Abstract: An adaptable garment material and method of producing such a material. The material may have a substrate and a plurality of shape memory polymer elements integrated therewith, or may be a mat of interwoven shape memory polymer elements. The shape memory elements adapt in the presence of an actuation trigger and exhibit different properties upon actuation.

Abstract: A helmet has an outer shell, an inner lining configured for thermal communication with a wearer's head, an intermediary layer disposed between the outer shell and the inner lining with a layer of insulating material with a plurality of passageways therein and a cavity defined by the outer shell and the outer surface of the intermediary layer, and a fluid contained between the outer shell and the inner lining. In another variation, the insulating material includes a shape memory polymer operable to change the size of one or more of the plurality of passageways when activated. In yet another variation, the helmet has one or more selectively closeable pores in its outer shell and may have a fixed or detachable fluid reservoir.

Abstract: A releasable fastener system comprises a loop portion and a hook portion. The loop portion includes a support and a loop material disposed on one side thereof. The hook portion generally includes a support and a plurality of closely spaced upstanding hook elements extending from one side thereof, wherein the plurality of hook elements comprises or incorporates a shape memory alloy fiber. When the hook portion and loop portion are pressed together they interlock to form a releasable engagement. The resulting joint created by the engagement is relatively resistant to shear and pull forces and weak in peel strength forces. Introducing a thermal activation signal to the plurality of hook elements causes a change in shape orientation, flexural modulus property, or a combination thereof that effectively reduces the shear and/or pull off forces in the releasable engagement.

Abstract: A sensor and method for detecting biological and chemical agents comprising metal interdigitized electrodes coated with hybrid polymer-based conducting film and an instrument for applying electrical voltage to the electrodes and registering the change in voltage. The hybrid film also comprises indicator biomolecules encapsulated within the film or attached to it. When these indicator biomolecules come in a contact with a biological and chemical agent, morphological changes occur in the film and electrical current flowing through the electrodes is modulated. The change in current indicates the presence of a biological and chemical agent and is registered.

Abstract: A nozzle for generating a supercritical fluid from a cleaning fluid. The nozzle includes a mechanism for directing the supercritical fluid onto a surface of a part to be cleaned. The nozzle comprises a body having (a) an interior portion which includes a mechanism for generating the supercritical fluid by suitable temperature and pressure increase of the cleaning fluid; (b) an inlet portion for introducing the cleaning fluid into the interior portion; (c) an outlet portion for directing the supercritical fluid generated in the interior portion onto the surface of the part to be cleaned; and (d) counteracting mechanism for resisting high pressure that is produced during the generation of the supercritical fluid so as to permit the nozzle to be maintained a suitable distance from the surface of the part to be cleaned so that the supercritical fluid impinges on the surface.

Abstract: A process for removing undesired sub-micrometer particulates from a chosen substrate (16) comprising the steps of: (a) placing the substrate containing the undesired particulates in a cleaning chamber (12) provided with megasonic energy-producing means (20); (b) introducing a liquefied gas (22), such as liquid carbon dioxide, into the cleaning chamber and contacting the substrate containing the undesired particulates with the liquid carbon dioxide at a temperature below its critical temperature; and (c) exposing the liquid carbon dioxide to the megasonic energy-producing means for a period of time sufficient to remove the undesired particulates from the substrate. The substrate containing the undesired particulates may optionally be contacted with carbon dioxide in the dense phase prior to and/or after the treatment with megasonic energy to aid in removal of the undesired particulates.

Abstract: Precision cleaning of parts is performed with liquefiable gases, such as CO.sub.2, without the use of a complex and costly processor system. Rather, simplified and reliable performance for small scale and "low end" cleaning applications is accomplished without the use of pumps and condensers. The apparatus for removing undesired material from a chosen substrate comprises: (a) an enclosed cleaning chamber in a walled vessel for containing a liquid derived from a liquefiable gas and the substrate containing the undesired particulates and contaminants, the walled vessel adapted to withstand a maximum pressure of about 1,500 pounds per square inch (105.4 kg/cm.sup.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying ultrasonic energy in precision cleaning includes a pressure vessel having a plurality of sonic plates, with or without a rotary device located inside the vessel. The plates may be arranged centrally within the vessel to propagate sonic waves outward, or the plates may be located on an interior wall in the pressure vessel, directed inward. Each plate includes a plurality of sonic transducers, spaced along the longitudinal axis of the pressure vessel. The rotary device may include a plurality of arms carrying removable brush holders or a rotating parts basket. In either case, the device is driven by a motor mounted in a top cover of the pressure vessel. A liquid cleaning fluid, preferably carbon dioxide, is charged in the pressure vessel to submerge the sonic plates and workpieces secured in the pressure vessel. The transducers are then energized and the rotary device engaged to apply both sonic and mechanical agitation to the workpieces for enhanced removal of particulates.