Abstract: A portable, lightweight, easy-to-carry, reusable, durable, and environmentally-friendly assembly for sterilizing contaminated equipment using conditions of a chemical sterilant, heat, and humidity generated in situ without requiring external electricity, fuels, or other exogenous energy sources for operation. The carry assembly includes a plastic carry-case or insulated aluminum pressure vessel having an inner chamber for accepting microbiologically contaminated objects, a vessel disposed in the chamber for serving as a reaction chamber and/or boiler, a chemical combination which upon mixing generates at least minimally sufficient conditions of the sterilant, heat, and humidity to effect sterilization of the objects, and outlet valves mounted on the carry-case for controllably venting pressures above ambient air pressure.

Abstract: A thermal barrier fabric includes an inner impermeable material layer, an outer impermeable material layer, a spacer material disposed between the inner and outer impermeable material layers, and a reflective layer of material disposed between the spacer and a selected one of the inner impermeable material layer and the outer impermeable material layer. The inner and outer impermeable material layers are bound to each other along portions thereof outboard of the spacer material and the reflective layer of material to define a closed compartment. The compartment is under a vacuum, such that the reflective layer of the fabric reflects thermal energy back toward the source thereof and the vacuum substantially prevents thermal energy transfer through the compartment.

Abstract: A portable, lightweight, easy-to-carry, reusable, durable, and environmentally-friendly assembly for sterilizing contaminated equipment using conditions of a chemical sterilant, heat, and humidity generated in situ without requiring external electricity, fuels, or other exogenous energy sources for operation. The carry assembly includes a plastic carry-case or insulated aluminum pressure vessel having an inner chamber for accepting microbiologically contaminated objects, a vessel disposed in the chamber for serving as a reaction chamber and/or boiler, a chemical combination which upon mixing generates at least minimally sufficient conditions of the sterilant, heat, and humidity to effect sterilization of the objects, and outlet valves mounted on the carry-case for controllably venting pressures above ambient air pressure.

Abstract: A water storage and delivery assembly includes stackable compartments, each compartment having a planar bottom wall, opposed side walls, and opposed end walls, forming a reservoir. Frusto-conically shaped conduits having open large first ends are fixed to peripheries of openings in the bottom walls, and open smaller second ends are disposed below upper edges of the side and end walls. The assembly further includes a bottom-most compartment of the same construction but having no openings in the bottom wall thereof. Water poured into a first conduit is flowable through a plurality of first conduits to the bottom-most compartment while air escapes upwardly through a series of second conduits, the water rising until all the compartments of the assembly are filled. Each compartment is provided with an outlet operable to permit the water to travel from a compartment to an exothermic mass.

Abstract: A self-heating, self-hydrating pouch to simultaneously heat and hydrate a prepackaged, partially or completely dehydrated food or beverage product that is stored in the pouch. The pouch comprises multiple layers of material that prevent the transmission of water and gasses thereby preventing deterioration of the prepackaged food or beverage product. The pouch includes a membrane filter structure and flameless, exothermic reaction agents. The user adds potable or non-potable water to the pouch. When the water contacts the exothermic reaction agents, an exothermic reaction occurs which heats the water above 200° F. The membrane filter structure filters the heated water to remove bacteria, viruses, chemicals and by-products of the exothermic reaction. The filtered, heated water contacts the partially or completely dehydrated food product or dehydrated beverage product and simultaneously heats and hydrates the food or beverage product.

Abstract: A flexible bag assembly for containment and dispersal of liquids includes a bag having flexible front and back panels, and a peripheral side panel structure interconnecting the front and back panels at sealed seams, the panels defining a chamber for retaining the liquid, a water-proof zipper disposed in the front panel, a detachable cover member fixable to an outside surface of the front panel and adapted to cover the zipper, and a closeable and openable tube extending from within the chamber, through one of the panels and outwardly therefrom, the tube being adapted to facilitate the selective dispersal of the liquid from the bag.

Abstract: A portable, lightweight, easy-to-carry, reusable, durable, and environmentally-friendly assembly for sterilizing contaminated equipment using conditions of a chemical sterilant, heat, and humidity generated in situ without requiring external electricity, fuels, or other exogenous energy sources for operation. The carry assembly includes a plastic carry-case or insulated aluminum pressure vessel having an inner chamber for accepting microbiologically contaminated objects, a vessel disposed in the chamber for serving as a reaction chamber and/or boiler, a chemical combination which upon mixing generates at least minimally sufficient conditions of the sterilant, heat, and humidity to effect sterilization of the objects, and outlet valves mounted on the carry-case for controllably venting pressures above ambient air pressure.

Abstract: A ballistic protection shelter includes a soft-walled shelter structure wherein soft wall and soft roof portions are supported on at least one rigid support member, and an internal shelter structure for disposition within the soft-walled shelter structure. The internal shelter structure includes at least rigid side wall panels connectable to each other to form an enclosure. The panels are of a ballistic protective material adapted to provide protection to shelter occupants against explosive detonations and shrapnel.

Abstract: An assembled hematin is formed by depositing hematin on an electrically charged substrate in one or more layers alternating with one or more layers of polyelectrolyte, preferably a cationic polymer. In a method for polymerizing an aromatic monomer, the assembled hematin is contacted with the monomer and a template, preferably an anionic polymer. In a method for polymerizing aniline, the aniline, sulfonated multi walled carbon nano tubes, PEG hematin and a reaction initiator are dispersed in water.

