In the eye of the plasma storm

At Ruhr University Bochum, the team from the Chair of Experimental Physics led by Achim von Keudell, is developing plasma techniques to make hydrogen and steel production more sustainable. By creating a rotating plasma - a “tornado plasma” -within a reactor, they achieve temperatures up to 5,500 °C, splitting methane into hydrogen and solid carbon or reducing iron ore with a much lower CO₂ footprint. Using light spectra from the glowing plasma, the researchers fine-tune these processes to approach optimal, climate-friendly industrial conditions.

https://news.rub.de/wissenschaft/2025-10-07-physik-im-auge-des-plasma-sturms