An electrostatic atomizer (100) includes: a spray electrode (1); a reference electrode (2); a current control section (24) for controlling a value of a current flowing through the reference electrode (2); and a voltage application section (22) for applying a voltage across the spray electrode (1) and the reference electrode (2), based on the value of the current controlled by the current control section (24), the reference electrode (2) having a tip whose shape has a specific curvature radius.

An electrostatic atomizer (100) includes: a spray electrode (1); a reference electrode (2); a current control section (24) for controlling a value of a current flowing through the reference electrode (2); and a voltage application section (22) for applying a voltage across the spray electrode (1) and the reference electrode (2), based on the value of the current controlled by the current control section (24), the reference electrode (2) having a tip whose shape has a specific curvature radius.

A system capable of depositing a matrix film containing a low amount of impurities (e.g. neutral particles) is provided. The system includes: a first plate electrode 120 having an attachment surface on which a sample plate P is to be attached; a second plate electrode 130 arranged so as to face the attachment surface; a nozzle 110 for spraying a liquid containing a matrix substance into the space between the two electrodes 120 and 130 by an electrospray method, the nozzle 110 arranged so that none of the electrodes 120 and 130 lies on the central axis A of a spray flow of the liquid; and an electric field creator 140 for creating, between the two electrodes 120 and 130, an electric field for forcing electrically charged droplets contained in the spray flow of the liquid containing the matrix substance to move toward the attachment surface.

A method for controlling fiber cross-alignment in a nanofiber membrane, comprising: providing a multiple segment collector in an electrospinning device including a first and second segment electrically isolated from an intermediate segment positioned between the first and second segment, collectively presenting a cylindrical structure, rotating the cylindrical structure around a longitudinal axis proximate to an electrically charged fiber emitter; electrically grounding or charging edge conductors circumferentially resident on the first and second segment, maintaining intermediate collector electrically neutral; dispensing electrospun fiber toward the collector, the fiber attaching to edge conductors and spanning the separation space between edge conductors; attracting electrospun fiber attached to the edge conductors to the surface of the cylindrical structure, forming a first fiber layer; increasing or decreasing rotation speed of the cylindrical structure to alter the angular cross-alignment relationship between aligned nanofibers in adjacent layers, the rotation speed being altered to achieve a target relational angle.

A portable, hand-held electrospinning or electrospraying device and system, method, and portions thereof are described. Such device can be for electrospinning or electrospraying a predetermined solution toward a deposit surface. The device can have a durable portion, a semi-durable portion, and a consumable portion. The consumable portion can be received and held by the semi-durable portion, and the semi-durable portion holding the consumable portion can be removably coupled to the durable portion.

The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for impregnating an item, preferably a garment such as a coat, a jacket, a shirt or a pair of trousers, optionally other fabric-like textile such as tents, tarpaulins, hoods for vehicles or vessels. The apparatus comprises an inner support for supporting the garment or other fabric-like textile. The inner support has an electrically conducting surface and an electrically conducting outer cover for covering the garment or other fabric-like textile when supported by the inner support. The apparatus also comprises means for applying an electro static field between the electrically conducting surface of the inner support and the electrically conducting outer cover, and nozzles for providing an impregnating agent between the electrically conducting surface of the inner support and the electrically conducting outer cover, from the outer cover towards the garment or other fabric-like textile.

A modular apparatus for coating glass articles with a chemical compound includes a coating hood section (10a) including a series of interconnected walls (12) defining an interior chamber (18, 20a, 20b) having an inlet (32) and an outlet (44), a blower (24) positioned at least partially in the interior chamber (18, 20a, 20b) to carry air from the inlet (32) towards the outlet (44); and a connector (50) for connecting the coating hood section (10a) to an identical coating hood section (10b). The connector (50) for connecting being defined on at least one of the interconnected walls (12) of the coating hood section (10a).

A modular apparatus for coating glass articles with a chemical compound includes a coating hood section (10a) including a series of interconnected walls (12) defining an interior chamber (18, 20a, 20b) having an inlet (32) and an outlet (44), a blower (24) positioned at least partially in the interior chamber (18, 20a, 20b) to carry air from the inlet (32) towards the outlet (44); and a connector (50) for connecting the coating hood section (10a) to an identical coating hood section (10b). The connector (50) for connecting being defined on at least one of the interconnected walls (12) of the coating hood section (10a).

An apparatus and methods are provided for a remotely operable sanitation sprayer for quickly disinfecting large indoor spaces. The sanitation sprayer includes a body supported by drive wheels and one or more casters. The drive wheels are configured to rotate at different speeds to steer the sanitation sprayer. A boom comprising a generally elongate member is vertically coupled with the body. Nozzles disposed along the length of the boom are configured to disperse a disinfectant into the indoor space. The nozzles are of an electrostatic variety configured to electrostatically charge the disinfectant exiting the sanitation sprayer. The sanitation sprayer further includes electronic equipment for remotely operating the sanitation sprayer. A front of the sanitation sprayer may be equipped with one or more cameras and sensors that facilitate detecting nearby objects. The cameras and sensors may be configured provide a first-person view to a practitioner remotely operating the sanitation sprayer.

Provided is a thermal spraying apparatus that forms a film on a target by thermally spraying a conductive powder by plasma, the thermal spraying apparatus including: a first electrode provided with a first cavity through which the conductive powder from a powder supplier passes; and a second electrode provided with a second cavity through which the conductive powder from the first electrode passes, in which the plasma is generated between the first electrode and the second electrode.