Abstract: Septic systems incorporating an ozonation system comprise one or more corona discharge ozone generators receiving air, such as atmospheric air, and having an outlet for the withdrawal of a mixture of air and ozone gas. The system also comprises a septic tank for receiving primary wastewater, and a pump tank receiving secondary wastewater effluent from the septic tank. The ozonation system includes a submersible ozone introduction pump disposed in the bottom of the pump tank, wherein the ozone introduction pump includes an impeller within a housing, the housing having an inlet and a plurality of radial outlet ports along its circumferential area surrounding the impeller. A conduit couples the outlet of the corona discharge ozone generator to the inlet of the impeller housing, wherein the ozone introduction pump reduces pressure in the conduit to draw air into the ozone generator and draws the mixture of air and ozone gas into the impeller housing for introduction into the secondary wastewater.

Abstract: A hydrogen generator (101) is provided which comprises a third chamber (109) containing a catalyst (121), a first chamber (103) containing a fluid, a second chamber (105) containing a material that reacts with the fluid in the presence of the catalyst to generate hydrogen gas, and a valve (111) movable from a first position in which the flow of fluid along a pathway including the first, second and third chambers is enabled, to a second position in which the flow of fluid along the pathway is prevented.

Abstract: A cathodic gas diffusion electrode for the electrochemical production of aqueous hydrogen peroxide solutions. The cathodic gas diffusion electrode comprises an electrically conductive gas diffusion substrate and a cathodic electrocatalyst layer supported on the gas diffusion substrate. A novel cathodic electrocatalyst layer comprises a cathodic electrocatalyst, a substantially water-insoluble quaternary ammonium compound, a fluorocarbon polymer hydrophobic agent and binder, and a perfluoronated sulphonic acid polymer. An electrochemical cell using the novel cathodic electrocatalyst layer has been shown to produce an aqueous solution having between 8 and 14 weight percent hydrogen peroxide. Furthermore, such electrochemical cells have shown stable production of hydrogen peroxide solutions over 1000 hours of operation including numerous system shutdowns.

Abstract: A method for determining the amount of a known iodine-containing organic compound in an aqueous solution. The method comprises electrochemically reducing the known iodine-containing organic compound in an aqueous medium to release iodide anions, chemically oxidizing the iodide anions to produce molecular iodine, and measuring the amount of molecular iodine. The known iodine-containing organic compound is preferably an aryl iodide, such as Iothalamate. Other preferred iodine-containing organic compounds include various glomerular filtration rate (GFR) marker compounds in plasma or urine samples, as useful in the measurement of GFR for an animal. The electrochemical reduction of the known iodine-containing organic compound is preferably performed in an electrochemical cell including a working electrode separated from a counter electrode by a cation exchange membrane. The working electrode most preferably includes bismuth and the counter electrode most preferably includes platinum.

Abstract: A method, computer program product and system for analyzing multispectral images from a plurality of regions of birefringent material, such as a polymer film, using polarized light and a corresponding polar analyzer to identify differential strain in the birefringent material. For example, the birefringement material may be low-density polyethylene (LDPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinylidene chloride, polyester, nylon, or cellophane film. Optionally, the method includes generating a real-time quantitative strain map.

Abstract: Method and material for spectroscopic detection of organic chemicals. The material is a substantially optically transparent solid, such as ZnS, having a high surface area for adsorption of an analyte, such as organic chemical vapors. The solid material preferably has metal nanoparticles, such as gold, silver or copper nanoparticles, deposited on the surface for signal enhancement. A template compound, such as cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide and alkoxylate block polymers, may be used during the material synthesis, such as reacting zinc chloride and sodium sulfide in the presence of the template compound, and later removed through calcination and washing to achieve the high surface area. The method of use includes collecting an analyte on the material and detecting the spectroscopic response of the analyte while it is collected on the surface. The mechanism of collection may include adsorbing, absorbing, and preconcentrating.

