Abstract: Transdermally emitted gasses are detected by applying a dermal sampling strip to the skin of a biological subject, capturing the gasses in a vapor space in the dermal sampling strip, and analyzing for at least one such gas captured in the vapor space of the dermal sampling strip. Analysis is preferably performed using an electrocatalytic cell, which can be mounted on the dermal sampling strip and form a wall of the vapor space.

Abstract: Transdermally emitted gasses are detected by applying a dermal sampling strip to the skin of a biological subject, capturing the gasses in a vapor space in the dermal sampling strip, and analyzing for at least one such gas captured in the vapor space of the dermal sampling strip. Analysis is preferably performed using an electrocatalytic cell, which can be mounted on the dermal sampling strip and form a wall of the vapor space.

Abstract: Hydrothermal conversion is performed on organic feedstocks that include solids, by forming a slurry of the feedstock in water and subjecting the slurry to hydrothermal conversion conditions. The hydrothermal conversion conditions may be sufficient to product a carbonized solid and/or liquefaction products. The size of solids (either or both of feedstock or carbonized solids produced in the process) is reduced by conducting a series of bubble-forming and bubble-collapsing cycles on the slurry.

Abstract: Transdermally emitted gasses are detected by applying a dermal sampling strip to the skin of a biological subject, capturing the gasses in a vapor space in the dermal sampling strip, and analyzing for at least one such gas captured in the vapor space of the dermal sampling strip. Analysis is preferably performed using an electrocatalytic cell, which can be mounted on the dermal sampling strip and form a wall of the vapor space.

Abstract: A hydrothermal conversion process includes a mixing step wherein an aqueous slurry of a solid feedstock material with a steam stream to produce a reaction mixture having a temperature of at least 160° C. and which is at a pressure sufficient to keep water as a subcooled liquid. The process is fast and effective, requires only simple equipment and is highly energy-efficient. The process is also readily scalable, can be operated continuously or semi-continuously and can be tailored to produce carbonized solids or liquefaction products, all of which typically have increased economic value compared with the starting materials.

Abstract: Hydrothermal liquefaction is performed on organic feedstocks. The feedstock is first subjected to hydrothermal carbonization conditions, which converts all or a portion of the feedstock to a carbonized solid. The carbonized solid is then reduced in particle size, and the reduced size carbonized particles including the remainder of the products of hydrothermal carbonization are then subjected to hydrothermal liquefaction.

Abstract: Hydrothermal conversion is performed on organic feedstocks that include solids, by forming a slurry of the feedstock in water and subjecting the slurry to hydrothermal conversion conditions. The hydrothermal conversion conditions may be sufficient to product a carbonized solid and/or liquefaction products. The size of solids (either or both of feedstock or carbonized solids produced in the process) is reduced by conducting a series of bubble-forming and bubble-collapsing cycles on the slurry.

Abstract: A hydrothermal conversion process includes a mixing step wherein an aqueous slurry of a solid feedstock material with a steam stream to produce a reaction mixture having a temperature of at least 160° C. and which is at a pressure sufficient to keep water as a subcooled liquid. The process is fast and effective, requires only simple equipment and is highly energy-efficient. The process is also readily scalable, can be operated continuously or semi-continuously and can be tailored to produce carbonized solids or liquefaction products, all of which typically have increased economic value compared with the starting materials.

Abstract: An electrochemical sensor for organic molecules such as ethylene includes an electrochemical cell, gas sample inlet means and means for detecting current produced by the oxidation of the organic molecule at the anode of the cell. The sensor is capable of sensing multiple organic molecules in some embodiments. A voltage is applied to the anode of the cell to provide energy to drive the oxidation reaction and produce a corresponding current. The sensor of the invention can be made as a small, hand-held unit that is capable of real-time detection of various organic species.

Abstract: Fluids are atomized using a miniaturized electrostatic microinjector. The microinjectors are capable of producing uniform droplets in several spray modes, and metering and dispersing very small volume fluids. The atomizer is useful in carburetion systems for internal combustion engines, to prepare samples for analytical methods such as MALDI, for fluid filtration and separation, and in other applications.

