Abstract: A separation plate separates a major flow of fluid from a minor flow of fluid. The major flow includes a minor portion of particles greater than a “cut size,” while the minor flow includes a major portion of particles greater than the cut size. Plates define a laterally extending passage between a front of the separation plate and its rear. The passage telescopes or converges from an initial height at its inlet, to a substantially smaller height at its outlet. A slot extends transversely into the plates from within a minor flow portion of the passage and connect into major flow outlet ports. The flow of fluid into the outlet is thus divided into the major flow, which flows from the major flow outlet ports and the minor flow that exits the outlet of the passage. To accommodate a desired flow of fluid, the width of the passage can be changed, or an array of stacked separation plates can be employed.

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.

Abstract: A separation plate separates a major flow of fluid from a minor flow of fluid. The major flow includes a minor portion of particles greater than a “cut size,” while the minor flow includes a major portion of particles greater than the cut size. Plates define a laterally extending passage between a front of the separation plate and its rear. The passage telescopes or converges from an initial height at its inlet, to a substantially smaller height at its outlet. A slot extends transversely into the plates from within a minor flow portion of the passage and connect into major flow outlet ports. The flow of fluid into the outlet is thus divided into the major flow, which flows from the major flow outlet ports and the minor flow that exits the outlet of the passage. To accommodate a desired flow of fluid, the width of the passage can be changed, or an array of stacked separation plates can be employed.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for using a non-thermal plasma or corona discharge 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 (pulsed discharge) produced by a Tesla coil. 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.

Abstract: Apparatus for using a non-thermal plasma or corona discharge 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 (pulsed discharge) produced by a Tesla coil. 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. The bare electrode can be woven with the dielectric covered electrode or can be coiled helically around, or plated onto, the dielectric covered electrode.

Abstract: A separation plate separates a major flow of fluid from a minor flow of fluid. The major flow includes a minor portion of particles greater than a “cut size,” while the minor flow includes a major portion of particles greater than the cut size. Plates define a laterally extending passage between a front of the separation plate and its rear. The passage telescopes or converges from an initial height at its inlet, to a substantially smaller height at its outlet. A slot extends transversely into the plates from within a minor flow portion of the passage and connect into major flow outlet ports. The flow of fluid into the outlet is thus divided into the major flow, which flows from the major flow outlet ports and the minor flow that exits the outlet of the passage. To accommodate a desired flow of fluid, the width of the passage can be changed, or an array of stacked separation plates can be employed.

Abstract: A particle collector includes a combined impact collector and fan, which is usable for both drawing air or other gaseous fluid in which particulates are entrained into a cavity, and then separating the particulates from the gaseous fluid by providing a rotating surface that impacts the particulates. The particulates also impact on other surfaces within the cavity, including its inner surface, and are washed from these surfaces, which are wetted with water or other liquid injected into the cavity. The cavity is defined by a housing having an inlet port through which the air or other gaseous fluid is drawn. The combined impact collector and fan includes a plate on which a plurality of spaced-apart impeller vanes are disposed. The shape of the impeller vanes produces a centrifugal fan effect when they are rotated within the cavity.

Abstract: A separation plate (10) includes a first surface (10a) and an opposing second surface. A plurality of teardrop-shaped virtual impactor projections (12) are provided on the first surface, preferably in a plurality of rows (13a, 13b, 13c). Each projection includes a convex leading profile (18) facing a fluid stream (16), and two concave side surfaces (19) that are positioned to define a tapered downstream portion. The convex leading profile may include a concave portion (20). The concave portion defines a virtual impact void therethrough. The virtual impact void defines a terminal end of a passageway that extends through the separation plate to communicate with the second surface. When particle-laden fluid is caused to flow along the first surface, a major portion of the fluid containing a minor portion of particles flows around the teardrop-shaped virtual impactor projections along the first surface.

Abstract: A plurality of micropillars (2) arranged in a plurality of rows (4, 6, 8) are provided. When a particle-laden fluid stream is caused to flow through the micropillars, at least a portion of the particles impacts and becomes deposited on the micropillars' surfaces while the fluid stream is deflected aside. The deposited particles may subsequently be collected.

Abstract: A separation plate (10) includes a first surface and an opposing second surface. Plural pairs of a nozzle (14) and a virtual impactor (16) are provided on the first surface. Each nozzle tapers from an inlet end (14a) to an outlet end (14b). Each virtual impactor comprises a pair of generally fin-shaped projections (24). Each fin-shaped projection includes an inner wall (26) and a convex outer wall (28). The inner walls of the fin-shaped projections of a virtual impactor face each other to define a minor flow passage (30) therebetween. The convex outer walls of the fin-shaped projections of a virtual impactor cooperatively present a convex surface including a virtual impact void therethrough. The virtual impact void defines an inlet end of the minor flow passage. A virtual impactor body (33) is provided between adjacent virtual impactors (16).

Abstract: A micro-machined virtual impactor device to permit the separation, collection and concentration of a significant portion of environmental particulates having a diameter of less than ten microns and its method of operation. The device includes a plurality of projections, each having a virtual impact surface that defines an aperture in a stagnant zone of fluid flow. A major portion of the particulate material is concentrated into a minor portion of the fluid which is processed through the aperture, where it is collected for subsequent analysis.

Abstract: Bacteria cells and/or spores are collected and concentrated to form a specimen that is lysed using an ionized fluid to facilitate identification of the bacterial cells or spores by tests performed on the DNA and RNA contained therein. An impact collector is preferably used for separating the spores and cells from an air sample that is drawn through an input port of a portable housing. The resulting specimen is then exposed to an ionizing discharge that ruptures the surface membrane of the bacterial cells or spores. The ionizing discharge can be produced by a Tesla coil or other potential transformer that is electrically energized to produce an ionization potential, which is applied to an electrode, or to produce a corona glow discharge spread over a relatively larger surface of a plate-type electrode. Alternatively, air or another gaseous fluid in proximity to the electrode may be ionized by the ionizing potential or discharge from the electrode, forming an ionized fluid that is applied to the specimen.

Abstract: The invention is a microcomponent sheet architecture wherein macroscale unit processes are performed by microscale components. The sheet architecture may be a single laminate with a plurality of separate microcomponent sections or the sheet architecture may be a plurality of laminates with one or more microcomponent sections on each laminate. Each microcomponent or plurality of like microcomponents perform at least one chemical process unit operation. A first laminate having a plurality of like first microcomponents is combined with at least a second laminate having a plurality of like second microcomponents thereby combining at least two unit operations to achieve a system operation.

Abstract: The Reactive Bed Plasma is a novel air purification and material processing evice which may efficiently treat both toxic chemicals and hazardous aerosols. The Reactive Bed Plasma device embodies an active alternating current discharge plasma permeating a dielectric packed bed. Advantages of this device include an increased power efficiency by the elimination of dielectric barriers (characteristic of ozonizer devices); a selectively increased residence time of contaminants in the active plasma zones through interaction with the packing material (analogous to chromotographic separations); also a reduced size and power consumption while maintaining high processing efficiency.