摘要 |
<p>The present invention provides a floor covering having a surface that forms a boundary with an ambient environment, and that includes a structure comprising an effective quantity of electrically polarizable, pyroelectric particles disposed substantially below that surface. A method for generating negative ions is also provided that includes positioning a flooring cover within a building, where the floor covering includes a surface that forms a boundary with the ambient environment of the building. The floor covering comprises an effective quantity of pyroelectrically polarizable material disposed no more than one millimeter from the surface, so that when a person or thing travels across that surface so as to frictionally heat the pyroelectrically polarizable material, negative ions are generated. Such generation of negative ions neutralizes or reduces odor, airborne bacteria, mold spores, pollens, and other harmful particles in the air.</p> |