Abstract: A microimpactor device for separating particles from a fluid stream includes a plurality of microimpactor in a two-dimensional array. Individual microimpactors are separated by a distance of about 3 to 20 times the microimpactor width. This spacing provides a device that operates well at low pressure drops across the device. Particles borne in a fluid stream tend to accumulate on both the front and rear sides of the microimpactors, thereby increasing the efficiency of the device.

Abstract: A virtual impactor device having reduced fouling includes injection ports within the separation zone to redirect particles that otherwise tend to impact the walls of the separation zone and produce fouling. The virtual impactor device preferably also includes an acceleration zone having concave and convex sections, which reduces fouling in that area. The virtual impactor device can be combined with various downstream components such as collectors, atomizers and various analytical devices.

Abstract: A virtual impactor device having reduced fouling includes injection ports within the separation zone to redirect particles that otherwise tend to impact the walls of the separation zone and produce fouling. The virtual impactor device preferably also includes an acceleration zone having concave and convex sections, which reduces fouling in that area. The virtual impactor device can be combined with various downstream components such as collectors, atomizers and various analytical devices.

Abstract: Integrated particle capture and detection devices include a microimpactor system for capturing particles or other materials from a fluid stream. The captured materials are subject to in situ analysis, inactivation or chemical reactions. The devices are particularly suitable as air purification devices or personal protection devices, where the air is possibly contaminated with pathogenic or toxic materials. The device can indicate the presence of these materials, or can be used to deactivate them and thus render the air safe for breathing.

Abstract: A microimpactor device for separating particles from a fluid stream includes a plurality of microimpactor in a two-dimensional array. Individual microimpactors are separated by a distance of about 3 to 20 times the microimpactor width. This spacing provides a device that operates well at low pressure drops across the device. Particles borne in a fluid stream tend to accumulate on both the front and rear sides of the microimpactors, thereby increasing the efficiency of the device.

Abstract: Fluids are atomized using a miniaturized electrostatic microinjector. The microinjectors are capable of producing uniform droplets in several spray modes, and metering and dispersing very small volume fluids. The atomizer is useful in carburetion systems for internal combustion engines, to prepare samples for analytical methods such as MALDI, for fluid filtration and separation, and in other applications.

Abstract: Fluids are atomized using a miniaturized electrostatic microinjector. The microinjectors are capable of producing uniform droplets in several spray modes, and metering and dispersing very small volume fluids. The atomizer is useful in carburetion systems for internal combustion engines, to prepare samples for analytical methods such as MALDI, for fluid filtration and separation, and in other applications.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for purifying water by using thermal and/or thermocatalytic processes. The method and apparatus are particularly useful for processing impure water to remove and/or deactivate toxic inorganic, organic, and/or biological species such as Sarin, mustard gas, phosgene, cyanogen chloride, anthrax, E. coli, Giardia cysts, salmonella, hepatitis, and Norwalk viruses. In the thermal process, contaminated water is heated (preferably superheated) forming steam, whereby a majority of inorganic and biological species are removed or deactivated from the water. The steam is then condensed, forming liquid purified water. In the thermocatalytic process, the steam is brought into contact with a hydrolysis catalyst, preferably in the form of a coated surface or replaceable catalyst element.

Abstract: Fluids are atomized using a miniaturized electrostatic microinjector. The microinjectors are capable of producing uniform droplets in several spray modes, and metering and dispersing very small volume fluids. The atomizer is useful in carburetion systems for internal combustion engines, to prepare samples for analytical methods such as MALDI, for fluid filtration and separation, and in other applications.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for purifying air to deactivate toxic chemical and biological species such as Sarin, mustard gas, phosgene, cyanogen chloride, Anthrax spores, E. coli bacteria, Salmonella bacteria, Hepatitis virus, and Norwalk virus. The apparatus comprises a reaction chamber coupled to a counterflow heat exchanger. Incoming contaminated air is directed through a heating side of a counterflow heat exchanger to preheat it. The air is further heated to a temperature of at least 200° C., which is sufficient to deactivate common biological toxic species. Optionally, the reaction chamber may include a catalyst on a surface area over which the heated air is directed, which enables a thermocatalytic reaction that is particularly effective in deactivating biological and chemical warfare agents, such as anthrax and Sarin.