Abstract:
Photocatalysts, electrets, and hydrophobic surfaces are geometrically integrated to achieve a self-cleaning air filter, fabric, or surface. This can be incorporated into surfaces and apparel to wick, disinfect, deodorize, and clean their surfaces with the action of the photocatalyst, water, and light on absorbed chemicals, bacteria, funguses, viruses, and particulates. The photocatalysts can be electrically connected to achieve electro-osmotic control and electrical energy output. This leads to protection from chemicals, bacteria, funguses, viruses, and greater humidity control and comfort in apparel, structures, air cleaners, and in particular, eyewear.

Description:
[0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/547,073, filed Feb. 25, 2004. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     In apparel there is a need to deodorize, disinfect, and ventilate. Apparel such as eyewear, shoes, socks, gloves, jackets, and hats. The human body emits dead skin, oils, bacteria, viruses, blood, sweat, and moisture. Typically, apparel needs to be able to remove the moisture, thermally insulate the user, and shield the user from contaminants and light. From the surrounding environment apparel comes in contact with a wide host of contaminants such as oils, ammonia, hydrocarbon, aromatic hydrocarbons, water, salts, dirt, bacteria, viruses, and funguses. The warm moist conditions of the human in apparel such as face gaskets of goggles on a human head in the air intakes and outlet vents, and the head strap, can be ideal areas for sustenance and growth of bacteria, fungus colonies, and preservation of viruses. The residence and growth of bacteria and fungus colonies can lead to generation of odors in the apparel. The presence of the bacteria, funguses, and viruses can lead to the spreading of infections over the wearer&#39;s body and can lead to transmission of infections in contact with other people or animals.  
         [0003]     It has been found that photocatalysts such as titanium dioxide can break down and oxidize organic compounds that become absorbed on the surface of the photocatalysts with the blue light photons above 3.2 eV in energy, and in the presence of oxygen and water. These photocatalysts also destroy bacteria, funguses, and viruses that are in contact with the photocatalyst. The photocatalyst reaction and effectiveness is greatly increased if water is present on the surface of the photocatalyst. Relative humidities above 40% are needed for titanium dioxide to achieve this enhancement. The chemical reactivity of the photocatalytic surfaces makes them very hydrophilic. By combining the photocatalysts with apparel that is frequently exposed to sunlight or blue light, a range of self-cleaning and disinfecting properties can be achieved.  
         [0004]     The traditional methods of deodorizing and disinfecting surfaces of apparel are high temperature pasteurization, soap and water washes, immersion in reactive chemicals such as salts, chlorine, or ozone, impregnation and slow emission of biocides such as formaldehyde, irradiation with electrons, or charged particles, x-rays, and UV light.  
         [0005]     Heating the apparel to sterilization temperatures can destroy the product by melting plastic components, or causing the materials to flow, slump, or vaporize.  
         [0006]     Incorporation of these disinfecting techniques such as biocides in clothing can lead to the clothing emitting irritating odors, hazardous to the user, and skin irritation. Leaving an odor from chemicals absorbed in the apparel can also make the apparel more detectable by animals and humans, which is particularly important in warfare and hunting.  
         [0007]     Periodic cleaning is typically done with many apparel products, but it can be inconvenient and an expenditure of excess energy. The washing also interrupts the use of the apparel and can damage its performance by modifying the adhesion or leaving solvents inside the apparel. Hydrophobic or hydrophilic surface properties which are important for water removal can be lost with soap washing. The properties of thermal and electrical insulation can be degraded if water is left in or on their surfaces. The washing process can damage bonding materials such as glues by coating the glues with films and dissolving necessary chemical components.  
         [0008]     Some components such as antifogging coatings are typically water absorbing such that if they are left to soak in water for a long period of time can soften and easily lose adhesion to the lens surfaces. The double lenses in goggles contain air spaces and can be filled with water and chemicals with immersion cleaning. This destroys the transparency and insulation properties of the double lenses. If devices such as electronics, batteries, and fuel cells are incorporated into apparel, coating them with water with reactive chemicals can destroy or degrade their performance typically by shorting the circuitry, thus washing is impractical.  
         [0009]     Incorporation of continuous irradiation or periodic irradiation can be heavy, inconvenient, expensive, and possibly hazardous to the user. The materials such as plastics and rubber can decompose under energetic radiation. The function of the apparel is often to shield the user from ultraviolet light and radiation, thus the interior surfaces of the apparel are protected from the typical sterilization of ultraviolet light, enhancing the suitability for bacteria and fungus growth.  
         [0010]     The conditions of high humidity, warmth, and body contact in eyewear make them ideal for maintaining and supporting, bacteria, funguses, and viruses. Odors that are absorbed into the eyewear are more noticeable because they are in close proximity to the nose of the user. The close contact of the eyewear with the body and near the eyes, nose, and mouth make them well situated to spread or maintain infections and irritate the user.  
         [0011]     The traditional method of disinfecting these surfaces is to immerse them in chemical washes such as chlorinated water, sodium hypochlorite (bleach), soap, and/or water. This can lead to irritating chemicals left on the apparel, decomposition of the apparel, or simply leaving the apparel wet from the rinse water.  
         [0012]     Photocatalysts have been known for their properties to deodorize and disinfect for some time. Their properties of wetting and water interaction are also documented. An additional effect of a photocatalyst is the surface free energy is high after creating active chemicals on the surface of the photocatalyst leading to high adhesion (high surface free energy). Photocatalytic surfaces would be expected to be hydrophilic. Water adhesion gradients have also been utilized to demonstrate the manipulation of water on surfaces and can be used to move liquid water beyond simply capillary action of wicks.  
         [0013]     The properties of forming high surface area surfaces to enhance the water adhesion effects have been utilized in materials such as shaping polyester fibers to provide water wicking channels in products such as Cool Max® (DuPont Corp., 1007 Market Street, Wilmington, Del., 19898). The properties of electrets and electrostatic filtration have been utilized in air filtration systems.  
         [0014]     Some examples of water adhesion gradients and self cleaning surfaces observed in certain systems of plants, such as the lotus flower, and strawberry leaves, have a highly hydrophobic surface due to hydrophobic surface hairs. These surfaces have the effect of removing dust when water droplets strike the surface and carry the dust away in the water droplets.  
         [0000]     Conventional Devices  
         [0015]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,690,922 Motoya Mouri, et al., “Deoderizable Fiber and Method of Producing the Same”. This patent describes impregnation of fibers with phosphate of trivalent metal hydroxide of a divalent metal and photocatalysts with fibers to give apparel disinfecting and deodorizing properties. This patent mentions adding anti-static agents to the fibers. It does not mention the use of the photocatalysts on non-cloth surfaces or wicking properties. It does not mention using the photocatalysts in conjunction with electret properties.  
         [0016]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,592,858 B1 Honda, et al., “Fiber Structure Having Deodorizing or Antibacterial Property”. This patent describes a complex fiber structure that is coated with photocatalyst oxides to achieve deodorant, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-soiling properties. This patent also uses silicone oxides with the photocatalysts and the use of zeolites with the photocatalysts. The photocatalyst oxides are attached to the fibers with a variety of resins, such as alkyl silicate resins, silicone resins, and fluororesins. This patent mentions sweat and water absorption properties of the binders. It does not mention electrostatic properties of the binders or photocatalysts.  
