Abstract: The invention is a discharge electrode in an electrostatic precipitator having a power supply connected to at least one collection electrode and a flow of gas across the collection electrode. The discharge electrode has a plurality of conductive fibers electrically connected to the power supply and fiber tips exposed to the flow of gas. The fiber tips preferably extend from a composite in which the fibers reinforce a matrix material, but alternatively can be a large number of filaments extending from a composite rod.

Abstract: Molecular resonant tunneling diode (RTD) devices that include a molecular linker or bridge between two carbon nanotube (CNT) leads. Such devices include organic material self-assembled between two leads to yield RTD device behavior without the use of metallization of the organic material. Such devices alleviate the aforementioned problems associated with similar devices. Semiconducting carbon nanotubes (CNTs) may be used, and electrical functionality of the device is provided, not by intrinsic bistable properties of the bridge molecule, but by the crossing of resonant levels with the band edges of the leads.

Abstract: A laminar flow, wet electrostatic precipitator (ESP) with planar collecting electrodes preferably made of membranes, such as a woven silica fiber. The collecting electrodes are spaced close to planar discharge electrodes to promote laminar flow (Re<2300). Charging electrodes are positioned upstream of the wet ESP to charge the particulate entering the wet ESP to promote collection. The wet ESP is preferably downstream from a conventional turbulent dry ESP for collecting a substantial portion of the larger particulate in the gas stream prior to the gas stream entering the wet ESP.

Abstract: A laminar flow, wet electrostatic precipitator (ESP) with planar collecting electrodes preferably made of membranes, such as a woven silica fiber. The collecting electrodes are spaced close to planar discharge electrodes to promote laminar flow (Re<2300). Charging electrodes are positioned upstream of the wet ESP to charge the particulate entering the wet ESP to promote collection. The wet ESP is preferably downstream from a conventional turbulent dry ESP for collecting a substantial portion of the larger particulate in the gas stream prior to the gas stream entering the wet ESP.

Abstract: A membrane is used as a collection substrate in an electrostatic precipitator (ESP). Possible material choices include fibers in the form of woven mats, screens made from stainless steel wires or fiber reinforced polymer composite membranes. The membranes have a tensile bias applied during operation, and have impulse tensile force applied during a dust removal step. By combining a dry ESP membrane field with wet-film cleaning field, it may be possible to improve collection efficiencies both by reducing turbulence and eliminating re-entrainment losses due to rapping. Through implementation of new materials that resist hostile ESP environments, the invention enhances the possibility of using novel technologies, such as pulsed corona and others, suitable for removal of molecules such as NOx and SOx, which is very important for meeting proposed PM2.5 EPA emissions regulations.