Double Plasma Research Articles

High-temperature oxidation and tribological behaviors of WTaVCr alloy coating prepared by double glow plasma surface alloying technology

Tungsten-based refractory high entropy alloys (RHEAs) are a potential candidate for plasma-facing materials (PFM) due to their excellent properties. However, the oxidation resistance of W-based RHEAs is poor. Moreover, there is still a lack of research on the evaluation of room temperature wear. In this work, several WTaVCr alloy coatings were fabricated by double glow plasma surface alloying (DGPSA) technology at different temperatures and different source ratios. The microstructure of WTaVCr coatings exhibited BCC solid solution phase. The coatings were compact and uniform. The scratch test indicates that the coating combines the substrate well. The surface hardness of the samples increases significantly after alloying, which is 5 times that of the substrate. Sliding wear tests were performed on the coating as well as the substrate. The fairly low specific wear rate of the coating (W31.7Ta13.3V42.9Cr12.2) proved its excellent wear-resisting property (The wear rate was 8 × 10−7 mm3/N∙m, which was two orders of magnitude lower than that of the substrate), and the dominant wear mechanism was abrasive wear and oxidative wear. The coating (W45Ta45.4V4.5Cr5.1) showed a favorable oxidation resistance, and a continuous Cr2O3 protective layer was formed on the surface. The oxidation resistance of the coating was approximately a quarter of the W-substrate.

Abstract 5590: Liquid biopsy testing in metastatic or advanced breast cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract Objective: During the COVID-19 pandemic, cancer patients had restricted access to standard of care tissue biopsy. Liquid biopsy assays using next generation sequencing technology provides a less invasive method for determining circulating tumour mutations (ctDNA) associated with targeted treatments or prognosis. As part of deploying technology to help cancer patients obtain molecular testing, a clinical program was initiated to offer liquid biopsy testing for Canadian patients with advanced or metastatic breast cancer. Methods: Blood was drawn in two 10 mL StreckTM DNA BCTs and sent to the CAP/CLIA/DAP accredited Imagia Canexia Health laboratory for testing using the clinically validated Follow ItTM liquid biopsy assay. Plasma was isolated using a double spin protocol and plasma cell-free DNA (cfDNA) extracted using an optimized Promega Maxwell RSC method. Extracted cfDNA was amplified using the multiplex amplicon-based hotspot 30 or 38 gene panel and sequenced. An in-house developed bioinformatics pipeline and reporting platform were used to identify pathogenic single nucleotide variants (SNVs), indels (insertions and deletions), and gene amplification. Included in the panel are genes associated with metastatic breast cancer: AKT1, BRAF, ERBB2, ESR1, KRAS, PIK3CA, TP53. Results: To identify biomarkers, 1214 metastatic or advanced breast cancer patient cfDNA samples were tested. There were 15 cases sent for repeat testing. We reported 48% of samples harboring pathogenic ctDNA mutations in TP53 (22%), PIK3CA (19%), ESR1 (18%), AKT1 (2%), ERBB2 (1.5%). Co-occurring variants were identified in samples with ESR1/PIK3CA as well as TP53/PIK3CA (both p-values <0.001). Interestingly, 29% of samples with mutated ESR1 harbored ≥ 2 ESR1 ctDNA mutations. In 56% of cases, previous molecular testing indicated the cancer subtype as hormone receptor (ER, PR) positive with/without HER2 negative status. In this specific subgroup, 49% harbored ctDNA mutations with 63% of those being PIK3CA and/or ESR1 mutations. Conclusions: A population of Canadian women with metastatic breast cancer were tested using a liquid biopsy gene panel during the COVID-19 pandemic for identification of biomarkers for targeted therapeutic options. Over 50% of the samples were identified as hormone positive, with greater than 60% harboring PIK3CA and ESR1 ctDNA mutations. Studies have shown that metastatic PIK3CA mutated ER-positive/HER2-negative tumors are predictive to respond to alpelisib therapy and have FDA and Health Canada approval. Additionally, ESR1 mutations are associated with acquired resistance to antiestrogen therapies, and interestingly we identified 29% of ESR1 mutated samples with multiple mutations possibly indicating resistance subclones. In future studies, longitudinal monitoring for presence of multiple targetable and resistance mutations could be utilized to predict or improve clinical management. Citation Format: Benjamin L. Furman, Ebru Baran, Sonal Brahmbhatt, Betty Chan, Ka Mun Nip, Adrian Kense, Brenda Murphy, Vincent Funari, David G. Huntsman, Ruth Miller, Melissa K. McConechy. Liquid biopsy testing in metastatic or advanced breast cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 5590.

