Patent ID: 8453427

Claim:
A particle field extraction system comprising: a grid assembly having a plurality of electrodes each defining an electrical field, said grid assembly having a plurality of vias extending therethrough; a reservoir having a generally dry mixture disposed therein; a plurality of particles suspended in the generally dry mixture; a biasing member applying a mechanical biasing force to the generally dry mixture in said reservoir; a sieve electrode system in electrical communication with said grid assembly, said sieve electrode system having a plurality of through-holes extending from a first side adjacent said reservoir to a second side generally adjacent said grid assembly, said sieve electrode system cooperating with said biasing member to extract at least one of the plurality of particles from said generally dry mixture and into said grid assembly whereby said electrical fields charge and accelerate said at least one of the plurality of particles in said vias; and a device imparting a force on said sieve electrode system to said plurality of particles.