non-thermal plasmas

Non-thermal plasmas are ionized gases where the electrons are at a much higher temperature than the ions and neutral particles. Unlike thermal plasmas, which are hot throughout, non-thermal plasmas can be relatively cool overall. They are created using electrical energy, often at atmospheric pressure, and contain energetic electrons that can drive chemical reactions without raising the gas's temperature significantly. This property makes them useful for delicate applications like sterilization, pollution control, and surface treatment, where high temperatures would damage materials or products.