Abstract: Compositions, devices, and methods for destroying chemical warfare agents, independent of their chemical make-up, include (i) at least one reactive metal; (ii) at least one oxidizer; and (iii) a binder. In one embodiment, the self-sustaining reactive composition includes magnesium powder, iron oxide powder, potassium perchlorate powder, and silicone gel. In another embodiment, the self-sustaining reactive composition includes manganese powder, lithium perchlorate powder, lithium peroxide powder, and silicone gel. The reactive metal(s), oxidizer(s), binder, and their respective amounts, are selected such that, following ignition of the composition, the composition is capable of producing a solid mass of ash (wicking composition) that increases the surface area of the chemical agent material and provides a site for combustion and/or thermal degradation of the chemical agent to occur.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved thermally insulative containers (e.g., ice chests, coolers, lunch boxes, etc.) that include one or more isolation compartment(s) that may be isolated from a storage compartment holding ice or other cooling agent(s). The isolation compartment may be used to store items that are to be kept dry and at a higher temperature than food, beverages, and other items that are typically kept in the storage compartment. In some examples, the one or more isolation compartment(s) may include thermal vents between the compartments for varying the temperature between the one or more isolation compartment(s) and the storage compartment.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved thermally insulative containers (e.g., ice chests, coolers, lunch boxes, etc.) that include one or more isolation compartment(s) that may be isolated from a storage compartment holding ice or other cooling agent(s). The isolation compartment may be used to store items that are to be kept dry and at a higher temperature than food, beverages, and other items that are typically kept in the storage compartment. In some examples, the one or more isolation compartment(s) may include thermal vents between the compartments for varying the temperature between the one or more isolation compartment(s) and the storage compartment.

Abstract: Compositions, devices, and methods for destroying chemical warfare agents, independent of their chemical make-up, include (i) at least one reactive metal; (ii) at least one oxidizer; and (iii) a binder. In one embodiment, the self-sustaining reactive composition includes magnesium powder, iron oxide powder, potassium perchlorate powder, and silicone gel. In another embodiment, the self-sustaining reactive composition includes manganese powder, lithium perchlorate powder, lithium peroxide powder, and silicone gel. The reactive metal(s), oxidizer(s), binder, and their respective amounts, are selected such that, following ignition of the composition, the composition is capable of producing a solid mass of ash (wicking composition) that increases the surface area of the chemical agent material and provides a site for combustion and/or thermal degradation of the chemical agent to occur.

Abstract: A thermobaric self-sustaining reactive composition, method and device for defeating chemical or biological agents includes a first material including at least one of a Group IV or Group V metal; a second material reactive with the first material in an exothermic intermetallic reaction to generate heat sufficient to vaporize a third material; and the third material that when vaporized combusts with air producing an elevated temperature sufficient to destroy the chemical and biological agents. The device includes a container having a center core explosive driver with the self-sustaining reactive composition surrounding the center core explosive driver.

Abstract: A thermobaric self-sustaining reactive composition, method and device for defeating chemical or biological agents includes a first material including at least one of a Group IV or Group V metal; a second material reactive with the first material in an exothermic intermetallic reaction to generate heat sufficient to vaporize a third material; and the third material that when vaporized combusts with air producing an elevated temperature sufficient to destroy the chemical and biological agents. The device includes a container having a center core explosive driver with the self-sustaining reactive composition surrounding the center core explosive driver.

Abstract: The invention relates to reference libraries of composite spectra that consolidate, into a single searchable data set, multiple independent spectra taken of a chemical compound under multiple conditions, generally on a single instrument. The reference libraries may be used, for example, to increase the analytical power of mass spectrometers such as API-CID mass spectrometers. The multiple independent spectra are converted into a composite spectrum by performing a number of steps. First, units on the x-axis of at least one, and generally all but one, of the independent spectra are renumbered so that the numerical range of the x-axes of the spectra do not perfectly overlap. Second, the x-axes of the independent spectra are aligned on a composite x-axis. Methods and programs for making and using the reference libraries and devices containing the reference libraries are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for mass spectrometry dynamic library searching are provided for use with mass spectrometer spectra. A composite spectrum is created from multiple spectra. The multiple spectra are collected at varying collision energies from a mass spectrometer. Dynamic searching algorithms are utilized for assigning a degree of importance to ions depending upon the identity of the ions, and for assigning a degree of importance to the ion ratios. A search is performed against a library of composite spectra that includes data for adduct, dimer, and oligomer ions. The systems and methods determine a match quality value that takes into account any or all ions in the spectrum along with the ions' ratios and degrees of importance.

