Abstract: An airborne hazardous material reader device capable of receiving a collection element. The reader device has a body forming a slot area for receiving the collection element. The body has a crushing mechanism located within the slot area for breaking ampules attached to the collection element containing chemical testing reagents, a micro-pump positioned proximate to the slot area for controlling the temperature next to the collection element, a diode reading component incorporated within the body for distinguishing color changes from the release of chemical testing reagents from the broken ampules, an indicator for indicating the presence of a hazardous material when the diode reading component distinguishes color changes and a microprocessor that coordinates the sequence of the reader device. A method for airborne hazardous material detection also is disclosed.

Abstract: An alarm system for portable chemical monitors comprising a housing configured for attachment to the portable chemical monitor having a twist lock mechanical connector capable of connecting to the portable chemical monitor, at least three pins mounted within the housing that are capable of inserting into the portable chemical monitor, a circuit board electrically connected to the pins and capable of receiving electrical signals from the chemical monitor, and a ceramic disk supported within the housing having an indicator means for generating vibrational movement that provides a audible sound. A method for monitoring for the presence of chemical agents is disclosed.

Abstract: An advanced chemical-biological mask for protecting a wearer from chemical and biological environmental contaminants. The mask provides improvements for the wearer in the areas of weight/bulk, fit/comfort, optical compatibility, breathing resistance, communication, and protection. The mask includes a facepiece, eye lens, filter means, inlet and outlet valves, and a nosecup all of which may be molded or integrally bonded to the facepiece which also has a face seal adapted to engage a person's face and form seal therewith. The mask also has a suspension flange which is connected to the facepiece adjacent the seal. An elastic suspension system includes a crown portion for suspending the mask on a person's head and pulling the seal downwardly and into contact with the person's face. The separate nosecup has integral channels to direct the flow of incoming gas along a path adjacent the lens to prevent fogging of the lens.

Abstract: A method for the identification of bacteria using genus, species and strain specific biomarkers. The biomarkers are generated by matrix assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) analysis of either cellular protein extracts or whole cells. Biomarkers for a number of pathogenic bacteria are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for producing and sampling chemical agent vapor comprising the steps of placing neat chemical agent in a reservoir, purging the chemical agent in the reservoir with a dry air, and analyzing the air stream exiting the reservoir. A MINICAMS having a removable PCT may be used to analyze the air stream exiting the reservoir. The method may further comprise the steps of changing the relative humidity conditions and testing chemical agent detectors.

Abstract: A particulate aerosol dissemination device comprising a shreddable belt is disclosed. The belt has a plurality of individual cells aligned along the belt length and which extend across the belt width. The cells are separated by partitions extending between the cells across the belt width. The cells are capable of holding a solid aerosol filler comprising any one of the following: obscurant or smoke generating materials; pesticides; insecticides; fungicides; riot control agents; fertilizer; and feed. A method for disseminating a solid particle aerosol using the belt and a process for manufacturing the aerosol belt segments is also disclosed.

Abstract: An air purifying respirator hood, or more particularly, an air purifying, rticulate respirator hood suitable for protection against biological hazards in military and civilian environments. The respirator hood includes an elastic fabric material which blocks the penetration of liquids and airborne particulate contaminants including biological aerosols, yet allows the transmission of moisture vapor and heat transfer to improve user comfort. It also includes at least one HEPA filter, at least one transparent lens, and a breathe-through airflow valve assembly.

Abstract: The invention provides a portable apparatus and a method for quickly conting, suppressing and mitigating localized hazardous material spills. The hazardous material containment apparatus has a vapor, aerosol and particulate containment vessel having a cover and side walls attached around a perimeter of the cover to define an open central cavity. Each of the cover and side walls are composed of a material which resists penetration of a hazardous material therethrough. A tube extending through the vessel has a first end open at a point inside the cavity and a second end at a point outside the vessel. Vacuum and filtration systems are attached to the second end of the tube for extracting a hazardous material from inside the cavity to outside the vessel through the tube.

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 particulate aerosol dissemination device comprising a shreddable belt is isclosed. The belt has a plurality of individual cells aligned along the belt length and which extend across the belt width. The cells are separated by partitions extending between the cells across the belt width. The cells are capable of holding a solid aerosol filler comprising any one of the following: obscurant or smoke generating materials; pesticides; insecticides; fungicides; riot control agents; fertilizer; and feed. A method for disseminating a solid particle aerosol using the belt and a process for manufacturing the aerosol belt segments is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for remotely sensing and identifying chemical and biological terials comprising an interrogation component having a first and second infrared radiation source providing a predetermined exciting energy and a predetermined referencing energy, a collection component for collecting backscattering radiation, an optical analysis component for converting the collected backscattered radiation into Mueller matrix elements, a filter component for pattern recognition from the Mueller matrix for specific predetermined materials and a comparison component for determining the presence of specific predetermined materials. A method for identifying chemical and biological materials is disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for detection, identification, and monitoring of submicron sized particles, the method including the steps of collecting a sample, extracting existing submicron particles from the collected sample based on density, purifying the extracted submicron particles by concentrating the extracted submicron particles based on size, and, detecting and identifying the purified extracted submicron particles based on size and density thereby determining submicron particles present in the collected sample. The submicron particles detected and identified include viruses and virus-like agents such as prions. Thus, virus and virus-like agents can be detected and identified based only on their physical properties without the use of biochemical reagents or assays. A system for carrying out the method of detection and identification of these particles is also disclosed.

