Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for enzymatic detoxification of organophosphorus compounds. The compositions contain a recombinant enzyme expressed by a cloned gene encoding an organophosphorus acid anhydrolase (OPAA-2) from the Alteromonas sp. bacteria, strain JD6.5. These compositions may be prepared as a dry powder and reconstituted with various water sources when needed. The methods involve application of compositions of recombinant OPAA-2 to surfaces or substances contaminated with organophosphorus compounds under conditions which maximize activity and stability of the enzyme.

Abstract: A low concentration aerosol generator capable of generating aerosol partis of a known particle size and count is disclosed. The device includes a substantially hollow drying chamber having a first end, a second end, and a gas circulation means for circulating a gas in a flow through the drying chamber via an inlet means and an outlet means. The first end of the drying chamber has an aerosol droplet generator capable of generating aerosol droplets of a predetermined size and which droplets contain a detectable sample within the drying chamber. The second end of the drying chamber includes a delivery tube having a first orifice arranged within the drying chamber for receiving the detectable sample and a second orifice for allowing the detectable sample to exit the drying chamber. The gas circulation means includes means for generating and regulating the flow of the gas through the drying chamber.

Abstract: A portable apparatus for mitigating the effects of chemical, biological aor radiological agent containing explosive devices within a defined area is disclosed. The apparatus is an inflatable, easily portable containment device and includes: explosive blast containment means for substantially containing explosive blast over-pressure and blast fragmentation particles caused by an explosive blast to a substantially defined area; chemical, biological and/or radiological agent mitigation means for substantially mitigating the effects of an explosively deployable chemical, biological and/or radiological agent within the substantially defined area; and an inflatable air-beam suspension support structure having a substantially open base portion, a plurality of lateral support members and a capping structure which, when inflated, establishes the substantially defined area and supports the blast containment and agent mitigation means.

Abstract: A hand-portable, modular and temperature programmable gas chromatography aratus having reduced power consumption requirements is disclosed. The gas chromatography module includes a ring oven for housing a gas chromatography capillary column and programmable means for controlling the temperature of said column within the ring. The gas chromatography capillary column includes a sampling end and an effluent end. The sampling end of the GC capillary column is in fluid communication with a sampling nozzle and a vacuum pulse generating means. The vacuum generating means generates a sample pulse and directs the sample pulse to the sampling end of the gas chromatography capillary column during sample injection mode. During standby mode only clean dry air is directed to the column. The module is also easily interfaced with secondary sample detection or analysis instruments so that additional identification dimensions can added.

Abstract: An opiate analgesic drug formulation which induces minimal respiratory dession is provided which contains a homogeneous mixture of an opiate agonist drug component and an opiate antagonist drug component in an aqueous medium, the opiate agonist component and the opiate antagonist component being present in the mixture in a molar ratio, wherein when the drug formulation is administered to a patient in an amount sufficient for the opiate agonist drug component to induce analgesia in the patient, substantially no respiratory depression is induced in the patient.

Abstract: A projectile grenade launching system tester, comprising a battery, a fem jack to receive voltage from a grenade launcher, a plurality of operational amplifiers to receive constant current from the battery and to receive firing voltage from the grenade launcher through the female jack, a plurality of opto couplers to complete circuits should the voltage from the grenade launcher be greater than 0.5 volts, a plurality of light emitting diodes to indicate by lighting that greater than 0.5 volts is being received and a push button switch to open the circuit and permit resetting of the tester.

Abstract: A chemical sampling apparatus including an interface between a miniature mobility spectrometer and a gas chromatography system. The apparatus has a gas chromatography an ion mobility spectrometer and an input for inputting a regulated flow of a gas to be analyzed to the gas chromatograph. An interface is positioned between the gas chromatograph and the ion mobility spectrometer. The interface accepts and analyzes eluted gas from the gas chromatograph and selectively inputs the eluted gas to the ion mobility spectrometer only when an eluted gas condition to be analyzed is detected.

Abstract: Rapidly deployable restraining systems and methods for rendering personnel, nimals and other objects immobile includes an assembly of confinement devices housed in a dispersion package. Each confinement device has a propellent, a primer and an inflatable bag that is rapidly inflated by the propellent when fired by the primer. A detonator, located in the package, is discharged to open the package, disperse the confinement devices and cause the primers to be energized, thereby inflating the bags. The package is pre-emplaced in a target area or it is projected into the area via a fired projectile of which it is a part.

Abstract: A method for the reduction of toxicity of S-(2-diisopropylamino)ethyl methylphosphonothioate ions in a medium or mixture by reaction with hydrogen peroxide and a strong inorganic acid.

Abstract: A heated capillary tube is axially supported in center of a housing under cuum. One end of the capillary tube receives ions from an ion source. The other end of the capillary tube terminates adjacent to the inner side of a flat plate having an orifice. A transport tube is connected to the outer side of the flat plate and has an open outer end. A first electrical field exists between the capillary tube and the plate to control the flow of ions. A second electrical field exists downstream of the plate, and the tube is disposed within the second electrical field. The transport tube allows for more efficient focusing of ions by the electrical and aerodynamic means to the mass spectrometer. A mechanical valve may be coupled to the capillary tube to independently control the flow of ions and the entire probe may be removed without compromising the vacuum in the mass spectrometer.

