System and method to reduce risk of patient infections (HAI), using operating rooms (chambers) equipped with suitable automatic airborne sterilizing agent generators, sensors, mechanisms, automatic air control devices, and laminar flow devices. After suitable safety checks, the system isolates the interior air from external air, and activates an air phase anti-microbial agent generator, filling the room with an air-phase anti-microbial agent. After sterilization, the invention deactivates the generator then restores the connection to outside sterilized air. The chamber also comprises an intelligent platform comprising video cameras, and computer vision systems configured to identify humans and medical supplies, read optical tags, and correlate recognized objects with RFID tag data. The intelligent platform can be configured to automatically detect and warn on conditions associated with a high risk of HAI, optimize the sterility of the chamber, automatically detect other operating room issues, and interface with outside computerized medical databases and facilities networks.

A method includes: using a planar substrate having at least one acid-functionalized layer including at least one first acid having a pks1 value of 0 to 7 and at least one different second acid or derivative thereof selected from a group consisting of C.sub.8 to C.sub.18 fatty acids, esters, amides, and mixtures thereof, as a filter medium for depleting viruses from air and other gases.

A method includes: using a planar substrate having at least one acid-functionalized layer including at least one first acid having a pks1 value of 0 to 7 and at least one different second acid or derivative thereof selected from a group consisting of C.sub.8 to C.sub.18 fatty acids, esters, amides, and mixtures thereof, as a filter medium for depleting viruses from air and other gases.

A method of making a bijel includes dispersing surface-active nanoparticles in a ternary liquid mixture. The ternary liquid mixture includes a hydrophilic liquid, a hydrophobic liquid, and a solvent. The ternary liquid mixture is contacted with water. A bijel includes a stable mixture of two immiscible liquids separated by an interfacial layer of colloidal particles. The bijel has temperature-independent stability, and the domain sizes are below one micrometer.

A method of making a bijel includes dispersing surface-active nanoparticles in a ternary liquid mixture. The ternary liquid mixture includes a hydrophilic liquid, a hydrophobic liquid, and a solvent. The ternary liquid mixture is contacted with water. A bijel includes a stable mixture of two immiscible liquids separated by an interfacial layer of colloidal particles. The bijel has temperature-independent stability, and the domain sizes are below one micrometer.

Additively manufactured ceramic filters are disclosed. A plurality of pores, each having a uniform geometry, are arranged between an inlet surface and an outlet surface of a single unit of ceramic such that the plurality of pores change in size uniformly from the inlet surface to the outlet surface. The pores are respectively interconnected, and the size, shape, orientation, and/or interconnection of the pores are chosen to provide hydrodynamic features that provide effective filtration for a given liquid and contamination. The pores are additively manufactured with optimized precision.

Pleated filtration media, filtration media packs, and filtration elements containing projections are disclosed. The pleated filtration media includes projections on at least one surface, the projections configured to engage adjacent media sheets so as to reduce masking of the media. The pleated media and media pleat packs contain protrusions on the surface of the media. These protrusions are three dimensional structures that are on the surface of the media and are provided by forming the protrusion directly in the filtration media or applying structures, such as adhesive beads, or onto one or both faces of the media. Elongation of the adhesive bead can facilitate greater separation of the adjacent faces of pleated media if desired. These protrusions, also referred to herein as projections or dimples, can either contact each other or contact flat media and keep adjacent media faces from becoming in intimate contact with each other.

Pleated filtration media, filtration media packs, and filtration elements containing projections are disclosed. The pleated filtration media includes projections on at least one surface, the projections configured to engage adjacent media sheets so as to reduce masking of the media. The pleated media and media pleat packs contain protrusions on the surface of the media. These protrusions are three dimensional structures that are on the surface of the media and are provided by forming the protrusion directly in the filtration media or applying structures, such as adhesive beads, or onto one or both faces of the media. Elongation of the adhesive bead can facilitate greater separation of the adjacent faces of pleated media if desired. These protrusions, also referred to herein as projections or dimples, can either contact each other or contact flat media and keep adjacent media faces from becoming in intimate contact with each other.

An indoor unit for an air-conditioning apparatus includes a body having an opening, a decorative panel attached to the body to cover the opening, and a filter disposed between the body and the decorative panel. The decorative panel has a rectangular air inlet grille disposed at a location that faces the opening of the body. The air inlet grille has long-side wall portions that face each other, a plurality of short-side wall portions disposed perpendicularly to each of the long-side wall portions, a bottom portion surrounded by the long-side wall portions and the plurality of short-side wall portions, and hook receiving portions located in respective grille corner portions each located at the corresponding one of four corners of the bottom portion. The filter is formed in a rectangular shape and has hook portions in respective filter corner portions each located at the corresponding one of four corners of the filter. The hook portions are engaged with the respective hook receiving portions.

A composite absorbent filter media having adsorption and/or absorption properties for the filtration of ester oils from a liquid includes a graphene and/or graphite composite mixed into a final emulsion, which is subsequently heat treated or cured, cooled, compressed, and dried. The resultant adsorption/absorption media is then disposed within a plug structure having an ingress and egress for liquids mixed with ester oils to pass through. Alternatively, the resultant adsorption/absorption media is disposed into a fabric and formed as a wall used to enclose oil-filled equipment. The media adsorbs/absorbs the ester oils from the liquid, while allowing the liquid to disperse and pass through.