         [0017]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,685,891 B2 George Benda, et al., “Apparatus and Method for Purifying Air”. Air filtration is described with thermal air flow convection from the lamp-illuminated catalyst to drive an air deodorizer and filter. Humidification above 40% relative humidity and 30% if doped relative humidity, is described to produces hydroxyl ions that kill bacteria. A small water reservoir and wicking of water or other humidification means to maintain humidity is mentioned as an option. An optional filter to remove larger particulate matter is mentioned. This patent does not mention electrostatics or applications to apparel.  
         [0018]     US patent application, Publication No. 2003/0180200 A1, Brad Reisfeld, “Combined Particle Filter and Purifier”. This patent about air filtration describes a combined mechanical filtration, deodorization, and periodically washed or disposed of filter for air conditioning and heating systems. This patent does not mention hydrophilic or hydrophobic properties, wicking of water, or electrostatics.  
         [0019]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,620,385 B2 Fuji Toishikai, “Method and Apparatus for Purifying a Gas Containing Contaminants”. This patent uses two separate components: a photocatalyst section for decomposing gaseous contaminants, and a HEPA filter using electrets for filtering airborne particles. Toishikai describes the range of suitable photocatalysts, the convertible contaminants, and poisons of the photocatalysts. Electrostatic charging and attraction and trapping hydrocarbon particulates are described to filter particulates. The HEPA filter with the electrets are separate from the photocatalytic section of the system. This patent does not mention hydrophilic or hydrophobic properties, wicking of water, using water to clean, or enhancing the photocatalytic surfaces.  
         [0020]     US Patent application, Publication No. US 2003/0179476 A1, Kohayaski Masaki, et al., “Anti-Fogging Element and Method for Forming the Same”. This patent uses the wetting properties of the photocatalyst to form an anti-fogging surface by using photocatalyst and solid polymer paint. This patent describes a method of forming the antifogging coating with the photocatalysts at 200° C. It does not mention hydrophilic gradients, anti bacterial, or electrostatic properties.  
         [0021]     US Patent application, Publication No. US 2002/0016250 A1, Hayakawa Makoto, et al., “Method for Photocatalytically Rendering a Surface of a Substrate Super Hydrophilic, a Substrate With a Super Hydrophilic Photocatalytic Surface, and Method of Making Thereof”. This patent describes photocatalytic surfaces that are self-cleaning when surfaces are subjected to rainfall. This patent mentions fogging of eyeglass lenses and the purpose of the wetting film as an antifogging agent. They found the coating thickness of the order of several nanometers is sufficient to render the surface super hydrophobic. This patent describes using the coating to spread water over heat exchanger surfaces to prevent water condensate from blocking fluid flow heat transfer. This patent does not mention hydrophilic gradients, anti-bacterial, or electrostatic properties.  
         [0022]     In these references there is no teaching, description or any motivation for using a photocatalyst in conjunction with electrets in apparel.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0023]     The present invention addresses the shortcomings described above and provides a unique solution to the long-standing problems. The invention combines and optimizes several physical functions into components to achieve the desired effect. This invention incorporates photocatalysts, water adhesion difference surfaces, and electrets to enhance, filter, water wick, disinfect, and deodorize eyewear, air cleaners, and apparel products.  
         [0024]     Our research on electrets, which often are also highly hydrophobic materials (polypropylene and silicon rubber), shows that particles that are attracted to them can be removed by water. This is because in the immediate vicinity of the water droplet the electric field is reduced by the inverse of the high dielectric constant of the water (dielectric constant of water is 78 compared to 1 of air at 25° C.), reducing the electric field. The particulate&#39;s surface energy is reduced by wetting and incorporation into the water droplet and draws the particulates into the water droplets. Once the water and particles are removed the electric field is restored.  
         [0025]     This invention uniquely combines the photocatalyst and electret effects to advantageously create a system for use within eyewear, air cleaners, and apparel items that helps manage gas exchange, liquid water, particulates, deodorize, disinfect, and create the desired comfort to a user.  
         [0026]     In our co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/317,065, “Non-Fogging Goggles”, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, we point out that a water-absorbing surface is needed to wet surfaces of the goggles to attract and wick water. We describe using a solid polymer electrolyte as the surface wetting agent. We did not describe photocatalytic properties of the coatings or ionic drag through the coatings.  
         [0027]     In our co-pending U.S. patent application No. 60/416,271, “Electrostatic Filtered Eyewear”, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, we use electrets and electrostatics to filter and hold dust, bacteria, viruses, and funguses. We did not describe photocatalysts used in conjunction with the electrets.  
         [0028]     Photocatalysts such as titanium oxide are incorporated into the surfaces of apparel products such a goggles to decompose and oxidize absorbed chemicals on the photocatalyst surfaces with absorption of light with sufficient energy to generate and electron hole pair in the photocatalyst. The electron hole pair leads to decomposition of surface contact with water and subsequent reactive chemicals on the surface of the photocatalysts. The coated surfaces also can function as air filters, air vents, wicking surfaces, protective covers, layers, over underlying materials, and act as ultraviolet light protective filters for the underlying materials and body.  
         [0029]     The photocatalysts are hydrophilic surfaces and can be incorporated with hydrophobic layers or adjacent surfaces to act as a water-moving route due to a water adhesion gradient between the two surfaces. The photocatalyst surfaces are also incorporated with an electret or electrostatic charging system to attract and hold dust, bacteria, funguses, and viruses and then subsequently be moved by water on the water adhesion gradient to the photocatalyst surface with the high adhesion to be destroyed by the photocatalytic process.  
         [0030]     The photocatalytic surfaces have high water adhesion (surface free energy) due to the production of surface charge on the photocatalyst and the subsequent creation of reactive chemicals on the surface. Oil deposits, that typically will make ambient surfaces hydrophobic, are removed from the surface by the photocatalytic process thus maintaining the surface hydrophilic in nature. This ability to wet can be used advantageously to wet surfaces such as the interior of air vents in goggles to allow condensed water to be wicked away from the vents and out to the perimeter of the goggles.  
         [0031]     For the photocatalysts to be effective in the apparel they are located where they can capture the contaminants and receive light and moisture. In the goggle application the photocatalyst coating is on the outer edges of air vents. The geometry and application of the photocatalytic deposits can be coordinated with the hydrophobic and electrostatic areas of the vent in the goggles or apparel to achieve filtration, water removal, and disinfecting decomposition function.  
         [0032]     The photocatalyst particles or coating can be imbedded in the surface of the apparel or in a layer within the product while still being accessible by the effective electron hole pair creating photons. Coating a single component such as an air vent or porous membrane with zones of hydrophobic, electret, and photocatalyst can achieve the self-cleaning effects. The photocatalysts protect the hydrophobic surfaces from contaminants that can alter their water adhesion and reduce their hydrophobicity.  
         [0033]     The surfaces of the electret can be coated with a discontinuous layer of photocatalyst particles that do to not fully shield the electric field of the electret while the particles are still close enough together to effectively make contact with the photocatalyst when particles are attracted to the electret surface. Grooving, printed strips, channels of hydrophobic and hydrophilic layers, weaves of photocatalytic fibers, electret fibers, and wick fibers, and/or the like, may be used to achieve the self-cleaning and anti-fouling behaviors.  