Abstract: The present invention provides photosensitizer compounds based on functionalized fullerenes useful in targeted photodynamic therapy (PDT), and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: Method, apparatus and system for controllably conveying magnetic particles between closed chambers. Magnetic particles are magnetically attracted from a first solution-containing chamber into a motive cavity, such as may be formed in a rotor of a pump. The magnetic particle-containing motive cavity is then moved out of fluid communication with the first solution-filled chamber and moved into fluid communication with a second solution-filled chamber. Finally, the magnetic particles are magnetically releasing from the motive cavity into the second solution-containing chamber. The first and second chambers are preferably never in direct fluid communication. Because the rotor is sealed with the pump body and there is no direct fluid communication between the first and second chamber, contact between the first solution and the second solution is limited by the size of the motive cavity. Optionally, the particles are magnetically attracted by temporarily inserting a magnet into a rotor.

Abstract: A bipolar plate comprising a fluid barrier and a sealing frame formed around and overlaping the perimeter of the fluid barrier. The fluid barrier is placed in a mold and then a polymer is injected into the mold, thereby forming the sealing frame around the fluid barrier such that the sealing frame overlaps the perimeter of the fluid barrier. Because there are no surfaces to seal between the perimeter of the fluid barrier and the sealing frame, gaskets or other sealing surfaces are not required. A bipolar plate is further provided comprising a fluid barrier having the perimeter of the fluid barrier between a preformed cathode sealing frame and an anode sealing frame. The anode and cathode sealing frames are adapted to receive an overlapped portion of the perimeter of the fluid barrier. The anode and cathode sealing frames are then bonded together to form a fluid tight seal.

Abstract: A gas sampling device, analyte detection system, and methods for identifying a vapor or aerosol analyte suspended in a gas are described. The gas sampling device comprises a chamber having a gas inlet port, a substrate, one or more gas outlet ports near the substrate, and a pump. The gas outlet ports direct airflow to a reflecting substrate coated with a spectroscopically-transparent material. Analytes are deposited on the coated substrate through impaction, for massive aerosols, and diffusion through the viscous boundary layer, for vapor analytes. In one analyte detection system, a spectroscopic instrument is positioned behind a window opposite the substrate to interrogate the coated substrate surface as analytes are collected. An alternate detection system combines the gas sampling device with a detector in fluid communication with the gas outlet ports from the chamber, wherein the substrate is used as an analyte concentrator.

Abstract: Fuel cell emergency power systems comprising a fuel cell having an anode and a cathode, a power distribution unit for selectively directing electrical current from the fuel cell to one or more consuming device, a hydrogen gas control system and an oxygen gas control system. The hydrogen gas control system includes a pressurized hydrogen tank providing hydrogen gas in selective fluid communication to the anode, a hydrogen gas-liquid water phase separator in downstream fluid communication with the anode, and a hydrogen recirculation pump for recirculating substantially liquid water-free hydrogen from the hydrogen gas-liquid water phase separator to the anode.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an efficient method is presented for aerial searching for a small thermal target in a search area, such as a single person in open water, using two thermal imagers or “cameras” coupled with a computer which presents data from the system to a human user for inspection. One of the two thermal imagers has a very wide field of view (WFOV) fixed forward of or below the aircraft. The other, narrow field-of-view (NFOV) imager has a high zoom capability but its field of view can be reoriented to geo-point to a location on command. The WFOV thermal imager collects images rapidly so that no individual image is blurred due to changes in the field of view (FOV) on the time-scale of the image capture. The images are geo-registered using information from a global positioning receiver as well as the current altitude, roll, pitch, yaw, and velocity of the aircraft.

