Abstract: A Sampler and process for collecting, growing, inoculating and evaluating microbes in-situ. The Sampler may be loaded with an active or inert media to assist with the collection of microbes. It is closed and lowered to a desired depth. Sampler is opened to initiate sampling. Materials are added to the sampler to stimulate growth or change the environment. To collect and grow in situ microbes, the sampler is left open for a period of time, a trigger closes and seals the sampler capturing contents specific to that location. The sampler is lifted preserving the in-situ conditions from the collection location. The contents of the sampler can be interrogated through sealed ports at the field site or at a remote location. The sampler can also be utilized as a biologic reactor allowing researchers to connect laboratory equipment to analyze, modify, or cultivate the collected sample.

Abstract: An airlift, water mixing system that passes biocides, algaecides and gas through a ship's ballast water tanks and its pipping to control water PH. Vertically moving diffusion grids provide air sparging in treated ballast water that accommodates variances in ballast water levels without changes in pressure or power used by an air compressor connected to a diffusion grid.

Abstract: The invention uses the loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method of DNA amplification to detect the presence of Asian Carp, including the following species: Hypophthalmichthys nobilis, H. molitrix, Ctenopharyngodon idella, Mylopharyngodon piceus. The LAMP primers disclosed are designed to anneal to a mitochondrial DNA sequence only found in Asian Carp to initiate replication of that segment of DNA. This invention allows minimally trained users to test water samples in under an hour rather than manually screening thousands of fish that could be difficult to identify visually.

Abstract: The present invention is a low permeability rock matrix back diffusion testing system and method which enables contaminant concentrations and hydraulic pressure values to be independently tested. This system includes specially configured packer components which allow precise placement and maintain test conditions for the duration of a study to accurately measure and predict the rate of back flow diffusion over time in low permeability zones.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the invention is a versatile, automated system to allow researchers to continuously measure gas flux rates from multiple chambers over time without (or with reduced) need for personnel in the field. The invention is compatible with any high-frequency analyzer or vial filler and most chamber designs.

Abstract: The invention is an immersion system for decontamination of ship outer surfaces while a ship is located in a lock structure. The lock structure is modified with an inflatable bladder and shortened containment gates. When the ship enters or exits the lock structure, the inflatable bladder is deflated before opening the containment gates. When the inflatable bladder is deflated, a lower treated fluid layer sinks and water adjacent to the lock structure enters the lock through wall ports to create an upper fluid layer on which the ship enters. When the ship is located in the lock structure and the containment gates are closed, the inflatable bladder is inflated. When the inflatable bladder is inflated, the lower treated fluid layer rises and surrounds the ship surface to kill invasive aquatic species.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of refining data in fault line models to produce improved focal mechanisms for small seismic events. The invention can be used for monitoring the polarity of small seismic events in real-time (e.g., fracking) as well for interpreting catalogues of past seismic events. The invention transforms ground velocity signals into vectors through a cross correlation function. The values from these vectors are weighted and ranked. The result is input into a 3-D model to enhance interpretation of seismic events and associated faulting geometry.

Abstract: A distributed temperature sensor probe for measuring temperature at multiple depths. The probe includes a plurality of temperature sensors connected in series inside a sensor housing. The temperature sensors are distributed at various points along the length of the sensor housing. Each temperature sensor has an internal storage and an internal battery. A probe head is connected to a top of the sensor housing, and a probe tip is connected to a bottom of the sensor housing.

Abstract: The invention enables multiple autonomously functioning cameras to capture highly synchronized images suitable for processing by SfM software for creating 3-D maps of waves and other features of dynamically moving ocean surfaces. The autonomously functioning cameras need not be in communication with each other through a network, thus reducing dependency on network components. The invention utilizes a microprocessor operatively coupled to the operating system of a camera to synchronize the shutter release component of cameras to an external signal. Large numbers of cameras can be synchronized to an external signal, such as a 1 PPS GPS signal, and can be calibrated in real time to reduce synchronization error to less than 1/1000 per second.

Abstract: The dissolved gas sensor system includes a dissolved gas sensor partially located within a housing and partially extending through the housing lid. The sensor is created by affixing a selectively permeable membrane to a dissolved gas transducer with a waterproof polymer. This forms a membrane cavity between the membrane, polymer, and transducer. The membrane cavity allows the transducer to detect whatever gas or gases can pass through the selectively permeable membrane. These readings pass to a controller located within the housing body that can receive and process data, and store the data in a removable data storage for later retrieval by a user. The controller can also regulate overall power consumption of the system to increase the operating life of the system.

Abstract: A selectively perceptible wind turbine system provides illumination in a low intensity and wavelength invisible to the human eye, but visible to certain bats. This illumination deters bats and other flying animals from going near the turbine without becoming a nuisance. At least one ultraviolet (UV) illumination source produces at least one UV beam with a wavelength of approximately 200 nm to approximately 400 nm. This UV beam extends between the UV illumination source and at least one turbine blade surface of a turbine blade. Contact between the UV beam and the turbine blade surface forms an illumination interface with a power density of less than 100 ?W/cm2.