         [0034]     Intimate layers of impregnated fabrics or membranes may be used to achieve the effect. A layering of fabrics for skin contact application such as in a goggle gasket, filters, and in bandages is to have a hydrophobic layer touching the skin or near the skin, while an electret layer and/or a photocatalyst layer is on the outside. To avoid skin irritation from contact with the photocatalyst and to remove water from the surface of the skin, a layering structure is used with the most hydrophobic and less catalytic surface making contact with the skin, while the photocatalysts are on an outside surface.  
         [0035]     The hydrophobic contact is also important in bandages where it is desirable to minimize the sticking of the bandage to the wound. To wash apparel and remove particulate build up on the electrets and the photocatalysts, sweat, condensed water, sprayed water, or flowing liquid water droplets in contact with the electret can pull the particulates away from the electret. This is because water has a dielectric constant of 78 at 25° C. in contrast with air with a dielectric constant of 1, and effectively the water contact drops the electric field by a factor of 78.  
         [0036]     Thus, the electric field is dramatically reduced with the invention and the particles, by water adhesion, are drawn into the water. The water wicks to the outside of the apparel and can be shed with the particles with it. This means the apparel can be self-shedding and anti-fouling, similar to the phenomenon observed of plants able to clean their surfaces with rainwater such as the lotus flower and the strawberry plant leaves.  
         [0037]     Building underlying circuitry and running electricity through the system to achieve ion osmotic drag to move water through or across surfaces is possible. The binding material between the photocatalytic particles can be an electrolyte. Voltages can be applied across the material to actively move water by ionic drag. The electrochemical effects of the photocatalyst can be produced with the applied voltages or enhanced.  
         [0038]     Since the photocatalysts are semiconductors it is even possible to electrically connect them as photovoltaic cells and produce useful electricity. If an electrolyte is present between the photovoltaic cells, or electrodes currents between electrodes, it can move water and sweat via ionic current drag. Small amounts of collected electrical energy can be used to run a clock, radio, liquid crystal displays, or lights, and the like.  
         [0039]     Color change and opacity in the apparel can also be driven by the photovoltaics imbedded in the photocatalytic layer. The photocatalytic layer with underlying electrodes incorporates liquid crystal materials to affect the polarization of light or light emitters that could be used to produce light filtration or useful displays. Printing patterns of photocatalysts can be used to achieve desired color and appearance effects.  
         [0040]     The structure can also have chemical absorbers incorporated in the structure, such as activated charcoal or zeolites, to hold contaminates until that photocatalyst is exposed to blue light and has sufficient humidity to break down the contaminants. In some situations, when the contaminant exposures exceed the photocatalysts&#39; processing rate, the chemical absorbents may act as buffers.  
         [0041]     In low humidity environments and applications when the relative humidity drops below 40%, the performance of the photocatalyst is typically reduced. A moisture source could be heated water, sprayed water, wicking material wetted with water, or a selectively permeable membrane containing liquid or water vapor source. In apparel applications in close proximity to the skin moisture content of the air on the surface of the photocatalyst is typically sufficient to obtain a relative humidity above 40% on the surface of the photocatalyst.  
         [0042]     In applications, such as but not limited to air filters, humidification at the surface of the photocatalyst may be necessary. Selectively permeable membranes such as urethane membranes or silicone membranes can deliver sufficient water vapor to the photocatalyst in a passive and efficient manner and avoid the problem of precipitate build-up that can occur with boiling, spraying, and wicking delivery of moisture. Selectively permeable membranes that are useful for this application are membranes that let only water vapor through while holding back liquid water. Some non-limiting examples are urethane membranes, silicone rubber membranes, porous polypropylene membranes, porous ceramic membranes, and porous polytetrafluroethylene (PTFE) membranes.  
         [0043]     Other applications of this technology are fabrics used and exposed to light sufficient to excite the photocatalysts, with sufficient moisture to activate the photocatalysts, for example, where there is a need for self cleaning, air filtration, clean air exchange, or deodorizing. Some examples are tents, air filters, cat box air cleaners, eyewear, body armor, prosthesis, bandages, gloves, shoes, clothing, furniture, tents, artificial plants, ornamental objects, window curtains, carpets, and vehicle upholstery, wall surfaces, and bulletin boards.  
         [0044]     These and further and other objects and features of the invention are apparent in the disclosure, which includes the above and ongoing written specification, with the claims and the drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0045]      FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of the titanium dioxide coating in a chevron goggle air vent, electret substrate, and hydrophobic zone.  
         [0046]      FIG. 2A  is an interior view of a goggle with hydrophobic, electret, and photocatalytic zones on the lens and face gasket.  
         [0047]      FIG. 2B  is a side view and cut out of a goggle with chevron vent with hydrophobic and electret coatings.  
         [0048]      FIG. 2C  is a bottom view of goggle showing the chevron vents with photocatalytic coating.  
         [0049]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged side cutaway view of the chevron vent showing hydrophobic and electret surfaces in the chevron vent and the lens.  
         [0050]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged view of the interior surface of the lens and face gasket.  
         [0051]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a coated fiber structure of the photocatalyst, electret, and hydrophobic areas.  
         [0052]      FIG. 6  is an exploded cross-sectional view of an air and deodorization filtration system using an artificial light source, and a membrane water vapor delivery system.  
         [0053]      FIG. 7  shows clothing apparel on a human showing the usage areas for a photocatalytic, electret, hydrophobic fabric, or structure.  
         [0054]      FIG. 8  shows an adhesive bandage using a photocatalytic, electret, hydrophobic fabric, or structure. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0055]     In  FIG. 1 a  chevron vent used, for example, in goggles, body armor, or a protected air intake is shown. This vent  1  is formed by molding silicone rubber, polypropylene or polystyrene or a suitable material including metals, composites of metals fibers plastics or rubbers. The silicone rubber, polypropylene, and polystyrene and/or suitable material are electrets  4 . The molded shapes  1  are formed typically to block direct projectiles and allow high air flow rates.  
         [0056]     In the interior of the structure  1  the electret  4  attracts charged particles and dust  106  and holds particulates  107  on the surface of the electret  4 . If the chevron channels  3  are formed out of metal a silicon rubber coating can be applied to the metal component to give the metal an electret layer  4 . A hydrophobic coating  2  such as, for example polytetrafluroethylene (PTFE), is deposited by plasma polymerization on one side of the structure  1 . The hydrophobic coating  2  only penetrates partially into the flow channels  3  of the chevrons  1 .  
         [0057]     On an opposite side of the hydrophobic film  2 , and typically the exterior side of the vent  1 , a photocatalyst  5  such as, for example titanium dioxide particulates, are spray deposited with a binder such as silicone rubber, or the titanium dioxide may be sputter deposited. One example of a specific coating is a mixture of 32 nm particles of titanium dioxide anatase form (Alfa Aesar, 26 Parkridge Road, Ward Hill, Mass., 01935-6904), mixed with Nafion® (Solution Technology, Inc., PO Box 171, Mendenhall, Pa., 19357). The solvent is evaporated and leaves the catalysts surrounded by a thin film of the fluropolymer electrolyte 0.03 to 5 microns thick. An alternative commercially available spray coating is TPXsol (Green Millennium, Inc., 20539 E. Walnut Dr., Suite B, Diamond Bar, Calif., 91789).  
