Chinese scientists have successfully extended the “lifespan” of plasma lamps from hundreds of hours to several years.
According to Interesting Engineering, a research team from the Hefei Institute of Physical Science (HFIPS) in China has created the most durable plasma lamp in the world.
After being modified by Chinese scientists, the plasma lamp can operate continuously for many years – (Image: CAS).
A plasma lamp is a device that generates a continuous stream of plasma by supplying sufficient energy to a type of gas, thereby separating electrons from atoms and molecules.
Plasma lamps typically use inert gases such as helium, neon, and argon – hydrogen. Among these, the argon-hydrogen gas mixture is the most common due to its cost-effectiveness, producing the hottest plasma stream and the clearest cuts.
This type of lamp is often used in heavy industries, such as metal cutting.
However, the “lifespan” of plasma lamps is very low, lasting only about 160 hours (nearly 7 days). This means that the costs for repair and maintenance of the equipment can increase significantly.
The research team from HFIPS, led by Professor Zhao Peng, has found a simple and effective solution to this problem.
With the support of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Professor Peng’s team developed a continuous power supply system for the plasma lamp, allowing it to operate for many years.
Mr. LI Jun, a senior engineer at HFIPS and a member of the research team, stated: “This design (of the power supply system) helps overcome five main barriers, including electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, sealing, water cooling, and continuous propulsion mechanisms.
With this invention, plasma lamps will no longer need to “rest” after a short period of operation, thus helping many companies save on operational and maintenance costs.
“We have created the longest-lasting plasma lamp in the world,” Professor Peng stated in a press release.
According to Interesting Engineering, the “upgrade” of the aforementioned plasma lamp not only improves human operational efficiency but also contributes to the development of various applications related to industries.