Abstract: A portable, hand-held sampler for collection of aquatic biotic samples. A pump with an exhaust tube and a water intake tube is attached to a frame. A battery is attached to the frame and electrically connected to the pump. A handle is attached to the bottom of the frame for an operator to hold the sampler in one hand. A switch is electrically connected to the pump and to the battery and attached to the frame near the handle for the operator to control activation of the pump with the same single hand. A venturi tube assembly with a sample intake tube is attached to the exhaust tube. The pump draws water into the water intake tube and sample material into the sample intake tube and the venturi tube diverts the sample material away from the pump and into a sample collection reservoir to prevent damage to the sample material.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling biofouling of a datasonde. The apparatus includes a sample chamber that attaches to the end of the datasonde and encloses its sensor array. The sample chamber is plumbed with a water tube that allows ambient water to flow into and out of the sample chamber. The chamber is also plumbed with an air tube that allows air to flow into and out of the sample chamber. The air tube is split above the water surface with each side having an in-line solenoid valve. One side of the air tube is connected to a compressed air source and the other side is open to the atmosphere. Compressed air is introduced to the sample chamber at set intervals, forcing extant sample water from the sample chamber via the water tube to control biofouling of the sensor array.

Abstract: A dust sampling system including a dust sampler and a vehicle on which the dust sampler is placed. The dust sampler has a suction unit, a cyclone, a dust collection container, and an air intake conduit. The suction unit draws in air containing dust particles. The cyclone centrifugally separates the dust particles from the drawn-in air. The cyclone has an air input port, a particle discharge end, and an air output port connected to the suction unit. A dust collection container is positioned underneath the cyclone to receive the separated dust particles from the cyclone. The air intake conduit has an air inlet and an air outlet connected to the air input port of the cyclone. The suction unit draws in the air containing the dust particles into the air inlet of the air intake conduit while the vehicle moves to collect samples of fugitive dust from a road.

Abstract: An automatic surface elevation table (Auto SET) for measuring ground surface movements and land surface subsidence. The Auto SET includes a free-floating foot resting on a sediment surface. A benchmark rod passes through a center of the free-floating foot, and is driven into the sediment surface and extends above the sediment surface. A water level recorder system is attached to the benchmark rod. The water level recorder system includes a water level recorder attached to a top of the benchmark rod, a double block pulley system having an upper end connected to the water level recorder and a lower end connected to the free-floating foot, and a counterweight attached to the upper end of the double block pulley system. The water level recorder system measures movement of the free-floating foot to determine ground surface movements.

Abstract: A well structure for providing drinking water. The well structure includes slotted horizontal collectors connected laterally to a fitting connector. A well casing is connected to a top of the fitting connector. The fitting connector is positioned in a bottom of the well bore such that the horizontal collectors are perpendicular to groundwater flow. Crushed stones are deposited in a lower portion of the well bore and allow groundwater to flow down and into the slots of the horizontal collectors. A geotextile filter fabric is placed over the crushed-stone fill. A pump is placed in the well casing to pump the groundwater to the land surface. A loam soil fill is deposited over the geotextile filter fabric. A seal is placed around the well casing under the land surface. A vented, removable cap with a rubber seal is placed over a top of the well casing and secured.

Abstract: A sampling system and a method for sampling fluid from a target zone within a well bore without commingling fluid from other zones in the well. The sampling system includes a hydraulic flow control system and a differential flow logging system. The hydraulic flow control system has a plurality of multi-level, vertically disposed pumps with fluid extraction rates set to generate hydraulic zones above and below a center one of the pumps. The hydraulic zones isolate fluid flow in a target zone surrounding the center pump, and the center pump collects a sample from the isolated target zone without mixing fluid from other zones of the well. The differential logging system has a plurality of flow devices. Each of the plurality of flow devices is disposed near one of the hydraulic zones to monitor vertical flow in the well and confirm isolation of the target zone.

Abstract: An artificial recharge system and method for recharging an aquifer. The artificial recharge system includes a constructed wetland, a settling pond, and a porous recharge reservoir. The constructed wetland receives water from a surface water source and has aquatic vegetation used to remove sediments and chemicals from the water. The settling pond receives the water from the constructed wetland and provides additional sediment removal. The porous recharge reservoir, which is hydraulically connected to the aquifer, receives the water from the settling pond. The water flows by gravity from the porous recharge reservoir to the aquifer. A backflush tube installed within a sand layer in the porous recharge reservoir is used to remove sediment and particulates from the sand layer.

Abstract: A sampling method, fluid collection system, and auxiliary sampling device to assist an autosampler in collecting samples from a fluid source. The sampling device includes a support frame and a motorized actuator, with a piston, attached to an end of the support frame. A sample arm has an upper end disposed at an end of the support frame opposite the motorized actuator and a lower end with an inlet to receive a fluid sample. A cable and pulley mechanism links the sample arm to the piston. A fluid conduit within the sample arm has a fluid intake end connected to the inlet and a fluid discharge end connected to an autosampler. The cable and pulley mechanism pivots the sample arm when the motorized actuator pushes or retracts the piston to position the inlet at desired positions within the fluid source so that the autosampler collects multiple samples at various depths.

Abstract: A method for identifying the source of vermiculite insulation in situ using a portable spectrometer with a light-emitting contact probe and a personal computer. Identification is accomplished using NIR reflectance spectroscopy and absorption band depth ratios to differentiate between vermiculite sources and to test for the presence of amphibole, talc, or serpentine contaminants in vermiculite insulation.