Abstract: There is presented an indicator capsule for determining temperature and t exposure required for food processing comprising a cylindrical tube having a closed end and an open end, a cap for connection to and removal from the open end to close and open the tube, and a solution in the tube which is reactive to accumulated temperature and time exposure to fluoresce proportionally to the accumulated temperature and time exposure. There is further presented an indicator system for determining temperature and time exposure required for food processing including the above capsule, a pipetting device for removing the solution from the capsule, and a spectrofluorometer for indicating the fluorescence of the solution. There is still further presented an indicator capsule wherein the solution comprises bacterial spores; a system including the capsule, a pipetting device, and an agar plate for providing a count of the surviving spores to, in turn, provide an indication of the aggregate thermal effect on the solution.

Abstract: A non-destructive technique for examining the oxidative status of packaged, dry or intermediate moisture foods. In a preferred embodiment, the technique involves packaging the foods in an assembly comprising a container or pouch formed from a pair of sheets heat-sealed to one another along their peripheries. The sheets may each be a trilaminate comprising a polyethylene terephthalate outer layer, an aluminum foil middle layer and a polyolefin inner layer. One of the sheets is provided with a cut-out portion which serves as a light transmissive window. A device comprising a strip of polyethylene terephthalate which is coated on one side with a polyamide coating is mounted across the light transmissive window, with the polyamide coating facing in towards the interior of the pouch. The food within the pouch is stored within about 2 cm of the polyamide coating during oxidation.

Abstract: A photodetection device uses configurations of photodynamic proteins which exhibit a change in electrical conductivity in response to a corresponding change in incident light intensity in the presence of an applied voltage. The photodynamic proteins are coupled to an electrical conductor, a voltage source and a conductivity sensor. The photodynamic protein complex includes at least one layer of a photodynamic protein and preferably includes a multi-layered thin-film structure with each layer comprised of either a photodynamic protein or a conductive polymer or oligomer. Groups of linked photodetectors where the photodetectors have different, but overlapping, spectral response ranges are used to detect specific wavelengths of incident light. An array of these groups of linked photodetectors arranged in a predetermined spatial pattern allows detection of both colon and images.

Abstract: For a given set of dyes, chosen to match a target (standard) color, by combining the a priori percent reflectance and concentration data of primary (calibration) dyeings with that of one or more trial dyeings, a calculated formulation can be obtained which agrees with one of the trial formulations used, or the average, as precisely as desired. A match, color or spectral, to a target color, near to the color of the trial dyeing in color space, is obtained that is, for all practical purposes, as accurate as those dyes permit.

Abstract: A self-heating group meal assembly and method of using same. In one embodiment, the assembly comprises a plurality of heating trays, each heating tray having a plurality of standoffs extending upwardly from the bottom thereof. The assembly also comprises a corresponding plurality of heater assemblies, each heater assembly being positioned within a tray on top of the standoffs so as to define a reservoir between itself and the bottom of its tray. Each heater assembly comprises a sturdy polymeric sheet of material shaped to define a plurality of pockets, an exothermic chemical heater material packaged into each of the pockets and a sheet of porous non-woven scrim attached to the bottom surface of the polymeric sheet and used to seal the pockets. The exothermic chemical heater material comprises a Mg-Fe alloy from which all activating electrolytes have been omitted to prevent inadvertent activation of the alloy in the event of water immersion.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method of preparing and extruding biodegradable starch blends into biodegradable products in such a way that preprocessing steps, such as gelatinizing or destructurizing of the starch, are not required. Unprocessed raw starch is combined with biodegradable copolymers such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), or ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), a nucleating agent, and a plasticizer. The combination may be processed using a twin-screw mixer, and blown into a film. The method described in this invention alleviates pre-preparation steps, reduces the cost and time required to prepare and extrude starch-based biodegradable materials, eliminates the need to use expensive pre-processed starch, and results in a substantially completely biodegradable product.

Abstract: A body heating/cooling garment which utilizes fluid-carrying tubes and provides both air and vapor permeability to promote convective heat transfer while also providing conductive heat transfer.

Abstract: A gliding decelerator and an assembly for use therein for improving the l to drag ratio associated therewith. In a preferred embodiment, the gliding decelerator includes a ram-air canopy shaped to include a plurality of half-cells, each half-cell having an open leading end and a closed tailing end. Inflatable bladders are secured within the respective half-cells of the canopy, the inflatable bladders being appropriately dimensioned so that, when inflated soon after the canopy has been opened, each bladder fills its respective half-cell in such a way as to stiffen the half-cell both along its length and at its open leading end. The inflatable bladders may be inflated simultaneously or in stages, the inflation means comprising a gas source, a flexible manifold connecting the gas source to the half-cells and valve means for controlling the output of the gas source. Control of the valve means may be automatic, e.g., a timer, a remote control unit, or may be controlled by a parachutist, e.g.

Abstract: A method and composition are provided for making biodegradable injection ded parts from 30% to 70% cellulose acetate, 10% to 60% unmodified raw (whole) starch and 5% to 35% plasticizer including glycerols and glycerol acetates. Other ingredients that can be used include: starch, flour and paper acetates; gelatin; boric acid; and agricultural fillers. The solid ingredients are combined and fed to an extruder used to make pellets or to feed injection molding equipment. The resulting parts are clear to white or colorful depending upon the added filler materials. The plastics formed are water resistant, high strength and biodegradable.

