WiSys: T05014US
Nanoscale Corona Discharge Electrode

INVENTORS

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Junhong Chen

Corona discharge is a process by which an electric field near a discharge electrode ionizes air to produce an electrical current between two electrodes. It has many industrial applications, including manufacturing ozone, scrubbing air particles in air-conditioning systems, removing unwanted volatile organics, and photocopying. But electrostatic photocopiers and other office machines that utilize corona discharge produce small amounts of ozone, which can be a health hazard. Current techniques to reduce ozone production and power consumption employ wire electrodes with radii as small as one micrometer; however, the ability to further decrease wire size is limited by practical considerations of wire strength and durability. This invention describes the use of nanotubes and other nano-objects as corona discharge electrodes. A metal wire or plate, or other conductive substrate can be coated with nanostructures, such as carbon nanotubes, to produce a robust discharge electrode with a small radius of curvature. These novel corona ion sources provide high ion concentration and high charging efficiency with minimal ozone production.

Useful in indoor air cleaners, photocopiers, printers, and nanofabricators

• Extremely small (less than 100 nanometers) electrode radii
• Low ozone production
• Saves energy—can be operated with a lower corona discharge initiation voltage
• Produces high ion concentration
• High charging efficiency
• Improved resistance to erosion
• Simple to fabricate
• Provides a flexible electrode design to fit particular applications

For current licensing status, please contact our team at [email protected] or phone 608.263.2500. (Clicking this link will open a contact form in a popup window. If you have problems viewing the form, try disabling your popup blocker software.)