The device uses pulsed electric fields to prevent the growth of biofilm and the attachment of bacteria to targeted surfaces. The device sets up an electric field around or surrounding the surface itself. These pulsed electric fields disrupt biofilm formation and bacterial attachment to surfaces. The device is meant to prevent the formation of biofilm or attachment of bacteria to a surface as opposed to disinfecting the surface. The device is able and ideally suited to be used for a plurality of purposes including but not limited to being used with beer lines to taps, ice makers, chillers or other HVAC systems, and containers for storing medical equipment such as dentures or other medical devices that may be stored in water.

An acoustic apparatus and method for using a combination of low-frequency and high-frequency vibration of dried food, grain being an example, such that there are a large number of collisions among the individual grain particles for destroying microorganisms that reside on the surface or just below the surface of the grain, are described. Embodiments of the invention permit bulk and continuous processing of the food. It is expected that such collisions do not produce any chemical changes in the food, nor should it have any adverse effects on the taste thereof. Embodiments of the apparatus are applicable to destruction of airborne microorganisms.

An electric field generating device includes an electrode and a voltage applying device that applies a voltage to the electrode. The electric field generating device is configured to generate an electric field in an indoor space of a container. The electric field generating device is provided with a supporting member that supports the electrode to be movable between a predetermined use position at which an electric field can be generated in the indoor space of the container and a predetermined housing position that differs from the use position, and a fixing member that fixes the electrode immovably at the use position.

A method to freeze items includes placing an item to be frozen in a freeze chamber of a blast freezer and freezing the item. The method includes applying a pulsed electrostatic field to the item for one or more time intervals while freezing the item. The method may further include, in response to application of the pulsed electrostatic field to the item: alternately pulling charged particles within the item in opposing directions and alternately accumulating charges on a surface of the item opposite to the pulsed electrostatic field. The method may further include creating microscopic ultrasonic vibrations on the surface of the item in response to the alternate pulling and accumulating. The method may further include transmitting the microscopic ultrasonic vibrations internally into the item to inhibit formation of ice crystals within the item during the freezing.

A method to freeze items includes placing an item to be frozen in a freeze chamber of a blast freezer and freezing the item. The method includes applying a pulsed electrostatic field to the item for one or more time intervals while freezing the item. The method may further include, in response to application of the pulsed electrostatic field to the item: alternately pulling charged particles within the item in opposing directions and alternately accumulating charges on a surface of the item opposite to the pulsed electrostatic field. The method may further include creating microscopic ultrasonic vibrations on the surface of the item in response to the alternate pulling and accumulating. The method may further include transmitting the microscopic ultrasonic vibrations internally into the item to inhibit formation of ice crystals within the item during the freezing.

A storage device includes a potential generator; and a compartment for determining a storage space formed around a discharging electrode of the potential generator. The potential generator includes a transformer that is composed of a primary coil and a secondary coil; a feedback control circuit that feeds back one terminal of the secondary coil to one terminal of the primary coil to adjust a voltage of the secondary coil; an output control portion that is provided on the other terminal of the secondary coil to impart a predetermined low frequency vibration to an output of the secondary coil which causes the discharging electrode physically vibrates; and the discharging electrode that is formed of a conductive material and provided on the other terminal of the secondary coil via the output control portion. A vibration frequency of the low frequency vibration applied is 40 Hz to 60 Hz which is determined by the output control portion.

A fryer includes a potential generator; and an oil tub installed with a discharging electrode of the potential generator. The potential generator includes a transformer that is composed of a primary coil and a secondary coil; a feedback control circuit that feeds back one terminal of the secondary coil to one terminal of the primary coil to adjust a voltage of the secondary coil; an output control portion that is provided on the other terminal of the secondary coil to impart a predetermined low frequency vibration to an output of the secondary coil which causes the discharging electrode physically vibrates;

and the discharging electrode that is formed of a conductive material and provided on the other terminal of the secondary coil via the output control portion. A vibration frequency of the low frequency vibration applied is 40 Hz to 60 Hz which is determined by the output control portion.

A sterilization film is configured to generate atmospheric pressure plasma. The sterilization film includes a flexible dielectric barrier film, upper and lower electrode layers, which are respectively provided on top and bottom surfaces of the dielectric barrier film, and a lower protection layer, which encloses an exposed surface of the lower electrode layer and is formed of a dielectric material. The upper electrode layer includes a thin-plate shaped upper electrode and an upper pad, which is electrically connected to the upper electrode to provide an electrical connection path to an outside. The lower electrode layer includes a lower electrode, which is provided in a porous screen structure with through holes, and a lower pad providing an electrical connection path to the lower electrode. The upper and lower pads are electrically connected to an external power and are used to generate plasma near the porous screen structure.

An apparatus for heating foods comprises a supporting structure, a treatment zone designed to receive at least one food product to be heated, a radio frequency dielectric heating system, a system for moderating the temperature of at least one surface of the food product during heating. The temperature moderating system comprises at least one fluid container intended to be interposed between an electrode of the dielectric heating system and a surface of the food product received in the treatment zone. During use of the apparatus, the radio frequency dielectric heating system supplies energy to the food product in the treatment zone, the at least one fluid container receives thermal energy from the surface of the food product, a fluid circulates in the at least one fluid container between the infeed and the outfeed for removing at least part of the thermal energy received.

A space potential generator includes a transformer formed by magnetically connecting a primary coil and a secondary coil, a feedback control circuit feeding back one terminal of the secondary coil to one terminal of the primary coil to adjust voltage of the secondary coil, an output control portion provided on the other terminal of the secondary coil to impart low frequency vibration to an output of the secondary coil, a static electricity discharger formed of conductive material and provided on the other terminal of the secondary coil via the output control portion, the space potential generator does not have a grounding electrode, a weak current flowing through the secondary coil is 0.002 to 0.2 A, the static electricity discharger is covered with an insulating member to discharge predetermined static electricity to surrounding space, and electric field of target voltage is formed in the surrounding space by the discharged static electricity.