Microstructure and wear behavior of (ZrTaNb)C/N quaternary ceramic coatings prepared by double-cathode glow plasma surface alloying on titanium alloy

Multi-principal component coating is a new type of surface protection material developed in recent years. To improve the surface hardness and wear resistance of aviation titanium alloy, (ZrTaNb)C, (ZrTaNb)N and ZrTaNb coatings were prepared by double cathode glow plasma surface alloying. The microstructure, mechanical properties and high temperature tribological behavior of quaternary ceramic coatings were studied. The results show that the quaternary ceramic coating has an FCC cubic structure, which is different from the BCC structure of the ZrTaNb coating. Meanwhile, the solid-soluble C and N elements improve the surface hardness and toughness of the multi-principal component coating, resulting in a significant reduction in wear rate, which is only 1/10 and 1/5 of that of the substrate and pure metal coating (25 °C). When the temperature increases to 500 °C, the compliant islets of oxidized and compacted debris are gradually activated as a wear-resistant oxidation glaze layer. The gradient structure of amorphous-nanocrystalline composite is formed in the subsurface layer, which can effectively improve the surface strength and wear resistance. This study provides an effective strategy for improving the wear resistance of titanium alloy surface in a wide temperature range.

Microstructure, mechanical and tribological behavior of CrHfNbTaTiCxNy high-entropy carbonitride coatings prepared by double glow plasma alloy

A series of CrHfNbTaTiCxNy high-entropy carbonitride coatings were prepared as protective hard coatings for Ti60, aiming to solve the problems of high density and poor wear resistant of high-entropy alloy coatings. The coatings were deposited by double glow plasma metallurgy alloy and the microstructure, mechanical and tribological properties were detected. The XRD analysis exhibited that all the coatings show a single NaCl-type structure. The CrHfNbTaTiCxNy coating with a content of 34 at.% C and 10 at.% exhibited relatively excellent wear resistant and low wear rate at different temperature (RT, 300 °C and 500 °C), although the CrHfNbTaTiC have the highest hardness. It can be attributed to the CrHfNbTaTiC0.34N0.1 coating have excellent toughness, plastic deformation resistance, as well as the formation of dense and stable tribo-layer on wear surface during friction, and the wear rate reduce 40.6% compared with 300 °C and 57.3% compared with the CrHfNbTaTiC coating at 500 °C. Accordingly, the main wear mechanism transfer from abrasion wear (at 300 °C) to adhesion wear.

Safety and efficacy of double plasma molecular adsorption system with sequential low-volume plasma exchange in intermediate-stage hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure.

