Aaplasmas phase i proposal will integrate its two existing GAP systems (forward vortex and reverse vortex gliding ARC plasmatrons) into a dual-plasmatron system tailored for use in restoring road…

AA Plasma LLC received a $199,872.80 Cooperative Agreement award from the National Institute of Standards and Technology's Science, Technology, Business and/or Education Outreach program to integrate its existing gliding arc plasma deposition systems into a dual-plasmatron system for restoring road marking surfaces rapidly and cost-effectively. During the six-month project period ending March 2023, AA Plasma will demonstrate decontamination and pre-treatment of road surfaces, partial melting of ceramic/polymer composite powders, deposition onto bituminous roads, and validation of wall protection in the reverse-vortex system. The University of Pennsylvania Singh Center for Nanotechnology and VOS-IP, LLP will provide consulting on material analysis, patents, and other intellectual property matters as sub-awardees. Upon successful validation, AA Plasma intends to further optimize and pilot test its dual-head plasma technology to develop a commercial-scale system.

Activities

During phase i, aaplasma plans to perform the following activities:1. Demonstrate complete decontamination of road surface and optimize pre-deposition surfacetreatment;2. Demonstrate ceramic/polymer composite powder partial melting;3. Analyze deposition onto the bituminous road surface;4. Validate wall protection gas in reverse-vortex GAP geometry by monitoring wall surface for up to 10 hours of continuous operation;5. Material analysis of deposited marking material.

Expected outcomes

Following successful validation of its technology in phase i, aaplasma will scale-up, optimize, and pilot test its dual-head gliding ARC plasma technology in phase II. These pilot-tests will be critical to the development of its commercial-scale system planned for phase II.

Intended beneficiaries

Aaplasmas technology will benefit the global road marking industry.

Subrecipient activities

Aaplasmas consultants will be conducting the following activities during phase i:1. VOS-IP, LLP providing technical and business assistance (taba) in areas of patents and other intellectual property.2. University of pennsylvania, singh center for nanotechnology providing optical scanning, x-RAY photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and raman spectroscopy consulting.