Abstract: The invention is directed to a system and method for detecting substances, such as high boiling and low vapor pressure materials, using high energy radiation imparted by a suitable radiation source, such as a strobe or laser over a short time period. The radiation source causes the materials to vaporize. A system handling system is used in conjunction with a detector to detect the presence of the materials including explosives, explosive-related compounds, chemical warfare agents, drugs, toxic industrial compounds, and derivatives thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for quantifying, purifying and separating fullerenes, such as single wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). The purification/separation combination provides nearly 100% carbonaceous impurity-free SWNT content from a given impure sample and provides a desired chirality and diameter from a given non-separated sample. Nanometrological validation of the success of purification and separation uses a pyroelectric detector and Raman spectroscopy in a single system, thus providing a critical aspect for the nanomanufacturing environment. The purification/separation and nanometrological validations may be performed in a feedback loop to provide a satisfactorily refined sample and optimized purification/separation settings.

Abstract: A regenerable, high-capacity sorbent for removal of mercury from flue gas and processes and systems for making and using the sorbent. A phyllosilicate substrate, for example vermiculite or montmorillinite, acts as an inexpensive support to a thin layer for a polyvalent metal sulfide, ensuring that more of the metal sulfide is engaged in the sorption process. The sorbent is prepared by ion exchange between the silicate substrate material and a solution containing one or more of a group of polyvalent metals including tin (both Sn(II) and Sn(IV)), iron (both Fe(II) and Fe(III)), titanium, manganese, zirconium and molybdenum, dissolved as salts, to produce an exchanged substrate. Controlled reaction of a sulfide ion source with the one or more polyvalent metals that are exchanged on the silicate substrate produces the sorbent. The sorbent is used to absorb elemental mercury or oxidized mercury species such as mercuric chloride from flue gas containing acid gases (e.g.

Abstract: An automated balloonsonde launcher and a method for an automated balloonsonde launch are disclosed. The automated balloonsonde launcher, for example, may comprise a collapsible protective cover forming an inner region for receiving a balloon, a gas inlet for receiving a gas, a gas outlet for mating with a balloon, a valve operable between the gas inlet and the gas outlet for inflating a balloon within the inner region of the protective cover. The launcher further comprises a controller that controls the valve to inflate a balloon within the protective cover, opens an opening in the protective cover and releases a balloon through the opening of the protective cover.

Abstract: An automated balloonsonde launcher and a method for an automated balloonsonde launch are disclosed. The automated balloonsonde launcher, for example, may comprise a collapsible protective cover forming an inner region for receiving a balloon, a gas inlet for receiving a gas, a gas outlet for mating with a balloon, a valve operable between the gas inlet and the gas outlet for inflating a balloon within the inner region of the protective cover. The launcher further comprises a controller that controls the valve to inflate a balloon within the protective cover, opens an opening in the protective cover and releases a balloon through the opening of the protective cover.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a system and method for detecting substances, such as explosives and/or drugs, using, in part, short bursts of energy light from a relatively low energy strobe. Embodiments include coupling the strobe with a detector for use in a portable hand-held unit, or a unit capable of being carried as a backpack. Embodiments further include placement of one or more stroboscopic desorption units and detectors in luggage conveyors systems, carry-on X-ray machines, and check-in counter locations.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a sorbent comprising a disordered polyvalent metal oxide on the surface of an inert substrate. The substrate can be a layered silicate, such as vermiculite, an aluminosilicate such as montmorillonite, or a nonlayered silicate such as a zeolite. The sorbent removes ionic contaminants, such as arsenic, from process streams.

Abstract: A cable lock device includes a body 204, 616 and a frictional shoe 208, 608 operable to engage a Bowden cable 120, wherein, in a first mode, the Bowden cable 120 moves freely in first and second opposing directions 304, 308 and, in a second mode, the shoe inhibits the Bowden cable from moving in the first direction 304 while allowing the Bowden cable to move freely in the second direction 308.

