Practicalities of Plasma

Today as part of our rotating laboratory activities, we went to the UCLA Plasma Research Center. One of the relevant topics in the research center was the practical applications of plasmids in daily life. Little did I know, that plasmids are used in many aspects of my life although I hadn’t realized it.

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Plasmas are most commonly used in florescent lighting such as those in school and industrial lighting.  The plasma is created inside a glass tube by applying an electric current to a gas. Then the inner wall of the tube becomes coated with a material that eventually illuminates as the electrons discharge from the plasma. This process occurs when gases change into plasmas by while heating electrons. As a high-speed molecule collides with a gas atom, it leaves a charged atom and the gas becomes conductive.

Some of its lesser known uses include creating microelectronic, electronic devices, and semiconductors as well as making transmitting for microwaves and high temperature film. Another innovative use of plasma is in working with minerals and extracting valuable metals from rocks.

Essentially from our trip to the Plasmid Center, I’ve learned a considerable amount about the uses of plasmids. This trip proved to insightful to learning about objects I use daily.