Systems and methods for the beneficiation of fine and very fine particles of iron ore are disclosed. The system includes a first triboelectric electrostatic belt-type separator (BSS) which receives and processes a stream of particles with a median particle size (d50) less than 75 microns to generate an iron rich concentrate. The system and method is water-free and carried out in a totally dry metallurgical route. The system also includes at least one air classification device that receives and processes a feed stream of particles to provide the stream of particles with a median particle size (d50) that is less than 75 microns. The system may also include a dryer and de-agglomeration system that receives a feed stream of particles and processes the feed stream of particles to provide the particle stream with a moisture of less than 2%.

A group of micro-objects in a holding pen in a micro-fluidic device can be selected and moved to a staging area, from which the micro-objects can be exported from the micro-fluidic device. The micro-fluidic device can have a plurality of holding pens, and each holding pen can isolate micro-objects located in the holding pen from micro-objects located in the other holding pens or elsewhere in the micro-fluidic device. The selected group of micro-objects can comprise one or more biological cells, such as a clonal population of cells. Embodiments of the invention can thus select a particular group of clonal cells in a micro-fluidic device, move the clonal cells to a staging area, and export the clonal cells from the micro-fluidic device while maintaining the clonal nature of the exported group.

A group of micro-objects in a holding pen in a micro-fluidic device can be selected and moved to a staging area, from which the micro-objects can be exported from the micro-fluidic device. The micro-fluidic device can have a plurality of holding pens, and each holding pen can isolate micro-objects located in the holding pen from micro-objects located in the other holding pens or elsewhere in the micro-fluidic device. The selected group of micro-objects can comprise one or more biological cells, such as a clonal population of cells. Embodiments of the invention can thus select a particular group of clonal cells in a micro-fluidic device, move the clonal cells to a staging area, and export the clonal cells from the micro-fluidic device while maintaining the clonal nature of the exported group.

A process for sorting materials using material-selective electroadhesive grippers is disclosed. At least one of an electroadhesive surface or a plurality of articles is manipulated such that multiple ones of the plurality of articles are at least intermittently proximate the electroadhesive surface. Voltage is applied to one or more electrodes in the electroadhesive surface to thereby cause the electroadhesive surface to selectively adhere to a subset of the plurality of articles based on the subset of the plurality of articles having different material properties than others of the plurality of articles. While the voltage is applied, the electroadhesive surface is moved with respect to the others of the plurality of articles to thereby separate the subset of the plurality of articles from the others of the plurality of articles.

A process for sorting materials using material-selective electroadhesive grippers is disclosed. At least one of an electroadhesive surface or a plurality of articles is manipulated such that multiple ones of the plurality of articles are at least intermittently proximate the electroadhesive surface. Voltage is applied to one or more electrodes in the electroadhesive surface to thereby cause the electroadhesive surface to selectively adhere to a subset of the plurality of articles based on the subset of the plurality of articles having different material properties than others of the plurality of articles. While the voltage is applied, the electroadhesive surface is moved with respect to the others of the plurality of articles to thereby separate the subset of the plurality of articles from the others of the plurality of articles.

A method for classifying solder particles includes: a first step of forming an electric field between a first electrode 2 and a second electrode 3 included in an electrostatic attraction device, the first electrode 2 having a disposition part having electrostatic diffusivity or electrical conductivity, the second electrode 3 having an attraction part 4 having electrical insulation properties, which faces the disposition part and is provided with a plurality of opening parts 10 opened to the disposition part side, so as to cause solder particles P disposed on the disposition part to be electrostatically attracted to the attraction part 4; a second step of removing solder particles P2 attracted to areas other than the opening parts 10 of the attraction part 4; and a third step of collecting solder particles P1 accommodated in the opening parts, from the attraction part 4 that has been subjected to the second step.

A method for classifying solder particles includes: a first step of forming an electric field between a first electrode 2 and a second electrode 3 included in an electrostatic attraction device, the first electrode 2 having a disposition part having electrostatic diffusivity or electrical conductivity, the second electrode 3 having an attraction part 4 having electrical insulation properties, which faces the disposition part and is provided with a plurality of opening parts 10 opened to the disposition part side, so as to cause solder particles P disposed on the disposition part to be electrostatically attracted to the attraction part 4; a second step of removing solder particles P2 attracted to areas other than the opening parts 10 of the attraction part 4; and a third step of collecting solder particles P1 accommodated in the opening parts, from the attraction part 4 that has been subjected to the second step.

A method for removing noxious, hazardous, toxic, mutagenic, and/or carcinogenic compounds and/or precursor compounds from a comingled gas, liquid, and/or solid stream is described. In one embodiment, the method is used to prepare the stream for feeding to an oxidizer, such as a thermal oxidizer, to reduce the amount of particulate matter discharged by the oxidizer and includes passing the stream through an ambient or chilled temperature condenser followed by an optional gas/solid separator, and one or more gas scrubbers prior to feeding to the oxidizer.

A method for removing noxious, hazardous, toxic, mutagenic, and/or carcinogenic compounds and/or precursor compounds from a comingled gas, liquid, and/or solid stream is described. In one embodiment, the method is used to prepare the stream for feeding to an oxidizer, such as a thermal oxidizer, to reduce the amount of particulate matter discharged by the oxidizer and includes passing the stream through an ambient or chilled temperature condenser followed by an optional gas/solid separator, and one or more gas scrubbers prior to feeding to the oxidizer.

A dielectrophoretic separator has a separator vessel having a fluid ingress at a first side and a fluid egress at a second side, an electrode electrically connected to a power source and contained within the vessel, along the central axis, a plurality of high permittivity dielectric rods within the vessel positioned around and parallel to the electrode, wherein the electrode has a first polarity and the vessel has a second polarity such that an electromagnetic field is generated between the electrode and the vessel. A method of performing a separation cycle has the steps of: i) powering up an electrode within a vessel such that the electrode and vessel have an opposite polarity, wherein a plurality of high permittivity dielectric rods are contained within the vessel, ii) the fluid passing through channels between the rods, iii) the solid particles within the fluid being retained against the rods by electrical field(s).