Abstract: A flush-mounted securing device, preferably secured in a floor of a vehicle, to restrain a handicapped person in a wheelchair or scooter in a passenger vehicle. The securing device comprises a base plate, a top plate rotationally mounted relative to the base plate and including a series of belt or strap receptacles to fasten the transportable equipment, a low-profile shaft that axially supports the top plate for rotational movement against lateral forces between the top plane and base plate, a set of circumferentially disposed bearings (or slip rings) between the top plate and the base plate, and a retaining cap that secures the top plate to the base plate. Optionally, the device may include a locking/ratcheting mechanism to fixedly position the top plate at discrete rotational positions to assist passenger ingress/egress.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a sorbent comprising a disordered polyvalent metal oxide on the surface of an inert substrate. The substrate can be a layered silicate, such as vermiculite, an aluminosilicate such as montmorillonite, or a nonlayered silicate such as a zeolite. The sorbent removes ionic contaminants, such as arsenic, from process streams.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a system and method for detecting substances, such as explosives and/or drugs, using, in part, short bursts of energy light from a relatively low energy strobe. Embodiments include coupling the strobe with a detector for use in a portable hand-held unit, or a unit capable of being carried as a backpack. Embodiments further include placement of one or more stroboscopic desorption units and detectors in luggage conveyors systems, carry-on X-ray machines, and check-in counter locations. Embodiments further comprise the use of a strobe or another energy source to assist in maintaining the integrity of a SERS substrate surface operatively associated with the detector system, wherein the SERS substrate may be positioned in hand wand spaced apart from at least a portion of the detector. In another embodiment, the Raman excitation source may be located directly in the hand wand of a portable stroboscopic detection system.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a sensor network that includes a number of sensor units and a base unit. The base station operates in a network discovery mode (in which network topology information is collected) in a data polling mode (in which sensed information is collected from selected sensory units). Each of the sensor units can include a number of features, including an anemometer, a rain gauge, a compass, a GPS receiver, a barometric pressure sensor, an air temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a level, and a radiant temperature sensor.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to processes for removing a contaminant from dental effluents and includes transporting a three-phase effluent through a suction line into a particle collection vessel, introducing a suction line cleaning solution which includes a reagent into the suction line, and introducing the three phase effluent and the line cleaning solution into the collection vessel, wherein the effluent separates into solid. liquid, and gas phases in the collection vessel and the reagent includes a flocculant and/or a precipitant. and removing the gaseous and liquid phases from the collection vessel. The contaminant includes mercury. lead. and arsenic.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a contaminant removal agent comprising a polyvalent metal sulfide on the surface of an inert substrate. The substrate can be a layered silicate, such as vermiculite, an aluminosilicate such as montmorillonite, or a nonlayered silicate such as a zeolite. The agent removes mercury from process streams. The ion exchange to deposit the polyvalent metal on the substrate is preferably performed at a pH above the pHZPC.

Abstract: A flush-mounted securing device, preferably secured in a floor of a vehicle, to restrain a handicapped person in a wheelchair or scooter in a passenger vehicle. The securing device comprises a base plate, a top plate rotationally mounted relative to the base plate and including a series of belt or strap receptacles to fasten the transportable equipment, a low-profile shaft that axially supports the top plate for rotational movement against lateral forces between the top plane and base plate, a set of circumferentially disposed bearings (or slip rings) between the top plate and the base plate, and a retaining cap that secures the top plate to the base plate. Optionally, the device may include a locking/ratcheting mechanism to fixedly position the top plate at discrete rotational positions to assist passenger ingress/egress.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a system and method for detecting substances, such as high boiling and low vapor pressure materials, using high energy radiation imparted by a suitable radiation source, such as a strobe or laser over a short time period.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process and apparatus for removing and stabilizing mercury from mercury-containing gas streams. A gas stream containing vapor phase elemental and/or speciated mercury is contacted with reagent, such as an oxygen-containing oxidant, in a liquid environment to form a mercury-containing precipitate. The mercury-containing precipitate is kept or placed in solution and reacts with one or more additional reagents to form a solid, stable mercury-containing compound.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method, composition and apparatus for stabilizing mercury and other heavy metals present in a particulate material such that the metals will not leach from the particulate material. The method generally involves the application of a metal reagent, a sulfur-containing compound, and the addition of oxygen to the particulate material, either through agitation, sparging or the addition of an oxygen-containing compound.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a system and method for detecting substances, such as high boiling and low vapor pressure materials, using high energy radiation imparted by a suitable radiation source, such as a strobe or laser over a short time period. The radiation source causes the materials to vaporize. A system handling system is used in conjunction with a detector to detect the presence of the materials including explosives, explosive-related compounds, chemical warfare agents, drugs, toxic industrial compounds, and derivatives thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to processes for removing a contaminant from dental effluents and includes transporting a three-phase effluent through a suction line into a particle collection vessel, introducing a suction line cleaning solution which includes a reagent into the suction line, and introducing the three phase effluent and the line cleaning solution into the collection vessel, wherein the effluent separates into solid, liquid, and gas phases in the collection vessel and the reagent includes a flocculant and/or a precipitant, and removing the gaseous and liquid phases from the collection vessel. The contaminant includes mercury, lead, and arsenic.