Abstract: A thermal insulation material for articles of clothing, the material including fibers for providing thermal insulation and fibers for providing a stable structure for the material.

Abstract: An apparatus for dissipating shock load in a parachute delivery system has at least one strip of material having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a predetermined length. The apparatus also has a piercing member having a first portion for piercing through the strip of material and a second portion that defines an opening. The strip of material passes through the opening in the piercing member. The first end of the strip of material is configured to be attached to parachute suspension lines. In a preferred embodiment, the strip of material is a strip of woven webbing. When a predetermined tensile force acts upon the strip of material and the piercing member such that the first end of the strip of woven webbing is pulled in one direction and the piercing member is pulled in an opposite direction, tension is produced which causes the piercing member to stretch and break the lateral fibers of the strip of woven webbing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to test the abrasion resistance of materials. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a conduit network, a primary air stream generating device to generate a primary air stream in the conduit network, a secondary air stream generating device to produce a secondary air stream in the conduit network, and a particulate handling device to deposit particulate into the conduit network so that the particulate enters the secondary air stream. The conduit network merges the secondary air stream into the primary air stream to allow the particulate to enter the primary air stream, and allow the primary air stream to blow the particulate at a test sample positioned within the conduit network.

Abstract: A parachute system having a parachute canopy having a skirt, and a plurality of gores spaced about the skirt. The plurality of gores is defined by first and second groups of gores. The parachute system includes a slider having a plurality of through-holes, a line loop attached to the slider, a first reefing line extending through the first group of gores and having a pair of ends attached to the line loop, and a second reefing line extending through the second group of gores and having a pair of ends attached to the line loop. A corresponding group of suspension lines passes through a corresponding through-hole in the slider. Each suspension line in each group of suspension lines is attached to a corresponding gore. A single reefing line cutter is engaged with the line loop and configured to cut the line loop after a predetermined amount of time has elapsed so as to release the reefing lines and allow the slider to slide down the suspension lines.

Abstract: A continuous disreefing apparatus has a sleeve that has a diameter and is made from a flexible, resilient material that allows the sleeve to diametrically contract when the sleeve is under tension and to diametrically relax when such tension is substantially reduced or removed. The sleeve has a portion thereof configured for connection to a parachute suspension line. The continuous disreefing apparatus includes a reefing line that extends through the sleeve and is arranged for movement through the sleeve wherein the rate at which the reefing line moves through the sleeve is controlled by the amount of tension on the sleeve.

Abstract: A stove comprising a frame bounding an area to receive a burner, a heating cavity assembly mounted on the frame and having four side walls and a bottom wall having an opening therein, and a collar mounted in the heating cavity assembly around the opening. Front, rear, and side panels are mounted on the frame to enclose the side walls of the heating cavity assembly. A diffuser plate is mounted on the heating cavity assembly and covers an open top portion thereof, the diffuser plate being configured to receive heated gases rising from the burner and collar, and to distribute the heated gases evenly proximate an upper surface of the diffuser plate. A griddle plate is mounted above the diffuser plate and spaced therefrom, an undersurface of the griddle plate being opposed to the diffuser plate upper surface. The griddle plate provides an upper surface for cooking operations.

Abstract: Article of footwear includes a sole, an insole overlying the sole, the insole having in a surface thereof a groove having an inlet and outlet in an edge of the insole, the groove winding substantially throughout the length and width of the insole upper surface. A tube is disposed in the groove and extends throughout the length of the groove and has an inlet portion extending from the groove inlet at the edge of the insole and an outlet portion extending from the groove outlet. An upper fixed to the sole has apertures through which extend the tube inlet and outlet portions.

Abstract: An assembled hematin is formed by depositing hematin on an electrically charged substrate in one or more layers alternating with one or more layers of polyelectrolyte, preferably a cationic polymer. In a method for polymerizing an aromatic monomer, the assembled hematin is contacted with the monomer and a template, preferably an anionic polymer. In a method for polymerizing aniline, the aniline, sulfonated multi walled carbon nano tubes, PEG hematin and a reaction initiator are dispersed in water.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to test the abrasion resistance of materials. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a conduit network, a primary air stream generating device to generate a primary air stream in the conduit network, a secondary air stream generating device to produce a secondary air stream in the conduit network, and a particulate handling device to deposit particulate into the conduit network so that the particulate enters the secondary air stream. The conduit network merges the secondary air stream into the primary air stream to allow the particulate to enter the primary air stream, and allow the primary air stream to blow the particulate at a test sample positioned within the conduit network.

Abstract: An assembled hematin is formed by depositing hematin on an electrically charged substrate in one or more layers alternating with one or more layers of polyelectrolyte, preferably a cationic polymer. In a method for polymerizing an aromatic monomer, the assembled hematin is contacted with the monomer and a template, preferably an anionic polymer. In a method for polymerizing aniline, the aniline, sulfonated multi walled carbon nano tubes, PEG hematin and a reaction initiator are dispersed in water.

Abstract: Methods are described for the purification and spinning of recombinant and non-recombinant proteins. Specifically, the lysis of bacteria and purification of silk proteins occur in a single solution of organic acid. Bacterial proteins are hydrolyzed while the silk protein remains intact. Silk proteins remain soluble as they are concentrated into a aqueous-based mixture for fiber spinning.