Abstract: A method of decontaminating a surface includes exposing the surface to germicidal UV light emitted by at least one germicidal UV light source, preferably a light emitting diode (LED), for a continuous exposure period of between 0.05 seconds and 2 seconds; discontinuing the exposure of the surface to the germicidal UV light for a continuous rest period of between 30 seconds and 120 seconds; and repeating steps a. and b. for a total of at least 3 cycles.

Abstract: There is provided a system for circulating air. The system for circulating air has a concrete element that has an open cell porous matrix concrete. The concrete element has an inner surface opposite an outer surface. The inner surface faces an enclosed dwelling space of a building. The system for circulating air has an air circulation conduit in fluid flow communication with the outer surface of the concrete element, and a fan configured to circulate air along the air circulation conduit and through the open cell porous matrix, across a thickness of the concrete element, into the enclosed dwelling space.

Abstract: There is described a method of growing a plant having at least one light absorbing pigment, the at least one light absorbing pigment absorbing optical energy at absorbing wavelengths. The method generally has illuminating the plant growing light, the growing light having optical energy within at least two spectral regions each encompassing a given wavelength, the given wavelengths being out of tune with the absorbing wavelengths of the at least one light absorbing pigment, the at least two spectral regions being selected from a group consisting of a first spectral region below 400 nm, a second spectral region at about 430 nm, a third spectral region at about 480 nm, a fourth spectral region at about 595 nm, a fifth spectral region at about 640 nm, a sixth spectral region at about 660 nm and a seventh spectral region at about 675 nm.

Abstract: A method for storing harvested photosynthetic active horticultural produce includes, between harvesting and consumption of the harvested photosynthetic active horticultural produce, packaging the harvested photosynthetic active horticultural produce for moisture retention, and exposing the harvested photosynthetic active horticultural produce to green light emitted from a monochromatic LED and having a peak wavelength of between about 500 nm and about 580 nm, inclusive.

Abstract: A method for storing harvested photosynthetic active horticultural produce includes, between harvesting and consumption of the harvested photosynthetic active horticultural produce, exposing the harvested photosynthetic active horticultural produce to green light and/or to blue-green light. A device for storing harvested photosynthetic active horticultural produce includes a casing defining an interior volume, and a cooling mechanism for cooling the interior volume. At least a first LED is supported by the casing. The first LED is configured to emit green light to the interior volume, or is configured to emit blue-green light to the interior volume.

Abstract: A decontamination apparatus includes a housing defining an interior volume and having at least a top, a bottom, a left side, a right side, a front, and a rear. The top, the bottom, the left and right sides can each have a set of low-voltage UV-C light emitting diodes that face towards the interior volume. The front can include a front opening and the rear can include a rear opening. The apparatus can include a front door that is openable and closable to block the front opening, and a rear door that is openable and closable to block the rear opening, to allow objects to pass through the interior volume from the front to the rear. Alternatively, a belt conveyor system can pass through the interior volume from outboard of the front opening to outboard of the rear opening to allow objects to be conveyed through the interior volume.

Abstract: A method for storing harvested photosynthetic active horticultural produce includes, between harvesting and consumption of the harvested photosynthetic active horticultural produce, exposing the harvested photosynthetic active horticultural produce to green light and/or to blue-green light. A device for storing harvested photosynthetic active horticultural produce includes a casing defining an interior volume, and a cooling mechanism for cooling the interior volume. At least a first LED is supported by the casing. The first LED is configured to emit green light to the interior volume, or is configured to emit blue-green light to the interior volume.

Abstract: An electrocyclonic particle collector (EPC) for removing particulate matter from a gas includes an EPC gas inlet, an EPC gas outlet, and an EPC gas flow path between the EPC gas inlet and the EPC gas outlet. A first section is downstream of the EPC gas inlet and includes a first cyclonic particle collector in the gas flow path for cyclonically removing particles from the gas. A second section is in series with the first section and includes a rotational flow chamber in the gas flow path, and at least a first electrode in the gas flow path for facilitating electrostatic removal of particles from the gas stream in the rotational flow chamber.

Abstract: An electrocyclonic particle collector (EPC) for removing particulate matter from a gas includes an EPC gas inlet, an EPC gas outlet, and an EPC gas flow path between the EPC gas inlet and the EPC gas outlet. A first section is downstream of the EPC gas inlet and includes a first cyclonic particle collector in the gas flow path for cyclonically removing particles from the gas. A second section is in series with the first section and includes a rotational flow chamber in the gas flow path, and at least a first electrode in the gas flow path for facilitating electrostatic removal of particles from the gas stream in the rotational flow chamber.

Abstract: A greenhouse having side walls that provide a structural frame and which define an enclosed growing area. The greenhouse also has a roof which extends from the structural frame, and which has multiple roof sections extending inwardly over the growing area. A first roof section covers a first portion of the growing area and terminates in a first remote edge which is spaced inwardly from the structural frame. A second and subsequent roof sections covers the growing area and terminates in a second remote edge which overlaps the first remote edge, thus defining a vertical gap between the adjacent roof sections through which air can circulate. The greenhouse also has a cooling system mounted to a roof section which has nozzles for spraying water vapor into the circulating air, thus cooling the air.

Abstract: A flue gas treatment apparatus has a flue gas inlet, a treated gas outlet downstream of the flue gas inlet, and a gas flow path therebetween. The flue gas treatment apparatus comprises a particulate removal device. A first heater is downstream of the particulate removal device. The first heater heats the flue gas to a first treatment temperature. A first catalytic converter is downstream of the first heater for eliminating at least some CO and SO2 from the flue gas. A second heater is downstream of the first catalytic converter for heating the flue gas to a second treatment temperature. A second catalytic converter is downstream of the second heater for eliminating at least some NOx from the flue gas. At least a first fan forces the flue gas from the flue gas inlet to the treated gas outlet.

Abstract: A flue gas treatment apparatus has a flue gas inlet, a treated gas outlet downstream of the flue gas inlet, and a gas flow path therebetween. The flue gas treatment apparatus comprises a particulate removal device. A first heater is downstream of the particulate removal device. The first heater heats the flue gas to a first treatment temperature. A first catalytic converter is downstream of the first heater for eliminating at least some CO and SO2 from the flue gas. A second heater is downstream of the first catalytic converter for heating the flue gas to a second treatment temperature. A second catalytic converter is downstream of the second heater for eliminating at least some NOx from the flue gas. At least a first fan forces the flue gas from the flue gas inlet to the treated gas outlet.

Abstract: A greenhouse and a method for cooling a greenhouse are disclosed. The greenhouse has side walls providing a structural frame and which define an enclosed growing area. The greenhouse also has a roof which extends from the structural frame, and which has multiple roof sections extending inwardly over the growing area. A first roof section covers a first portion of the growing area and terminates in a first remote edge which is spaced inwardly from the structural frame. A second and subsequent roof sections covers the growing area and terminates in a second remote edge which overlaps the first remote edge, thus defining a vertical gap between the adjacent roof sections through which air can circulate. The greenhouse also has a cooling system mounted to a roof section which has nozzles for spraying water vapour into the circulating air, thus cooling the air.