Plasma as a Surfactant: A New Capillary Effect and a New Wetting Effect Induced by Nanosecond Spark Discharges

The influence of nanosecond spark discharges on liquids and we found that their produced plasma can behave as a nonchemical surfactant was studied. Essentially, we discovered two plasma-induced effects: a new capillary effect that leads to a liquid rising unexpectedly high in a capillary and a new wetting effect that induces a peristaltic motion of a liquid droplet on a solid surface. These effects can give rise to new applications in the liquid medicine technology and be useful for solving the water pollution problem.