Current evidence suggests that the mortality rate of intermediate-stage hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) remains high. We aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of double plasma molecular adsorption system (DPMAS) with sequential low-volume plasma exchange (LPE) treatment in intermediate-stage HBV-related ACLF. This prospective study recruited intermediate-stage HBV-related ACLF patients and was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04597164). Eligible patients were randomly divided into a trial group and a control group. Patients in both groups received comprehensive medical treatment. Patients in the trial group further received DPMAS with sequential LPE. Data were recorded from baseline to week 12. 50 patients with intermediate-stage HBV-related ACLF were included in this study. The incidence of bleeding events and allergic reactions in the trial group was 12% and 4%, respectively, with no other treatment-related adverse events. The levels of TBIL and PT-INR, and MELD scores after each session of DPMAS with sequential LPE were significantly lower than those before treatment (all p<0.05). The 12-week cumulative liver transplantation-free survival rates in the trial and control groups were 52% and 24%, respectively (p=0.041). The 12-week cumulative overall survival rates in the trial and control groups were 64% and 36%, respectively (p=0.048). The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed significant differences in liver transplantation-free survival (p=0.047) and overall survival (p=0.038) between the trial and control groups. COX regression analysis indicated that BUN (p=0.038), DPMAS with sequential LPE (p=0.048) and COSSH-ACLF II score (p<0.001) were significant risk factors for mortality. DPMAS with sequential LPE treatment is safe and effective for patients with intermediate-stage HBV-related ACLF. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Contrasting the characteristics of atmospheric pressure plasma jets operated with single and double dielectric material: physicochemical characteristics and application to bacterial killing

This study reports an experimental comparison of two types of atmospheric pressure plasma jets in terms of their fundamental plasma characteristics and efficacy in bacterial sterilization. The plasma jets are fabricated by inserting a high voltage electrode inside a one-end closed (double DBD plasma jet) or both ends open (single DBD plasma jet) quartz tubes which are further enclosed inside a second quartz tube containing a ground electrode. Both plasma jets are operated in contact with water surface by using a unipolar pulsed DC power supply with helium as the working gas. Results from electrical and time-resolved imaging show that the single DBD configuration induces 3–4 times higher accumulation of charges onto the water surface with significantly faster propagation of plasma bullets. These results are accompanied by the higher discharge intensity as well as stronger emissions from short-lived reactive species which were analyzed through optical emission spectroscopy at the plasma-water interface. The rotational temperature for the single DBD configuration was observed to be higher making it unsafe for direct treatments of sensitive biological targets. These characteristics of the single DBD configuration result in the production of more than two times higher concentration of H2O2 in plasma activated water. Shielding of the HV electrode reduces the plasma potential which in turn reduces the electric field & electron energy at the plasma-water interface. The reduced electric field for the double DBD configuration was lower by ≈463 Td than the single DBD configuration. The bactericidal efficacy of the two configurations of the plasma jets were tested against Escherichia coli, a well studied Gram-negative bacterium that can be commensal and pathogenic in human body. Our results demonstrate that although single DBD plasma jet result in stronger antibacterial effects, the double DBD configuration could be safer.

Harmless process of organic matter in organosilicon waste residue by fluidization-like DDBD reactor: Temperature action and mechanism

Herein, the non-hazardous application of low-temperature plasma technology in solid waste from the silicone industry was investigated by using a fluidization-like double dielectric barrier discharge plasma (DDBD) reactor. The results show ∼92.9% TOC in the organosilicon waste residue could be removed at the conditions (Discharge power: 7.0 W, S/G: 12.5 gminL−1, SIE: 158.0 JL-1), i.e. TOC content decreases from 166.0 g/kg to 11.8 g/kg. At the same time, the energy efficiency of the TOC removal rate reach ∼732.1 gkWh−1, and the temperature of the discharge zone is below 280 °C. According to the TG-MS analysis and infrared thermal imager, it is considered that the heat energy generated in the plasma treatment process can affect the decomposition of organic matter. On the other hand, the samples were characterized before and after treatment by BET, SEM, XRD, FTIR, and GC-MS. It was proposed the organic matter was firstly gasified under the action of plasma and thermal. Then, the active group will generate and react with the C–H, C–C, or C–Si by the bombardment of sufficient energy of charged particles, leading the organic matter further to decompose into small molecules, such as CH4, H2, CO, and CO2.