Abstract: Langmuir-Blodgett films having photo-electronic properties and methods of making the same. The instant films may be made, for example, by spreading a mixture of one or more types of biotinylated lipids and one or more types of electrically-conductive lipids over a water-miscible liquid subphase. Conjugated molecules comprising a biotin-binding component made up of an avidin or streptavidin molecule or a fragment or derivative thereof having biotin-binding activity and a photodynamic proteinaceous component are then injected into the subphase. Because of the affinity between biotin and the biotin-binding component, the conjugated molecules bind to the biotinylated lipids. The air-subphase interface is then compressed, causing the biotinylated lipids and electrically-conductive lipids to form a monolayer thereat.

Abstract: A facepaint material for application to the skin of the human body to red the possibility of detection of the user by a thermal imaging device. The facepaint material comprises metallic particles embedded in a jelly-like vehicle having no strong radiation absorption bands in the 8-14 micrometer wavelength region.

Abstract: A method of assessing the degree of thermal processing of a food by preparing an aqueous medium including at least a portion of the processed food and monitoring the medium for the presence of a thermally produced compound not present in the unprocessed food to indicate the exposure of the food to heat.

Abstract: A dry soup mix adapted to be combined with water and residual food items in ield ration tray packs to provide a soup, the soup mix comprising a uniformly blended and free flowing mix of substantially dry edible components, the mix being adapted to pass through a U.S. Standard No. 5 sieve, having a moisture content of not greater than 5% by weight, and having a salt content of not greater than 6% by weight, and the mix comprising a selected one of two groups of components, the first of the groups comprising about 22-26% beef related components and the second of the groups comprising about 38-43.5% chicken related components.

Abstract: A self heating individual meal module includes a tub for holding a quantity f food to be heated. Below the tub is a tray containing an electrolytic-solution-activated exothermic-chemical pad and a pouch containing an electrolytic solution. The tub is welded to the tray and in contact with the pad. A pull-tab is attached to the pouch for opening the pouch so that the electrolytic solution inside the pouch can flow out to trigger the exothermic reaction in the pad so as to heat the tub containing the food. The tub and the tray are removably seated in a first paperboard carton which provides protection during storage and transportation and insulation during the heating process. The self heating individual meal module may also include a second paperboard carton having removably seated inside a quantity of bread, a beverage powder, a dessert, accessories and eating utensils. The two paperboard cartons may be glued together to provide a complete single serve meal.

Abstract: A parachute having radial reefing means for use in packing and opening the parachute canopy in a controlled manner. The parachute includes a circular canopy having a peripheral skirt and a plurality of evenly spaced radials. Suspension lines are attached at one end to the skirt at each radial and are bound together at the opposite end in a bundle. Identical sets of at least three reefing rings are attached to each of selected, non-adjacent radials, i.e., reefing radials, which are evenly spaced apart by a distance approximately equal to 25% to 40% of the length of a radial. The outermost reefing ring of each set is attached to its respective reefing radial at the skirt, and the remaining reefing rings of each set are evenly spaced apart by not more than about 2 feet over about 25% to 40% of the length of the reefing radial.

Abstract: A quick-release buckle assembly including an engaging member that is adap to receive a strap, and a receiving member defining a recess for removably receiving the engaging member in a buckle-engaged position. The engaging member in the buckle-engaged position is substantially completely within the peripheral bounds of the recess to prevent inadvertent disengagement of the engaging member from the receiving member. The assembly further includes a flexible tongue protruding from the engaging member to allow the engaging member to be pulled out of the recess to disengage the buckle.

Abstract: An enzyme detergent composition capable of detoxifying G-agents and other OPA chemicals comprises a laundry detergent and an enzymatic cell free extract from E. coli, the composition having a pH of about 6.5 to 10 in water.A method of hydrolyzing a hydrolyzable compound comprises contacting compound with an amount of an aqueous suspension of the enzyme detergent composition of the invention under conditions affective to attain the desired affect.A method of cleaning and detoxifying a product comprising a hydrolyzable compound comprises contacting the product with an amount of an aqueous suspension of the enzyme detergent composition of the invention under conditions capable of attaining the desired affect, and rinsing the product.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing enzyme-catalyzed polymers using the Langmuir-Blodgett technique. In one embodiment, the process comprises spreading one or more enzyme-polymerizable monomers on a water-miscible solvent. The monomers are sufficiently surface active that they align themselves on the air-solvent interface. Next, pressure is applied to the interface to form a monolayer made up of the monomers. An enzyme is then introduced into the solvent, causing polymerization of the monomers in the monolayer. The polymeric monolayers produced by the present method are easier to process and have reduced cross-linking and branching as compared to similar polymers produced in bulk by enzyme-catalyzed reactions.

Abstract: The direction of propagation of a neutral particle beam is determined by positioning a shadow wire in the beam and positioning an array of detector wires downstream from the shadow wire. The shadow wire forms a shadow region downstream thereof, i.e., a region which is depleted of particles due to multiple scattering events. The detector wires are each formed of a different material and the count rate of K shell X-rays emitted from the individual detector wires are used to determine the loction of the centroid of the shadow at the detector wire array. The location of the center of the shadow wire and the position of the downstream shadow centroid are used to establish the direction of beam propagation.

Abstract: A combustion chamber and burner apparatus designed to accept multiple types f liquid fuel for use in ovens and griddles including an outer chamber and an inner chamber. The outer chamber includes an air input conduit at one end and a fluid delivery conduit at the opposite end. The inner chamber is disposed in spaced relationship within the outer chamber, and the air carried by the input conduit is caused to pass over the inner chamber for heat exchange purposes. The products of combustion produced in the inner chamber are mixed with the air passing over the inner chamber in the vicinity of the fluid delivery conduit at the opposite end of the outer chamber. The inner chamber includes a burner assembly including fuel delivery means, a flame retention head and means for moving a quantity of air past the head to shape the burner flame into a tear-drop shape so as to control the flame intensity and thereby the temperature of the substance delivered to the griddle.