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: An apparatus and method for measuring the mass transport properties of pos materials. The apparatus is a permeation or diffusion cell that comprises two outer portions with longitudinal channels therein, two clamping plates with openings therein, two flow inlets and two flow outlets in fluid communication with such outer portion channels, which cell retains a sample of porous material during measurement procedures. In one embodiment, the apparatus is configured for measuring pure diffusion transport properties of the sample of porous material. In another embodiment, the apparatus is configured for measuring the diffusion and convection transport properties of the sample of porous material. In a further embodiment, the apparatus is configured for measuring the pure convection transport properties of the sample of porous material.

Abstract: A ballistic resistant upper arm armor piece, for protecting the arm scye, thout restricting arm movement, includes a front lobe, a back lobe connected to the front lobe, and means such as an elastic strap with a hook and loop fastener, for securing the lobes to a user's upper arm so that a portion of the front lobe extends around a front portion of the user's torso and a portion of the back lobe extends around a back portion of the torso. The lobes have an upper edge and a lower edge, and together the lobes form a concave portion along the lower edge. The piece also includes means, on the upper edge of the lobes, for interconnecting the lobes to a garment worn by the user. The piece is constructed from a durable outer shell material, which encases an insert composed of multiple layers of ballistic resistant materials.

Abstract: A process of controlling the molecular weight and dispersity of poly(p-ethylphenol) and poly(m-cresol) synthesized enzymatically by varying the composition of the reaction medium. Polymers with low dispersities and molecular weights from 1000 to 3000 are synthesized in reversed micelles and biphasic systems. In comparison, reactions in bulk solvents resulted in a narrow range of molecular weights (281 to 675 with poly(p-ethylphenol) in a DMF/water system and 1,400 to 25,000 with poly(m-cresol) in an ethanol/water system). Poly(p-ethylphenol) was functionalized at hydroxyl positions with palmitoyl, cinnamoyl, and biotin groups.

Abstract: A retractable grappling hook generally comprising a shaft having a longitnal extending axis and a plurality of hooks pivotally attached to the shaft. Each hook has a longitudinally extending axis and is pivotal to a retracted position such that the axis of each hook is substantially parallel to the axis of the shaft and to an extended position such that the axis of each hook is angulated with respect to the axis of the shaft. The retractable grappling hook further comprises a hook control system on the shaft for configuring and locking the hooks in either the extended or retracted positions, and an attachment member attached to the shaft for attaching the grappling hook to other devices.

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: Bacillus subtilis protease catalyzes the acylation of organic solvent-insoluble polysaccharides in isooctane solution containing vinyl esters of fatty acids as acyl donor. The reaction occurs only when the enzyme is solubilized via ion-pairing with the anionic surfactant dioctyl sulfosuccinate, sodium salt (AOT). Enzyme based acylation was demonstrated with amylose, cyclodextrins, cellulose, cellulose derivatives, and other polysaccharides such as chitosan, pullulan, and maltodextrose. These polysaccharides are reactive either as a cryogenically milled powder suspended in the organic solvent or as a thin film deposited onto ZnSe slides. For chitosan, .alpha.-cyclodextrin, and hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC), the enzymatic crosslinking reaction occurs using adipic acid divinyl ester (C6DVE). HEC forms a compound that gels in solvents such as ethyl alcohol and dimethyl sulfone oxide (DMSO). Electron spectroscopy chemical analysis (ESCA) of the first 100 .ANG.

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 process for biodegradation of an amine compound by contacting the amine mpound with a consortium of microorganisms effective for consuming carbon and nitrogen components of the amine compound under aerobic conditions, wherein the enzymatically degraded the amine compound forms an ammonia residue, nitrifying the ammonia residue under aerobic conditions, wherein the ammonia residue forms nitrite and nitrate residues and denitrifying the compound with the addition of a supplementary carbon source under anoxic conditions. The amine compound may be DS2 or similar amine structures. The microorganisms include Bacillus circulans, the genera Nitrosomonas, and the genera Nitrobacter. The process is a continuous-fed process in a bioreactor. A composition of microorganisms comprising Bacillus circulans, the genera Nitrosomonas, the genera Nitrobacter, and facultative heterotrophic denitrifiers effective to degrade DS2 also is disclosed.

Abstract: A process is described for the enzyme catalyzed synthesis of polymeric microspheres from monomers such as ethylphenol, naphthols and hydroxypyrenes in reverse micelles in the presence of a detergent. Polymeric microspheres synthesized are porous with nonuniform densities. Polymers prepared from naphthols and hydroxypyrenes are fluorescent with electroluminescent properties. A number of materials such as enzymes, drugs and inorganic materials such as iron oxide and cadmium sulfide are encapsulated in the hollow polymeric microspheres synthesized. These encapsulations are carried out during or after the syntheses of the polymeric microspheres. Functional properties of the encapsulated materials such as enzyme, magnetic and nonlinear optical properties are demonstrated in the polymeric composites.