Nitrogen Plasma Enhanced Low Temperature Atomic Layer Deposition of Magnesium Phosphorus Oxynitride (MgPON) Solid‐State Electrolytes

AbstractSolid‐state batteries (SSBs) that use solid electrolytes instead of flammable liquid electrolytes have the potential to generate higher specific capacity and offer better safety. Magnesium (Mg) based SSBs with Mg metal anodes are considered to be one of the most promising energy storage candidates, because it gives high theoretical volumetric capacities of 3830 mAh cm−3. Here, we demonstrate an atomic layer deposition (ALD) process with a double nitrogen plasma process that successfully produces nitrogen‐incorporated magnesium phosphorus oxynitride (MgPON) solid‐state electrolyte (SSE) thin films at a low deposition temperature of 125 °C. The ALD MgPON SSEs exhibit an ionic conductivity of 0.36 and 1.2 μS cm−1 at 450 and 500 °C, respectively. The proposed ALD strategy shows the ability of conformal deposition nitrogen‐doped SSEs on pattered substrates and is attractive for using nitride ion‐conducing films as protective or wetting interlayers in solid‐state Mg and Li batteries.

Nitrogen Plasma Enhanced Low Temperature Atomic Layer Deposition of Magnesium Phosphorus Oxynitride (MgPON) Solid-State Electrolytes.

Solid-state batteries (SSBs) that use solid electrolytes instead of flammable liquid electrolytes have the potential to generate higher specific capacity and offer better safety. Magnesium (Mg) based SSBs with Mg metal anodes are considered to be one of the most promising energy storage candidates, because it gives high theoretical volumetric capacities of 3830 mAh cm-3 . Here, we demonstrate an atomic layer deposition (ALD) process with a double nitrogen plasma process that successfully produces nitrogen-incorporated magnesium phosphorus oxynitride (MgPON) solid-state electrolyte (SSE) thin films at a low deposition temperature of 125 °C. The ALD MgPON SSEs exhibit an ionic conductivity of 0.36 and 1.2 μS cm-1 at 450 and 500 °C, respectively. The proposed ALD strategy shows the ability of conformal deposition nitrogen-doped SSEs on pattered substrates and is attractive for using nitride ion-conducing films as protective or wetting interlayers in solid-state Mg and Li batteries.

Degradation of deoxynivalenol in wheat by double dielectric barrier discharge cold plasma: identification and pathway of degradation products.

Deoxynivalenol (DON) produced during the onset of fusarium head blight not only affects the quality and safety of wheat but also causes serious harm to human and livestock health. However, due to the high stability of DON, it is difficult to eliminate it or reduce it naturally after it has been produced. Cold plasma technology is a non-thermophysical processing technology that has been widely used for microbial inactivation and mycotoxin degradation. In this study, the degradation efficiency of double dielectric barrier discharge (DDBD) cold plasma on DON in aqueous solution and wheat was studied; the structures of degradation products of DON and its pathway were clarified, and the effect of DDBD plasma on wheat quality was evaluated. Double dielectric barrier discharge cold plasma was used for efficient degradation of DON (0.5 ~ 5μgmL^-1) solution and achieved a degradation rate of 98.94% within 25 min under the optimal conditions (voltage 100 V, frequency 200 Hz, duty cycle 80%). Furthermore, 10 degradation products (C15 H24 O5 , C15 H22 O6 , C15 H22 O9 , C16 H22 O7 , C15 H20 O7 , C15 H20 O9 , C15 H18 O8 , C15 H22 O5 , C16 H24 O5 , and C15 H18 O9 ) were identified by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-time of flight-mass spectrometry (UPLC-TOF-MS/MS) combined with Metabolitepilot and Peakview software. The degradation pathway of DON was obtained based on the chemical structures and accurate mass of these products. The DON degradation rate of 61% in wheat was achieved after treatment for 15 min, which slightly affects the moisture content, proteins, and wheat starch. Applying DDBD to wheat could effectively reduce the level of DON contamination, which provides a theoretical basis for applying cold plasma to the degradation of DON in wheat. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Double Plasma Molecular Adsorption System with Sequential Low-dose Plasma Exchange in Patients with Hepatitis B Virus-related Acute-on-chronic Liver Failure: A Prospective Study.

