Abstract: A multi-color cavity ringdown based spectrometer system is housed in a light tight enclosure to detect the presence of trace quantities of gas phase molecules emanating from a subject, explosives, drugs, or hazardous materials. A method is also disclosed for simultaneous real time detection of gas phase molecules emanating from explosives, drugs, hazardous materials, a subject's breath skin or bodily fluid.

Abstract: A device is provided for detection and analysis of a component of interest in a sample comprising a small sample cell used with an ultra violet laser. The energy of the laser is spread over an area such that energy density is above desorption threshold, but the sample not ablated. The device provides for rapid and reliable detection of a component of interest, and a method of using the same. The sample cell provides decreased dispersion of the sample.

Abstract: Computer software that manages the amount of power provided to a processing unit for a specific process task, optimizing the processing speed of that specific task without overheating the processing unit. In the optimization method, the software initially counts the number of operations completed during an initial subtask duration for the current process task, then recounts the number of operations completed during a repeat subtask duration when the voltage to the processing unit was increased incrementally based on its die size. The software then determines whether to (a) repeat such steps until the operations count stops increasing (and save the completed-operations count of that subtask duration), or (b) whenever the temperature of the processing unit exceeds a failsafe temperature, save the completed-operations count of the immediately preceding subtask duration. The task may be processed continuously at that optimized performance level and power level.

Abstract: An aqueous alkali earth metal salt solution useful as an activator for mixing thoroughly with chicken litter or similar animal waste containing excessive amounts of soluble phosphorus and nitrates. When used as a prelude to treatment with an alkali metal silicate based solution, the aqueous alkali earth metal salt solution greatly increases the chemical binding of the soluble phosphorus and/or nitrates present in the animal waste or nearby environment such as soil or water.

Abstract: A soil amendment or fertilizer composition made from treating chicken litter or similar animal waste, containing excessive amounts of soluble phosphorus and nitrates, with an alkali metal silicate based solution, possibly after mixing with an aqueous alkali earth metal salt solution useful as an activator. The treatment composition and any activator greatly increases the chemical binding of the soluble phosphorus and/or nitrates present in the animal waste or nearby environment such as soil or water.

Abstract: A releasably locking mechanism for locking and releasing the shank of a blade or other implement snugly within a receiver, wherein a magnetized ball extends through aligned holes in the shank and the first wall of the receiver, and seats in a smaller hole in the second wall of the receiver so that the equator of the ball is positioned on the side of the shank nearer to the second wall of the receiver. Unseating the ball and repositioning its equator to the opposite side of the shank, nearer to the first wall of the receiver, facilitates removal of the ball to allow removal of the shank from the receiver.

Abstract: A device allowing essentially simultaneous clamping of at least two clamps, that may have different clamping strengths and/or clearance capacities.

Abstract: A multi-color cavity ringdown based spectrometer is housed in a light tight enclosure to detect the presence of trace quantities of gas phase molecules emanating from explosives, drugs, or hazardous materials being transported through the enclosure or compounds contained in a patient's breath. A method is also disclosed for detecting gas phase molecules emanating from explosives, drugs, hazardous materials, or a patient's breath.

Abstract: An improved system for controlled aerial distribution of substances such as chemicals upon crops in a select field, including coordinating the simultaneous independent application of two different substances. The system may include a pair of sub-systems, one of which includes a computer controlling a variable flow valve capable of varying the release of a substance from the first subsystem. There may also be a second subsystem having a pump activated by a lever that also opens and closes the fluid communication of the first subsystem, in this basic version of the invention, manually positioning the lever to open the spray valve also commences continuous release of a second substance from the second subsystem at a constant rate, until the lever is positioned to close the first fluid communication.