Paulo Sá
About
I obtained my bachelor’s degree in Physics (“Applied Physics and Electronics”) from the Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto. I got my PhD in Physics (area of Plasma Physics) from the Instituto Superior Técnico, Lisboa. I am an associate Professor at the Department of Physics Engineering of Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto (FEUP), where I began to teach when I finished my bachelor degree. I usually teach general physics (mainly Newtonian mechanics, thermodynamics, optics, electromagnetism) and more recently Plasma Physics for various Programmes/Cycle of Studies, as the Integrated Masters in Bioengineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical and Computers Engineering, Physical Engineering and Chemical Engineering.
Between 2010 and 2012, I was the Director of the Doctoral Program in Engineering Physics (PRODEF) at FEUP.Since 2010, I am the Director of the Department of Physics Engineering of FEUP.
My scientific areas of research are the study of the kinetics of electrons, heavy neutrals and positive and/or negative ions in electrical discharges in gases (atomic, molecular and mixtures of both, in particular argon, nitrogen and oxygen) at DC, HF, and microwave discharges. More recently, I am interested in the simulation of plasma thrusters for electric propulsion technologies, in particular electrohydrodynamic (EHD) thrusters.
Research interests
Electrical Discharges in Gases, Statistical Physics, Electrodynamics.
Selected publications
- V.H. Granados, M.J. Pinheiro and P.A. Sá, Single-stage EHD thruster response to several simulation conditions in nitrogen gas, Physics of Plasmas, 093508 (9), 2017.
- V.H. Granados, M.J. Pinheiro and P.A. Sá, Study of the design and efficiency of single stage EHD thrusters at the sub-atmospheric pressure of 1.3 kPa, Physics of Plasmas, 123513 (12), 2017.
- V.H. Granados, M.J. Pinheiro and P.A. Sá, Electrostatic propulsion device for aerodynamics applications, Physics of Plasmas, 073514 (7), p. 073514 (073511), 2016.
- K. Kutasi, P.A. Sá and V. Guerra, O2 dissociation in Ar-O2 surface-wave microwave discharges, Journal of Physics D-Applied Physics, 195205 (19), p. 195205 (195208), 2012.
- K. Kutasi, G. Vasco and P.A. Sá, Active species downstream of an Ar-O(2) surface-wave microwave discharge for biomedicine, surface treatment and nanostructuring, Plasma Sources Science & Technology, 20 (3), p. 035006 (035017), 2011.
- V. Guerra, K. Kutasi, P.A. Sá and M.l. Lino da Silva, Influence of nitrogen impurities on the formation of active species in Ar-O2 plasmas, European Physical Journal-Applied Physics, 24004 (2), p. 24004 (24006), 2011.
- J. Loureiro, V. Guerra, P.A. Sá, C.D. Pintassilgo and M.I. Lino Da Silva, Non-equilibrium kinetics in N-2 discharges and post-discharges: a full picture by modelling and impact on the applications, Plasma Sources Science & Technology, 024007 (2), p. 024007 (024012), 2011.
- V. Guerra, K. Kutasi, M.l. Lino da Silva, P.A. Sá and J. Loureiro, Kinetic Simulation of Discharges and after-glows in molecular gases, High Temperature Material Processes, 14 (1-2), pp. 141-156 (116), 2010.
- V. Guerra, K. Kutasi and P.A. Sá, O2(a1Dg) production in flowing Ar-O2 surface-wave microwave discharges: Possible use for oxygen-iodine laser excitation, Applied Physics Letters, 071503 (7), p. 071503 (071503), 2010.
- K. Kutasi, V. Guerra and P.A. Sá, Theoretical insight into Ar-O2 surface-wave microwave discharges, Journal of Physics D-Applied Physics, 175201 (17), p. 175201 (175214), 2010.