Plasma Processing ● Thin Films ● Biomedical
Michael Wertheimer is Emeritus Professor of Engineering Physics and the head of the Plasma Processing Laboratory.
(514) 340-4711 extension 4749
Professor Wertheimer is specialized in the study of “cold” plasmas (i.e., containing particles that are not in thermodynamic equilibrium) and their applications in materials and thin films (using plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition, or PECVD, techniques). The industrial applications of plasmas are numerous. Among other distinctions, he is the recipient of the 2013 Plasma Chemistry Award (PCA), the highest recognition awarded by the International Plasma Chemistry Society (IPCS), for lifetime achievements in the field of plasma chemistry.
plasmas
His laboratory team is currently engaged in two distinct but complementary research areas. First of all, they are studying the physics and energetics of plasmas, especially those generated by dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) at atmospheric pressure. A unique method, first developed as a homogenous DBD (atmospheric pressure glow discharge, or APGD) in pure noble gases, enables precise measurement of the true energy of discharges. This technique is extremely effective when applied to PECVD, for example allowing determination of the energy transferred from the plasma to the molecules responsible for formation of thin films, which are chemical precursors (i.e., monomers).
applications
Professor Wertheimer’s lab is equipped with a tool enabling unparalleled quality control of deposits, providing ideal conditions to pursue his interests in applications of plasma polymers, mainly biomedical applications. In this context, both low-pressure and atmospheric-pressure plasmas are used (and compared) for creation of bio- and hemocompatible surfaces with varied and changeable properties, including anti-biofouling, bioactive, biodegradable, and antibacterial properties. These surface properties are of major interest in tissue engineering, coating of implants, and encapsulation of therapeutic agents.
