Abstract: A method for separating components of a mixture containing particles which can be electrically charged from particles which can be only negligibly charged is disclosed. The mixture is fed onto an electric undulating traveling wave contact panel which is energized to a charging potential using A. C. voltage. The voltage is then increased to a separation voltage to effect levitation and movement of the charged particles away from the uncharged particles. Separation is accomplished by cycling the voltage between the separation and charging voltages until the charged particles are moved off the panel and the uncharged particles remain on the surface of the panel. The separated particles can then be collected separately.

Abstract: A method of separating the components contained in agricultural by-products is disclosed. A set of parallel electrodes encased in a plastic panel and energized by an A.C. power supply is used to create an undulating traveling wave electric field. A voltage charge is first applied to the individual components. The voltage is then increased to effect levitation and movement of the components in opposite directions which results in separation. The voltage is cycled between charging and separating voltages to move the components over a distance for collection and recovery.

Abstract: Paramagnetic susceptibility has been imparted to raw unprocessed cotton fibers by impregnating the fibers with a paramagnetic organometallic rare earth compound dissolved in hydrocarbon solvent. The strength of the imparted property is sufficient to allow for the manipulation of the textile fibers by magnetic force fields in conjunction with radically new techniques of textile processing. The paramagnetic susceptibility is removable and whatever paramagnetic compound use is recoverable.