Abstract: Protecting a membrane and electrode assembly in an electrochemical cell having one or more electrocatalysts in intimate contact with the membrane during storage or shipment of the cell. The membrane may be provided in either the non-proton form of a dry or hydrated cation exchange membrane, such as an alkali metal cation form or an ammonium cation form; the wet or dry precursor form of a cation exchange membrane, such as the non-ionically conducting sulfonyl-fluoride polymer membrane; or the dry proton form of a cation exchange membrane. These membrane surfaces are not acidic under open circuit conditions experienced during storage or shipment of the cell. Since some electrocatalysts are degraded during contact with the acidic surface of a hydrated membrane, the non-acidic surface of the membrane protects these electrocatalysts. The method may be used on newly assembled electrochemical cells, on cells being taken out of service, and on membrane and electrode assemblies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to photosensitizer compounds based on functionalized fullerenes useful in targeted photodynamic therapy (PDT), and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: Electrochemical apparatus and methods that support periodic, non-steady state, or discontinuous operation without suffering degradation of materials or loss of efficiency. The invention provides a means for positioning one or more electrodes into contact with electrolyte and means for retracting the one or more electrodes out of contact with the electrolyte. The means for positioning and means for retracting may be the same device or different devices. The means for positioning and means for retracting may be designed to provide automatic, passive, or fail-safe retraction of the electrode upon a given shutdown condition, such as a voltage of less than one Volt being applied between the first and second electrodes, expiration of a time period, an ozone concentration greater than a setpoint ozone concentration, contact pressure of less than 5 psig, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A method for determining the amount of a known iodine-containing organic compound in an aqueous solution. The method comprises electrochemically reducing the known iodine-containing organic compound in an aqueous medium to release iodide anions, chemically oxidizing the iodide anions to produce molecular iodine, and measuring the amount of molecular iodine. The known iodine-containing organic compound is preferably an aryl iodide, such as Iothalamate. Other preferred iodine-containing organic compounds include various glomerular filtration rate (GFR) marker compounds in plasma or urine samples, as useful in the measurement of GFR for an animal. The electrochemical reduction of the known iodine-containing organic compound is preferably performed in an electrochemical cell including a working electrode separated from a counter electrode by a cation exchange membrane. The working electrode most preferably includes bismuth and the counter electrode most preferably includes platinum.

Abstract: Sodium nonatitanate compositions, a method using the composition for recovery of 82Sr from irradiated targets, and a method using the composition for generating 82Rb. The sodium nonatitanate materials of the invention are highly selective at separating strontium from solutions derived from the dissolution of irradiated target materials, thus reducing target processing times. The compositions also have a very low affinity for rubidium, making it an ideal material for use as a 82Rb generator. Sodium nonatitanate materials of this type both improve the recovery of 82Sr and provide a safer, more effective 82Rb generator system.

Abstract: Functionalized polymers and methods of functionalizing polymers with reactive species having decontaminating activity, such as polyoxometalates and metal oxides. Covalent bonding of the reactive species to the polymer securely immobilizes the reactive species and stabilizes the decontaminating activity of the reactive species. Specifically, the covalent bonding of the reactive species greatly reduces moisture deactivation during prolonged exposure to atmospheric moisture. Polyoxometalates are catalytically reactive through oxidative pathways and metal oxides are reactive through hydrolytic pathways. Both polyoxometalates and metal oxides having oxygen atoms available for covalent bonding with an appropriate bifunctional linking agent.

Abstract: Method and material for spectroscopic detection of organic chemicals. The material is a substantially optically transparent solid, such as ZnS, having a high surface area for adsorption of an analyte, such as organic chemical vapors. The solid material preferably has metal nanoparticles, such as gold, silver or copper nanoparticles, deposited on the surface for signal enhancement. A template compound, such as cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide and alkoxylate block polymers, may be used during the material synthesis, such as reacting zinc chloride and sodium sulfide in the presence of the template compound, and later removed through calcination and washing to achieve the high surface area. The method of use includes collecting an analyte on the material and detecting the spectroscopic response of the analyte while it is collected on the surface. The mechanism of collection may include adsorbing, absorbing, and preconcentrating.

Abstract: Electrochemical apparatus and methods that support periodic, non-steady state, or discontinuous operation without suffering degradation of materials or loss of efficiency. The invention provides a means for positioning one or more electrodes into contact with electrolyte and means for retracting the one or more electrodes out of contact with the electrolyte. The means for positioning and means for retracting may be the same device or different devices. The means for positioning and means for retracting may be designed to provide automatic, passive, or fail-safe retraction of the electrode upon a given shutdown condition, such as a voltage of less than one Volt being applied between the first and second electrodes, expiration of a time period, an ozone concentration greater than a setpoint ozone concentration, contact pressure of less than 5 psig, and combinations thereof.