Abstract: Apparatus for deactivating airborne biological organisms in a closed environment, including a fibrous substrate having one or more of non-conductive fibers and non-conductive yarns; elongated, substantially parallel electrodes disposed on or embedded in the fibrous substrate arranged as one or more pairs of adjacent electrodes, wherein a discharge gap is defined between each pair; a component configured for applying a voltage between each pair to generate a non-thermal microplasma in a corresponding discharge gap, wherein the non-thermal microplasma deactivates one or more biological organisms in air present within the closed environment; and a detector in communication with the apparatus.

Abstract: A method of generating a non-thermal microplasma, including the steps of providing a fibrous air-filter, arranging one or more pairs of elongated, adjacent, substantially parallel spaced-apart electrodes on the fibrous air-filter, wherein a discharge gap is defined between each pair; placing a component in signal communication with the electrodes for applying a voltage between each pair; and generating a non-thermal microplasma in a corresponding discharge gap and thereby removing one or more combustion byproducts from ambient air.

Abstract: Apparatus for reducing the translucence or opacity caused by smoke within a closed environment includes a fibrous substrate comprising non-conductive fibers. The apparatus further includes elongated, substantially parallel electrodes disposed on the substrate arranged as one or more pairs of adjacent electrodes, wherein a discharge gap is defined between each pair. The apparatus additionally includes a component configured for applying a voltage between each pair to generate a non-thermal microplasma in a corresponding discharge gap to collect or bind one or more airborne particulate combustion byproducts.