Abstract: The invention relates to the impregnation of clothing, specifically Battle ress Uniforms (BDUs) used by the U.S. Military, with amylopectin fabric wrinkle inhibitor and permethrin insect/arthropod repellent in combination. In one disclosed embodiment of the invention, BDUs are loaded into a field laundry, are rinsed with clear water at 120 degrees Fahrenheit, and amylopectin is applied at a particular concentration. The BDUs preferably are then steam pressed. Permethrin at a predetermined concentration is then applied preferably by the "Individual Dynamic Absorption Application" (IDAA) procedure. The retention of permethrin by clothing treated with amylopectin unexpectedly reveals a substantially higher retention level than clothing without treatment by amylopectin after multiple laundry cycles, providing thereby a dramatic improvement in the insect/arthropod repelling action of the clothing over time.

Abstract: The shelf life of a bakery product is extended by including in the dough mixture, from which such product is formed, both a sucrose ester emulsifier and polyvinylpyrrolidone synthetic hydrocolloid. The storage characteristics of the product may be additionally improved by controlling water activity through the use of a alcohol in the proper quantity. Shelf life is further enhanced by minimizing the residual oxygen in the container in which the product is packaged.

Abstract: A bread pan having corrugated top, bottom and side walls permits the baking f loaves having a generally accordion-like shape, such loaves being to some degree pressable without fracture. The pan has a bottom portion and a cooperating lid with the interface there between defining a seal which may be interrupted as a result of an increase of pressure within the pan to thereby release steam during baking.

Abstract: A method of forming a crosslinked chitosan polymer comprises contacting cosan with a basic solution of an epihalohydrin compound and heating the resulting mixture to a temperature and for a time sufficient to effect crosslinking of the chitosan. The crosslinked chitosan polymer exhibits water insolubility and biodegradability.

Abstract: A microcomputer-based real-time flash x-ray controller, which completely eliminates the "guesswork" in capturing projectiles on radiographs. The microcomputer measures the projectile velocity with high precision, calculates the correct delays in real-time and sends out appropriate triggering pulses to activate the x-ray tubes, arbitrarily arranged along the projectile flight path, to capture the projectile on radiographs at desired locations. The system imposes virtually no restrictions on x-ray tube locations downrange. It is software driven, user friendly and fully programmable for various ballistic range set-ups and it can be easily adapted to synchronize the time-critical controls of other equipment such as high speed cameras, target instrumentations, and the like. The use of a personal computer, centralizes the range operations as equipment control and experiment record-keeping become an integral task.

Abstract: A baking oven utilizes a vapor chamber for at least three of its six inside alls. A vaporized heat transfer medium is circulated through the walls of the oven to provide a more uniform temperatrure distribution throughout the oven.

Abstract: A liquid transfer device, which may be used as a drinking tube assembly to stablish fluid communication between the interior of a canteen and the interior of a protective mask, defines a pair of parallel fluid flow paths which respectively include opposite directly check valves. The parallel flow paths merge at the opposite ends of the assembly to form common flow paths which may be caused to respectively communicate with a suction tube and liquid storage container.

Abstract: An anatomically shaped earseal is provided for headset earcups. The earseal s thinner at the top than at the bottom and gradually widens toward the bottom to evenly distribute the pressure and provide a tight seal with the wearer's head.

Abstract: A parachute assembly and method for the controlled airdrop of a payload is isclosed. The parachute assembly includes a cluster of parachutes and a control means. Each parachute in the cluster includes a canopy, a plurality of reefing rings attached to the skirt portion of the canopy and a plurality of suspension lines that are attached to the skirt portion at their one end and attachable to a payload at their other end. The control means comprises a common member disposed between and intermediate to each parachute, a plurality of control lines that are threaded through a plurality of the reefing rings on confronting skirt portions of each of two parachutes, and at least one control loop for each control line, which control loop is breakable under tension forces generated at the skirt portion during canopy opening. The method for controlling canopy release and opening of clustered parachutes comprises releasing the clustered parachutes from a single deployment bag.

Abstract: A method of fabricating 18% Ni maraging steel laminates of varying alloy compositions by roll bonding. Laminates composed of a plurality of different grades of Cobalt-containing or Cobalt-free maraging steels are disclosed.

Abstract: An articulating fixture for the flexure testing of ceramics, having a lower structure for supporting the bottom of a specimen to be tested and an upper structure for placing a load into the top surface of the specimen. Each such structure includes at least one articulated cooperating assembly which allows rotation in the direction of the surface of the specimen whereby when the specimen is twisted, it will adapt to the twist and still properly apply the load to the specimen. In one arrangement, each of the structures includes two lines of pressure provided by two loading pins so that there are four such points in the fixture. In another arrangement, the upper structure includes one line of pressure provided by one loading pin, and the bottom structure includes two lines of pressure provided by two loading pins so that there are three such points in the fixture.

Abstract: A method for forming a single-phase, homogeneous and high surface area metal alloy by reducing a polyheterometallic complex at a low temperature in hydrogen-containing gas.

Abstract: A method of diffusion bonding copper to titanium alloy employing hot isosic pressure by an inert gas in a sealed chamber. Use of niobium metal as an interfoil between the copper and titanium alloy and the application of the method to the manufacture of a projectile is also disclosed.

Abstract: A gun tube having an outer sleeve of reduced weight from that of the base d having improved characteristics in firing accuracy. A method of fabrication pertaining to a selected titanium alloy sleeve in combination with a steel base is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention is a continuous polymerization process for producing high molecular weight linear poly(dichlorophosphazene) polymers in dilute solution. Substantially pure cyclic oligomers represented by the formula (NPCl.sub.2).sub.n are polymerized in dilute solution in an inert solvent at a temperature in the range from 150 degrees Celsius to 300 degrees Celsius for a period of time sufficient to convert a predetermined percentage of oligomer to polymer. The polymer solution may be added to a fresh solution of oligomer, solvent and catalyst to obtain polymers of greater molecular weight. This step may be repeated as many times as necessary to obtain a particular molecular weight. This invention provides a significant improvement in the attainable molecular weight in dilute solution polymerization, with a very high conversion rate of oligomer. The viscosity of the solution during the continuous reaction process is maintained at a level which may be easily handled.

Abstract: A heterodyne type interferometer utilizing two optically aligned photoelac modulators driven at the same frequency and in phase quadrature.

Abstract: A dynamically matched optical filter is formed within a multiple telescope optical imaging system. Entrance and exit pupil geometries, the phases and tilts of multiple imaging paths and system alignments are sensed and controlled to allow wide field of view imaging and the enhancement or suppression of certain spatial frequencies of interest.

Abstract: A rotating Doppler Frequency shifter comprises spiral members which surround a first mirror affixed to a rotating shaft, and a second mirror affixed to an arm which extends from the shaft and rotates therewith. Each spiral member has a reflective inner surface which is shaped such as to reflect a signal impinging thereon back along its entry path. This arrangement provides for a continuous Doppler frequency shifting of the input signal.

Abstract: A system and method for large angle off-axis steering of the composite beam from a phased array telescope system.

Abstract: A perforated plate-spacer ring type of crossflow heat exchanger adapted for improved cryogenic operation. Plastic spacer rings have been eliminated and replaced by metallic spacer rings whose convoluted cross section provides good thermal isolation between adjacent perforated plates.