Abstract: A waveguide device that includes a waveguide device body having interior surfaces, a deposited aluminum coating disposed on the interior surfaces of the waveguide device body, a protective coating disposed on the deposited aluminum coating.

Abstract: A waveguide device that includes a waveguide device body having interior surfaces, a deposited aluminum coating disposed on the interior surfaces of the waveguide device body, a protective coating disposed on the deposited aluminum coating.

Abstract: An ion mobility spectrometer includes a housing with a flow channel, an air pump to force air through the flow channel, a heater at an inlet end of the flow channel, and an ionization source that ionizes the air after it is heated. The heated, ionized air passes through an electric field produced by a field source and a plurality of sensor elements located within in the wall of the flow channel in the measurement region of the electric field. The sensor elements include a plurality of sensor electrodes in one wall of the flow channel. Ion currents to the sensor electrodes are measured by an integrated high-sensitivity readout circuit array, permitting the sensor electrodes to be quite small. The sensor electrodes may be arranged in one-dimensional or two-dimensional arrays.

Abstract: An ion mobility spectrometer includes a housing with a flow channel, an air pump to force air through the flow channel, a heater at an inlet end of the flow channel, and an ionization source that ionizes the air after it is heated. The heated, ionized air passes through an electric field produced by a field source and a plurality of sensor elements located within in the wall of the flow channel in the measurement region of the electric field. The sensor elements include a plurality of sensor electrodes in one wall of the flow channel. Ion currents to the sensor electrodes are measured by an integrated high-sensitivity readout circuit array, permitting the sensor electrodes to be quite small. The sensor electrodes may be arranged in one-dimensional or two-dimensional arrays.

Abstract: A cleaning system utilizing a pressurized dense-phase cleaning fluid includes a cleaning containment vessel having a containment-vessel interior, and a pressurization source in fluid communication with the containment-vessel interior to produce a cleaning pressure therein. There is at least one ultrasonic energy source directing ultrasonic energy into the containment-vessel interior. Where there are two ultrasonic energy sources, they desirably function at different frequencies. Each ultrasonic energy source includes a transducer housing having a transducer-housing interior, an ultrasonic transducer within the transducer-housing interior and directing a beam of ultrasonic energy through the transducer housing and into the containment-vessel interior, and a gas-pressure source in fluid communication with the transducer-housing interior. The gas-pressure source produces a pressure in the transducer-housing interior substantially equal to the cleaning pressure.

Abstract: A compressor that uses liquefied gas at high pressure as a hydraulic medium for compressing gas from low pressure to high pressure. The compressor comprises a central liquid cylinder and two gas cylinders disposed adjacent opposite ends of the liquid cylinder that are axially aligned therewith. A piston assembly is disposed within the cylinders that comprises a central liquid drive piston and two compression pistons that are free to slide within the respective liquid and gas cylinders. A low pressure gas manifold coupled to the piston assembly, and a liquid-gas manifold coupled to opposite ends of the piston assembly. A liquid switching valve having a first port comprising a high pressure liquid inlet, a second port coupled to an inlet of the central liquid cylinder, a third port coupled to an outlet of the central liquid cylinder, and a fourth port coupled to the liquid-gas manifold.

Abstract: The composition of an electrically conductive mixture, such as a mixture of gasoline and alcohol, is measured using a single measurement cell having a first electrode and a second electrode with a measurement space therebetween for receiving a specimen of the mixture. With a specimen of the mixture in the measurement space, the first electrode is alternatively connected to a reference discharge voltage, preferably ground, and to an applied voltage through a resistor. A first operational state encompasses the period when the first electrode is connected to the reference discharge voltage and a second operational state encompasses the period when the first electrode is connected to the applied voltage through the resistor. A first operational state peak voltage is measured during the first operational state, and a second operational state peak voltage is measured during the second operational state.