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: A method is described for a simple, fast and efficient synthesis of homopolymers and copolymers by the enzymatic ring opening polymerization of lactones and lactides. The enzyme used is an ion paired protease. The advantage of this enzymatic system is in using small amount of enzyme per monomer and lower reaction time. Homopolymers and copolymers are synthesized with molecular weights between 1000 and 4600 daltons, and dispersity as low as 1.1. The monomer conversion after 4 days, for reactions catalyzed by protease S, has reached 100%. Different initiators are used to control the rate and degree of polymerization. Synthesis of block copolymers with defined block size and crystallinity are described in this invention. These biodegradable and bioerodable polyesters and copolyesters with controlled molecular weight, dispersity and crystallinity have applications in medical, drug, cosmetic and food industries.

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 process and system for impregnating garments with insect repellent, the ocess including the steps of placing the garments in a first machine and tumbling the garments therein, introducing into the first machine a mixture of liquid insect repellent and water so as to spray the mixture onto the tumbling garments, terminating the introduction of the mixture into the first machine and continuing the tumbling of the garments therein, terminating the tumbling of the garments in the first machine, and placing the garments in a second machine and tumble drying the garments therein; and the system comprising a reservoir for a mixture of the repellent in liquid form and water, a first machine for receiving and retaining the garments and tumbling the garments, a spray nozzle in the first machine for directing a spray of the mixture onto the garments during tumbling thereof, a conduit extending from the reservoir to the spray nozzle, and a pump in the conduit for flowing the mixture from the reservoir to the spray nozz

Abstract: A parafoil assembly includes a canopy having a plurality of generally parel inflatable cells and suspension lines extending from opposite sides of each of the cells toward a central area beneath the canopy when the canopy is fully deployed. At least one selected group of the suspension lines is reefed. A loop retains the reefed suspension lines and a cutter is mounted onto the loop and is adapted to cut the loop to release the reefed suspension lines. Upon initial deployment, non-reefed suspension lines are free to extend to permit full deployment of their respective cells, while the reefed suspension lines prevent full deployment of their respective cells. Upon activation of the cutter, the reefed suspension lines are released so as to disreef to permit extension thereof and full deployment of cells connected thereto.

Abstract: A process and system for impregnating garments with insect repellent, the ocess including the steps of placing the garments in a first machine and tumbling the garments therein, introducing into the first machine a mixture of liquid insect repellent and water so as to spray the mixture onto the tumbling garments, terminating the introduction of the mixture into the first machine and continuing the tumbling of the garments therein, terminating the tumbling of the garments in the first machine, and placing the garments in a second machine and tumble drying the garments therein; and the system comprising a reservoir for a mixture of the repellent in liquid form and water, a first machine for receiving and retaining the garments and tumbling the garments, a spray nozzle in the first machine for directing a spray of the mixture onto the garments during tumbling thereof, a conduit extending from the reservoir to the spray nozzle, and a pump in the conduit for flowing the mixture from the reservoir to the spray nozz

Abstract: A rappel rope storage and deployment system includes a bag for storing a pel rope, the bag having a first opening for exposing a first end of the rope, a second opening for exposing a middle portion of the rope, and a third opening for exposing a second end of the rope. The system further includes a rappel rope disposed in the bag, the first end of the rope extending through the first opening and outwardly from the bag, the first end being enlarged to prevent passage of the first end through the first opening, the middle portion of the rope extending through the second opening for withdrawal of a double strand of the rope from the second opening, and the second end of the rope extending through the third opening for withdrawal of a single strand of the rope from the third opening. The system further includes straps and fasteners for releasably connecting the bag to a person.

Abstract: A harness for human wear comprises an elongated belt for encircling a waist f a wearer. A first strap is fixed to the belt and is extendible transversely of the belt with a longer portion of the first strap extending from a lower edge of the belt and a shorter portion of the first strap extending from an upper edge of the belt, the first strap having loops at each end thereof. A second strap is fixed to the belt and is extendible transversely of the belt with a longer portion of the second strap extending from the lower edge of the belt and a shorter portion of the second strap extending from the upper edge of the belt, the second strap having loops at each end thereof. First and second ends of the belt are connectable together, and the loops are adapted for disposal at a substantially common point for engagement with a single connector member.

Abstract: A method of detecting the presence of a substance being monitored in a medium, selected from the group of substances including organophosphorus compounds and the metal ions Zn, Be and Bi, including the steps of: providing a 1,2-dioxetane phenyl phosphate compound; providing a phosphatase that catalytically degrades the 1,2-dioxetane phenyl phosphate compound to produce light, the catalytic activity of the phosphatase toward 1,2-dioxetane phenyl phosphate compound being altered by the substance being monitored; exposing the 1,2-dioxetane phenyl phosphate compound and the phosphatase together to a medium which may contain the substance being monitored; detecting light produced after the exposing step; and determining, from the detected light, the presence and concentration in the medium of the substance being monitored.