The long-life CFE ion emitter used in this model is made from a high-tech, space-age material (fine graphite filaments) that is virtually maintenance-free. The CFE emitter has a projected lifespan of from five to 10 years and requires no trimming to maintain the crtically-sharp emiiter points (like SSE ion emitters do), since the diameter of the fibers is almost microscopically small (only 0.8 microns).