Abstract: An Analytical Glove Box System has a sealed instrumentation enclosure, a ve box having an injection port coupled to the instrumentation and an air lock through which sample vials can be passed from outside into the glove box. A pump is provided for withdrawing gas from the glove box enclosure through a filter system so that the glove box is maintained at a negative pressure with respect to ambient. Toxic chemical samples can thus be safely handled by an operator and analyzed with sophisticated instrumentation without the risk of contamination. All effluent from the glove box is filtered before release to ambient, leakage from the glove box is further eliminated due to the negative pressure differential maintained, and the instruments are isolated from the potentially contaminated environment of the glove box. The system further provides the ability to conduct highly toxic chemical analysis in field locations since it is portable (including air transportable) and is easily decontaminated.

Abstract: A system for generating a chemical agent airstream for testing chemical at detection devices. The system includes subsystems for generating the chemical agent airstream, a parallel subsystem for generating an airstream for preconditioning the detection device and a subsystem for generating an interferant airstream for further determining the reliability of the detection device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the decomposition of a gaseous mater under controlled temperature and time conditions. The method is particularly useful for testing the decomposition of pyrotechnic compositions useful in grenades. The method vaporizes the test composition in an enclosed vaporization chamber. Thereafter the process flows a stream of an inert gas into the enclosed vaporization chamber and mixes the vaporized composition with the stream of an inert gas to form a mixed stream. The mixed stream is transferred to an enclosed temperature exposure chamber and exposed to regulated heating conditions for a determined time with subsequent analysis of the exposed mixed stream.

Abstract: A method for detoxifying substituted and unsubstituted phosphonothiolates and phosphonothioic acids. The method requires reacting the phosphonothiolate or phosphonothioic acid with a sufficient amount of a compound containing an HSO.sub.5 -ion, for a sufficient time and under conditions sufficient to produce a reaction product having less toxicity than the phosphonothiolate or phosphonothioic acid. The preferred compound containing an HSO.sub.5 -ion is potassium monopersulfate, 2KHSO.sub.5.KHSO.sub.4.K2S0.sub.4.

Abstract: A spectroradiometer for analyzing chemicals located within a panorama comsed of hyperboloid mirrors for directing light received from the panorama through a collimator and via an interferometer to an array of detectors, the signals from which are subjected to parallel discrete Fourier transform and parallel spectra pattern recognition systems. Transmissions of data is achieved by using an interferometer having modulated photoelastic modulators positioned between linear polarizers, directing laser light through the interferometer to the hyperboloid mirrors and providing a receiver comprised of a linear polarizer, a detector, a plurality of band pass amplifiers, and a processor for recognizing the different patterns in the output of the amplifier that result from rotating at least one of the photoelastic modulators and polarizers to a different position.

Abstract: A cell for testing passive remote vapor detectors has a cell body with a blackbody radiation source attached to a first end and a window attached to a second end. The blackbody radiation source and the window seal the first and second ends, so that a hazardous vapor can be easily contained. With this arrangement, it is easy to account for the effects of the window on output radiation and thus to calculate radiance and temperature quantities of interest.

Abstract: A method of identifying pathogens, comprising the steps of forming a micrhere having a fluorescent compound attached thereto as a solid matrix for the fluorescent compound. A single strand of DNA is immobilized on the matrix to form a probe, and prior to that a short complementary central piece is formed with a fluorescent compound labelled on one end thereof which joins the central piece to the probe. The two strands bind to form a microsphere/probe complex which is subjected to contact with a complementary strand of an unknown sample to displace the centrally attached probe appendage to provide an increase in fluorescent signal indicative of the emission maxima of the dye in the microsphere to verify the similarity of the unknown sample with known members of the complex.

Abstract: A destructive device containing a thermite-type composition having a core burning configuration. The device comprises a housing having a top, a bottom, and a thermally insulated liner to maximize the thermal effectiveness of an ignition. The bottom has a circumferential skirt and defines one orifice therein for directing the expulsion of the thermite-type-composition upon ignition, the top has vents which together with the bottom orifice and skirt balance the escape of gas and prevent the device from moving during ignition.

Abstract: Methods of detoxifying chemical warfare agents and decontaminating surfaces which have been exposed to chemical warfare agents are disclosed. The methods include contacting a composition confining a chemical warfare agent or contaminated surface with a sufficient amount of a sorbent which contains an activated aluminum oxide for a sufficient time and under conditions which are sufficient to produce a reaction product which is less toxic than the chemical warfare agent and/or to reduce the contamination of the surface by the chemical warfare agent.

Abstract: A method of producing a visible one-way screening smoke is disclosed. The thod includes substantially concurrently deploying into ambient atmosphere a first smoke cloud containing a light absorbent material such as carbon black and a second smoke cloud containing a white nonabsorbent visible screening smoke substantially parallel to and apart from the first cloud so that a two layer obscurant cloud having a one-way visibility effect is created in which visibility is substantially maintained only in the direction of the first cloud through the second cloud.