Abstract: Disclosed are microwave assisted methods and systems for decontaminating a variety of contaminated surfaces. The systems and methods comprise treating the surfaces with benign chemical formulations followed by exposing to microwave irradiation for short periods of time to achieve at least 6-log reduction in biological contaminants including spores of B. anthracis, B. thuringiensis, and P. roqueforti. Chemical formulations may comprise copper (II) chloride in water. The formulations may include a surfactant such as a polyethylene sorbitol ester surfactant.

Abstract: Devices and methods for enhanced hearing protection for animals are disclosed. Passive noise reduction components provide reduction of at least 20 dB to 30 dB in dogs using flexible soft muffs that are housed in a hearing protection sleeve. Active noise cancellation (ANC) features may also be used to increase noise reduction to about 40 dB over a large frequency range. The devices may employ passive noise reduction electronic bypass to measure and playback sounds at safe levels bypassing at least one of ANC and passive noise reduction. Communication components may be employed to provide for communication between the handler and the animal. The systems and methods may be used to protect the hearing and utility of military working dogs and hunting dogs.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems are methods for identifying the composition of single aerosol particles, particularly that of bioaerosol particles. A continuous timing laser tightly coupled with a pulse ionization laser is used to index aerosol particles, measure particle properties, and trigger the ionization laser to fire when each particle enters the beam of the trigger laser. Ionized fragments and optionally photons produced when each particle is struck by the ionization laser are analyzed using one or more detectors including a TOF-MS detector and an optical detector. Individual single particle spectra are aligned and denoised prior to averaging.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and devices for analyzing aerosol particles in exhaled breath using diagnostic tools that enable rapid, low cost and autonomous point of care assays for several diseases including respiratory tract diseases. Disclosed are methods and devices for capturing exhaled breath aerosols in a packed bed column and analyzing exhaled captured breath aerosols for tuberculosis diagnosis.

Abstract: Mobile decontamination systems and microwave assisted decontamination methods for decontaminating a variety of contaminated surfaces disposed external to the system are disclosed. The systems and methods comprise treating the surfaces with benign chemical formulations followed by exposing to microwave irradiation for short periods of time to achieve at least 6-log reduction in biological contaminants including viruses and spores of B. anthracis, B. thuringiensis, and P. roqueforti. The formulations comprise a percarbonate and surfactant in water.

Abstract: Systems and methods for enhanced hearing protection and data recording are disclosed. Recorded data is analyzed to determine user compliance with standard operating procedures. Additionally, hearing loss is monitored using neurological response of the auditory system to environmental noise. Optional sensors such as temperature sensors, accelerometers, GPS sensors are used to correlate noise data with external events. An optional acoustic source may be used to identify unusual conditions such as ear drum perforations and capture information related to health of the tympanic membrane and external auditory meatus. The systems and methods may also be used to protect the hearing and utility of military working dogs.

Abstract: Coating materials such as MALDI matrix solutions are aerosolized and are used to coat analyte particles in an acoustic coater. Methods and devices for coating analyte particles in real time are disclosed. The coating improves the detection and quantification of the analyte particles using analytical instruments such as an aerosol time of flight mass spectrometer.

Abstract: Coating materials such as MALDI matrix solutions are aerosolized and are used to coat analyte particles in an acoustic coater. Methods and devices for coating analyte particles in real time are disclosed. The coating improves the detection and quantification of the analyte particles using analytical instruments such as an aerosol time of flight mass spectrometer.

Abstract: In one aspect, a time-of-flight mass spectrometer includes a source comprising a backing plate configured to operably couple to a core sample containing component, and an acceleration region. The time-of-flight mass spectrometer also includes a time-of-flight mass analyzer operably associated with the source region. In some embodiments, the core sample core sample containing component is a coring drill bit. In some embodiments, core containing component is configured to couple to the backing plate of the source region from the opposite side of the acceleration region. In some embodiments, core containing component is configured to couple to the backing plate of the source region on the acceleration region side of the backing plate. In some embodiments, the acceleration region is a single-stage acceleration region. In other embodiments, the acceleration region is a two-stage acceleration region.

Abstract: A miniature time-of-flight mass spectrometer (TOF-MS) was developed for a NASA/ASTID program beginning 2008. The primary targeted application for this technology is the detection of non-volatile (refractory) and biological materials on landed planetary missions. Both atmospheric and airless bodies are potential candidate destinations for the purpose of characterizing mineralogy, and searching for evidence of existing or extant biological activity.