         [0058]     This deposit only partially coats the flow channel  3  of the chevron. The vent structure  1  can have electrodes of gold, platinum, palladium, tin oxide, zinc oxide, or nickel electrodes  111 ,  112  built into or plated onto the surfaces of the vents. These electrodes are coated with a photocatalytic coating  5  to create electrochemical cells across the surface of the vents or through the vents  1 . External circuits  113  can be connected to the electrochemical cells to create a voltage across the electrodes  111 ,  112  or utilize voltage and current from the electrochemical cell. These electrochemical cells in the vent can also be configured with electronics  113  to be a chemical or humidity diagnostic tool.  
         [0059]     During operation air flows  105 ,  108 ,  109  through the chevron structure  1 . Small dust and particulates  106  which are typically charged are attracted by the electric field of the electret  4  and held by the electret surfaces  4 . Larger particles  107  are captured or deflected by the turn in the chevron structure  1 . Snow or rain will impact and stick to the sides of the flow channels  3 . Water droplets  101  from spray, rain, snow, or condensation on the surfaces of the chevrons  2 ,  4 ,  5  will decrease the electric field of the electret  4  by a factor of roughly 1/80 because of the high dielectric constant of water compared to air. The water droplets  101  will include the particulate particles  100  that were sticking to the electret  4 .  
         [0060]     Most of the electrets  4  are very hydrophobic and as a result the water droplets  103  will bead on the surface and tend to move along the hydrophobic hydrophilic gradient setup by the hydrophobic coating  2  at one end of the flow channel  3  and the hydrophilic photocatalyst  5  at the other end. The coatings  2 ,  4 ,  5  may be deposited so that water adhesion properties gradually go from low adhesion (hydrophobic i.e., low free surface energy) to high adhesion (hydrophilic i.e., high free surface energy) on the photocatalyst  5 . This process moves entrapped particulates  107  from the electret  4  to the outer photocatalytic surface with the water droplets  104 .  
         [0061]     The particulates with the water on the outer surface  104  with blue light photons  110 , with wavelengths shorter than  387  nm, are absorbed into the semiconductor titanium dioxide above the 3.2 eV band gap energy of photocatalyst, and water reactive hydroxide ions are created on the photocatalyst surfaces  5 . These react with the dust particles oxidizing a variety of organic and inorganic compounds. This oxidation can kill bacteria, funguses, and viruses on the photocatalytic surfaces  5 . This also leads to deodorization by directly oxidizing the aromatic hydrocarbons or the odor producing bacteria or funguses.  
         [0062]     The electrodes shown in  FIG. 1  have photocatalytic or catalytic surfaces. Light  115  induces hydrogen and hydroxide ions to be created on the surfaces of the electrodes  111 ,  112  in the surface water  104  in the vent, or in the electrolyte photocatalytic film  5  on the surface of the vent.  
         [0063]     This photocatalytic process creates a voltage between the two electrodes  111 ,  112  from a variety of effects such as photovoltaic, chemical concentration differences, or humidity differences between the electrodes  111 ,  112 . With sufficient light and an efficient design these voltages can be used as an electrical power source or diagnostic probe such as, but not limited to, measuring relative humidity in the vent, sensing chemicals encountered in the air flow, and detecting light exposure.  
         [0064]     A voltage from a power source  113  such as a battery can be induced across the two electrodes to produce an electro-osmotic driver of moving ions  114  between the electrodes and can be used to move water  103 ,  104  in or out of the vents. The voltage can periodically pulse to electrochemically clean the surfaces of the vents  1  by creating oxidative chemicals similar to what was produced with light on the photocatalyst. It is also possible to produce, heat, light, or liquid crystal light polarization in the film between the electrodes  111 , 112 .  
         [0065]     In  FIG. 2A  the interior view of a goggle is shown. The goggle is formed with a urethane or polycarbonate plastic lens  13 , silicone rubber frame,  11 ,  15  and a face gasket of polypropylene  12 . Many of these materials are electrets such as silicone rubber, polycarbonate plastic, and polypropylene. Thin layers of materials with index of refraction changes are typically coated onto the lens  13  to give them anti reflective properties.  
         [0066]     Inner and outer surfaces of the lens are coated with a hydrophobic coating in the central region of the lens  13  making the central region of the lens more hydrophobic. The face contact gasket  12  is coated on the interior with a hydrophobic coating and on the exterior with a hydrophilic coating. An expanded view  33  of the lens and face gasket is shown in  FIG. 4   
         [0067]     In  FIG. 2B  a side view of the goggle with a cross-sectional cutout of the air vents and lenses is shown. The lens  17  with an interior lens  18  and exterior lens  20  forms a double lens  17 . Polycarbonate plastic double lenses  17  are held apart to create an insulating air gap  19  between the lens with a closed cell urethane plastic foam  23 ,  38  and framed by a urethane or silicone rubber goggle frame  16 ,  22 . The lower vent  26  is a cross-section and has a chevron structure molded out of silicone rubber, which is an electret. The upper air vent  36  is built into the upper portion of the frame  16 . The vent channels  36  are coated with a plasma polymerized polytetrafluroethylene (PTFE) to achieve hydrophobic surfaces on the interior of the frame and vent channels  36 , and a titanium dioxide coating on the vent channel inlets and exterior of the vents  26 . The face gasket  37 ,  28  is shown covering the vent channels  36 . An expanded view of the vent cross-section is shown in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0068]      FIG. 2C  is a bottom view of the goggle air vent inlets  31 . The frame  30  is coated with photocatalyst and has inlet channels  31 . The face contact gasket  32  is on the outer surface of the frame  30 .  
         [0069]     In  FIG. 3  an enlarged cross-sectional side view of the goggle vents and lenses are shown. The goggle frame  51 ,  66  hold the inner and outer lenses apart with spacer foam  54 ,  67  to create an insulating air volume  49 . The outer lens  50  is coated with a hydrophobic and hydrophilic coating  52  patterned as shown in  FIG. 4 . The inner lens is coated with a hydrophobic and hydrophilic coating  53  with a similar or the same pattern as shown in  FIG. 4 . Built into the frame or made as inserts into the frame  51 ,  66  of the goggles or face gasket are the air vents. Lower and upper air vents are shown.  
         [0070]     In operation when air temperature is lower than 37° C. air passes through the lower vent channels  46  and is heated from body heat transferred from the chevrons  55 . The chevrons are heated through the face gasket  58  in contact with the user and through the thermal conduction into the chevron vent structure  55 . The heated air rises due to its buoyancy past the inner lens  48  and the user&#39;s face, carrying heat and moisture from the face of the user. This removal of heat and moisture keeps the inner lens  48  from fogging under most operating conditions and keeps the user comfortable.  
