Abstract: An ultra-sensitive method for visualizing latent fingerprints using a chemical multiplier to amplify even very faint prints on rough or otherwise difficult surfaces, involving a chemical free radical reaction which produces millions of identifiable molecules from each adsorbed initiator molecule and thereby greatly increases the detection sensitivity. A corresponding fingerprint detection kit may be utilized to carry out such method, in which the kit includes a free radical chain reaction initiator, and a reagent that can react via the free radical chain reaction in the presence of the initiator and form colored, fluorescent, polymeric, IR- or UV-absorbing molecules that are effective for visualization of the fingerprint.

Abstract: An anti-icing composition including a chemically-bound nano-layer based on a multivalent atom such as silicon or titanium, and whiskers of hydroxyls, polyols, polyethers, polyamines, poly-acids or mixtures of such hydrophilic functionalities. This base layer may be used as such or have an additional coating overlying it, e.g., comprising a polymeric polyol such as polyvinylalcohol or polyglycol. The second layer may also be chemically bonded to the surface or to the first layer. Surface treatment with such composition prevents small droplets of water from freezing on the surface and reduces dramatically their friction with the surface. The result is the prevention of icing of the surface, reduction in the adhesion of ice to the surface and reduction in the accumulation of ice layers. The anti-icing composition also makes removal of ice from the surface much easier once accumulated, and is useful in reducing de-icing requirements of aircraft and in retarding in-flight ice formation.

Abstract: An irreversible humidity exposure dose indicator device, including a housing sealed at a first end thereof and adapted at a second end thereof to admit ambient gas ingress into an interior volume containing chromogenic material. The chromogenic material in contact with water irreversibly absorbs such water to produce a change whose extent is correlative of cumulative exposure of the device to humidity. The device may be configured as an indicator card including an intermediate permeable membrane coated on a first side thereof with a layer of a deliquescent solid and being in contact on a second side thereof with a layer containing a reactive indicator, with a water-permeable layer adjacent to the layer containing the deliquescent coating, enclosed within a water-impermeable transparent enclosure.