To investigate the safety and efficacy of double plasma molecular adsorption system (DPMAS) with sequential low-dose plasma exchange (LPE) in treating early hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (HBV-ACLF). Clinical data of patients with HBV-ACLF were prospectively collected, including patients in a DPMAS with sequential LPE (DPMAS+LPE) group and those in a standard medical treatment (SMT) group. The primary endpoint was death or liver transplantation (LT) at 12 weeks of follow-up. Propensity-score matching was performed to control the effects of confounding factors on prognosis between the two groups. After 2 weeks, total bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase, blood urea nitrogen levels, and Chinese Group on the Study of Severe Hepatitis B score, were significantly lower in the DPMAS+LPE group than those in the SMT group (p<0.05). After 4 weeks, laboratory parameters of the two groups were similar. The cumulative survival rate of the DPMAS+LPE group was significantly higher than that of the SMT group at 4 weeks (97.9% vs. 85.4%, p=0.027), but not at 12 weeks (85.4% vs. 83.3%, p=0.687). Cytokine levels were significantly lower in 12-week survival group than in the death-or-LT group (p<0.05). Functional enrichment analysis showed that downregulated cytokines were mainly involved in positive regulation of proliferation and activation of lymphocytes and monocytes, regulation of immune effect response, regulation of endotoxin response, and glial cell proliferation. DPMAS+LPE significantly improved the 4-week cumulative survival rate, and ameliorated the inflammatory response in patients. DPMAS+LPE may be a promising modality for patients with early HBV-ACLF.

Stretching and Compression of Double Dusty Plasma Vortex

The interest in complex plasmas is increasing due to the multiple applications they target (astrophysics, plasma fusion, industry, etc.). A crystal with two vortexes made of spherical microparticles that levitates in an rf plasma interacts with a gas jet. The crystal is displaced in the jet propagation direction due to the neutral pushing force, maintaining its vortex structure. The crystal shift also involves a change of its shape, especially at the level of the two vortexes. One vortex is stretched, and the other one is compressed. During the three phases of modification of the shape of the crystal, its length is approximately constant, about 12.5 mm, this being a consequence of the fact that electric forces and ion drag forces are preserved. The orderly structure of the crystal lasts until the particles begin to fall on the bottom electrode. The changing of the vorticity in the crystal regions can be attributed to the neutral push force.

Analysis of Efficacy and Safety of Small-Volume-Plasma Artificial Liver Model in the Treatment of Acute-On-Chronic Liver Failure

To explore the efficacy and safety of a small-volume-plasma artificial liver support system (ALSS) in the treatment of acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). A retrospective analysis was performed. All ACLF patients received ALSS of plasma exchange &amp; double plasma molecular absorb system (PE+DPMAS) treatment, and successfully completed this treatment. Patients were divided into small-volume and half-volume plasma groups. We compared the changes of the indicators on liver function, kidney function, blood coagulation function, and blood ammonia level before and after PE+DPMAS treatment; we compared the short-term and long-term curative effects between small-volume and half-volume plasma groups; and the factors influencing Week 4 and Week 12 mortality of ACLF patients were analyzed. The Week 4 improvement rates were 63.96 % and 66.86 % in the small-volume and half-volume plasma groups, respectively. The Week 12 survival rates in the small-volume-plasma and half-volume plasma groups were 66.72 % and 64.61 %, respectively. We found several risk factors affecting Week 4 and Week 12 mortality. Kaplan–Meier survival curves suggested no significant difference in Week 4 and Week 12 survival rates between the small-volume and half-volume plasma groups (P=0.34). The small-volume-plasma PE+DPMAS treatment could effectively reduce bilirubin and bile acids, and this was an approach with high safety and few complications, similar to the half-volume-plasma PE+DPMAS treatment. The small-volume-plasma PE+DPMAS has the advantage of greatly reducing the need for intraoperative plasma, which is especially of importance in times of shortage of plasma.

