In this podcast episode, we are venturing into an area of technology many of us have not heard of before, but one that could have profound implications for agriculture, environmental sustainability, manufacturing, and even food security across our region. We are talking about plasma engineering, and what happens when it is combined with the power of AI. Engineer and Principal Investigator of Lightning, a research cluster at the Artificial Intelligence Innovation Centre, Dr Yohan Seepersad joins us to discuss the pioneering work being done to develop affordable and practical plasma-based engineering solutions specifically designed for the needs of developing economies. We cover, among other things: how plasma technology can improve areas such as crop production, wastewater treatment, and healthcare; how AI fits into the work on plasma systems; what it would take to commercialise the plasma-based solutions the Lightning cluster develops; and which Caribbean challenge Yohan would most want his research to solve.
This episode is also available on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music.
When we think of cutting-edge physics, our minds often jump to massive particle colliders in Europe or multimillion-dollar fusion reactors in high-tech hubs. But one of the most versatile tools in modern science, plasma engineering, does not have to be locked behind the doors of wealthy institutions. In fact, low-temperature plasma technology holds the key to solving some of the most urgent health, agricultural, and environmental challenges facing the developing world today.
Plasma is often called the “fourth state of matter.” It is formed when a gas is supplied with enough energy to strip electrons from its atoms, creating an ionised mixture of charged particles, reactive radicals, and ultraviolet light. While thermal plasma powers intense phenomena like lightning and industrial welding, low-temperature (non-thermal) plasma operates near room temperature while maintaining incredible chemical reactivity. This unique state allows scientists to break down stubborn pollutants in water, sterilise medical instruments without heat, treat seeds to boost crop yields during droughts, and process local waste into energy—all using primary inputs as simple as ambient air and electricity.
Through Lightning, one of the research clusters at the Artificial Intelligence Innovation Centre at the University of the West Indies (UWI), St. Augustine campus, in Trinidad and Tobago, work is being done on developing plasma-based engineering solutions specifically designed for the needs of developing economies, with a strong emphasis on affordable, practical technologies that can tackle real-world challenges throughout the Caribbean. However, bridging the gap between frontier science and deployment in the region requires far more than ordering high-tech equipment off the shelf. Establishing an operational plasma research lab in a resource-constrained environment demands a deliberate, ground-up strategy. Our podcast guest today is at the start of this epic journey to master the fourth state of matter in a developing region to help us become active creators of sustainable, life-changing solutions.
Introducing our guest
Dr Yohan Seepersad is a plasma and systems engineering expert with over a decade of experience in the semiconductor industry. He is currently an Engineer at IBM Research in Albany, New York, developing technology for the next generation of microchips. He is a graduate of the University of the West Indies (UWI), St. Augustine campus, with a BSc in Electrical and Computer Engineering (2010) and pursued a PhD at Drexel University with research focused on atmospheric plasma phenomena in liquids (2015).
Yohan is passionate about engineering education, mentorship and outreach activities, and regularly participates in STEM awareness programs. Presently, he serves as the Principal Investigator of the Lightning research cluster at the Artificial Intelligence Innovation Centre (AIIC), and is co-advising final-year engineering students at the UWI. His primary research efforts are focused on developing low-cost, cold atmospheric plasma systems for the Caribbean and developing regions.
Insights into our conversation
It is not every day that we get a ringside seat to cutting-edge technological developments in the region. Although we are all aware of generative AI and its transformative potential and ventures that are trying to leverage it, the use of low-temperature plasma technology is unprecedented in the Caribbean—which makes it all the more exciting.
In chatting with Yohan, we briefly explored a broad range of potential applications of plasma technology, from sterilising seeds, creating fertilisers and water purification to equipment sterilisation in hospitals and the use in the treatment of severe burns. These are very real and practical applications in the Caribbean, and if successful could offer a chance for the region to leapfrog traditional, expensive, and chemical-heavy industrial models and deploy localised systems and solutions tailored directly to our needs.
Below are some of the questions that drove our conversation with Yohan.
- Many people have heard of artificial intelligence, but far fewer have heard of plasma engineering. What exactly is plasma technology, and why should Caribbean people care about it?
- What first sparked your interest in plasma engineering?
- The Lightning cluster aims to develop plasma-based engineering solutions specifically for developing economies. Why is designing for developing countries different from designing for larger, wealthier markets?
- One of the more unusual projects involves snail management. What problem are you trying to solve, and how could plasma help?
- Wastewater treatment is another research area. What opportunities exist for plasma technologies to help small Caribbean communities manage water more effectively?
- Why was plasma technology selected as a priority area within the Artificial Intelligence Innovation Centre?
- The Lightning Cluster combines plasma engineering with AI. How exactly does artificial intelligence fit into plasma systems?
- Research often produces exciting prototypes, but commercialisation can be difficult. How are you thinking about moving these technologies into real businesses?
- If we were having this conversation five years from now, what would success for ‘Lightning’ look like?
- Which Caribbean challenge do you most want your research to solve?
- Finally, what message would you give policymakers across the Caribbean about investing in deep-tech research and innovation?
We would love to hear your thoughts!
Do leave us a comment either here beneath this article, or on our Facebook or LinkedIn pages, or via Twitter, @ICTPulse.
Also, if you or a member of your network is interested in joining us for an episode, do get in touch.
Let’s make it happen!
Select links
Below are links to some of the organisations and resources that were mentioned during the episode, or otherwise, might be useful:
Images credit: Y Seepersad; Pexels (Pixabay); DC Studio (Magnific); Pixabay
Music credit: The Last Word (Oui Ma Chérie), by Andy Narrell
Podcast editing support: Mayra Bonilla Lopez