         [0071]     When condensation does occur on the inner or outer lens  48 ,  50 , frame  66 ,  51 , or vents  55 ,  68 , such as when the goggles are chilled and the interior or exterior air is saturated with moisture at a much higher temperature than the lenses  48 , frame  51 , or vent  55 ,  68 , the photocatalytic coating on the inner lens  53 , frame  69 ,  174 ,  175 ,  171 , and vents  57 ,  62  wets and moves water toward the perimeter of the lenses  48 ,  50 , frame  51 ,  66  and vents  55 ,  68  due to the water adhesion gradient as shown in  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 1 .  
         [0072]     Warm moist air exits the top of the goggle through the upper chevron flow channels  64 . The upper chevron vents  68  are formed out of an electret silicone rubber. On the inner sides of the vent  68  adjacent the inner lens  48  the vents have a hydrophobic coating  65  such as plasma polymerized polytetrafluroethylene. The top face gasket inner surfaces  61 ,  62  adjacent to the inner lens  48  are coated with a hydrophobic coating such as plasma-polymerized polytetrafluroethylene. The outer surfaces of the vents  55 ,  68  are coated with 30 nm titanium dioxide particulate suspension in a polysilicone rubber binder coating  57 ,  59 .  
         [0073]     The chevron vents  68 ,  55  are designed to block straight-line projectiles. The smaller particulates in the air stream flowing through the vents are attracted to the walls of the chevrons by the electrostatic field of the electret coating  56 ,  63  or material  55 ,  68  of the chevrons attracting and holding the particulates. The vents  68 ,  55  are cleaned and deodorized in the process as described earlier and illustrated in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0074]     The electret silicone rubber inner surfaces of the frame  51 ,  66  face gasket  58 ,  62 , and the vent surfaces  47 ,  64  are coated with plasma polymerized polytetrafluroethylene  60 ,  172 ,  65 ,  173 . The outer perimeter surfaces of the frame  51 ,  66 , vents  55 ,  68 , and gasket  58 ,  62  are coated with  30  nm titanium oxide particles and a polysilicone rubber binder  69 ,  171 ,  57 ,  176 ,  62 ,  177 . A discontinuous coating of the photocatalyst  69 ,  171 ,  57 ,  176 ,  62 ,  177  on the surface of the hydrophobic coatings  60 ,  172 ,  65 ,  173  and electrets  56 ,  63  on the inner surfaces has some desirable wetting and photocatalytic properties. Other structures such as, but not limited to, a random fiber structure or open cell foam could be substituted for the chevron structure with the adjacent zones of hydrophobic, electret, and photocatalytic surfaces.  
         [0075]      FIG. 4  is an expanded view of the interior lens and face gaskets. The electret lens  89  is made of polycarbonate or urethane plastic, and a woven electret polypropylene  87  face gasket are shown. A hydrophobic coating on the lens is represented as circles  90  with a higher spatial concentration in the surface center region coats the lens  89 . This coating  90  can be blended into, or coated over the last coating, of the anti-reflective coating on the lens or be atomically thin enough such that it essentially has very little optical effect but decreases the adhesion (hydrophobic).  
         [0076]     For example, a titanium dioxide coating represented as black dots  91  with a higher spatial concentration at the perimeter of the lens  89  is either blended into the last anti-reflective coating, or is coated over the previous hydrophobic coating  90 , thin enough that it has very little optical effect, but increases the adhesion (hydrophilic) toward the central surface regions of the lens  89 . These hydrophobic and hydrophilic coatings  90 ,  91  are arranged to create a water adhesion gradient of low adhesion (hydrophobic) on the interior region to a high adhesion on the perimeter (hydrophilic) of the lens  89 .  
         [0077]     On the face gasket  87 ,  94  is a water wicking fabric such as silk or Cool Max® (DuPont Corp., 1007 Market Street, Wilmington, Del., 19898), or a woven polypropylene typically covering an open cell foam on the goggle interior. The goggle interior is coated with a low adhesion material  88 ,  92 , such as plasma polymerized polytetrafluroethylene (PTFE) (hydrophobic) or silicone rubber (hydrophobic and electret). On the outer perimeter region of the gasket the fabric  87 ,  94  is coated with titanium dioxide particles  86 ,  93  held with a binder such as TPXsol (Green Millennium, Inc., 20539 E. Walnut Dr., Suite B, Diamond Bar, Calif., 91789).  
         [0078]     The hydrophobic coating  88 ,  92  coverage of the surface gradually declines toward the perimeter of the gasket  87 ,  94  while the hydrophilic coating  86 ,  93  coverage of the surface gradually increases toward the perimeter of the gasket  87 ,  94 . This produces a water adhesion gradient across the gasket  87 ,  94  that, when illuminated by light above the band gap of the photocatalyst (3.2 eV of the anatase form of titanium dioxide), creates a high adhesion on the perimeter and a low adhesion on the interior of the gasket  86 ,  94 . Condensed water will move from a low adhesion surface to a high adhesion surface. By moving the condensed water away from the central areas of the lens to the perimeter of the goggle, visibility is improved through the lens  89 .  
         [0079]     The water movement also carries with it particulates that were attracted and held by the lens electret  89  and gasket electret  87 . In this example, the urethane or polycarbonate lens  89  and polypropylene fabric or silicone rubber coated silk or Cool Max®  94 ,  87  is an electret. By moving the condensed water and sweat off the skin contact areas of the gasket to the perimeter of the gasket the comfort to the user is improved by allowing air to reach the surface of the skin. On the perimeter of the gasket  87 ,  94  the water can be evaporated to the atmosphere.  
         [0080]     The contaminates such as bacteria, dust, viruses, funguses, and body oil that were carried with the water come in contact with the photocatalyst surface. When the photocatalyst is illuminated with the blue light it produces electron hole pairs. The free electrons migrate to the surface of the photocatalyst and with a surface catalyst such as platinum or the titanium oxide, electrolyses water and creates hydroxide ions on the surface of the photocatalyst and the water. The hydroxide ions oxidize the contaminants, thus cleaning the perimeter of the lens face  89  and contact gasket  87 ,  94 .  
         [0081]     Thin film electrodes of materials such as titanium, titanium dioxide, tin oxide, zinc oxide, Au, Pt, Pd, Ni, can be printed across on the lens  89  as shown in  FIG. 4 . These electrodes  95 ,  97 ,  99  have photocatalytic or catalytic surfaces. Light induced hydrogen and hydroxide ions are created on the surfaces of the electrodes  95 ,  97 ,  99 , in the surface water, or in the electrolyte photocatalytic film  91  on the surface of the lens  89 .  
         [0082]     This photocatalytic process creates a voltage between the central electrode  97  and the perimeter electrodes  95 ,  99  from a variety of effects such as direct photovoltaic voltages, chemical concentration differences, or humidity differences between the electrodes. With sufficient light and an efficient design these voltages may be used as an electrical power source or diagnostic probe, such as, for measuring relative humidity on the lens  89 , sensing chemicals encountered in the air flow, and detecting and responding to light exposure.  
         [0083]     A wide variety of electrodes  95 ,  97 ,  99  and patterns could be deposited onto the lens  90  for various functions. A voltage from a power source  96 ,  98  such as a battery can be maintained across the two electrodes to produce an electro-osmotic driver of moving ions between the electrodes to move water out of the central region of the lens  89  to the perimeter wicking gasket  87 ,  94 .  
