Abstract: A vacuum cleaner comprising: a body defining an air inlet, an air outlet, and a passageway extending therebetween; an electrostatic dust filter for removing dust from air as it passes through the passageway; and an air pump for drawing air into the air inlet and through the passageway to the air outlet; wherein the electrostatic dust filter comprises an electrode arrangement configured to kill microorganisms present in air passing through the passageway by exposing air to a voltage in excess of a threshold voltage.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for use as a motor or generator, comprising: a first part (20) defining a first region (22); a second part (40) moveable relative to the first part (20) and spaced therefrom to form a fluid-filled gap (50), the second part (40) defining a second region (42) separated from the first region (22) by the fluid-filled gap (50) and configured to be electrically connected to the first region (22) during at least one mode of operation; wherein the apparatus (10) is configured to form an electrically conductive path between the first and second regions (22, 42) by generating a region of electrically conductive fluid in the fluid-filled gap (50) between the first and second regions (22, 42).

Abstract: Energy storage apparatus comprising: a porous conductor substrate, an insulator layer in contact with inner surfaces of the porous conductor substrate, and a conductor layer in contact with outer surfaces of the insulator layer.

Abstract: A torsion device comprising: a first part comprising a first resilient torsion member including: a first support end; a first free end spaced from the first support end; and a first engagement region; a second part comprising a second resilient torsion member including: a second support end; a second free end spaced from the second support end; and a second engagement region; wherein the second part is rotatable relative to the first part about an axis of rotation (A) between a first angular position and a second angular position, and the first and second torsion members are configured to urge the first and second engagement regions together to cause flexure of at least one of the first and second resilient torsion members as the second part rotates relative to the first part from the first angular position to the second angular position.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner comprising: a body defining an air inlet, an air outlet, and a passageway (extending therebetween; an electrostatic dust filter for removing dust from air as it passes through the passageway; and an air pump for drawing air into the air inlet and through the passageway to the air outlet; wherein the electrostatic dust filter comprises an electrode arrangement configured to kill microorganisms present in air passing through the passageway by exposing air to a voltage in excess of a threshold voltage.

Abstract: A controller for converting a force applied by a user in at least one direction into an output indicative of the force applied, comprising: a support comprising a first part of a capacitor assembly; and a user-engageable part resiliently coupled to the support and comprising a second part of the capacitor assembly, wherein movement of the user-engageable part relative to the support varies the capacitance of the capacitor assembly; characterised in that the user-engageable part is substantially immovable relative to the support in the at least one direction.

Abstract: A torsion device comprising: a first part comprising a first resilient torsion member including: a first support end; a first free end spaced from the first support end; and a first engagement region; a second part comprising a second resilient torsion member including: a second support end; a second free end spaced from the second support end; and a second engagement region; wherein the second part is rotatable relative to the first part about an axis of rotation (A) between a first angular position and a second angular position, and the first and second torsion members are configured to urge the first and second engagement regions together to cause flexure of at least one of the first and second resilient torsion members as the second part rotates relative to the first part from the first angular position to the second angular position.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for use as a motor or generator, comprising: a capacitor assembly (20) comprising: a first conductor part (36) defining a first conductor region (38) and a second conductor part (37) defining a second conductor region (39), the first and second conductor parts (36, 37) being spaced apart to define opposed sides of a passageway (40) extending between the first and second conductor regions (38, 39); and an inner part (50) moveable relative to at least one of the conductor parts along the passageway (40) extending between the first and second conductor regions (38, 39).

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for use as a motor or generator, comprising: a first part (20) defining a first region (22);a second part (40) moveable relative to the first part (20) and spaced therefrom to form a fluid-filled gap (50), the second part (40) defining a second region(42) separated from the first region (22) by the fluid-filled gap (50) and configured to be electrically connected to the first region (22) during at least one mode of operation; wherein the apparatus (10) is configured to form an electrically conductive path between the first and second regions (22, 42) by generating a region of electrically conductive fluid in the fluid-filled gap (50) between the first and second regions (22, 42).

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for use as a motor or generator, comprising: a capacitor assembly (20) comprising: a first conductor part (36) defining a first conductor region (38) and a second conductor part (37) defining a second conductor region (39), the first and second conductor parts (36, 37) being spaced apart to define opposed sides of a passageway (40) extending between the first and second conductor regions (38, 39); and an inner part (50) moveable relative to at least one of the conductor parts along the passageway (40) extending between the first and second conductor regions (38, 39).