Abstract: A transparent electrodynamic screen (EDS) enables automatic removal of dust to protect and enhance performance of solar collectors and similar components. A pattern of transparent conductive electrodes are deposited over a glass or polymer outer surface of a solar collector, and embedded under a thin, transparent dielectric fluoropolymer film or silicon dioxide coating. When energized by three-phase voltages at frequencies in the range 5 to 20 Hz, the electrodes produce an oscillating electric field and a traveling electrodynamic wave that charges the particles on the surface and exerts coulomb and dielectrophoretic forces to lift the dust from the surface and transport it to an edge of the collector, thereby clearing the screen. The EDS can be incorporated in the collector in an integrated way during manufacture or retrofitted to existing conventional collectors.

Abstract: A transparent electrodynamic screen (EDS) enables automatic removal of dust to protect and enhance performance of solar collectors and similar components. A pattern of transparent conductive electrodes are deposited over a glass or polymer outer surface of a solar collector, and embedded under a thin, transparent dielectric fluoropolymer film or silicon dioxide coating. When energized by three-phase voltages at frequencies in the range 5 to 20 Hz, the electrodes produce an oscillating electric field and a traveling electrodynamic wave that charges the particles on the surface and exerts coulomb and dielectrophoretic forces to lift the dust from the surface and transport it to an edge of the collector, thereby clearing the screen. The EDS can be incorporated in the collector in an integrated way during manufacture or retrofitted to existing conventional collectors.

Abstract: An encased stent that discourages restenosis by having a homogenous endothelial cell lining along the inner wall of the stent. The endothelial cell lining may be coated on the stent before the stent is placed in the artery, or the endothelial cell lining may be grown after placement by several factors that encourage such growth and discourage restenosis. The endothelial cells to coat the stent may be genetically modified to enhance the growth of the endothelial cells into a homogeneous lining. The stent has a continuous lining in the form of a multi-layer polymer coating, including a conducting biocorrosion inhibiting layer and a continuous film of polyurethane coupled by a coupling agent to polyethylene glycol. Various drugs and cell factors may be incorporated into the lining, such as anti-thrombin, anti-inflammatory and anti-coagulant drugs, cell cycle inhibitors, and vascular endothelial growth factors.

Abstract: A transparent electromagnetic shield to protect solar panels and the like from dust deposition. The shield is a panel of clear non-conducting (dielectric) material with embedded parallel electrodes. The panel is coated with a semiconducting film. Desirably the electrodes are transparent. The electrodes are connected to a single-phase AC signal or to a multi-phase AC signal that produces a travelling electromagnetic wave. The electromagnetic field produced by the electrodes lifts dust particles away from the shield and repels charged particles. Deposited dust particles are removed when the electrodes are activated, regardless of the resistivity of the dust. Electrostatic charges on the panel are discharged by the semiconducting film. When used in conjunction with photovoltaic cells, the power for the device may be obtained from the cells themselves. For other surfaces, such as windshields, optical windows and the like, the power must be derived from an external source.

Abstract: An encased stent that discourages restenosis by having a homogenous endothelial cell lining along the inner wall of the stent. The endothelial cell lining may be coated on the stent before the stent is placed in the artery, or the endothelial cell lining may be grown after placement by several factors that encourage such growth and discourage restenosis. The endothelial cells to coat the stent may be genetically modified to enhance the growth of the endothelial cells into a homogeneous lining. The stent has a continuous lining in the form of a multi-layer polymer coating, including a conducting biocorrosion inhibiting layer and a continuous film of polyurethane coupled by a coupling agent to polyethylene glycol. Various drugs and cell factors may be incorporated into the lining, such as anti-thrombin, anti-inflammatory and anti-coagulant drugs, cell cycle inhibitors, and vascular endothelial growth factors.

Abstract: A transparent electromagnetic shield to protect solar panels and the like from dust deposition. The shield is a panel of clear non-conducting (dielectric) material with embedded parallel electrodes. The panel is coated with a semiconducting film. Desirably the electrodes are transparent. The electrodes are connected to a single-phase AC signal or to a multi-phase AC signal that produces a travelling electromagnetic wave. The electromagnetic field produced by the electrodes lifts dust particles away from the shield and repels charged particles. Deposited dust particles are removed when the electrodes are activated, regardless of the resistivity of the dust. Electrostatic charges on the panel are discharged by the semiconducting film. When used in conjunction with photovoltaic cells, the power for the device may be obtained from the cells themselves. For other surfaces, such as windshields, optical windows and the like, the power must be derived from an external source.

Abstract: An instrument for analyzing the size and charge of aerosol particles employs a dual beam laser Doppler velocimeter to track the motion of a particle while subjecting the particle to a sinusoidal acoustic field and to a pulsed, high voltage electric field. The particle transmitting through the crossed beams of the laser Doppler velocimeter moves with an oscillatory motion due to the acoustic field and, if the particle is charged, it has a horizontal drift parallel to the electric field during the electric pulse. The phase lag of the particle's motion with respect to the acoustic field is measured to determine the aerodynamic diameter of the particle and the velocity and the direction of the drift relative to the polarity of the applied high voltage electric field is used to determine the magnitude and polarity of the electric charge of the particle.