Abstract: In various aspect of the invention, electrostatic filters having insulated electrodes are described. In such embodiments, care is taken to prevent the accumulation of opposing charges on the insulation, which, over time, would serve to significantly degrade the strength of the electrostatic field created in the dielectric, and thus reduce the performance of the electrostatic filter. A variety of mechanisms are described for mitigating the opposing charge buildup problem.

Abstract: In one aspect, a plasma reactor that is arranged to treat aerosol particulates that are carried in a fluid stream passing through the reactor is described. The plasma reactor includes a plasma chamber arranged to receive the fluid stream and subject particulates carried in the fluid stream to a cold plasma that has a sufficiently high concentration of reactive species to treat at least some of the particulates passing there through. A porous catalyst is provided downstream of the plasma chamber and is configured to receive the fluid stream. The catalyst is arranged to significantly enhance the conversion of reactive species that are contained in the fluid stream before the stream emerges from the plasma reactor. In a preferred embodiment, the catalyst is Manganese Dioxide (MnO2). In another aspect a catalyst includes at least two porous spaced apart manganese dioxide catalyst blocks.

Abstract: An electrostatic filter having an improved dielectric is described. The dielectric constitutes a dielectric mat formed from a high porosity non-woven fibers having pores that have a void faction of at least 97%. The dielectric mat is sandwiched by a pair of porous electrodes. The fibers that form the mat have a maximum cross sectional thickness that is less than 100 microns and a length to maximum thickness ratio of greater than 10. The pores are preferably statistically substantially equally sized and open in three dimensions. In various preferred embodiments, the void fraction of the dielectric mat is greater than 99 percent. The mat preferably has a tortuosity of at least 2. The maximal cross sectional width of the fibers is preferably in the range 0.1 to 50 microns. In many implementations, the fibers that form the dielectric mat are formed from either polyester or polypropylene.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a virtual advisor are provided. These systems and methods may in response to a user's queries, provide electronic advice, answers, suggestions, or any other information or combination thereof using case-based reasoning, live experts, or both. These systems and methods may be implemented on any suitable stand-alone or distributed system (i.e., Internet-based or non-Internet-based computer network).