Magnetized sample tray to amplify low-temperature plasma modification of material surfaces in biomedical applications and beyond

A magnetized sample tray accessory is being developed to provide an additional process parameter to control and enhance plasma treatment of biomaterials leading to a reduction in the processing time required to impart critical functional groups onto biomaterial surfaces. The magnetized tray can offer an affordable way of enhancing surface modification with existing benchtop plasma equipment already available in research labs and potentially create modifications that would otherwise be unobtainable. Biomedical materials often require surface modifications to enhance performance, such as improving biocompatibility or functionality. Current surface modification methods, such as wet chemical treatments, present challenges due to the hazardous chemicals and waste produced. While low-temperature plasma offers a more sustainable alternative, the plasma treatment process is slow, limiting its scalability and application. This project addresses the need for faster, more efficient plasma-based surface modifications, particularly for biomedically relevant materials, without compromising material integrity. This project aims to enhance the efficiency of plasma surface modification by introducing a magnetized sample tray accessory, which will amplify the plasma effect on treated surfaces. By applying magnetic fields, the rate of surface modification can be increased by up to 50%, reducing the overall treatment time while maintaining the structural integrity of the treated materials. This innovative approach, which is based on preliminary studies showing a 15-20% increase in surface modification rates, is expected to optimize the use of plasma in various biomedical applications, making it a more viable and scalable solution. In Phase I, the magnetized tray accessory will be developed and tested. The project will first focus on optimizing the magnet configurations and plasma processing conditions to maximize the rate of surface modification on polycaprolactone fibers, a model biomaterial. Next, the team will assess the translatability of the optimized conditions to other biomedically relevant materials, such as polystyrene. Surface characterization techniques such as X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and contact angle measurements will be used to evaluate the enhancements. The project will aim for a performance target of 50% reduction in processing time on polycaprolactone using the tray and comparable results with polystyrene as in the initial study. If successful, the magnetized tray accessory could revolutionize plasma treatment in biomedical research and commercial applications. The enhanced efficiency will make plasma surface modification more accessible and cost-effective for a range of industries, including tissue engineering, drug delivery, and medical device manufacturing. Beyond the biomedical field, the technology could also be applied to other industries requiring precise surface modifications, such as sensor development and photovoltaics. By reducing the treatment time and enabling targeted surface modifications, this innovation enables lower production costs and expanded use of an environmentally friendly plasma technology over traditional chemical processes. This project will also contribute to advancing scientific knowledge in plasma processing, potentially enabling future innovations in material science and engineering. This project will lay the foundation for Phase II, during which there are plans to collaborate with researchers and our pre-existing customer base currently using low-temperature plasma surface modifications in their research. The magnetic tray will be used to investigate its practical implementation in a lab setting for a variety of applications within the biomedical space. Compatibility with materials in the semiconductor space will also be demonstrated, offering translatability outside of our beachhead market into high-volume commercial applications.