Abstract: An apparatus is provided for treating a liquid by controlling molecular clusters in liquid in which a very narrow electric or magnetic energy field produced by at least two electrodes or magnetic poles spaced apart by less than 1 mm is applied to a liquid with the length of the spaced apart electrodes or magnetic poles set transversely to the flow direction of the liquid passing through the pipe. The overall thickness of the electrodes or magnetic poles is less than 10 millimeters.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for treating fluid flowing through piping so as to prevent the deposition of a calcium and magnesium scale on the piping, for example, positive and negative electrodes of electrically conductive materials having different electrochemical potentials are provided on the outer peripheral surface of an electrically insulative tubular member through which the fluid flows. Because the electrodes are disposed out of physical contact with the flowing fluid, the electrodes do not pose an obstacle to the fluid flow nor are the electrodes abraded or worn by particles that may be entrained in the fluid. Nonetheless, an electroconductive connection between the electrodes is established through the body of fluid by a capacitive effect so that the fluid is ionized.

Abstract: A self-contained water treatment device to facilitate the washing of articles, such as clothes in a conventional washing machine, includes a body, a first electrode in the form of a layer of paint of an electrically conductive material integrated with the body, and a second electrode of a layer of paint of an electrically conductive material integrated with the body. The electrically conductive paints of the first and second electrodes have different electrochemical potentials and are at least in part spaced apart from one another on an electrically insulative surface of the device so as to be electrically isolated from one another. The device also has sufficient buoyancy so as to float in water. In use, the device is placed into a reservoir of water, such as the tub of a conventional clothes washing machine or dish washing machine, and the tub is filled with water and the articles to be washed.