A method for decontaminating a low-temperature article, the method comprising: an applying step including applying a decontamination agent to external surfaces of a low-temperature article and supplying a mist of decontamination agent to a first external surface of said low-temperature article to form a condensed film of the decontamination agent on said first external surface; and a drying step including ultrasonically vibrating vibration boards disposed on a periphery of the low-temperature article to generate sound flows from board surfaces by an ultrasound in a vertical direction, irradiating with ultrasonic waves the low-temperature article with the decontamination agent applied thereto, subjecting said first external surface of the low-temperature article to ultrasonic vibration and acoustic radiation pressure, supplying dry air to the first external surface and drying said first external surface.

The invention relates to a process and apparatus for ultrasonic assisted drying of materials, in particular, but not exclusively, for the low temperature drying of materials that are heat sensitive. In particular, there is provided an apparatus for dehydration of water containing material comprising: an ultrasound emitter; an ultrasound transmission platform that directly or indirectly supports said material; a fluid retained between said emitter and said platform, through which ultrasound energy is transferred; and a gas stream device that directs drying gas to said material. There is also provided a method of dehydration of water containing material comprising locating the material either directly or indirectly on an ultrasound transmission platform of a dehydration apparatus that comprises: an ultrasound emitter; a fluid retained between said emitter and said platform, through which ultrasound energy is transferred; and a gas stream device that directs drying gas to said material; and exposing said material to ultrasound energy and drying gas flow for a time and under conditions suitable to achieve desired extent of dehydration of said material. In another aspect there is provided a material that has been dehydrated using the method or apparatus described above.

The invention relates to a process and apparatus for ultrasonic assisted drying of materials, in particular, but not exclusively, for the low temperature drying of materials that are heat sensitive. In particular, there is provided an apparatus for dehydration of water containing material comprising: an ultrasound emitter; an ultrasound transmission platform that directly or indirectly supports said material; a fluid retained between said emitter and said platform, through which ultrasound energy is transferred; and a gas stream device that directs drying gas to said material. There is also provided a method of dehydration of water containing material comprising locating the material either directly or indirectly on an ultrasound transmission platform of a dehydration apparatus that comprises: an ultrasound emitter; a fluid retained between said emitter and said platform, through which ultrasound energy is transferred; and a gas stream device that directs drying gas to said material; and exposing said material to ultrasound energy and drying gas flow for a time and under conditions suitable to achieve desired extent of dehydration of said material. In another aspect there is provided a material that has been dehydrated using the method or apparatus described above.

A dryer for drying hair or clothes is disclosed. The dryer includes a head and a handle attached to the head. The dryer further includes ultrasonic devices, a controller, a vacuum pump, and a reservoir. The head has a surface on which inlet holes are formed. The ultrasonic devices are positioned on the surface of the head. The ultrasonic devices produce ultrasonic vibrations that break down water molecules into mist. The controller controls an operation of the ultrasonic devices.

A dryer for drying hair or clothes is disclosed. The dryer includes a head and a handle attached to the head. The dryer further includes ultrasonic devices, a controller, a vacuum pump, and a reservoir. The head has a surface on which inlet holes are formed. The ultrasonic devices are positioned on the surface of the head. The ultrasonic devices produce ultrasonic vibrations that break down water molecules into mist. The controller controls an operation of the ultrasonic devices.

A system for heating a fluid and an electromagnetic acoustic transducer EMAT system is provided. Both systems have a drive circuit. The amount of heat and the amplitude (and acceleration) of the vibrations is respectively controllable by controlling an input to a terminal of a switch. The heating system comprises a porous graphite foam conductor which is exposed to an electromagnetic field generated by an oscillating circuit. When exposed, the foam conductor conducts induced electric current which heats the same and a fluid in contact with the conductor. The EMAT system comprises at least one magnet configured to generate a static magnetic field, an oscillating circuit and a working element. The working element, when exposed to the static magnetic field and the electromagnetic field produced by the oscillating circuit, vibrates against a load. The vibrations dry the load.

A system for heating a fluid and an electromagnetic acoustic transducer EMAT system is provided. Both systems have a drive circuit. The amount of heat and the amplitude (and acceleration) of the vibrations is respectively controllable by controlling an input to a terminal of a switch. The heating system comprises a porous graphite foam conductor which is exposed to an electromagnetic field generated by an oscillating circuit. When exposed, the foam conductor conducts induced electric current which heats the same and a fluid in contact with the conductor. The EMAT system comprises at least one magnet configured to generate a static magnetic field, an oscillating circuit and a working element. The working element, when exposed to the static magnetic field and the electromagnetic field produced by the oscillating circuit, vibrates against a load. The vibrations dry the load.

The processing device for small parts is equipped with ultrasound probes for decreasing the number of particles and with microwave generators for drying the small parts.

The processing device for small parts is equipped with ultrasound probes for decreasing the number of particles and with microwave generators for drying the small parts.

A phased array of ultrasonic transducers may create arbitrary fields that can be utilized to manipulate fluids. This includes the translation of drops on smooth surfaces as well speeding the evaporation of fluids on wetted hands. Proposed herein is the use airborne ultrasound focused to the surface of the hand. The risk is that coupling directly into the bulk of the hand may cause damage to the cellular material through heating, mechanical stress, or cavitation. Using a phased array, the focus may be moved around, thus preventing acoustic energy from lingering too long on one particular position of the hand. While some signaling may penetrate into the hand, most of the energy (99.9%) is reflected. Also disclosed are methods to couple just to the wetted surface of the hand.