         [0084]     The voltage can be periodically modulated to electrochemically clean the surfaces of the lens  89  by creating oxidative chemicals similar to what was produced with light on the photocatalysts  91 . It is also possible to produce heat, light, changes in reflectivity or light absorption, liquid crystal light polarization, and the like, in the film between the electrodes  95 ,  97 ,  99  with electrical and ionic currents for water removal, image displays, indicators, and light filtration.  
         [0085]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the fibers of a fabric. The fibers  70  are coated such that there is an electret zone  74  in the interior of the fabric, a hydrophilic zone  73  on one outer surface, and a hydrophobic zone  72  on the opposite outer surface. The electret zone  74  can be created by fibers such as polypropylene, polystyrene, or polyvinylidenefluoride (PVF 2 ), these being charged electrets, or being coated with an electret such as silicone rubber. Coating one surface of the fabric with a film such as plasma-polymerized polytetrafluroethylene creates the hydrophobic layer  72 . On the opposite surface of the hydrophobic coating  72  a photocatalyst such as titanium dioxide particles, for example  32  nm in diameter, is sprayed onto the surface of the fibers with a solution of a monomer of Nafion® dissolved in alcohol solvents (Solution Technology, Inc., PO Box 171, Mendenhall, Pa., 19357) is coated  73  onto the fibers  70 .  
         [0086]     Other variations of this construction include use of a fibrous or porous membrane material  70  such as polypropylene or polyvinylidenefluoride (PVF 2 ) that is a charged electret and is hydrophobic, and then coat  73  just one surface of the fabric or membrane  70  with titanium dioxide particles with a silicone rubber or fluorocarbon binder.  
         [0087]     The fabric  70  can be used in a variety of applications such as, but not limited to, outer fabric shell of clothing. The fabric could be touching the skin or separated from the skin by layers of fabric such as Cool Max® or thermal insulation such as Thinsulate® (DuPont Corp., 1007 Market Street, Wilmington, Del., 19898) fill.  
         [0088]     Air  71  will diffuse through the fabric  70  allowing the water vapor to leave the surface of the skin of the user and allow air to flow and diffuse in and out of the clothing. This diffusion maintains a comfort in the clothing to the wearer of the clothing.  
         [0089]     Along with the flow of air  71  and in general contact with surfaces, dust, particulates, bacteria, funguses, and viruses  83  will penetrate the fabric. They will be attracted to the electret surfaces  74  and be held in the fabric  70 . When exterior temperatures are low and the user is emitting a high moisture rate the dew point inside the fabric shell can be reached and water  77 ,  79 ,  82  will condense on the hydrophobic  72  and electret  74  surfaces. Water  77 ,  79 ,  82  can also be splashed or driven into the electrets  74  and hydrophobic surfaces  72  from rain and snow.  
         [0090]     The condensed water droplets  77 ,  79 ,  82  will reduce the field strength of the electret  74  pick up the contaminants  83  such as dust, hydrocarbons, and particulates  75 ,  76  held by the electrets  74  and hydrophobic surfaces  72 . The water droplets  77 ,  79  containing the particulates  78 ,  80  will be driven by the water adhesion gradient toward the higher adhesion photocatalytic outer zone  73 . On the outer surface  73  the water  82  can evaporate and leave behind the contaminants  81  in contact with the photocatalysts  73 .  
         [0091]     Sunlight or blue light absorbed above the band gap in the photocatalyst  73  create electron hole pairs and chemically active surface hydroxides by electrolysis with a surface catalyst and a surface contacting water  82 . These hydroxides oxidize the contaminants resting on the photocatalyst surfaces, thus, decomposing the contaminates  81  and disinfecting and cleaning the surface  70  of the fabric shell.  
         [0092]     In  FIG. 6  an air cleaner arrangement is shown. In this arrangement the fabric  122 ,  123 ,  124  just described in  FIG. 5  is placed over a moisture delivery source  127 ,  125 ,  126 ,  128 . The fabric  122 ,  123 ,  124  consists, for example, of three layers: a photocatalytic layer  122 , electret layer  123 , and the hydrophobic layer  124 . The hydrophobic layer  124  is placed nearest the source of moisture  127 . The photocatalytic layer is placed near the source of blue light  133 . The moisture source  127  is a membrane or water-retaining barrier  125  with a reservoir of water  126 ,  128  behind the barrier  125 . Suitable membranes and water barriers  125  are, for example, urethane membranes approximately 0.002 inches thick supported on a plastic coated fiberglass mesh or silicone film 0.002 inches thick over a porous alumna tube or plate, capillary silicone tubing, or a porous clay pot.  
         [0093]     A possible alternative arrangement is to use the fabric of the three layers, photocatalytic layer  122 , electret layer  123 , and the hydrophobic layer  124 , for forming the water barrier membrane  125  with the water  128  in direct contact with the hydrophobic layer  124 .  
         [0094]     The blue light source is a fluorescent tube  133  designed to produce light with photons exceeding 3.2 eV, or light emitting diodes producing light photons over 3.2 eV. The light source  133  is placed over the photocatalytic layer  122  of the fabric to illuminate the photocatalyst. A reflector and air duct  120  is placed behind the light source  133  to duct the air  132 ,  121  over the photocatalyst  122 .  
         [0095]     An alternative arrangement is to have two photocatalytic fabrics  122 ,  123 ,  124  with moisture sources  125 ,  126 ,  128  in parallel to each other forming an air flow and light channel between them. Air  132 ,  121  can also flow past the moisture source  127 , through the fabric  125 ,  126 ,  128 , out through the channel  121 . An alternate arrangement is to have the fabric covering a tube or container filled with water having a retaining membrane to make a decorative air cleaner. Sunlight or artificial light  131  can illuminate the photocatalyst  122  of the fabric. Air flows  132 ,  121  across the photocatalytic surface.  
         [0096]     The airflow channel width and length above the surface of the photocatalyst can be chosen to optimize the diffusion and filtration needed for the particular application to disinfect and clean the air stream  132 ,  121 . The air  132 ,  121  can flow by using thermal convection from the light  131  heating the photocatalyst and air flowing  121  air past the photocatalyst  122  in a chimney, or could be free surface convection across the surface of the photocatalytic fabric  122 . Airflow  132 ,  121  could also be forced across or through the photocatalytic surface  122 .  
         [0097]     The moisture source  125 ,  126 ,  128  delivers water vapor to the surface of the photocatalyst  122  by diffusion  127  or, if there is a low air flow rate  121 , through the fabric from the moisture source  125 ,  126 ,  128 . Alternative moisture sources could be to spray moisture into the input air stream  132 , such as with piezo electric atomizers, and flow into the photocatalytic surfaces  122 . This moisture delivery scheme could be used periodically to create water droplets on the hydrophobic surfaces  124  and electret surfaces  123  of the filters to clean the filter.  
         [0098]     Water spray systems could also be used when air filtration and humidification are desired. The water sprays could be controlled with relative humidity sensors to maintain the photocatalyst&#39;s  122  optimum humidity. The water spray system can have excessive salt from the water source and dust build up in systems where dust removal is not the primary purpose.  
