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.

The present invention relates to an electrostatic filter and film for pathogen inactivation, and furthermore, to a method for manufacturing the electrostatic filter and film for pathogen inactivation. The present invention relates to an electrostatic filter and film for pathogen inactivation using large-area charge injection into graphene, and using the graphene having improved charge retention ability.

The present invention relates to an electrostatic filter and film for pathogen inactivation, and furthermore, to a method for manufacturing the electrostatic filter and film for pathogen inactivation. The present invention relates to an electrostatic filter and film for pathogen inactivation using large-area charge injection into graphene, and using the graphene having improved charge retention ability.

A gas filter that includes a filter medium configured to filter a gas flow propagating from an upstream facing side through the filter medium to a downstream facing side. The filter medium includes a capacitor with a first electrode, a second electrode, and a dielectric medium. The gas filter also includes a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact such that the first electrical contact is electrically connected via a first resistor to a branching point and the second electrical contact is electrically connected via a second resistor the same branching point. Further, the first electrode is preferably electrically connected to such branching point and the second electrode is preferably electrically connected to the second electrical contact.

A gas filter that includes a filter medium configured to filter a gas flow propagating from an upstream facing side through the filter medium to a downstream facing side. The filter medium includes a capacitor with a first electrode, a second electrode, and a dielectric medium. The gas filter also includes a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact such that the first electrical contact is electrically connected via a first resistor to a branching point and the second electrical contact is electrically connected via a second resistor the same branching point. Further, the first electrode is preferably electrically connected to such branching point and the second electrode is preferably electrically connected to the second electrical contact.

Electronic air cleaners for use in heating, air-conditioning, and ventilation (HVAC) systems and associated methods and systems are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an electronic air cleaner includes one or more collecting electrodes having a collection material with a porous, open-cell structure and a conductive internal portion. The collection material can be configured to collect and receive charged particulate matter in an airflow path. After a period of time, used collection material can be removed from individual collecting electrodes and replaced with new collection material.

Electronic air cleaners for use in heating, air-conditioning, and ventilation (HVAC) systems and associated methods and systems are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an electronic air cleaner includes one or more collecting electrodes having a collection material with a porous, open-cell structure and a conductive internal portion. The collection material can be configured to collect and receive charged particulate matter in an airflow path. After a period of time, used collection material can be removed from individual collecting electrodes and replaced with new collection material.

Example approaches are directed to an apparatus for reducing smoke created by a surgical instrument in a procedure, e.g., as part of a surgical system. The apparatus may include an insulating vessel and a flexible printed circuit disposed within the vessel, with the vessel including an inlet and an outlet. The flexible printed circuit includes a substrate layer and a conductive layer disposed on the substrate. The conductive layer includes two charge conducting portions or electrodes having opposite electrical charges, which are spaced apart by an electrically insulated portion. The charge conducting portions are positioned between the inlet and outlet of the vessel such that particles entering the inlet are electrically charged and drawn to one of the charge conducting portions.

Example approaches are directed to an apparatus for reducing smoke created by a surgical instrument in a procedure, e.g., as part of a surgical system. The apparatus may include an insulating vessel and a flexible printed circuit disposed within the vessel, with the vessel including an inlet and an outlet. The flexible printed circuit includes a substrate layer and a conductive layer disposed on the substrate. The conductive layer includes two charge conducting portions or electrodes having opposite electrical charges, which are spaced apart by an electrically insulated portion. The charge conducting portions are positioned between the inlet and outlet of the vessel such that particles entering the inlet are electrically charged and drawn to one of the charge conducting portions.