Abstract: A laser detector apparatus (1) is provided, where a pixel array (3) is arranged behind a lens arrangement (4) such that distant objects (9) (in general, those at infinity) are out of focus at the pixel array. The image from the pixel array is evaluated by a computer processor (6) to detect such out of focus images which will be of a known size and shape (generally circular spots of known width). This can enable distant laser threats to be readily distinguished from nearby bright objects (10), whilst also protecting the pixel array from powerful laser sources (because the laser energy is not focussed to a point, on the pixel array it is less likely to damage the pixel array). It can also enable the wavelength of the laser to be accurately determined from the ratio of colours in the image of the laser spot, because it will typically not be a saturated image.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the production of a metal halide adduct of S4N4, in particular a specific copper adduct of S4N4, for the visualisation of a print on an object, in particular a fingerprint on a metal object. The present invention also provides a method and apparatus for visualising a print on an object, using S2N2 obtained from a metal halide adduct of S4N4.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for rapid focus control of one or more lasers. The controlled beam (5), is refracted by the dynamic refraction device (1) whose refractive index is set by its response to the control beam (3). The invention can be used for rapid focus and re-focus of a laser on a target as might be useful in such industries as flat panel television manufacturing, fuel injector nozzle manufacture, laser material processing/machining, laser scanning and indirect drive inertial confinement fusion.

Abstract: The invention relates to an antimicrobial surface, in particular a surface functionalised with a peptide comprising an antimicrobial moiety. The invention comprises a surface functionalised with a peptide comprising an antimicrobial moiety and a binder moiety, wherein the peptide is immobilized on the surface by electrostatic interactions between the binder moiety and the surface. Further provided is a medical device, a peptide and a method for the immobilization of a peptide.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for registering a base recorded image (9) of an object or terrain with a secondary recorded image (10) of the object or terrain, using a base image sensor model (12), secondary image sensor model (13) and elevation information (11). A plurality of biases (24) and respective matched biases (29) are applied to the secondary image sensor (model 13) and base image sensor model (12), to determine a plurality of corrected sensor models (26) and respective nominally corrected base image sensor models (31). Each corrected sensor model (26) and respective nominally corrected base image sensor model (31) is used to reproject (27) the secondary recorded image (10), and in each case the reprojected secondary recorded image is correlated (19) with the base recorded image (12) to ascertain a correlation score (20) and adjustments to the bias corrections (32). The correlation score being evaluated to determine optimally corrected sensor models and and/or an optimally transformed image.

Abstract: There is provided a method and apparatus for providing a cavity backed antenna suitable for off-body communications. The cavity backed antenna comprising a substantially omnidirectional antenna element (11) mountable upon a user's body such that an underlying bone (17) forms the cavity back plate. The cavity between the antenna element and the underlying bone thereby being filled with soft tissue (14, 15, 16). The cavity backed antenna operating in synergy with the mechanical and electrical characteristics of the body to deliver an overall directional gain pointing away from the user's body.

Abstract: A collimator taking the form of a prolate spheroid (40) comprising radiation attenuating material and featuring a twisted slit comprising radiation transmissive material. The twisted slit featuring first (43) and second (44) apertures arranged such that for each entrance point in one of the apertures there is a direct pathway through the major axis ‘B’ of the prolate spheroid (40), at a pre-determined angle, to a point in the other aperture, such that a compound aperture is formed. For each compound aperture the length of the direct pathway through the prolate spheroid (40) is constant. Rotation of the collimator about the major axis ‘B’, relative to a stationary point at the first aperture (43), steers in angle the compound aperture through the collimator from said stationary point.

Abstract: A collimator taking the form of a prolate spheroid (40) comprising radiation attenuating material and featuring a twisted slit comprising radiation transmissive material. The twisted slit featuring first (43) and second (44) apertures arranged such that for each entrance point in one of the apertures there is a direct pathway through the major axis ‘B’ of the prolate spheroid (40), at a pre-determined angle, to a point in the other aperture, such that a compound aperture is formed. For each compound aperture the length of the direct pathway through the prolate spheroid (40) is constant. Rotation of the collimator about the major axis ‘B’, relative to a stationary point at the first aperture (43), steers in angle the compound aperture through the collimator from said stationary point.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for interrogating mixtures of nucleic acids through amplification of short tandem repeat markers (loci) within each nucleic acid, and thereby analysis of the amounts of each allele amplified from each marker, and in particular interrogating mixtures of DNA, such as forensic (trace) samples, to identify the most probable number of contributors of nucleic acid in the mixture, the most probable ratio/proportion of the nucleic acids in the mixture, and thereby the most probable nucleic acid sequence for each marker within a nucleic acid.

