Abstract: Methods for using modified single wall carbon nanotubes (“SWCNTs”) to detect presence and/or concentration of a gas component, such as a halogen (e.g., Cl2), hydrogen halides (e.g., HCl), a hydrocarbon (e.g., CnH2n+2), an alcohol, an aldehyde or a ketone, to which an unmodified SWCNT is substantially non-reactive. In a first embodiment, a connected network of SWCNTs is coated with a selected polymer, such as chlorosulfonated polyethylene, hydroxypropyl cellulose, polystyrene and/or polyvinylalcohol, and change in an electrical parameter or response value (e.g., conductance, current, voltage difference or resistance) of the coated versus uncoated SWCNT networks is analyzed. In a second embodiment, the network is doped with a transition element, such as Pd, Pt, Rh, Ir, Ru, Os and/or Au, and change in an electrical parameter value is again analyzed. The parameter change value depends monotonically, not necessarily linearly, upon concentration of the gas component.

Abstract: Methods and systems for using one or more radio frequency identification devices (RFIDs), or other suitable signal transmitters and/or receivers, to provide a sensor information communication path, to provide location and/or spatial orientation information for an emergency service worker (ESW), to provide an ESW escape route, to indicate a direction from an ESW to an ES appliance, to provide updated information on a region or structure that presents an extreme environment (fire, hazardous fluid leak, underwater, nuclear, etc.) in which an ESW works, and to provide accumulated thermal load or thermal breakdown information on one or more locations in the region.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing data read from a DVD media containing stored data is described. The apparatus includes a DVD media reader for reading data and error information stored on a DVD media, an error processor for determining the number of errors in the read data, and a display means for displaying the number of errors. The method includes the steps of reading actual data from a DVD media, computing a first correction code for the actual data, reading a second correction code from the DVD media, the second correction code pertaining directly to said stored data, and comparing the first and second correction codes to determine whether said actual data needs to be corrected. The method further includes the steps of determining whether the number of errors in the actual data exceeds the number of errors that can be corrected, correcting the actual data if possible, and counting the number of errors that are corrected.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for reducing the contributions of receiver noise signal error and multipath signal error from signals received in a Satellite Positioning System (SATPS) from one or more SATPS satellites by formation and appropriate filtering of differences of signals DD that are differences of SATPS signals received by the SATPS receiver/processor. A difference signal DD of code-phase-derived delta range signals and carrier-phase-derived delta range signals is formed, and this difference signal is passed through a first statistical processing filter with an associated time constant .tau.1 in the approximate range 50-[500] 100 sec, to produce smoothed or filtered signal with the estimated receiver noise error reduced or removed. The difference signal DD is passed through second and third statistical processing filters having associated time constants .tau.2=5-20 sec and .tau.