Abstract: An improved ion mobility spectrometer for detecting chemical warfare agents and hazardous vapors. The ion mobility spectrometer has an improved sensor cell that includes a heated air flow assembly, an ionization assembly and a field electrode and detector assembly printed circuit assembly. The heated air flow assembly includes a cover with an air inlet, an ambient temperature sensor, a thin-film heater element, a heater frame, a heated air sensor, and a heater channel formed therein. The ionization assembly comprises a nuclear ionization source attached to a holder, a lid, and an ionization channel formed therein that is coupled to the heater channel. The field electrode and detector assembly printed circuit assembly comprises a field electrode printed circuit board, a detector electrode printed circuit board, and detector electronics. The field electrode printed circuit board has a plurality of field electrodes disposed on a bottom surface thereof.

Abstract: Substantial amounts of particulate soils in garments can be removed by agitation in gas-jet in a solvent-free, low-pressure environment. The ability of the present gas-jet agitation system to remove particulate soils from garments and fabrics rivals that of conventional dry-cleaning processes which agitate the garments and fabrics while immersed in solvent. Thus, a dry-cleaning operation may consist of a solvent-immersion step for removing soluble soils and a gas-jet agitation step to remove particulates. Considerable savings in equipment and operating costs may be realized in the practice of the invention, since solvent flow rates need not be boosted to provide necessary agitation for particulate soil removal. The savings achievable by employing gas-jet agitation are even more pronounced in dense phase gas dry cleaning systems, which require pressurized environments to maintain a liquified solvent.

Abstract: An improved liquid carbon dioxide dry cleaning system containing an improved dry cleaning fluid. The dry cleaning fluid contains an antistatic agent for dissipating static charge on members or garments generated by friction during cleaning thereof. The concentration of the antistatic agent is typically less than 1 percent. Static charge present on the members or garments that are cleaned is transferred through the dry cleaning fluid to ground. This transfer of charge minimizes static charge buildup on the members or garments and suspended soil redeposition onto the members or garments. An odorizing agent or fragrance, and/or a deodorizing agent may be added to the cleaning fluid.

Abstract: The composition of an electrically conductive mixture, preferably a mixture of gasoline and alcohol, is measured using a single measurement cell having a first electrode and a second electrode with a measurement space therebetween for receiving a specimen of the mixture. With a specimen of the mixture in the measurement space, the first electrode is alternatively connected to a reference discharge voltage, preferably ground, and to a feedback control voltage. A first operational state encompasses the period when the first electrode is connected to the reference discharge voltage and a second operational state encompasses the period when the first electrode is connected to the feedback control voltage. A first operational state peak voltage is measured during the first operational state, and a peak second operational state voltage is measured during the second operational state.

Abstract: A liquid carbon dioxide dry cleaning system that employs a rotating basket inside a dry cleaning vessel that is powered by hydraulic flow. The present invention is particularly useful as a dry cleaning system that uses liquid carbon dioxide as the cleaning agent. The dry cleaning system has a pressurized vessel containing a liquid carbon dioxide bath. The basket is disposed in the vessel and has a plurality of openings around its periphery. A plurality of roller bearings are disposed between the basket and the vessel that allow it to rotate within the vessel. A plurality of manifolds are disposed between the vessel and the basket that have nozzles that produce jets of liquid carbon dioxide that agitate the garments. The nozzles are aligned with the plurality of openings in the basket. A pump is coupled between the manifolds and the vessel for circulating the liquid carbon dioxide to produce the jets that clean the garments and rotate the basket.

Abstract: Substantial amounts of particulate soils in garments can be removed by agitation in gas-jet in a solvent-free, low-pressure environment. The ability of the present gas-jet agitation system to remove particulate soils from garments and fabrics rivals that of conventional dry-cleaning processes which agitate the garments and fabrics while immersed in solvent. Thus, a dry-cleaning operation may consist of a solvent-immersion step for removing soluble soils and a gas-jet agitation step to remove particulates. Considerable savings in equipment and operating costs may be realized in the practice of the invention, since solvent flow rates need not be boosted to provide necessary agitation for particulate soil removal. The savings achievable by employing gas-jet agitation are even more pronounced in dense phase gas dry cleaning systems, which require pressurized environments to maintain a liquified solvent.