Abstract: There is provided an electrical pulse splitter (EPS) for an explosives system (10), the explosives system comprising an electrical pulse generator (EPG), the electrical pulse splitter (EPS), and first and second explosive charges (Ch1, Ch2) having respective first and second electrical initiators (D1, D2), The electrical pulse splitter (EPS) is configured to receive a primary electrical pulse from the electrical pulse generator (EPG), and to output first and second electrical pulses to the first and second electrical initiators (Ch1, Ch2) respectively. The second electrical pulse is output a length of time after the first electrical pulse is output, and the electrical pulse splitter is powered by the primary electrical pulse.

Abstract: A body-wearable antenna system is described that comprises at least two antenna elements (2, 4) arranged to be mountable in a substantially equi-spaced distributed array around a user's body. Each antenna element is a directional type antenna and the antenna system is configurable such that when worn the antenna elements operate in phase to deliver a combined, higher gain, omnidirectional performance radiating away from the user's body, compared to one or more conventional body-worn omnidirectional antennas. The antenna system can operate in transmit and receive. Each antenna element may be a planar inverted-F antenna (PIFA) housed in a protective radome (3, 5). Each PIFA may feature at least one slot cut into the radiating top plate or at least one parasitic radiator, or a combination of both, to allow operation within distinct frequency bands and with predetermined impedance bandwidth.

Abstract: There is provided a phased array antenna comprising a plurality of antenna elements (12) and switching circuitry configured to switch the phased array antenna to an inactive mode. The switching to the inactive mode comprises the switching circuitry connecting random or pseudo-random impedance elements (20) to the antenna elements to reduce the peak backscatter level of the phased antenna array.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices and methods for the impregnation of air with the vapor or aerosol of a substance in a ‘controllable manner to enable the testing or training of detection means to evaluate and quantify the presence of the substance in an enclosed volume, and i?• particular to enable production of training aids and quality assurance test items for use in canine-olfaction based security screening.

Abstract: Low cost, generally broad bandwidth synthetic aperture radar systems are detailed. The systems may be bistatic and include analog to digital converters in ground based receivers while transmitters and analogoue repeaters may be space-borne or airborne. Methods of producing synthetic aperture radar images also are detailed.

Abstract: Compositions of reagents are formed by forming empty liposomes, mixing the thus-formed liposomes with a sugar solution and a regent, then drying the mixture. The compositions will generally contain less than 10% w/v sucrose. Using this procedure small liposomes are formed with high entrapment efficiency. The process is useful in the production of pharmaceuticals.

Abstract: A roller door system (100) particularly for opening and closing a doorway (120) defined in the wall of a lightweight structure (110) such as a marquee, hangar, field hospital, emergency shelter and the like. The door system comprises a rollable door (150) secured, in use, along one edge of the doorway (152); a roller (140) for rolling and unrolling the rollable door about the roller; an opening mechanism and a closing mechanism for controlling the deployment of the rollable door by translating the roller across the doorway; and reusable sealing means (135, 136, 155, 156) for sealing between the lateral margins of the rollable door and the doorway; characterized in that the rollable door comprises a plurality of collapsible hoses (165, 166) connected to a pressurized fluid power system (160, 161, 163) such that in use a positive pressure applied to the fluid power system causes the rollable door to unroll from the roller and controls the deployment of the rollable door.

Abstract: Optically sensitized binders which are energetic polyphosphazenes tailored at the molecular level to achieve enhanced absorption of electromagnetic radiation by having attached thereto a chromophore to absorb light and therefore ignite the binder in use.

Abstract: The invention relates to an antimicrobial surface, in particular a surface functionalised with a peptide comprising an antimicrobial moiety. The invention comprises a surface functionalised with a peptide comprising an antimicrobial moiety and a binder moiety, wherein the peptide is immobilized on the surface by electrostatic interactions between the binder moiety and the surface. Further provided is a medical device, a peptide and a method for the immobilization of a peptide.

Abstract: There is provided an animal training system to train an animal to detect a training odor. The animal training system comprises a target (310) comprising the training odor (320) and a hidden marker (330); and a detector (350) for identifying the hidden marker. There is further provided an animal training method using the animal training system, the animal training method for practice by a supervisor, an animal handler, and an animal. The animal training method comprises placing the target (310) in a location of a search area (300), the target comprising the training odor (320) and the hidden marker (330), the placing being carried out by the supervisor; introducing the animal handler and the animal (305) to the search area; scanning with the detector (350) a candidate location for the hidden marker, the candidate location being a location that is indicated by the animal; and rewarding the animal if the detector indicates the presence of the hidden marker at the candidate location.

Abstract: Substituted poly(phosphazene) compounds comprising a combination of units having one or more of the structures (i) to (iii) wherein: the combination comprises R1 and R2; each R1, is independently an optionally substituted alkyl- or alkyl ether-based side chain containing an isocyanate-reactive moiety, an epoxide-reactive moiety, an amine-reactive moiety, a supramolecular noncovalent bonding moiety, or combinations thereof; and each R2 is independently an optionally substituted alkyl- or alkyl ether-based side chain containing nitro, nitramine, nitrate ester, azide, an ammonium compound moiety with energetic counter-ion, or combinations thereof. Methods of making the compounds are also described.