Influence of the Electrode Distance on Microstructure and Corrosion Resistance of Ni-Cr Alloyed Layers Deposited by Double Glow Plasma Surface Metallurgy

Influence of the Electrode Distance on Microstructure and Corrosion Resistance of Ni-Cr Alloyed Layers Deposited by Double Glow Plasma Surface Metallurgy

Microstructure, mechanical and tribological properties of Ta(C, N) coatings deposited on TA15 substrates with different nitrogen partial pressure

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to obtain the optimal N2/Ar ratio parameters for preparing Ta (C, N) coating. Three coatings with different N2/Ar ratios were prepared on the TA15 substrate, and their effects on the wear properties of the coatings were discussed.Design/methodology/approachTa(C, N) coatings with three different N2/Ar ratios were prepared on TA15 substrates using the double cathode glow metallurgical plasma alloying technique (DGMPA) using a step-by-step diffusion method.FindingsWith the increase of N2/Ar flow ratio, the hardness and elastic modulus of the coating first increase and then decrease. Compared with the S1 sample (N2/Ar gas ratio 25: 75) and the S3 sample (N2/Ar gas ratio 75: 25), the S2 sample (N2/Ar gas ratio 50: 50) has better mechanical properties, with hardness increased by 48.45% and 6.8%, respectively, and elastic strain ratio increased by 22.8% and 28.5%, respectively. Moreover, the wear degree of the S2 sample is less than other samples. The wear rate of the S2 sample was 32.4% lower than the S3 sample at 300°C and 14.3% lower than the S3 sample at 500°C. Therefore, the S2 sample has the best mechanical properties and the best high temperature wear resistance.Originality/valueTa(C, N) coatings were prepared by DGMPA technology, and the wear mechanism of Ta(C, N) coatings with different N2/Ar ratios was investigated to reduce the wear rate.

Tribological behavior of diamond particles reinforced hafnium matrix composite coatings on Ti6Al4V

The diamond particles reinforced hafnium matrix composite coatings are prepared by the double glow plasma surface alloying technique combined with the microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition process (MPCVD). The effect of the Hf diffusion layers and diamond particles on their phase transformation, microstructure evolution, and wear behavior is systematically investigated. The results reveal that the surface of the Hf-alloying coating which is fabricated by plasma surface metallurgy emerged discrete micropores due to the Kirkendall effect during the plasma reverse sputtering. With the reverse sputtering time increasing, the general pore size increases, and the deposition layer has been completely sputtered out, leaving the Hf diffusion layer with a thickness of about 10 μm. After diamond particles deposition by MPCVD, the diamond particle reinforced hafnium matrix composite coatings with carbide and diamond coexisting were formed. The wear experiments were conducted in ambient air with a reciprocating friction tester, demonstrating that the diamond particle reinforced hafnium matrix composite coatings exhibited good antifriction performance with the decrease of wear rate by ∼8 times due to the lubrication effect of the diamond and graphite particles.

The mechanical properties and wear resistance of Hf-Ta-N coatings prepared by double glow plasma alloying technology

Traditional metal nitrides often perform brittle fracture under heavy loads, limiting its use as wear resistant coatings. Doping a transition metal into binary nitrides can form ternary nitrides, which would have higher toughness and greater wear resistance. In this study, Hf-Ta-N coatings were prepared by double glow plasma alloying technology at different Ar/N2 ratios. The nitride content on the surface is not positively correlated with the nitrogen ratio. Under the 1:1 Ar/N2 ratio, the coating surface has the highest content of nitride. The Hf-Ta-N coatings can be divided into two parts, the outer Hf-Ta-N deposited layer and the inner Hf, Ta and Ti diffusion layer. XRD results reveal that the peaks shift due to the solid solution doping. With the rise of nitrogen flow rate, the hardness and elastic modulus increase first and then decrease, which is consistent with the nitride content on the surface. Under the 1:1 Ar/N2 ratio, the Hf-Ta-N coating prepared has the best wear resistance benefitting from its excellent mechanical property. Under the 3:1 Ar/N2 ratio, the Hf-Ta-N coating prepared was worn out during the friction test resulting from its poor mechanical property.

