Abstract: A system (100) and method for detecting contaminants in parcels or other mailings (110). The contaminants, either genuine or hoax, are detected using the system (100) that includes a jogger (140) that shakes the parcels or other mailings (110). The system (100) further comprises a particle sampler (170) that analyzes the air flow created over the parcels (110) while the parcels are shaken. The system (100) and method preferable includes a parcel opening cutter (120) and a ram (148) for compressing during the shaking of the parcels. The air flow is sampled in order to detect whether or not a plurality of opened parcels is suspected of including contaminants such as biological threat material.

Abstract: A light source is situated on a headgear device and placed to direct light toward the pupil of the eye at an intensity that causes the iris to constrict, resulting in a smaller pupil. This prevents the light scattering due to ophthalmic surgery or eye injury from entering the eye, thereby reducing or eliminating visual aberrations.

Abstract: Thermal interfaces and methods include an array of carbon nanotubes aligned substantively perpendicularly from a substrate. One method includes arranging metal catalyst particles with a particular ligand on a fluid surface of a Langmuir-Blodgett trough. This forms uniformly spaced particles with spacing based on the particular ligand. The uniformly spaced metal catalyst particles are deposited on a substrate and carbon nanotubes are grown on the particles using chemical vapor deposition. A thermal interface can be produced with a carbon nanotube packing ratio greater than fifty percent and used in a thermal switch or other device. In some methods, commercially available nanotubes are condensed on a substrate using carbon nanotubes with terminal carboxylic acids in solution and an amine monolayer on the substrate. Pretreatment of the nanotubes in a switch by applying heavy pressure between two surfaces results in good thermal conductivity between those surfaces at smaller operating pressures.

Abstract: A device for measuring and detecting the organophosphonis compounds, such as a pesticides or a nerve agents is provided. The devices function by selectively binding an organophosphorous compound to a luminescent functionality-imprinted copolymer. The copolymers possess a securely bound luminescent lanthamide ion, such as Eu3+, in a coordination complex that has been templated for the chemical functionality.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for neutralizing airborne pathogens in ventilated air, and in heating or air conditioning systems. The pathogen neutralization system is effective against a wide spectrum of pathogens, it incorporates commercially available components, and it can be readily integrated into commercial HVAC systems where it neutralizes airborne pathogens in large volumes of ventilated air in real time without any chemical reagents. Typically, the system has a flow-through reaction chamber that contains a UV light source that emits short intense flashes of broad-spectrum UV light, a source of water vapor or spray, and an ozone generator. The system generates highly reactive ozone intermediates by irradiating ozone gas with UV light in the presence of water droplets or water vapor. The pathogens that can be neutralized by this system include bacteria, viruses, spores, fungi and parasites.

Abstract: Sensing elements that quickly and accurately determine if a liquid or gas is present around the sensing elements are disclosed. These sensing elements find particular application in identifying the location of the cavity wall in which a supercavitating vehicle is operating, relative to the vehicle. In certain embodiments signal emitting elements carried on the vehicle emit signals towards the presumed position of the cavity wall, and sensing elements carried on the vehicle receive the emitted signals after they are reflected off of the cavity wall. The sensing elements identify the location where the reflected signal is received, and based on this identified location, the location of the cavity wall is determined. In alternative embodiments, sensing elements are positioned along fins extending outward with respect to the hull of the vehicle, and the sensors sense the presence of liquid or gas.

Abstract: An optical switch and optical storage loop are used as the basis of a single-photon source and a quantum memory for photonic qubits. To operate as a single-photon source, the techniques include a source of a pair of photons, such as a parametric down-conversion crystal, which is known to emit photons in pairs. The detection of one member of the pair activates the switch, which re-routes the other member into the storage loop. The stored photon is then known to be circulating in the loop, and can be switched out of the loop at a later time chosen by the user, providing a single photon for potential use in a variety of quantum information processing applications. To operate as a quantum memory for photonic qubits, a single-photon in an arbitrary initial polarization state is coherently stored in the loop, and coherently switched out of the loop when needed.

Abstract: Security material such as cloth, either normal strength or armored, or fragile webbing into which electronic micro-devices are woven to detect and react to tampering of the monitored article at the scene or via a network. Also disclosed are fasteners that permit reuse of the cloth and webbing. Facilitates the monitoring of high value articles and facilities and automatically records or responds to tampering attempts to increase the level of security for personal and organizational uses.

Abstract: A method and system for mapping the flow data that will be the subject of wavelet transform equations to a system comprising adders, subtractors, multipliers and/or dividers to perform the mathematical functions set forth in the particular wavelet transform. A shift register is utilized to continually flow the individual data bytes of the data file being processed through the system. By mapping these hardware components to perform the computations involved in wavelet transform equations, an entire data file (e.g., a digital image) can be processed serially as it flows through the shift register triggered by a clock pulse to the shift register.

Abstract: A food spoilage sensor of the general formula wherein M is a transition metal ion; D1, D2, D3 and D4 can be the same or different and can be N or P; R1 and R2, R3 and R4, R5 and R6, and R7 and R8 can be the same or different and from, taken together with the adjacent carbon atoms to which they are bonded and joined together, an aromatic or a cyclic group with at least one of the aromatic or cyclic groups possessing one or more polymerizable moieties. The complex selectively binds biogenic amines which are released by food spoilage microorganisms and undergo a detectable color change upon exposure thereto.