         [0099]     The water retaining membrane  125  delivery system can be used when pure water vapor is desirable along with non-active operation without pumps or controls. The membrane system can periodically be cleaned by causing water to condense on the fabric hydrophobic surfaces  124 . This can be accomplished by periodically cooling the exterior of the fabric to reach the dew point, blocking the air flow with exterior cooling, or heating the water reservoir to the dew point in the fabric  122 ,  123 ,  124 .  
         [0100]     The water retaining membrane scheme can also have a higher water utilization efficiency because the moisture is diffused  127  under the photocatalyst to create a local high humidity with the contaminates  129  being drawn by electrostatic attraction, or diffused into the fluid boundary layer over the surface of the fabric  122 ,  123 ,  124 . Thus, there would be no need to humidify the whole air stream to accomplish extracting the contaminates  130  and maintaining optimum humidity on the surface of the photocatalyst  122 .  
         [0101]     In operation, the air cleaner would have a light source  133  such as a light emitting diode, thermal convection air flow  121 , or a fan and water filled reservoir  128 . Moisture would diffuse  127  through the liquid retaining membrane to the surface of the photocatalyst. In the air flow stream  132  are particulates and contaminants  130  such as dust bacteria, funguses, viruses, ammonia, hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons, and oils. These contaminants  130  flow past the surface of the fabric. The charged particulates  129  are attracted to the oppositely charged areas of the electret  123 .  
         [0102]     Planar electrets  123  can be charged with alternate areas of positive and negative charges. Most submicron diameter particulates are charged. The particulates lodge on the electret zone  123  of the fabric. Gaseous contaminants  130  such as ammonia are absorbed on the surface of the photocatalysts  122 . Activated charcoal could also be added adjacent to or mixed with the photocatalyst  122  to act as a buffer to absorb gaseous contaminants and allow the photocatalyst  122  to steadily decompose the contaminants over time.  
         [0103]     Sunlight or blue light  131  absorbed above the band gap in the photocatalyst  122  create electron hole pairs and chemically active surface hydroxides by electrolysis with surface catalysts and surfaces contacting water. These hydroxides oxidize the contaminants  130  resting on the photocatalyst surfaces, thus, decomposing the contaminates, disinfecting and cleaning the surface of the fabric  122 .  
         [0104]     Periodically liquid water is either condensed or forced on the electret surfaces  123 , this carries particulates  129  to the hydrophilic photocatalyst surface  122 . Some of the particulates  130  are decomposed to gases such as carbon dioxide and water, but the remaining solids agglomerate and fall off the surface of the photocatalyst  122  or can be mechanically removed. This air cleaner can be used in a wide variety of applications such as, but not limited to, building air filtration, animal cage air deodorizing, cat litter box air deodorizing, and ornamental air cleaners (simulated plants, art work, and fountains).  
         [0105]     In  FIG. 7  the fabric shown in  FIG. 5  can be used in apparels for a human. In  FIG. 7 a  jacket  143 ,  146  has an outer shell of fabric made with hydrophobic, electret, and photocatalytic layers. The photocatalysts act as UV filters to protect the underlying fabrics and the human being. The hood  140  of the jacket  146  and a breathing filter  141  may also use this fabric. In the breathing filter  141  the human can breath through the filter and the electret would capture small dust particles.  
         [0106]     When air from the human produces condensation on the hydrophobic surfaces and electret surfaces, the particulates are carried to the outside of the fabric. Sunlight or blue light would then disinfect and clean the outer surfaces of the fabric while in use and after use. Hydrophobic, electret, and photocatalytic layered fabrics can also be used in bandages  144 .  
         [0107]     Photocatalytic fabrics along with activated charcoal can also be used in specific areas such as in the underarm area  142  to absorb odors and to deodorize clothing  146 ,  143 . The vent structure shown in  FIG. 1 , such as in body armor can be used, rather than a fabric, if higher airflow is needed in specific areas of the apparel  146 ,  143 ,  147 ,  148 ,  145 ,  141 ,  140 . The water migration ability of the photocatalytic fabric in general can be effective throughout the clothing to move moisture from the surface of the skin.  
         [0108]     Hand gloves  145 , or socks, can have an outer shell of photocatalytic fabric to deodorize, allow water vapor and sweat to be removed from the hands, keep the hands dry, and disinfect the gloves  145 . By keeping the hands dry with the water adhesion gradient process to move water and contaminates to the outside of the glove  145 , it increases comfort to the user and reduces the bacterial and fungus food supply on surfaces inside the glove where they can grow.  
         [0109]     The pants  147  of apparel can have an outer fabric shell of the photocatalytic fabric. The water migration behavior can improve the comfort of the user especially when the user has stepped into water or urinated into the pants. The liquids will be moved to the outside surface and be gradually evaporated and disinfected with exposure to blue light. The air breathing portions of the shoes  148  can have the water migration ability and use the photocatalytic effect to deodorize and disinfect the shoes  148  while being worn, or while they are not being used with exposure to blue light.  
         [0110]      FIG. 8  shows a bandage constructed using the fabric shown in  FIG. 5  and shown applied to a human in  FIG. 7 . In  FIG. 8  an adhesive coating  160  is applied to an area on the hydrophobic side of the fabric  161 . The selection of the adhesive requires that the adhesive  160  bond to the hydrophobic surface  160  and also adhere and seal the perimeter against any bacteria, particulates, funguses, and viruses to the human while minimizing damage to the skin and allowing the skin to release moisture, carbon dioxide, and receive oxygen. Examples of these adhesives include, but are not limited to, hydrophilic polymers such as karaya gum, gum acadia, locust bean gum, polysaccharide gum, modified polysaccharide, or polyacrylamide.  
         [0111]     The hydrophobic surface  161  with the adhesive perimeter  160  is placed on the skin or wound of the user. The most photocatalytic surface  164  is on the outside. The photocatalyst  164  can also act as a UV blocking protector to the skin or wound. The bandage  164 ,  163 ,  162 ,  160  can be wetted on the outside and immersed in water and the water will not penetrate the bandage. Liquid blood and body fluids beneath the bandage  164 ,  163 ,  162 ,  160  would be drawn through by the hydrophobic-hydrophilic gradient to the outside of the fabric.  
         [0112]     On the outside surface  164  of the bandage conventional fabric absorbents such as cotton gauze can be used to absorb the fluids. The purpose of the bandage  164 ,  163 ,  162 ,  160  is to drain excess fluids away from the wound in an irreversible manner and not allow contaminated fluids to return to the wound. The photocatalyst coatings can be lightly dispersed throughout the bandage  164 ,  163 ,  162 ,  160  at sufficient levels to achieve sterilization of the surfaces, while still having the photocatalyst coating gradient toward the outside to achieve the preferential movement of liquid fluids.  
         [0113]     By having the most hydrophobic surfaces  161  (polytetrafluroethene or polypropylene) in contact with the wound the lowest sticking coefficient surfaces are touching the wound. Thus, a bandage sticking to a wound and interfering with a wound&#39;s healing process is minimized. The bandage  164 ,  163 ,  162 ,  160  can be removed from the wound with a minimum of resistance. Dust, bacteria, viruses, and funguses would be filtered by the electret layer  163  of the fabric used in the bandage and sterilized by the photocatalytic effect with exposure to blue light. The pore size of the fabric can be designed smaller than that of bacteria and fungus spores and not allow them through the membrane  162 ,  163 ,  164 .  