Abstract: An aerosol generating device comprising a casing having a base end and a ainer end, with a firing primer mounted through the base end and extending into a propellant zone which contains a propellant. The firing primer is thereby detonationally connected to the propellant. A diffuser plate is mounted inside of the casing on a side of the propellant zone opposite to the firing primer. A filler area inside of the casing is adjacent to the diffuser on an opposite side to the propellant zone. The filler area contains particles of a powder having interstitial void space between the particles. A frangible end seal is attached to the casing within the retainer end, with the frangible end seal being positioned adjacent to the filler area on an opposite side of the diffuser. When activated, propellant gases expand through the diffuser into the fill area deagglomerating and fluidizing the powder particles and increasing pressure until the end seal ruptures and releases an aerosol cloud.

Abstract: A process for the detoxification or demilitarization of the chemical warf agent HT, a mixture of 2,2'-dichlorodiethyl sulfide and bis-(2-(2-chloroethylthio)ethyl) ether, is disclosed. The process includes 1) treating HT with a hydrolyzing agent to form a mixture of thiodiglycol (TDG) and bis-(2-(2-hydroxyethylthio)ethyl) ether(s?) (T-OH); 2) neutralizing the TDG and T-OH mixture to a pH sufficient for biodegradation of the mixture; and biodegrading the neutralized TDG and T-OH mixture. In preferred embodiments, the hydrolyzing agent is water and the neutralizing is carried out with NAOH. Biodegradation is preferably carried out with a sequential batch reactor.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention there is described a method of detecting the presence of toxins, which may traverse bacterial membranes in some manner, in environmental samples using an indicator bacteria such as E. coli K-12 and a fluorescent signal. The method includes:(a) obtaining a positive control signal by placing an indicator bacteria strain such as E. coli K-12 and a bactericidal peptide such as a cecropin in a suitable buffer containing a fluorescent marker for bacterial DNA such as SYTOX;(b) obtaining a negative control signal by placing only the indicator bacteria strain in the buffer containing the fluorescent marker for bacterial DNA;(c) obtaining a test signal by combining an environmental test sample with the indicator bacteria strain and the fluorescent marker for bacterial DNA in the buffer; and(d) comparing the signal generated by the test sample to that obtained for the negative control.

Abstract: A sampling arm coupler device comprises a coupler comprising a rectangular tructure or bar, having a cylindrically hollow bore therethrough. The bar has internal threading along the hollowv bore, and internally threaded holes through opposite sides of the bar perpendicular to the hollow bore. The holes are aligned along the bar so as to permit passage of a bolt therethrough. Additionally, the sampling arm coupler device has a lever arm structure having one insert end comprising a half cylinder portion with external threading and a flat longitudinal sure opposite the external threading. The external threading of the half cylinder is capable of mating with the internal threading of the bore whereby the half cylinder portion and the flat longitudinal surface portion inserts and screws into one end of the bar, wherein the flat longitudinal surface portion is positioned as to allow at least one bolt to be inserted through the bar holes perpendicular to the bore along the flat longitudinal surface portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for intermittently controlling windshield wipers, comprising a setting switch which is capable of being manually activated, a microconller responsive to the activation of the setting switch, means for programming a time interval into the microcontroller in response to activation of said setting switch, whereby the microcontroller initiates a sweeping action of the windshield wipers corresponding to the time interval between activations of the setting switch and continues to initiate a sweeping action of the windshield wipers during the programmed time interval until a subsequent activation of the setting switch, and, either means for decreasing the time interval after setting of the programmed time interval by a single subsequent activation of the setting switch or means for increasing the time interval after setting of the programmed time interval by two subsequent activations of the setting switch. A method for intermittently controlling windshield wipers is also disclosed.

Abstract: A respiratory filtration mask that offers protection from hazardous particulate aerosols, vapors, and the like and which is particularly useful for providing respiratory protection from biological warfare agents. The mask provides a military level of protection against biological agents in a half mask configuration, thereby avoiding the disadvantages of a full face mask such as restricted vision, heat buildup, weight, and feeling of enclosure. The mask has a housing enclosing a filter compartment and a gas transfer compartment and an air inlet which allows unfiltered air into the filter compartment. There is a filter medium in the filter compartment which removes contaminants from the unfiltered air and provides filtered air substantially free of contaminants to the gas transfer compartment. A one way air valve regulates air flow between the filter compartment and the gas transfer compartment.

Abstract: Methods of rapidly detecting the presence of chemical warfare agents, cheal warfare agent precursors and degradation products thereof are disclosed. The methods are useful, for example, in screening chemical sample unknowns in Chemical Warfare Convention (CWC) inspections. The methods include contacting a sample suspected of containing chemical warfare agents, precursors, chemical warfare agent degradation products and mixtures thereof with a sufficient amount of a chromatographic adsorbent material and a sufficient amount of a chromogenic detector reagent whereby a chromogenic indicator is formed when the sample contains chemical warfare agent, precursors or degradation product thereof. A kit useful for carrying out the method is also disclosed. The test methods can be used, either alone or in combination with thin-layer chromatography, to provide presumptive evidence for CWC analytes without actually identifying any of the components of the samples.

Abstract: Recombinant antibody fragments (rFabs) specific to botulinum types A and B oxin complexes are provided. These rFabs are useful as immunosensors for detecting botulinum toxin in food, health care, and military applications. The DNA sequences coding for the rFabs are also disclosed.