Abstract: A system and method to modularize a signal observation process to allow continual adaptation as the independent modules evolve. Receivers, digitizers, storage, and synchronization means form discrete subsystems that can be integrated together yet still be independently upgraded or modified. The integrated system is controlled by software that allows continuous deterministic signal observation for arbitrarily long periods of time. The software enables a schedule-based temporal collection of signals through a method that controls the tuning of the receivers and the downloading of data to storage media. The control software also allows automatic distributed operation of multiple sites in synchronization to within parts per million or better.

Abstract: A pulsed plasma thruster (PPT) and a method of making the pulsed plasma thruster are disclosed. The PPT includes no moving parts and is able to achieve a small size. The PPT is also designed to facilitate easy and rapid manufacture. The process for making the PPT uses known techniques for making printed circuit board devices. Another PPT also has no moving parts and uses a liquid fuel that is progressively advanced by capillary action.

Abstract: The index of refraction in a length of doped and/or “doped-and-poled” electro-optic polymers is controlled so that a gradual transition from a low ?n to a high ?n, or vice versa, is achieved for use in, for example, a lightguide-to-fiber transition. Multiple methods for creating this gradual transition are disclosed.

Abstract: A means of assessing the internal structure of teeth based upon use of high frequency, highly localized ultrasound (acoustic waves) generated by a short laser pulse is presented. In contrast to traditional contact transducer methods, laser-generated ultrasound is non-contact and non-destructive in nature and requires no special tooth surface preparation. Optical interferometric detection of ultrasound provides a complementary non-destructive, non-contact means for obtaining data with a very small detection footprint. The combination of laser-generated ultrasound and optical interferometric detection allows for in-vivo diagnostics of tooth health that is sensitive to the enamel/dentin, dentin/pulp, and dentin/cementum interfaces as well as a region of dead tracts in the dentin within a tooth.

Abstract: An electromagnetic bioimpedance measurement apparatus uses an alternating magnetic field to induce electrical eddy currents in biological tissue. The eddy currents produce secondary magnetic fields that have the effect of changing the mutual inductance between the tissue and the coil that applied to the initial magnetic field. The amplitude of the resultant voltage, as measured by the same coil or a different receiver coil, is proportional to the conductivity of the tissue. A simple, marginally stable oscillator circuit is used to generate the current into the coil. Nearfield holographic signal processing is then used for holographic image formation. Bioimpedance is used to distinguish between normal tissue and cancerous tissue, especially cancerous prostate tissue. An invasive embodiment includes driven needle electrodes that are inserted into the body segment to be tested. Noninvasive embodiments include single or multiple coils arranged on a probe shaft.

Abstract: Molecularly imprinted polymer membranes for selectively collecting phosphate, nitrate and ferric ions are disclosed, prepared by copolymerizing a matrix monomer, cross-linking agent, ion imprinting complex, permeability agent and polymerization initiator, after which the ions of the ion imprinting complex are permeability agent are removed. The permeability agent creates channels in the membrane permitting the ion binding sites in the membrane to communicate with the exterior surface of the membrane.

Abstract: Mass spectrometric techniques are provided for detecting the presence of parasites that accumulate unbound heme in red blood cells (including malaria parasites), based on the discovery that unbound heme can be detected and quantified using mass spectrometry. In one aspect of the invention, the method includes the steps of: obtaining a blood sample from the animal; preparing a test sample on a support from the blood sample, and inserting the support into a mass spectrometer for analysis. Next one obtains a mass spectrum of the test sample and determines whether the mass spectrum contains a mass/charge signature of unbound heme. If it is determined that the mass spectrum of the test sample shows the mass/charge signature of unbound heme, the animal is diagnosed as infected with malaria parasites.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer is provided herein and is configured to have two ionization sources, in which a first ionization source, such as MALDI, ESI and the like, which is capable of providing in addition to ions a set of normally intractable desorbed neutrals that are ionized by a second EI source coupled with the first source.

Abstract: The present invention is a method, system, and computer program product for implementation of a capable, general purpose compression algorithm that can be engaged “on the fly”. This invention has particular practical application with time-series data, and more particularly, time-series data obtained form a spacecraft, or similar situations where cost, size and/or power limitations are prevalent, although it is not limited to such applications. It is also particularly applicable to the compression of serial data streams and works in one, two, or three dimensions. The original input data is approximated by Chebyshev polynomials, achieving very high compression ratios on serial data streams with minimal loss of scientific information.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for placing atoms inside an appropriate nanocavity for enhancing two-photon absorption and quantum information processing based on the Zeno effect. Techniques for fabricating suitable nanocavities include: 1) a short length of optical fiber polished on the ends with the ends coated to form suitable mirrors; 2) a continuous length of fiber with the equivalent of mirrors being formed within the fiber using Bragg gratings; 3) a single filament of glass (such as fused silica) being suspended between two mirrors (without any cladding) and surrounded by an atomic vapor, solid, or liquid; 4) a small glass sphere (such as fused silica) that has been melted on the end of an optical fiber; and 5) a small toroid (ring) of glass bent in a circle surrounded by suitable atoms.