Abstract: A method of making a physical unclonable function (PUF) having magnetic and non-magnetic particles is disclosed. Measuring both magnetic field and image view makes the PUF difficult to counterfeit. PUF may be incorporated into a user-replaceable supply item for an imaging device. A PUF reader may be incorporated into an imaging device to read the PUF. Other methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are fibers which contains identification fibers. The identification fibers can contain a plurality of distinct features, or taggants, which vary among the fibers and/or along the length of the identification fibers of the fibers, a fiber band, or. The disclosed embodiments also relate to the method for making and characterizing the fibers. Characterization of the fibers can include identifying distinct features, combinations of distinct features, and number of fibers with various combinations of distinct features to supply chain information. The supply chain information can be used to track the fibers, fiber band, or yarn from manufacturing through intermediaries, conversion to final product, and/or the consumer.

Abstract: A method and means for identifying the authenticity and the genuine nature of a solid or liquid bulk material, by incorporating a marking composition containing at least one trace ion into the said bulk material, whereby the total concentration of the incorporated trace ions in the market bulk material is chosen to be lower than the corresponding concentration of the same ions in standard sea water. The authenticity and the genuine nature or the adulteration level of the marked bulk material can be tested in-the-field using electrochemical sensors, and confirmed in the laboratory using a method such as atomic absorption spectroscopy, ion chromatography or mass spectrometry.

Abstract: A method and means for identifying the authenticity and the genuine nature of a solid or liquid bulk material, by incorporating a marking composition containing at least one trace ion into the said bulk material, whereby the total concentration of the incorporated trace ions in the market bulk material is chosen to be lower than the corresponding concentration of the same ions in standard sea water. The authenticity and the genuine nature or the adulteration level of the marked bulk material can be tested in-the-field using electrochemical sensors, and confirmed in the laboratory using a method such as atomic absorption spectroscopy, ion chromatography or mass spectrometry.

Abstract: Sintered, translucent ceramic microbeads, preferably alumina, titania, zirconia, yttria, zirconium phosphate, or yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) are doped with one or more optically active species. The beads may be added to substances such as explosives in order to create a distinctive optical signature that identifies a manufacturer, lot number, etc. in the event of the need for forensic analysis. Because the beads have a generally spherical surface, the radius of curvature provides an additional distinguishing characteristic by which a particular sample may be identified. The beads could also be formulated into paints if needed to create distinctive optical signatures for camouflage, decoys, or other countermeasures and could also be applied as a dust to track the movement of personnel, vehicles, etc.

Abstract: A gas generating composition, when ignited, produces gas to inflate an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device. The gas generating composition comprises ammonium nitrate phase stabilized with a moisture indicating material. The moisture indicating material exhibits a color that changes with change in the concentration of moisture within the ammonium nitrate.

Abstract: A pyrotechnic mixture for use in tracer rounds of projectiles to increase sibility under high speed conditions when viewed through laser hardened optics, comprising, in percentages by weight, an admixture of 20% to 40% magnesium, 10% to 30% strontium nitrate, 3% to 8% sodium nitrate, 3% to 20% barium peroxide and 1% to 5% viton. Additional ingredients that increase the pyrotechnic effectiveness are 0% to 5% aluminum, 0% to 15% potassium perchlorate, 0% to 5% manganese dioxide, 0% to 10% iron oxide as Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3, 0% to 15% potassium nitrate, 0% to 10% Teflon and 0% to 1% ethyl cellulose.

Abstract: A shock tube initiator comprises a core charge having an oxidizer-rich fuel-oxidizer mixed particle system the mixed particle system containing co-mingled particles of finely comminuted organic dyestuff of the phthalocyanine family or a similarly thermally-stable organic dyestuff in sufficient quantity to impart a distinct color to the charge, the dyestuff being a material which does not decompose below 250.degree. C.

Abstract: A shock tube initiator comprises a plastics tubing having an unobstructed axial bore, said tubing having throughout its length an inner surface upon which unconsolidated reactive materials are provided as a loosely adherent dusting of shock-dislodgeable particles at a core loading sufficiently low to avoid rupture of the tubing in use, wherein said reactive materials comprise flake metallic fuel particles having a surface colouring layer of pigment, e.g. Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3 whereby on firing of the core charge the residue is visibly of a different colour, hue, or shade.

Abstract: A method of producing a coloured shock tubing comprising a visibly coloured hollow tube having an inner coating of a reactive material wherein the core loading of the reactive material in the tube may be measured by radiation absorption. The visible colouration of the hollow tube is effected by the addition of a coloured compound, which compound is essentially transparent to the radiation used to measure core loading. A one stage extrusion process may be utilized to prepare a shock tube wherein core loading is easily measured during production, and verified after production.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for rendering explosives and weapons radio-opaque so as to allow their detection by low level x-ray machines.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the improved processing of materials wherein microcapsules containing a microencapsulated detection agent are combined with the components to be mixed; the microcapsules are designed to rupture at predetermined conditions, and the mixtures are monitored for the presence of the detection agent which indicates that the predetermined conditions were achieved.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel magnetically traceable or detectable explosive blended with a magnetic ferrite powder which facilitates the detection of the misfired explosive, e.g. dynamite, remaining in the field after blasting by a magnetic means but not to adversely affect the stability of the explosive. The ferrite powder is freed of any free alkalinity on the surface before blending with the explosive either by washing with water, neutralization with a dilute acid, reaction with an acid followed by washing with water or neutralization with an alkali and/or by coating with a polymeric material on the particles. The most efficient method for the coating of the ferrite powder with a polymeric material is the in situ polymerization of a radical-polymerizable monomer in contact with the ferrite particles in the presence of hydrogensulfite ions and the explosives blended with such a polymer-coated ferrite powder retain their stability even after a prolonged storage.

Abstract: Vapor permeable microcapsules filled with volatile perfluoroalkyl bromide and used to tag articles for the detection thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel magnetically traceable or detectable explosive blended with a magnetic ferrite powder which facilitates the detection of the misfired explosive, e.g. dynamite, remaining in the field after blasting by a magnetic means but not to adversely affect the stability of the explosive. The ferrite powder is freed of any free alkalinity on the surface before blending with the explosive either by washing with water, neutralization with a dilute acid, reaction with an acid followed by washing with water or neutralization with an alkali and/or by coating with a polymeric material on the particles. The most efficient method for the coating of the ferrite powder with a polymeric material is the in situ polymerization of a radical-polymerizable monomer in contact with the ferrite particles in the presence of hydrogensulfite ions and the explosives blended with such a polymer-coated ferrite powder retain their stability even after a prolonged storage.

Abstract: Vapor permeable microcapsules filled with volatile perfluoroalkyl pentafluorosulfide and used to tag articles for the detection thereof.