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A device for controlling the motion of particles suspended in a
gas stream is provided, including a pipe, through which at least a
fraction of the gas stream flows, a source of AC voltage, a source
of DC voltage, and a plurality of electrode sets positioned within
the pipe in series, generating an inhomogeneous electric field to
cause the particles suspended in the gas stream to concentrate into
a narrow axial region in the center of the pipe. Each electrode set
includes a first pair of opposed hyperboloidally shaped electrodes
connected to the AC voltage source and a second pair of opposed
hyperboloidally shaped electrodes connected to the DC voltage. The
first and second pairs of opposed electrodes are positioned at
spaced apart intervals around the circumference of the pipe to
define an opening through which at least a fraction of the gas
stream flows. The electrode sets are positioned within the pipe in
series such that the gas stream flows through the openings defined
by each successive electrode set. The spaced apart distance between
the electrodes of each successive electrode set is decreased to
reduce the size of the openings, causing the particles suspended in
the gas stream to focus or concentrate along successively narrower
axial regions in the center of the pipe.