AbstractA method for separating constituents of the by‐products derived from agricultural processes offers the possibility of recovering their valuable components. Partial sorting by a unique electric field enriches the protein concentration in sunflower‐seed meal and cottonseed meal by removing objectionable components such as hulls or gossypol. Enrichment is accomplished by the dynamic forces from an electric field that is created by a set of parallel electrodes encased in a plastic panel and connected to an AC power supply. When the panel is activated, particles on its surface become charged, levitated and transported. When a mixture of particles contacts the panel, a difference in the charge is imparted to the components, opposite directions of transportation occur, and, then, the particles separate. The separation, or sorting, offers an additional possibility for upgrading agricultural products. Properties measured for these products and their separated components are charge, charge‐to‐mass ratio, size, size distribution, shape, moisture, nitrogen and gossypol. This new and direct method of separating components seems independent of their size and shape, yet it is probably dependent on the charge‐to‐mass ratio. The single‐stage separation is an analytical tool that might become an engineering process. The electric panel of the contact type contains, transports and refines materials—all without a cup, conveyor or filter touching the sample. Its promise and versatility warrant considering the panel by itself and in conjunction with other processes.