Abstract: An improved device for monitoring the presence of toxic metals in workplace air comprises a base and a removable top assembly. The top assembly includes a test substrate, such as filter paper, having a first surface and a second surface. The first surface is supported by the top assembly and the second surface has an area that is sensitized with at least one chemical reagent for producing a reaction with at least one toxic metal. The base has an air inlet, an air outlet, and a channel connecting the air inlet and the air outlet, thereby enabling air entering the monitor from the air inlet to directly contact the area of the second surface of the test substrate prior to exiting the monitor through the air outlet.

Abstract: Undesired constituents are removed from rolled fabric or other rolled materials by: (a) placing a roll of the material containing the undesired constituents (soluble or particulate) in a cleaning chamber; (b) providing a structure for re-rolling the material within the chamber; (c) introducing into the cleaning chamber a cleaning fluid which is a dense phase fluid comprising a liquefied gas or a supercritical fluid and contacting the material containing the undesirable constituents with the cleaning fluid; and (d) exposing single layers of the material containing the undesirable constituents with the cleaning fluid for a period of time sufficient to remove the undesired constituents from the material.

Abstract: An device for monitoring workplace air comprises a monitor cell comprising a base and a removable assembly. The removable assembly comprises (1) a flat, electrically insulating substrate having a first surface, (2) an electrolyte cell having an anode and a cathode disposed on the first surface, the anode and cathode spaced apart to define a controlled volume for holding a quantity of an electrolyte, and (3) means for applying a controlled electrical potential to the cathode. The base comprises (1) an air inlet portion for sampling air, (2) an air outlet portion connected to an air sampling pump, (3) a channel connecting the air inlet and the air outlet and adapted to introduce air to the electrolyte in the electrolyte cell, (4) a reservoir for storing the electrolyte for the electrolyte cell, and (5) a wick for supplying electrolyte from the reservoir to the electrolyte cell.

Abstract: A thermal electrochemical system in which an electrical current is generated between a cathode immersed in a concentrated aqueous solution of phosphoric acid and an anode immersed in a molten salt solution of ammonium phosphate and monohydric ammonium phosphate. Reactants consumed at the electrodes during the electrochemical reaction are thermochemically regenerated and recycled to the electrodes to provide continuous operation of the system.

Abstract: Ferroelectric composites are prepared by sol-gel derived procedures. The present invention utilizes the sol-gel process (1) to form a gel in a mold of the desired size and shape, (2) to dry the gel using a supercritical fluid extraction, (3) to sinter the dried gel to a crystalline ceramic, and finally (4) to impregnate the pores with a low loss polymer. The aerogel composition may be a barium titanate-based composition such as barium strontium titanate (BST). Making a ferroelectric aerogel composite provides a unique and novel means of fully exploiting the voltage- and/or frequency-tunable properties of certain compositions by maximizing their desirable properties and minimizing their undesirable characteristics such as loss at operational frequencies.

Abstract: A dual porosity electrode for use in thermoelectrochemical systems where simultaneous transport of gas and liquid into and/or out of the electrode is required. The electrode includes catalytic electrode particles having diameters ranging from about 25 to 100 angstroms. The catalytic electrode particles are anchored to a support network in clusters which have internal pores ranging in size from 25 to 100 angstroms. The pores between the clusters range in size from between about 1 to 20 microns. A method for making the dual porosity electrodes is also disclosed.

Abstract: Undesired material is removed from a chosen substrate by a process comprising the steps of (a) placing the substrate containing the undesired material in a cleaning chamber provided with cavitation-producing means; (b) introducing a liquefied gas, such as liquid carbon dioxide, into the cleaning chamber and contacting the substrate containing the undesired material with the liquid carbon dioxide at a temperature below its critical temperature; and (c) exposing the liquid carbon dioxide to the cavitation-producing means for a period of time sufficient to remove the undesired material from the substrate. The substrate containing the undesired material may optionally be contacted with carbon dioxide in the dense phase prior to and/or after the cavitation treatment to aid in removal of the undesired material. Further, spent liquid carbon dioxide may be treated to regenerate fresh liquid carbon dioxide which is recycled to the cleaning chamber.