Provided are purification systems and methods of using such systems for purifying various environments, such as indoor air, outdoor air, vehicle emissions, and industrial emissions. A purification system comprises an ionizing purifier having a substrate and an active coating. The active coating comprises a pyroelectric and/or piezoelectric material. During the operation, an incoming stream is directed toward the active coating while controlling the average pressure exerting on the active coating. This contact between the incoming stream and the active coating generates negative ions from components of the incoming stream via change in temperature and pressure/force/vibration, etc. The negative ions then interact with pollutants, transforming them into safe, purified materials of the outgoing stream. Unlike the pollutants in the incoming stream, the purified materials are non-harmful, and/or can be easily removed from the outgoing stream, e.g., by filtering and/or other separation techniques.

A method of making a fluorinated fibrous web, which method includes providing a nonwoven web 22 that contains polymeric fibers, creating a plasma that contains fluorine atoms at a first location 14, and contacting the nonwoven web with products from the plasma at a second location 26 remote from the first location 14. The method avoids exposure of the web to the plasma and hence expands the manufacturing processing window. Webs so fluorinated have a different C.sub.3F.sub.4H.sup.+ to C.sub.2F.sub.5.sup.+ ratio when compared to locally fluorinated webs having similar levels of surface fluorination. The remote fluorinated webs can be subsequently charged electrically to provide a good performing electret filter 40 suitable for use in an air purifying respirator 30. Webs fluorinated in accordance with this invention also may exhibit good performance even after being aged at high temperatures.

A method of making a fluorinated fibrous web, which method includes providing a nonwoven web 22 that contains polymeric fibers, creating a plasma that contains fluorine atoms at a first location 14, and contacting the nonwoven web with products from the plasma at a second location 26 remote from the first location 14. The method avoids exposure of the web to the plasma and hence expands the manufacturing processing window. Webs so fluorinated have a different C.sub.3F.sub.4H.sup.+ to C.sub.2F.sub.5.sup.+ ratio when compared to locally fluorinated webs having similar levels of surface fluorination. The remote fluorinated webs can be subsequently charged electrically to provide a good performing electret filter 40 suitable for use in an air purifying respirator 30. Webs fluorinated in accordance with this invention also may exhibit good performance even after being aged at high temperatures.

An atmospheric water harvesting apparatus includes a post, a water capturing unit, a drive bearing, a motor, a water collecting member, and a power source. The water capturing unit comprises a cylindric wall. The cylindric wall is positioned concentrically with the post. The cylindric wall comprises an inner surface and an outer surface. The cylindric wall forms an air passageway having an air inlet and an air outlet. The inner surface of the cylindric wall is coated with a layer of triboelectric material. The drive bearing is rotatably mounted about the post. The drive bearing is provided with a plurality of radial bars. The water collecting member is located beneath the water capturing unit to collect water captured by the water capturing unit. The power source is electrically connected to the motor.

An atmospheric water harvesting apparatus includes a post, a water capturing unit, a drive bearing, a motor, a water collecting member, and a power source. The water capturing unit comprises a cylindric wall. The cylindric wall is positioned concentrically with the post. The cylindric wall comprises an inner surface and an outer surface. The cylindric wall forms an air passageway having an air inlet and an air outlet. The inner surface of the cylindric wall is coated with a layer of triboelectric material. The drive bearing is rotatably mounted about the post. The drive bearing is provided with a plurality of radial bars. The water collecting member is located beneath the water capturing unit to collect water captured by the water capturing unit. The power source is electrically connected to the motor.

A compressed air drier includes a support base, a desiccant cartridge coupled to the support base, and a case that covers the cartridge and is coupled to the support base. The support base includes an inlet for compressed air from a compressor, an outlet for the compressed air, and a discharge port for oil and water including a drain valve device. An electrically charged oil adsorbent is accommodated between the cartridge and the case. The cartridge is filled with a desiccant. The compressed air drier dries the compressed air entering the inlet with the desiccant during a loading operation, collects the dried compressed air in the case, and discharges the dried compressed air from the outlet. The compressed air drier passes the compressed air in the case through the cartridge during an unloading operation to discharge oil and water from the discharge port.

A compressed air drier includes a support base, a desiccant cartridge coupled to the support base, and a case that covers the cartridge and is coupled to the support base. The support base includes an inlet for compressed air from a compressor, an outlet for the compressed air, and a discharge port for oil and water including a drain valve device. An electrically charged oil adsorbent is accommodated between the cartridge and the case. The cartridge is filled with a desiccant. The compressed air drier dries the compressed air entering the inlet with the desiccant during a loading operation, collects the dried compressed air in the case, and discharges the dried compressed air from the outlet. The compressed air drier passes the compressed air in the case through the cartridge during an unloading operation to discharge oil and water from the discharge port.

The invention relates to an air filter for an air treatment system of a vehicle and method for manufacturing such an air filter (1), the air filter (1) comprising at least one foam filter element (2), wherein the foam filter material is or comprises a material with inherent electrostatic triboelectric charging characteristics, and to a method for manufacturing such an air filter.

The invention relates to an air filter for an air treatment system of a vehicle and method for manufacturing such an air filter (1), the air filter (1) comprising at least one foam filter element (2), wherein the foam filter material is or comprises a material with inherent electrostatic triboelectric charging characteristics, and to a method for manufacturing such an air filter.

Provided are purification systems and methods of using such systems for purifying various environments, such as indoor air, outdoor air, vehicle emissions, and industrial emissions. A purification system comprises an ionizing purifier having a substrate and an active coating. The active coating comprises a pyroelectric and/or piezoelectric material. During the operation, an incoming stream is directed toward the active coating while controlling the average pressure exerting on the active coating. This contact between the incoming stream and the active coating generates negative ions from components of the incoming stream via change in temperature and pressure/force/vibration, etc. The negative ions then interact with pollutants, transforming them into safe, purified materials of the outgoing stream. Unlike the pollutants in the incoming stream, the purified materials are non-harmful, and/or can be easily removed from the outgoing stream, e.g., by filtering and/or other separation techniques.