Abstract: An ultra-sensitive method for visualizing latent fingerprints using a chemical multiplier to amplify even very faint prints on rough or otherwise difficult surfaces, involving a chemical free radical reaction which produces millions of identifiable molecules from each adsorbed initiator molecule and thereby greatly increases the detection sensitivity. A corresponding fingerprint detection kit may be utilized to carry out such method, in which the kit includes a free radical chain reaction initiator, and a reagent that can react via the free radical chain reaction in the presence of the initiator and form colored, fluorescent, polymeric, IR- or UV-absorbing molecules that are effective for visualization of the fingerprint.

Abstract: An anti-icing composition including a chemically-bound nano-layer based on a multivalent atom such as silicon or titanium, and whiskers of hydroxyls, polyols, polyethers, polyamines, poly-acids or mixtures of such hydrophilic functionalities. This base layer may be used as such or have an additional coating overlying it, e.g., comprising a polymeric polyol such as polyvinylalcohol or polyglycol. The second layer may also be chemically bonded to the surface or to the first layer. Surface treatment with such composition prevents small droplets of water from freezing on the surface and reduces dramatically their friction with the surface. The result is the prevention of icing of the surface, reduction in the adhesion of ice to the surface and reduction in the accumulation of ice layers. The anti-icing composition also makes removal of ice from the surface much easier once accumulated, and is useful in reducing de-icing requirements of aircraft and in retarding in-flight ice formation.

Abstract: An irreversible humidity exposure dose indicator device, including a housing sealed at a first end thereof and adapted at a second end thereof to admit ambient gas ingress into an interior volume containing chromogenic material. The chromogenic material in contact with water irreversibly absorbs such water to produce a change whose extent is correlative of cumulative exposure of the device to humidity. The device may be configured as an indicator card including an intermediate permeable membrane coated on a first side thereof with a layer of a deliquescent solid and being in contact on a second side thereof with a layer containing a reactive indicator, with a water-permeable layer adjacent to the layer containing the deliquescent coating, enclosed within a water-impermeable transparent enclosure.

Abstract: An End of Service Life (ESLI) and Residual Life Indicator (RLI), for gas masks and other filters, where the indicator includes a solid conduit with one end closed by a transparent material and the other by a porous material. In one implementation the conduit contains, a powder that can react chromogenically. In another implementation, the porous material includes a reagent that can react with the target gas and release a reactive gas. The transparent end of the conduit is coated internally with a chromogenic reagent that changes color when either the target gas or the gas produced in the reaction reaches it. The ESLI/RLI may be inserted into the filter from different directions to accommodate practical filter or mask designs. The ESLI/RLI may contain more than one chromophore to alert users of the penetration of different gases or classes of gases.

Abstract: A robust, wireless sensor system providing a low cost method of tracking people such as sex offenders, child molesters, etc., after their release from prison or other confinement, which protects society from such individuals and lessens their ability to repeat such offenses. The system and method of the invention can also be used to locate kidnapped persons, people buried in snow avalanches, missing or dead soldiers, etc. The system utilizes RFID tags placed on people or in specified locations and RFID transmitters that can resonate with the tagged people or objects. Such a trigger recognition arrangement combined with communication of information from the triggering can be used to obtain a signal alerting the transmitter carrier that the tagged object or person is nearby.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the rapid and reliable detection of analytes in liquid solutions such as water, drinking fluids, extracts of solids such as foods, soils, industrial fluids such as oils, cooling water, fuels, solutions of drugs or chemicals, etc. The systems preferably include an inexpensive and disposable capillary containing a dry chemical system of detection that reacts chromogenically or in other manner to indicate the presence of the analyte.

Abstract: An irreversible humidity exposure dose indicator device, including a housing sealed at a first end thereof and adapted at a second end thereof to admit ambient gas ingress into an interior volume containing chromogenic material. The chromogenic material in contact with water irreversibly absorbs such water to produce a change whose extent is correlative of cumulative exposure of the device to humidity. The device may be configured as an indicator card including an intermediate permeable membrane coated on a first side thereof with a layer of a deliquescent solid and being in contact on a second side thereof with a layer containing a reactive indicator, with a water-permeable layer adjacent to the layer containing the deliquescent coating, enclosed within a water-impermeable transparent enclosure.

Abstract: A system and method for conducting fast and reliable determinations of the presence of specific compounds in a sample based on the gases that are evolved from it upon reaction with specific reagents. The system in one implementation includes a flexible pouch with pre-measured analysis-specific reagents in sealed ampoules placed in a flexible harness and a detection tab placed in slits on top of the pouch. Squeezing the pouch breaks the ampoules and releases the reagents into the sample. The reagents react and if the specific analyte is present in the sample, gas indicative of the analyte is released from the sample and reacts with material on the tab to produce a quantitative change in such material, e.g., a color change. The color change intensity is related to the quantity of the analyte in the sample and may be estimated by comparing it to a standard color chart.

Abstract: A gas dosimeter utilizing a colorimetric reagent for the selective determination of total amines in solution or in air is described. The reagent comprises 1,2 napthoquinone-4-sulfonic acid or a derivative thereof. Upon addition of amines, a color is formed which is quantitatively related to the number of amine molecules reacted. The reagent can be utilized to detect aromatic amines apart from primary amines by the addition of a buffering agent to maintain the pH less than 4.5.

Abstract: The present invention provides a disposable laminated colorimetric gas monitoring wafer for sensing and monitoring exposure to a selected gas. Opposed gas impermeable layers, such as plastic, generally enclose a carrier medium, such as a sorbent, which carries a color-forming chromophore composition that changes color in response to exposure to a selected gas. A porous, hydrophobic membrane exposed through an opening in one outer plastic layer, overlays the carrying medium and the chromophore composition. Wind and moisture effects are reduced by the porous membrane, and the porous hydrophobic membrane also prevents relative humidity from effecting the color of the chromophore composition.

Abstract: A novel colorimetric reagent for the selective determination of formaldehyde in solution or in air is described. The reagent comprises at least two chemicals: rubeanic acid or a rubeanic acid derivative, and a cyano complex of a metal. Upon addition of formaldehyde, a color is formed which is quantitatively related to the number of formaldehyde molecules reacted. The chromophoric reagent can be mixed with other inactive ingredients such as stabilizers, buffers, polymers, etc. and used in solutions as a coating on a flat surface, or on beads to detect and determine formaldehyde colorimetrically. One particular application of the colorimetric reagent is in a direct reading colorimetric gas dosimeter for formaldehyde.