Apparatus and methods for selectively transmitting objects of interest from a first reservoir to a second reservoir are disclosed. The apparatus includes electromagnetic focusing apparatus configured to interact with objects of interest to induce a change in a property of the objects of interest so as to increase the probability that the objects of interest through a throat diffusively coupling the first reservoir and the second reservoir.

Apparatus and methods for selectively transmitting objects of interest from a first reservoir to a second reservoir are disclosed. The apparatus includes electromagnetic focusing apparatus configured to interact with objects of interest to induce a change in a property of the objects of interest so as to increase the probability that the objects of interest through a throat diffusively coupling the first reservoir and the second reservoir.

A method for designing one part of an electrostatic separating device of a mixture of different material granules, the method including providing a sorting performance value to be met by the device when at least one predefined mixture is introduced into the device to be sorted, optimizing a value of at least one parameter of the set of parameters relating to the device part by using an optimization technique, the optimization technique including the use of a sorting performance model of the device, and the optimization technique occurring under the constraint that the sorting performed by the device has the given sorting performance value.

A method for designing one part of an electrostatic separating device of a mixture of different material granules, the method including providing a sorting performance value to be met by the device when at least one predefined mixture is introduced into the device to be sorted, optimizing a value of at least one parameter of the set of parameters relating to the device part by using an optimization technique, the optimization technique including the use of a sorting performance model of the device, and the optimization technique occurring under the constraint that the sorting performed by the device has the given sorting performance value.

There is provided a microparticle sorting device that automatically optimizes a fluid stream. There is provided a microparticle sorting device that includes a voltage supply unit that supplies a driving voltage to a vibratory element that applies vibration to an orifice that produces a fluid stream, a charge unit that imparts charge to at least some droplets ejected from the orifice, deflecting plates, arranged opposing each other with the fluid stream S therebetween, that vary a travel direction of the droplets, and a first image sensor that acquires an image of the droplets passing between the deflecting plates. The microparticle sorting device is equipped with a controller that detects the droplets in the image, sets a standard band corresponding to a width of the droplets before imparting the charge, and controls the driving voltage of the voltage supply unit so as to further decrease a quantity of the droplets detected in areas within a designated number of pixels from the standard band from among the droplets after imparting the charge.

There is provided a microparticle sorting device that automatically optimizes a fluid stream. There is provided a microparticle sorting device that includes a voltage supply unit that supplies a driving voltage to a vibratory element that applies vibration to an orifice that produces a fluid stream, a charge unit that imparts charge to at least some droplets ejected from the orifice, deflecting plates, arranged opposing each other with the fluid stream S therebetween, that vary a travel direction of the droplets, and a first image sensor that acquires an image of the droplets passing between the deflecting plates. The microparticle sorting device is equipped with a controller that detects the droplets in the image, sets a standard band corresponding to a width of the droplets before imparting the charge, and controls the driving voltage of the voltage supply unit so as to further decrease a quantity of the droplets detected in areas within a designated number of pixels from the standard band from among the droplets after imparting the charge.

An apparatus for separating the main component constituting a raw material from impurities includes: a raw material supply unit for supplying a raw material; a charging unit for charging the raw material supplied from the raw material supply unit; an electrostatic sorting unit for sorting the raw material, which has been charged by the charging unit, according to polarity; and a storage unit for collecting the raw material sorted by and falling from the electrostatic sorting unit, wherein the charging unit includes a charging chamber having a space therein for charging the raw material supplied from the raw material supply unit, and a charging rotor rotatably provided in the charging chamber, for impacting the raw material supplied from the raw material supply unit by the rotating force, thus effectively separating the impurities such as ash and sulfur contained in a raw material, e.g. coal.

An apparatus for separating the main component constituting a raw material from impurities includes: a raw material supply unit for supplying a raw material; a charging unit for charging the raw material supplied from the raw material supply unit; an electrostatic sorting unit for sorting the raw material, which has been charged by the charging unit, according to polarity; and a storage unit for collecting the raw material sorted by and falling from the electrostatic sorting unit, wherein the charging unit includes a charging chamber having a space therein for charging the raw material supplied from the raw material supply unit, and a charging rotor rotatably provided in the charging chamber, for impacting the raw material supplied from the raw material supply unit by the rotating force, thus effectively separating the impurities such as ash and sulfur contained in a raw material, e.g. coal.

The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for electrostatic separation of trichomes from plant biomass, addressing the limitations of conventional separation techniques. The method relies on differences in electrical properties of trichomes and plant material, utilizing an external electric field. A multi-component electrostatic separation assembly may prepare and separate one or more samples, thereby incorporating a dispensing component, a pipeline component, and a separation chamber comprising at least one electrode assembly. Moreover, the present invention may also provide for electrode assemblies that feature self-cleaning mechanisms.

The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for electrostatic separation of trichomes from plant biomass, addressing the limitations of conventional separation techniques. The method relies on differences in electrical properties of trichomes and plant material, utilizing an external electric field. A multi-component electrostatic separation assembly may prepare and separate one or more samples, thereby incorporating a dispensing component, a pipeline component, and a separation chamber comprising at least one electrode assembly. Moreover, the present invention may also provide for electrode assemblies that feature self-cleaning mechanisms.