Abstract: According to various embodiments, an array of elements forms an artificially-structured material. The artificially-structured material can also include an array of tuning mechanisms included as part of the array of elements that are configured to change material properties of the artificially-structured material on a per-element basis. The tuning mechanisms can change the material properties of the artificially-structured material by changing operational properties of the elements in the array of elements on a per-element basis based on one or a combination of stimuli detected by sensors included in the array of tuning mechanisms, programmable circuit modules included as part of the array of tuning mechanisms, data stored at individual data stores included as part of the array of tuning mechanisms, and communications transmitted through interconnects included as part of the array of elements.

Abstract: A snowmobile extends along a longitudinal axis and includes a frame, a powertrain coupled to the frame and a track operatively coupled to the powertrain, the track having an upper run and a lower run. The snowmobile includes a rear suspension having at least one slide rail having a hyfax defining a plane, at least one front idler wheel in contact with the lower run of the track, at least one center idler wheel positioned adjacent the at least one front idler wheel, and at least one rear idler wheel positioned adjacent the at least one center idler wheel, and wherein the positioning of the at least center idler wheel is configured such that the at least one rear idler wheel is positioned at an angle relative to the plane having a value that is greater than zero.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided and includes a frame including a tunnel and a front portion, an endless track at least partially positioned within the tunnel, a ski supporting the front portion of the frame, a spindle coupled to the ski, and a front suspension coupled to the spindle. The ski defines a central plane extending vertically and longitudinally, the central plane defining an inboard lateral side and an outboard lateral side, the ski having a bottom surface and a keel extending therefrom on the outboard lateral side. The spindle is coupled to the ski at a first position on the outboard lateral side of the ski. The front suspension is coupled to the spindle at a second position outboard from the central plane of the ski.

Abstract: A method of inactivating B antracis spores in a contaminated target environment by: exposing the environment containing said spores to an effective amount of persulfate in solution and an oxidation agent, and allowing the persulfate solution and oxidation agent to remain in contact with the environment containing said spores for sufficient time to inactivate the spores.

Abstract: A method for the inactivation of B. anthracis spores in soil comprising contacting the soil with an effective amount of a persulfate and an activator for a time sufficient to inactivate substantially all of the B. anthracis spores contained therein.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are used for monitoring the effectiveness of a heat treatment to inactivate a contaminant in or on common building materials. The temperature is monitored or evaluated by using an internal control having a biological, chemical or electronic sensor. The sensor is bundled in common building materials to provide insulating properties so as to mimic bundles of contaminated building materials being bundled for incineration.

Abstract: A compact open-rated HID lamp (10) having a shrouded arc tube (12) positioned within a compact outer envelope (28), which lamp (9) has an arc tube mounting assembly (30) characterized by a long lead wire (32) which extends from the press seal (29) at the base end (28A) of the outer envelope (28), winds helically around the shroud (26) and extends into and is biased outwardly against the distal end (28B) of the outer envelope (28), thus not only conducting current to the distal electrode (24) of the arc tube (12), but also centering and supporting the retaining shroud (26) and supplementing the shroud's retainment function with minimal parts and minimal wire connections. In addition, arc displacement is minimized, leading to higher lumen maintenance and longer lifetimes.

Abstract: A lamp has a base and a light-transmitting soft-glass lamp envelope sealed to the base to form a sealed lamp cavity which is filled with a non-oxidizing gas. Current supply leads are connected to the stem feedthroughs and extend into the lamp cavity. A halogen incandescent burner is located in the lamp cavity and has a light-transmitting hard-glass burner envelope which encloses a sealed burner cavity filled with an inert gas containing halogen. The burner envelope has presses at its ends. A tungsten filament coil in the burner has extended legs at its ends that extend out of the burner cavity into the lamp cavity through the burner presses and are connected to the current supply leads in the lamp cavity to act as fuses which open upon breach of the lamp envelope, thus preventing further burner operations.

Abstract: A hard-glass halogen gas-filled incandescent capsule with a single-end or a double-end has a tungsten filament with a primary coil extending from the barrel into the legs, and a secondary coil forming the barrel. One of the legs of the tungsten filament of the single-ended capsule extends into a pinch or press seal of the glass envelope to result in passive extinction of the electric arc at end-of-life. The end of the filament leg near the press seal may be connected to and/or supported by a molybdenum lead wire of the capsule that is within the pinch or the press seal via a clamp formed on the molybdenum lead wire. The passive extinction occurs when the electric arc is conducted through the filament extending into the press seal. Reliable extinction of the arc within the capsule is achieved with simplicity in construction and minimal materials. The primary coil is preferably stretched out to assume the diameter of the tungsten wire where it is embedded in a pinch seal.

Abstract: A lamp has a base and a light-transmitting soft-glass lamp envelope sealed to the base to form a sealed lamp cavity which is filled with a non-oxidizing gas. Current supply leads are connected to the stem feedthroughs and extend into the lamp cavity. A halogen incandescent burner is located in the lamp cavity and has a light-transmitting hard-glass burner envelope which encloses a sealed burner cavity filled with an inert gas containing halogen. The burner envelope has presses at its ends. A tungsten filament coil in the burner has extended legs at its ends that extend out of the burner cavity into the lamp cavity through the burner presses and are connected to the current supply leads in the lamp cavity to act as fuses which open upon breach of the lamp envelope, thus preventing further burner operations.