Abstract: Systems and methods for mass spectrometry dynamic library searching are provided for use with mass spectrometer spectra. A composite spectrum is created from multiple spectra. The multiple spectra are collected at varying collision energies from a mass spectrometer. Dynamic searching algorithms are utilized for assigning a degree of importance to ions depending upon the identity of the ions, and for assigning a degree of importance to the ion ratios. A search is performed against a library of composite spectra that includes data for adduct, dimer, and oligomer ions. The systems and methods determine a match quality value that takes into account any or all ions in the spectrum along with the ions' ratios and degrees of importance.

Abstract: The invention relates to reference libraries of composite spectra that consolidate, into a single searchable data set, multiple independent spectra taken of a chemical compound under multiple conditions, generally on a single instrument. The reference libraries may be used, for example, to increase the analytical power of mass spectrometers such as API-CID mass spectrometers. The multiple independent spectra are converted into a composite spectrum by performing a number of steps. First, units on the x-axis of at least one, and generally all but one, of the independent spectra are renumbered so that the numerical range of the x-axes of the spectra do not perfectly overlap. Second, the x-axes of the independent spectra are aligned on a composite x-axis. Methods and programs for making and using the reference libraries and devices containing the reference libraries are also disclosed.

Abstract: A projectile for the destruction of unexploded ordnance comprising a projectile shell having a core region which contains a reactive composition comprised of a reactive metal and an oxidizer. The reactive metal is selected from the group consisting of titanium, aluminum, magnesium, lithium, beryllium, zirconium, thorium, uranium, hafnium, alloys thereof, hydrides thereof, and combinations thereof. The oxidizer is selected from the group consisting of lithium perchlorate, lithium chlorate, magnesium perchlorate, magnesium chlorate, ammonium perchlorate, ammonium chlorate, potassium perchlorate, potassium chlorate, oxides thereof, peroxides thereof, and combinations thereof. Also included are methods of destroying unexploded ordnance and disposable apparati for delivering a projectile to destroy unexploded ordnance.

Abstract: A projectile for the destruction of unexploded ordnance comprising a dart shell having a core region which contains a reactive composition comprised of a reactive metal and an oxidizer. The reactive metal is selected from the group consisting of titanium, aluminum, magnesium, lithium, beryllium, zirconium, thorium, uranium, hafnium, alloys thereof, hydrides thereof, and combinations thereof. The oxidizer is selected from the group consisting of lithium perchlorate, magnesium perchlorate, ammonium perchlorate, potassium perchlorate, chlorates, peroxides, and combinations thereof. In an alternative embodiment, the reactive composition is located on the outside of a center penetrating rod. Also included is a disposable apparatus for delivering a projectile to destroy unexploded ordnance. The apparatus is comprised of a block having a top and a bottom, the block comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of wood and polymeric resin.

Abstract: A projectile for the destruction of unexploded ordnance comprising a dart shell having a core region which contains a reactive composition comprised of a reactive metal and an oxidizer. The reactive metal is selected from the group consisting of titanium, aluminum, magnesium, lithium, beryllium, zirconium, thorium, uranium, hafnium, alloys thereof, hydrides thereof, and combinations thereof. The oxidizer is selected from the group consisting of lithium perchlorate, magnesium perchlorate, ammonium perchlorate, potassium perchlorate, chlorates, peroxides, and combinations thereof. In an alternative embodiment, the reactive composition is located on the outside of a center penetrating rod. Also included is a disposable apparatus for delivering a projectile to destroy unexploded ordnance. The apparatus is comprised of a block having a top and a bottom, the block comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of wood and polymeric resin.

Abstract: A teeth whitening system including a thermally conductive mouthpiece that carries a teeth whitening agent and that is connected to a thermally-chargeable heat sink. The system controls the flow of thermal energy from the heat sink in order to provide thermal activation of whitening agent. The system may include a catalytically-enhanced teeth whitening device for receiving the whitening agent and promoting enhanced teeth whitening by the whitening agent. The teeth whitening device may be used with or without the application of supplemental heat or light for further augmenting whitening reactions of the whitening agent. The teeth whitening device may include a substrate that may be fabricated from a catalytic agent useful for enhancing tooth whitening by the teeth whitening agent. Alternatively, the substrate may be covered, coated, impregnated or otherwise contacted by a catalytic agent in an amount effective to enhance tooth whitening by the teeth whitening agent.

