Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for detecting the presence of explosives. The invention utilizes Laser Induced Acoustics (LIA), wherein an area of a substrate surface is irradiated, via deep UV pulsed laser, with laser pulses to generate a detectable audible signal. The invention also provides substantial improvements in the eye-safety of otherwise potentially harmful laser beams. Thus, the invention is particularly well-suited to use in public venues where detection of explosives or improved laser safety may be required.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of producing electric power by artificially creating an air stream incident on a power-generating module (turbine) using solar-powered batteries. The power-generating module turns, compresses the air stream and directs the latter onto the working surface of a blade-less rotor. The rotor is designed such that a reactive effect is created on the working surfaces thereof, which improves the turbine characteristics. In the proposed method for producing power, use is made of the kinetic and potential energy of the air stream, and also the moment of inertia of the installation and solar-powered batteries. The efficiency of the method reaches 50%, while traditional fuel is economized on and emissions of CO2 into the atmosphere are reduced.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for in situ measurements of at least one property of a liquid contained within a vessel.

Abstract: Apparatus for heat treating a heat treatable material including a housing having an upper opening for receiving a heat treatable material at a first temperature, a lower opening, and a chamber therebetween for heating the heat treatable material to a second temperature higher than the first temperature as the heat treatable material moves through the chamber from the upper to the lower opening. A gas supply assembly is operatively engaged to the housing at the lower opening, and includes a source of gas, a gas delivery assembly for delivering the gas through a plurality of pathways into the housing in countercurrent flow to movement of the heat treatable material, whereby the heat treatable material passes through the lower opening at the second temperature, and a control assembly for controlling conditions within the chamber to enable the heat treatable material to reach the second temperature and pass through the lower opening at the second temperature as a heated material.

Abstract: A method of recovering crude oil and other hydrocarbon values from a subterranean formation which comprises generating "bottom hole pressure" within the formation by introducing an aqueous solution of a polymeric complex capable of releasing active hydrogen under the temperature and pressure conditions of the formation. Preferably, the polymeric complex is an inorganic multimetal polymeric complex in which the active hydrogen is at least partially in the form of a group selected from --NH, --PH, and --SH.