Progress in Plasma Processing of Materials 2003: Proceedings of the Seventh European Conference on Thermal Plasma Processes

The TPP7 symposium was held in conjunction with the E-MRS 2002 Spring Meeting, Strasbourg, June 18 - 21, that highlighted recent advances in the development, understanding and modeling of advanced materials. Plasma processes for material treatment, finishing and coating are recognized as clean and innovative technologies and the TPP7 symposium matched well the main topics of the E-MRS conference that offered a useful opportunity for an exchange of views and fruitful discussions. Some 90 scientists from 25 countries attended the TPP7 Symposium. The specific topics of TPP7 were related to plasma processes using d.c. arcs and torches, RF, corona and low pressure discharges. The symposium dealt with the torch designs, diagnostic techniques, process modeling and possible on-line controls. It also tackled the efficiency of the chemical routes induced by the species produced in plasmas. In addition, a large part of the papers examined the industrial and developing applications of plasma processes. Invited talks, oral and poster presentations have examined the use of plasma technology for sterilization and biomedical applications, lighting efficiency for buildings and cars, treatment of hazardous wastes, metallurgical applications, surface treatment of polymers, plasma spraying of thick coatings, deposition of thin coatings especially for photovoltaic silicon and hard coatings (diamond, nitrides...), manufacturing of Solid Oxy Fuel Cells.