Abstract: A projectile for the destruction of unexploded ordnance comprising a projectile shell having a core region which contains a reactive composition comprised of a reactive metal and an oxidizer. The reactive metal is selected from the group consisting of titanium, aluminum, magnesium, lithium, beryllium, zirconium, thorium, uranium, hafnium, alloys thereof, hydrides thereof, and combinations thereof. The oxidizer is selected from the group consisting of lithium perchlorate, lithium chlorate, magnesium perchlorate, magnesium chlorate, ammonium perchlorate, ammonium chlorate, potassium perchlorate, potassium chlorate, oxides thereof, peroxides thereof, and combinations thereof. Also included are methods of destroying unexploded ordnance and disposable apparati for delivering a projectile to destroy unexploded ordnance.

Abstract: A projectile for the destruction of unexploded ordnance comprising a dart shell having a core region which contains a reactive composition comprised of a reactive metal and an oxidizer. The reactive metal is selected from the group consisting of titanium, aluminum, magnesium, lithium, beryllium, zirconium, thorium, uranium, hafnium, alloys thereof, hydrides thereof, and combinations thereof. The oxidizer is selected from the group consisting of lithium perchlorate, magnesium perchlorate, ammonium perchlorate, potassium perchlorate, chlorates, peroxides, and combinations thereof. In an alternative embodiment, the reactive composition is located on the outside of a center penetrating rod. Also included is a disposable apparatus for delivering a projectile to destroy unexploded ordnance. The apparatus is comprised of a block having a top and a bottom, the block comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of wood and polymeric resin.

Abstract: A teeth whitening system includes a heating module, a mouthpiece thermally connected to the heating module such that heat can be transferred to the mouthpiece, and a thermocatalytically activated whitening gel positioned in the mouthpiece such that the gel contacts a user's teeth, whereby when heat is transferred from the heating module to the mouthpiece, the gel is activated by heat, metal surface catalysis, and water or saliva to whiten the user's teeth.

Abstract: A projectile for the destruction of unexploded ordnance comprising a dart shell having a core region which contains a reactive composition comprised of a reactive metal and an oxidizer. The reactive metal is selected from the group consisting of titanium, aluminum, magnesium, lithium, beryllium, zirconium, thorium, uranium, hafnium, alloys thereof, hydrides thereof, and combinations thereof. The oxidizer is selected from the group consisting of lithium perchlorate, magnesium perchlorate, ammonium perchlorate, potassium perchlorate, chlorates, peroxides, and combinations thereof. In an alternative embodiment, the reactive composition is located on the outside of a center penetrating rod. Also included is a disposable apparatus for delivering a projectile to destroy unexploded ordnance. The apparatus is comprised of a block having a top and a bottom, the block comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of wood and polymeric resin.

Abstract: A teeth whitening system including a thermally conductive mouthpiece that carries a teeth whitening agent and that is connected to a thermally-chargeable heat sink. The system controls the flow of thermal energy from the heat sink in order to provide thermal activation of whitening agent. The system may include a catalytically-enhanced teeth whitening device for receiving the whitening agent and promoting enhanced teeth whitening by the whitening agent. The teeth whitening device may be used with or without the application of supplemental heat or light for further augmenting whitening reactions of the whitening agent. The teeth whitening device may include a substrate that may be fabricated from a catalytic agent useful for enhancing tooth whitening by the teeth whitening agent. Alternatively, the substrate may be covered, coated, impregnated or otherwise contacted by a catalytic agent in an amount effective to enhance tooth whitening by the teeth whitening agent.

Abstract: A teeth whitening system includes a heating module, a mouthpiece thermally connected to the heating module such that heat can be transferred to the mouthpiece, and a thermocatalytically activated whitening gel positioned in the mouthpiece such that the gel contacts a user's teeth, whereby when heat is transferred from the heating module to the mouthpiece, the gel is activated by heat, metal surface catalysis, and water or saliva to whiten the user's teeth.