research
Four connected scales, from plasma physics to ecosystem repair.
Four Scales of Research
Together, these scales form a continuum of repair—from energy generation to ecological resilience. Each scale informs the next, building understanding across plasma physics, water chemistry, biological systems, and ecosystem dynamics.
Building the Tools
Technology
We develop and test plasma architectures that convert electrical energy into controlled discharge environments. Research spans community-built prototypes and institutional platforms, focusing on safety validation, reproducibility, and open-hardware standards.
Focus Areas
- → Dielectric-barrier discharges
- → Circuit optimization
- → Modular design
- → Scalable applications
The First Interface
Water Systems
Water is the first interface between plasma energy and matter. Studies measure how reactive species alter chemical composition, oxidation–reduction balance, and contaminant breakdown, linking bench results to field applications.
Focus Areas
- → Advanced oxidation mechanisms
- → Desalination and water reuse
- → Kinetics
- → Pollutant and pathogen degradation
Living Responses
Organisms
We examine how plasma-treated environments influence microbial populations, plants, and higher organisms. Experiments link molecular data with physiological responses to evaluate benefit, risk, and repeatability across taxa.
Focus Areas
- → Plant stress adaptation
- → Microbiome communities
- → Genetic and non-genetic responses
- → Inheritance and fitness
Systemic Resilience
Ecosystems
At the largest scale, we test whether local plasma interventions can foster systemic resilience. Field and mesocosm studies integrate plasma processes into wetlands, soil–water interfaces, and regeneration designs to model long-term ecological repair.
Focus Areas
- → Ecological functionality
- → Systems theory
- → Coupling and cycling dynamics
- → Ecosystem processes and resilience
- → Adaptive regeneration modelling
Detailed methods and safety information are available through Workspace once verification is complete.
Methodology
Arc^ bridges fundamental plasma physics with field-scale ecological interventions through systematic research at four interconnected scales.
Validation
Every experiment follows reproducible protocols. We pre-register methods, share raw data, and require independent replication before claims are accepted.
Collaboration
Research happens across institutions, communities, and contexts. Shared infrastructure and open protocols enable anyone to contribute meaningfully.
Openness
All hardware designs, software, data, and documentation are open-licensed. Knowledge created collectively belongs to the commons.
Research Philosophy
We study plasma not as an isolated phenomenon, but as a bridge between energy and ecology. Each intervention is an opportunity to understand coupling, resilience, and repair.
Our work integrates physics, chemistry, biology, and systems ecology—not because disciplines matter, but because the problems demand it. We follow questions across traditional boundaries.
Progress is measured not by publications, but by replicability, safety validation, and real-world application. If it can't be reproduced openly, it isn't science.
Safety & Ethical Framework
Every decision passes through four lenses—ensuring research serves life, not extraction.
People
Consent, transparency, and community benefit guide all research. We prioritize local knowledge, equitable access, and collective decision-making.
- → Informed consent for all participants
- → Open communication of risks and benefits
- → Community ownership of outcomes
Organisms
Non-invasive study wherever possible. We use eDNA sensing, observation, and molecular markers to minimize harm while maximizing understanding.
- → Non-lethal sampling methods prioritized
- → Stress minimization protocols
- → Monitoring for unintended harm
Ecosystems
We study dynamic systems, not static objects. Interventions account for coupling, feedbacks, and emergent properties across scales.
- → Long-term monitoring of ecosystem responses
- → Feedback loop identification
- → Adaptive management based on outcomes
Future
Downstream effects matter. We prioritize continuity over novelty, repair over extraction, and futures worth inheriting.
- → Multi-generational impact assessment
- → Precautionary approach to uncertainty
- → Alignment with Re:Practise framework
Our ethical framework aligns with Re:Practise—a methodology for responsible technology development grounded in care, repair, and collective futures.
Open Licensing
All work is open-licensed. Not anti-commercial. Pro-commons.
Why Everything is Open
Ecological repair can't be proprietary. If plasma research is going to help restore degraded ecosystems, it must be accessible to communities facing those challenges—not locked behind patents or paywalls.
Open licensing doesn't mean anti-commercial. It means pro-commons. Commercial entities can use our work, but they must contribute improvements back. Knowledge flows freely; extraction doesn't.
We choose licenses that protect this reciprocity: share-alike clauses ensure collective benefit, copyleft structures prevent enclosure.
Hardware
CERN-OHL-S v2
All plasma devices, circuits, and physical designs. Strong reciprocal license—modifications must be shared.
Read license →Documentation
CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Protocols, guides, research reports. Attribution required, non-commercial, share-alike.
Read license →Software
AGPL-3.0
Analysis tools, data pipelines, visualization code. Network copyleft—even SaaS must share source.
Read license →Intellectual Property Policy
Arc^ does not file patents. We believe ecological technologies should be commons infrastructure, not commodities.
All contributors retain copyright to their individual contributions but grant perpetual rights to use, modify, and distribute under the licenses above.
For institutional collaborators: we negotiate IP terms that preserve openness. If a university partner requires patent rights, we ensure those patents are licensed freely for non-commercial ecological use.
For detailed IP guidance, see the Workspace governance documentation.
Ready to explore the pathways?
Dive into Lab, Framework, and Commons to see the work in action.