Nova: Revolutionizing Plasma Treatment in the Lab
The Nova plasma treatment system is a groundbreaking innovation that brings the power of industrial-grade plasma processing to the laboratory setting. Developed by Henniker Plasma, a leading manufacturer of plasma treatment systems, Nova bridges the gap between industrial precision and laboratory capabilities, offering a compact yet powerful solution for researchers and developers.
Plasma treatment is a critical process that alters material surface properties, enhancing adhesion, bonding, and wetting in subsequent processes. It involves a complex mixture of energetic species, including positive ions, electrons, neutral gas atoms/molecules, excited gas atoms/molecules, and UV light. When these species interact with a surface during treatment, they exert specific effects, allowing researchers to fine-tune the composition of the plasma and experimental parameters for tailored outcomes.
While plasma treatment is invaluable for research and development, smaller plasma systems often face limitations in control capabilities, making it challenging to scale up for large-scale production. Nova addresses this issue by providing a compact solution that combines the automation logic, process parameters, and data recording features of Henniker's larger systems, bringing industrial-grade processing to the lab.
Nova is an advanced benchtop plasma system, derived from Henniker's production-scale Nebula Plasma System. It incorporates PLC automation, recipe-driven control, data traceability, and the optional CoatX™ nano-coating platform in a more compact design. This system generates a high-purity, low-pressure plasma environment, ensuring uniform surface treatment and supporting a wide range of gases, including oxygen, air, argon, nitrogen, and fluorocarbons.
The system's PLC control monitors and maintains each cycle, ensuring consistent pressure, power, and plasma density, resulting in repeatable and reliable outcomes. Nova's versatility makes it suitable for various applications, such as microfluidics, biomedical coatings, micro-electromechanical systems device functionalization, and optical and electronic interfaces.
Terry Whitmore, Managing Director at Henniker Plasma, emphasizes the significance of Nova, stating, 'The Nova represents the next step in bringing industrial plasma precision to the laboratory. It empowers R&D teams to innovate and refine their plasma processes using the same control logic and automation as production environments, accelerating development cycles and facilitating a seamless transition to scale-up.'
For more information, visit the press release: https://plasmatreatment.co.uk/knowledge-base/press-releases/286-nova-advanced-benchtop-plasma-system