Effects of TiMoTa nano-crystalline interlayer on nucleation, adhesion and tribological behaviors of diamond coating

To investigate the influence of the transition layer on diamond nucleation and growth, the TiMoTa multi-alloy interlayers were firstly prepared on WC-6%Co cemented carbide by double glow plasma surface alloying technique, and diamond was then deposited using microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition system. The thickness of the TiMoTa interlayers increased from 1.2 μm to 2.7 μm with the deposition temperature increasing from 800 to 900 °C. Due to the formation of nano-crystalline structure and hard phase, the as-prepared TiMoTa interlayer exhibited high micro-hardness. In the diamond deposition process, the nano-carbide particles preferentially formed at the TiMoTa interlayers can effectively prevent the further diffusion of C, so the surface carbon concentration rapidly accumulates to the critical value required for the nucleation and growth of diamond microcrystals. Finally, a microscale wear-resistant diamond coating with good adhesion was grown on the transition layer, the crack propagation radius of the diamond coating is ∼162 μm, and can reach Hf 2–3 grade. Therefore, our prepared TiMoTa nano-crystalline interlayer provides a new path for the development of a high-quality diamond coating with good adhesion on cemented carbide.

Experience of double plasma purification in 603 patients from a single center in Shanghai, China.

To summarize the clinical experiences with double plasma purification (DPP). Using Plasauto iQ automatic blood purification system, model KM-9000 for DPP. A total of 603 patients with different entity undergoing 811 purification procedures were included in this study. The most common purification modes were dual filtration plasma plasmapheresis (DFPP). Hyperlipidemia was the lead entity, 423 patients with hyperlipidemia performed DFPP, and two cases of severe acute pancreatitis caused by extremely high triglyceride levels completely recovered after two consecutive DFPP treatments. DFPP combined with immunosuppressants tended to decrease independent HD and reduced HD frequency in 53 patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis. Two patients developed hypotensive or hypoglycemia episodes, respectively, during purification procedures. DPP is rapid for the treatment of patients with severe hyperlipidemia and acute pancreatitis caused by severely high triglyceride levels. For those who are intolerant to statins，DPP provides another treatment choice. DPP process is safe.

Design of plasma shutters for improved heavy ion acceleration by ultra-intense laser pulses

In this work, we investigate the application of the plasma shutters for heavy ion acceleration driven by a high-intensity laser pulse. We use particle-in-cell and hydrodynamic simulations. The laser pulse, transmitted through the opaque shutter, gains a steep-rising front and its peak intensity is locally increased at the cost of losing part of its energy. These effects have a direct influence on subsequent ion acceleration from the ultrathin target behind the shutter. In our 3D simulations of silicon nitride plasma shutter and a silver target, the maximal energy of high-Z ions increases significantly when the shutter is included for both linearly and circularly polarized laser pulses. Moreover, application of the plasma shutter for linearly polarized pulse results in focusing of ions toward the laser axis in the plane perpendicular to the laser polarization. The generated high energy ion beam has significantly lower divergence compared to the broad ion cloud, generated without the shutter. The effects of prepulses are also investigated assuming a double plasma shutter. The first shutter can withstand the assumed sub-ns prepulse (treatment of ns and ps prepulses by other techniques is assumed) and the pulse shaping occurs via interaction with the second shutter. On the basis of our theoretical findings, we formulated an approach toward designing a double plasma shutter for high-intensity and high-power laser pulses and built a prototype.