Abstract: This invention relates to a system for mitigating the deleterious effect on a gas-detection sensor of exposure to ozone, which system comprises a sensor capable of detecting one or more select gas species, the performance of which sensor is degraded by contact with ozone, and a scrubber capable of absorbing ozone or otherwise converting ozone to one or more other substances so as to mitigate degradation of the sensor's performance; and a method for mitigating such deleterious effect as well.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system for testing the operation of a detection instrument, and a method involving same.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system for testing the operation of a detection instrument, which comprises a first enclosure having at least two ports and containing a fluid comprising a substance detectable in gas form by the instrument, said fluid being present in part as a vapor phase and in part as a liquid phase in equilibrium with one another, said first enclosure being interconnected with the instrument such that the fluid contained in the first enclosure can be dispensed to the instrument via at least one port of said first enclosure; a second enclosure having at least one port and containing either the same or a different fluid in gas form as compared with the first enclosure, said second enclosure being adapted for selective dispensing of a known or ascertainable mass of the fluid contained therein via at least one port thereof, and being interconnected with the first enclosure such that said mass can be introduced into the volume within said first enclosure through at least one port thereof, thereby t

Abstract: This invention relates to a system for testing the operation of a detection instrument, which comprises a first enclosure having at least two ports and containing a fluid comprising a substance detectable in gas form by the instrument, said fluid being present in part as a vapor phase and in part as a liquid phase in equilibrium with one another, said first enclosure being interconnected with the instrument such that the fluid contained in the first enclosure can be dispensed to the instrument via at least one port of said first enclosure; a second enclosure having at least one port and containing either the same or a different fluid in gas form as compared with the first enclosure, said second enclosure being adapted for selective dispensing of a known or ascertainable mass of the fluid contained therein via at least one port thereof, and being interconnected with the first enclosure such that said mass can be introduced into the volume within said first enclosure through at least one port thereof, thereby t

Abstract: An apparatus for concentrating a vaporous substance, which comprises: a sorbent material capable of capturing a vaporous substance; a first housing in which the sorbent material is located, a heating element proximate the exterior of the housing; a second housing defining a chamber within which the first housing resides, the first housing being located in said chamber such that there is a space permitting gas flow between the outside of the first housing and the inside of the second housing; and a pump capable of causing an exhaust gas to flow through the space in contact with the outside of the first housing; and methods for making and utilizing such apparatus.

Abstract: A system which enables the presentation of alternating gas samples to a gas sensor in a detection zone without substantial change of the sample pressure at the sensor in the zone, whereby pressure variations that can produce unwanted sensor signals are mitigated; along with apparatus for facilitating, and a method for implementing, the foregoing.

Abstract: A method for investigating a target environment to determine whether or in what amount a chemical species may be present therein, which comprises: (a) exposing to said environment an article of manufacture comprising a multiplicity of particles in close-packed orientation, said particles having a core of conductive metal or conductive metal alloy and deposited thereon a ligand which is capable of interacting with said species such that a property of said multiplicity of particles is altered; (b) subjecting said multiplicity of particles to conditions sufficient for said property to be exhibited; and (c) monitoring said property to determine whether there is, or the amount of, any change as an indication of whether, or in what amount, said species is present; a multiplicity of particles suitable for use in such method; and equipment suitable for implementing the method.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for detecting and identifying a non-volatile chemical substance, in which the chemical substance (when in a sample) is pyrolyzed into its gaseous components and then the gaseous components are monitored to determine whether or not specific gaseous components are present.

Abstract: The invention relates to method of monitoring a gas, which comprises simultaneously flowing said gas through a plurality of means for trapping gaseous species, each of said trapping means being adapted so that its selectivity in trapping of gaseous species differs from such selectivity of the other means in said plurality; subjecting each means of said plurality to conditions effecting release of any gaseous species trapped thereby while maintaining the other means of said plurality in a condition suitable for said selective trapping of gaseous species; contacting the gas issuing from each of said plurality of trapping means with each of a plurality of means for sensing said gaseous species, each said sensing means being adapted so that its selectivity to sensing said gaseous species differs from such selectivity of the other sensing means; and to apparatus for carrying out the method.