Photo of Dr Kirsty McKay

Dr Kirsty McKay

Lecturer Electrical Engineering and Electronics

Research

Plasma Physics for Mass Spectrometry, Surface Coatings and Fusion Applications

Plasma source for ambient mass spectrometry
Plasma source for ambient mass spectrometry

My research is based around the development and characterisation of plasma sources for applications such as ambient mass spectrometry surface analysis, atmospheric pressure bio-active surface coating, and fusion technology development.

Atmospheric pressure plasmas have a wide range of applications due to there unique physio-chemical properties. Though various diagnostic techniques such as molecular beam mass spectrometry, FTIR and OES we can start to understand these complex processes and use this understand to optimise these plasma for different applications.

This work is done with a range of academic and industrial partners. If you are interested in any of these or similar applications please send me an email.

Atmospheric pressure plasma jets

Plasma jet which can be used for direct desorption/ionisation or surface coating applications
Plasma jet which can be used for direct desorption/ionisation or surface coating applications

Research Grants

Enhanced Type 2 superlattice photodiodes for improved infrared sensing

DEFENCE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY (UK)

August 2023 - April 2024

EPSRC ICASE Studentship

NATIONAL PHYSICAL LABORATORY (NPL) (UK)

August 2018 - January 2023