Book excerpt: This authoritative reference presents a comprehensive review of the evolution of plasma science and technology fundamentals over the past five decades. One of this field’s principal challenges has been its multidisciplinary nature requiring coverage of fundamental plasma physics in plasma generation, transport phenomena under high-temperature conditions, involving momentum, heat and mass transfer, and high-temperature reaction kinetics, as well as fundamentals of material science under extreme conditions. The book is structured in five distinct parts, which are presented in a reader-friendly format allowing for detailed coverage of the science base and engineering aspects of the technology including plasma generation, mathematical modeling, diagnostics, and industrial applications of thermal plasma technology. This book is an essential resource for practicing engineers, research scientists, and graduate students working in the field.