An air dust removal system (101) includes a dust removal system inlet (1011), a dust removal system outlet, and an electric field apparatus (1014). The electric field apparatus (1014) has an electric field apparatus inlet, an electric field apparatus outlet, a dust removal electric field cathode (10142), and a dust removal electric field anode (10141); the dust removal electric field cathode (10142) and the dust removal electric field anode (10141) are used for generating an ionization dust removal electric field. When dust is collected in the ionization dust removal electric field, the electric field apparatus (1014) detects an electric field current. The air dust removal system (101) can effectively remove particulate matters in air.

A magnetic matrix for magnetic separation of particles in a material feed includes a plurality of grooved plates having first and second sides that both have an alternating series of teeth and grooves therealong, each grooved plate having an offset alignment in which teeth and grooves on a first side of a plate are laterally offset from teeth and grooves on a second side of the same plate. Also provided are methods of using magnetic matrices to separate magnetic ores, with the methods characterized by a negative correlation in which magnetic matrices constructed with grooved plates having larger pitches are used for the separation of ultrafine particles.

A device for capturing and releasing magnetically susceptible particles includes a housing and a retraction mechanism. A permanent axially magnetized cylindrical magnet is coupled to the retraction mechanism and a distal end of the magnet extends from a distal end of the housing. The retraction mechanism is configured to position the distal end of the magnet at one of three different predetermined distances from the distal end of the housing: retracted, protracted and hyper-protracted. A sleeve is provided over the housing distal end and when the magnet is in the protracted position, magnetically susceptible particles are gathered, when in the retracted position, magnetically susceptible particles are released and the sleeve is ejected when the magnet is positioned at a point between the protracted and the hyper-protracted position.

Disclosed is an apparatus for enhancing filtration. Enhanced filtration is promoted via the eccentric movement of charged particles within a defined space. This eccentric movement causes the charged particles to collide and conglomerate. The conglomeration, in turn, improves the efficiency of downstream filer media.

A system for removing dust from the air includes a dust-removing system inlet, a dust-removing system outlet and an electric field apparatus. The electric field apparatus has an electric field apparatus inlet, an electric field apparatus outlet, a dust-removing electric field cathode and a dust-removing electric field anode. The dust-removing electric field cathode and the dust-removing electric field anode are used to generate an ionizing electric field for dust removal. The system for removing dust from the air can effectively remove particulates in the air.

An air dust removal system (101) includes a dust removal system inlet, a dust removal system outlet, and an electric field device (1014). The electric field device (1014) has an electric field device inlet (1011), an electric field device outlet, a dust removal electric field cathode (10142), and a dust removal electric field anode (10141). The dust removal electric field cathode (10142) and the dust removal electric field anode (10141) generates an ionizing dust removal electric field. The dust removal electric field anode (10141) has a first anode portion (101412) and a second anode portion (101411). The first anode portion (101412) is close to the inlet of the electric field device (1014), and the second anode portion (101411) is close to the outlet of the electric field device (1014). At least one insulating mechanism (1015) is provided between the first anode portion (101412) and the second anode portion (101411).

A system for removing dust from air (101) includes a dust removal system inlet (1011), a dust removal system outlet, and an electric field apparatus (1014). The electric field apparatus (1014) has an electric field apparatus inlet (3085), an electric field apparatus outlet (3088), a dust removal electric field cathode (3081) and a dust removal electric field anode (3082). The dust removal electric field cathode (3081) and the dust removal electric field anode (3082) are used to generate an ionization dust removal electric field. By means of the present system for removing dust from air (101), particulate matter can be effectively removed from air.

Method for detecting the presence or absence of a biological or chemical substance in a particular sample mixed with a suspension with functionalized magnetic particles, comprising: providing a light source and detector, providing a constant magnetic force perpendicular to the light's propagation direction by applying a constant magnetic field gradient, and with an absolute value which is higher than 0.1 T and measuring the change of the magnetic particle's suspension transparency versus time and comparing it with the time-variation in absence of the targeted biological or chemical substance. The method of the invention allows monitoring the transparency irrespective of the emitted wavelength and particle's optical properties.

Microfluidic devices are described that include a microfluidic channel, a first array of one or more magnets above the microfluidic channel, each magnet in the first array having a magnetic pole orientation opposite to a magnetic pole orientation of an adjacent magnet in the first array, and a second array of one or more magnets beneath the microfluidic channel, each magnet in the second array having a magnetic pole orientation opposite to a magnetic pole orientation of an adjacent magnet in the second array. The first array is aligned with respect to the second array such that magnetic fields emitted by the first array and second array generate a magnetic flux gradient profile extending through the channel. An absolute value of the profile includes a first maximum and a second maximum that bound a local minimum. The local minimum is located within the microfluidic channel or less than 5 mm away from a wall of the microfluidic channel. Methods of using the new devices are also described.

A separation and collection device for cells and biomolecules includes an annular tube and several magnetic beads configured to identify and bind with different cells or molecules in the biological sample. The annular tube defines a through hole for the biological sample to exit. Sizes of different groups of magnetic beads are different. An aperture size of a through hole is changeable such that the plurality of groups of magnetic beads can flow through the through hole in a certain order. A testing system including the separation and collection device is further disclosed.