Abstract: Embodiments relate to an apparatus for nano-scale energy converters and electric power generators. The apparatus include two electrodes with a cavity formed therebetween. The first electrode is an emitter electrode that includes a first base material with a first work function value. A second material is deposited on the first base material to modify the first work function value to a second work function value. The second electrode is a collector electrode that includes a second base material with a third work function value. A fourth material is deposited on the second base material to modify the third work function value to a fourth work function value. The emitter and collector electrodes are designed such that the second work function value is greater than the fourth work function value.

Abstract: The invention provides a hand held hair treatment device for the stimulation of hair growth on the scalp, which device comprises: a housing which includes a handle portion and a head portion; a plurality of hollow tines, each tine having a proximal end affixed to the head portion, a longitudinal length extending from the head portion and a distal end terminating in a tip section; a light source disposed within the housing and configured to output light; light guide means for channelling the light from the light source through the tines and along a light guide means axis; and optical devices which are located at the distal ends of the tines; characterised in that the optical devices are configured to vector light which is incident upon them transversely to the general light guide means axis.

Abstract: The invention provides a hand held hair treatment device for the stimulation of hair growth on the scalp, which device comprises: a housing which includes a handle portion and a head portion; a plurality of hollow tines, each tine having a proximal end affixed to the head portion, a longitudinal length extending from the head portion and a distal end terminating in a tip section; a light source disposed within the housing and configured to output light; light guide means for channelling the light from the light source through the tines and along a light guide means axis; and optical devices which are located at the distal ends of the tines; characterised in that the optical devices are configured to vector light which is incident upon them transversely to the general light guide means axis.

Abstract: The invention provides a hand held hair treatment device for the stimulation of hair growth on the scalp, which device comprises: a housing which includes a handle portion and a head portion; a plurality of hollow tines, each tine having a proximal end affixed to the head portion, a longitudinal length extending from the head portion and a distal end terminating in a tip section; a light source disposed within the housing and configured to output light; light guide means for channeling the light from the light source through the tines, and optical devices which are located at the distal ends of the tines; characterised in that the optical devices are configured to spread light which is incident upon them in an outward direction from the distal ends of the tines and onto the surface of the scalp to be treated.

Abstract: A non-thermal plasma or corona discharge is generated at multiple points and distributed to decontaminate surfaces and objects contaminated with chemical or biological agents. The corona discharge can be generated using very short high voltage pulses. The pulsed corona discharge can be directed at a contaminated surface through the unbraided strands at an end of a dielectric covered conductor. Another pulsed discharge embodiment incorporates a primary coil surrounding a chamber having a void filled with a plurality of secondary coils. A silent corona discharge can be generated using a variety of different configurations of a dielectric coated electrode and a bare electrode. The silent discharge is produced at all intersections between the dielectric covered electrode and the bare electrode. In one embodiment the apparatus comprises a blanket-like structure that is useful for decontaminating surfaces or decontaminating a fluid passing between spaced-apart bare electrodes.

Abstract: A virtual impactor device having reduced fouling includes injection ports within the separation zone to redirect particles that otherwise tend to impact the walls of the separation zone and produce fouling. The virtual impactor device preferably also includes an acceleration zone having concave and convex sections, which reduces fouling in that area. The virtual impactor device can be combined with various downstream components such as collectors, atomizers and various analytical devices.

Abstract: A microimpactor device for separating particles from a fluid stream includes a plurality of microimpactor sheets. The microimpactor sheets include a series of openings that define one or more rows of microimpactor surfaces. Multiple rows of microimpactors are provided by including a corresponding number of microimpactor sheets within the device.

Abstract: A microimpactor device for separating particles from a fluid stream includes a plurality of microimpactor in a two-dimensional array. Individual microimpactors are separated by a distance of about 3 to 20 times the microimpactor width. This spacing provides a device that operates well at low pressure drops across the device. Particles borne in a fluid stream tend to accumulate on both the front and rear sides of the microimpactors, thereby increasing the efficiency of the device.

Abstract: Fluids are atomized using a miniaturized electrostatic microinjector. The microinjectors are capable of producing uniform droplets in several spray modes, and metering and dispersing very small volume fluids. The atomizer is useful in carburetion systems for internal combustion engines, to prepare samples for analytical methods such as MALDI, for fluid filtration and separation, and in other applications.