces can be used to synthesize exotic nanomaterials.

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21 September, 2017

Capturing ionic winds

3D images that show the effect of electric fields on ionic winds flowing from a flame could help improve combustion efficiency and reduce pollution, according to researchers.

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10 September, 2017

Gazing into the flames of ionic winds

​New 3D visualizations that reveal how flames respond to electric fields could help improve combustion efficiency and reduce pollution.​

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