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Plasma

What is the ambitious goal of this project?

device used by team

Plasma apparatus built by Engineering students and used by Chem/Biochem students

Plasma is the fourth state of matter, an ionized gas containing ions, electrons, and neutral gas particles. New areas of research use plasma for treatment of food and food processing equipment in food safety, and for plasma-assisted printing for in-space manufacturing.

Our current focus is to develop cold atmospheric pressure plasma (CAP) to kill and remove bacteria and biofilms from wounds, food, and food processing equipment.  The team secured a grant from the USDA to Fund Research for Food Processing Industry, and a NASA Grant to Explore Plasma-Jet Printing for In-Space Manufacturing

Experience Gained

  • faculty researchers will support the research group and provide training.
  • training in research activities including laboratory experimental preparation, data analysis, and critical thinking.
  • learn the important aspects of modern research in multidisciplinary teams, professional communication, and team leadership.
  • methods and technologies used on the project: engineering lab, laboratory testing, quantitative research methods, systems engineering, writing, health science
  • View abstract for student submission to the 2019 Undergraduate Research Conference: Development of a Cold Atmospheric Plasma Array

Majors or Interests Needed

student working in the lab

We’re looking for students with the following majors or interests:

  • Electrical & Computer Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Chemistry, Biochemistry
  • Biological Sciences
  • Material Science & Engineering
  • Preferred preparation (one or all of the following): Introduction to Circuits, Introduction to Biology, Introduction to Chemistry

VIP Coaches Information

Dr. Jim Browning is the Chair and Associate Professor in Electrical and Computer Engineering. Contact jimbrowning@boisestate.edu. Full bio at Jim Browning.

Dr. Ken Cornell is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Associate Director of the Biomolecular Research Center.  Contact KenCornell@boisestate.edu. Full bio at Ken Cornell.

Course Information

Choose to enroll in 1 or 2 credits. Choose full semester or 7-week course:

Full semester course: VIP 200, VIP 400, or VIP 500.

Team meetings: 3:00 PM – 3:50 PM on Fridays

***For Biology/Chemistry students space and enrollment is limited. You must be no further along then a Junior when you register. Only 4 new students will be added to the team in the Fall.***

Interested in joining this team?

For more information and to request a permission number to register contact Ken Cornell at KENCORNELL@boisestate.edu OR complete this interest form and someone will contact you. Check out this page for tips on contacting a professor.

To register:  search by Subject: Vertically Integrated Projects, read the project description to find the right section of VIP 200, 400, or 500. Use permission number, here are instructions Add with a permission number

Student Profile

Photos by Kristen McPeek

Now a Graduate Research Assistant at Purdue, pursuing a PhD in Molecular Signaling and Cancer Biology; Jenna Clingerman studied Human Biology (B.S.) and worked on the Plasma team for 3 years. She started as a sophomore when the project was just getting off the ground, and described how watching the interdisciplinary team of researchers find a common language and create a plan was an incredibly rich learning environment. Her initial plan to become a doctor changed because of her involvement on the VIP team. She reported that experiencing the day-to-day challenges and opportunities in the lab and the potential for global impact made her decide to become a researcher instead. Jenna was able to present her work at numerous conferences and build a strong mentor relationship with Dr. Oxford, which helped pave the way for her successful application to Purdue.