         [0114]     Molecularly selective permeable membranes (pore sizes or spaces between molecules in the material that will exhibit selective permeability to molecules), such as silicon rubber or urethane rubber membranes, can be the hydrophobic layer  162  of this fabric to achieve a barrier to large molecules, bacteria, funguses, and viruses. The selectively permeable layer  162  would be thin enough (typically less that 50 microns), to achieve high diffusion rates and the remainder of the fabric would provide mechanical support for the membrane.  
         [0115]     The self cleaning features of the outer layer of fabric  163 ,  164  are useful as a protective barrier to the inner membrane  162  and secondary barrier if the selectively permeable barrier  162  is breached. Photocatalysts can be incorporated with the selectively permeable layer  162  to make it self-sterilizing with exposure to blue light. These fabrics  162 ,  163 ,  164  can also be used in diapers.  
         [0000]     List of Figures and Element Numbers  
         [0116]      FIG. 1  Cross sectional view of the titanium dioxide coating in a chevron goggle air vent, electret substrate, and hydrophobic zone. 
     1 . Air vent structure      2 . Hydrophobic coating      3 . Air flow channel      4 . Electret coating      5 . Photocatalyst and hydrophilic coating      100 . Particle inside water droplet      101 . Water droplet with a high contact angle on hydrophobic surface      102 . Deposited particle on outer photocatalytic surface      103 . Low water droplet contact angle on the photocatalytic surface      104 . Low water droplet angle on outer photocatalytic surface      105 . Incoming air flow      106 . Particle in air      107 . Particle attracted and held by electret surface      108 . Air flow in chevron flow channel 
        Air flow in goggle interior     Blue light photons interacting with the photocatalytic surface          111 . Negative electrode      112 . Positive electrode      113 . Voltage source      114 . Hydrogen in electrolyte      115 . Photon exciting the photocatalysts on the electrode      
         [0138]      FIG. 2A : Interior view of a goggle with hydrophobic, electret, and photocatalytic zones on the lens and face gasket. 
     11 . Frame of goggle coated with photocatalyst      12 . Cloth face contact gasket coated with photocatalyst      13 . Interior of lens coated with hydrophobic film and photocatalyst      15 . Frame of goggle coated with photocatalyst      33 . Enlarged view area of interior of lens and gasket      
         [0144]      FIG. 2B  Side view and cut out of a goggle with chevron vent with hydrophobic and electret coatings. 
     16 . Frame of goggle coated with photocatalyst      17 . Exterior lens of goggle coated with photocatalyst      18 . Inner lens      19 . Air gap between lenses      20 . Outer lens coated with photocatalyst      22 . Frame of goggle      23 . Spacer foam separating lenses      26 . Chevron vent structure      28 . Face gasket 
        Face gasket coated with photocatalyst     Chevron vent structure     Face gasket coated with photocatalyst     Spacer foam separating lenses          
         [0158]      FIG. 2C : Bottom view of goggle showing the chevron vents with photocatalytic coating. 
     30 . Frame of goggle coated with photocatalyst      31 . Flow channel entrance coated with photocatalyst      32 . Interior face gasket coated with photocatalysts      34 . Cross sectional line cut.      
         [0163]      FIG. 3 : Enlarged side cutaway view of the chevron vent showing hydrophobic and electret surfaces in the chevron vent and the lens. 
     46 . Interior vent flow channel coated with a hydrophobic film      47 . Air flow channel      48 . Interior lens      49 . Air volume between lenses      50 . Exterior lens      51 . Goggle frame      52 . Photocatalytic coating on exterior of lens      53 . Photocatalytic coating on interior of lens      54 . Foam spacer between inner and outer lens      55 . Structure of the chevron air vent      56 . Electret coating on chevron flow channel      57 . Photocatalytic coating on the exterior of the chevron      58 . Photocatalytic coated face gasket cross-section      59 . Photocatalytic coating on exterior of the chevron vent      60 . Hydrophobic film      61 . Face gasket      62 . Photocatalyst coated face gasket      63 . Electret coating on chevron      64 . Airflow channel      65 . Hydrophilic coating on interior of chevron vent      66 . Goggle frame      67 . Foam spacer      68 . Structure of chevron      69 . Photocatalytic coating on frame      171 . Photocatalytic coating on frame      172 . Hydrophobic coating on face gasket      173 . Hydrophobic coating on face gasket      174 . Photocatalytic coating on inner frame      175 . Photocatalytic coating on inner frame      176 . Photocatalytic coating on face gasket      177 . Photocatalytic coating on face gasket      
         [0195]      FIG. 4 : Enlarged view of the interior surface of the lens and face gasket. 
     86 . Photocatalytic particles      87 . Face gasket electret substrate      88 . Hydrophobic particles      89 . Lens electret substrate      90 . Hydrophobic particles      91 . Photocatalytic particles coating, atoms, or zones      92 . Hydrophobic particles coating, atoms, or zones      93 . Photocatalytic particles 
        Face gasket electret substrate     Electrode     Voltage source     Electrode     Voltage source     Electrode          
         [0210]      FIG. 5 : Enlarged cross-sectional view of a coated fiber structure of the photocatalyst, electret, and hydrophobic areas. 
     70 . Fiber substrate      71 . Air      72 . Hydrophobic coating      73 . Photocatalytic hydrophilic coating      74 . Electret coating      75 . Particle attracted to the electret      76 . Particle attracted and held by the electret      77 . A water droplet      78 . A particle in a beaded water droplet on the hydrophobic surface      79 . A water droplet moving along the water adhesion gradient      80 . A particle contained in the water droplet      81 . A particle in a water droplet on the photocatalytic surface      82 . A water droplet with a low contact angle on the photocatalytic surface      83 . A particle      
         [0225]      FIG. 6 : Exploded cross-sectional view of an air and deodorization filtration system using an artificial light source, and a membrane water vapor delivery system. 
     120 . The light reflector      121 . The outgoing air flow      122 . The outer photocatalytic coating fibers of cloth or on open cell foam      123 . The electrostatic layer in the fiber cloth      124 . The hydrophobic layer in the cloth porous surface, or film membrane      125 . A water vapor permeable membrane 
        The water reservoir tank     Water vapor diffusion          128 . Water in the tank      129 . Captured particles on the electret surfaces      130 . Particles on the photocatalytic surface      131 . Blue light photons      132 . Incoming air flow with particle and odors      133 . Blue light source      
         [0240]      FIG. 7 : Clothing apparel on a human showing the usage areas for a photocatalytic, electret, hydrophobic fabric, or structure. 
     140 . Hood outer shell      141 . Face breathing filter      142 . Arm pit vent area      143 . Outer fabric arm sleeves      144 . Bandage on arm      145 . Gloves outer shell      146 . Torso outer shell fabric      147 . Pants outer shell fabric      148 . Boot tops and sides      
         [0250]      FIG. 8 : An adhesive bandage using a photocatalytic, electret, hydrophobic fabric, or structure. 
     160 . Adhesive coating      161 . Hydrophobic coated fibers      162 . Hydrophobic layer      163 . Electret layer      164 . Photocatalysts layer      
         [0256]     While the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, modifications and variations of the invention may be constructed without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined in the following claims.