Abstract: A non-self-passivating fuel such as boron or magnesium is protected from exposure to oxygen sources by a self-passivating fuel layer such as aluminum or titanium. When the non-self-passivating fuel is utilized within a layered structure of alternating fuel and oxygen source layers, self-passivating fuel layers located between each non-self-passivating fuel layer and each oxygen source layer. The self-passivating fuel oxidizes until self-passivation is reached, protecting the non-self-passivating fuel from oxidation. Any of the non-self-passivating fuel which does not oxidize is available for use as fuel in any fuel-oxygen source reaction.

Abstract: A packaging system for packaging granular food items for shipment includes a plurality of granular food item bags, each granular food item bag having a side surface. A folder has at least one crease with a first half having a first inner surface on one side of the crease and a second half having a second inner surface on an opposing side of the at least one crease. The side surface of each granular food item bag is attached to the first inner surface of the first half of the folder and the granular food item bags are arranged in and N×M array on the first inner surface of the first half of the folder. The folder is then folded along the at least one crease so the second inner surface of the second half of the folder is folded over the granular food item bags attached to the first inner surface.

Abstract: A layered thermite composite includes alternating layers of metal oxide and reducing metal deposited upon a substrate. A fuzzy interface layer between each metal oxide layer and reducing metal layer includes reducing metal, reducing metal oxide, and metal oxide at least partially intermixed therein. The fuzzy interface layer forms while moving between chambers in a multi-chamber deposition process which minimizes exposure of the reducing metal to oxygen while moving between chambers. The fuzzy interface layer is not expected to grow in thickness after deposition. The combination of the relative thinness of the fuzzy interface layer as well as the presence of reactants as well as reducing metal oxide maintains the sensitivity of the layered thermite structure to mechanical ignition if the structure is used within a primer.

Abstract: A fastener gun or nail gun utilizes a propellant cartridge having a centerfire primer made from thermite. The thermite is made from alternating layers of metal oxide and reducing metal, and includes one or more layers of carbide-containing ceramic. The primer ignites a propellant which may be a conventional single base or double base smokeless powder, or which may be thermite having a structure similar to the thermite of the primer. The primer may be initiated mechanically or electrically. The fastener gun is capable of applying a level of force similar to the force applied by conventional propellant cartridges, while avoiding inhalation of lead particles by the operator of the fastener gun.

Abstract: A primer includes a layered thermite coating comprising alternating layers of metal oxide and reducing metal (thermite) deposited upon a substrate. A carbide-containing ceramic layer is disposed within the alternating layers of metal oxide and reducing metal.

Abstract: A packaging system for packaging granular food items for shipment includes a plurality of granular food item bags, each granular food item bag having a side surface. A folder has at least one crease with a first half having a first inner surface on one side of the crease and a second half having a second inner surface on an opposing side of the at least one crease. The side surface of each granular food item bag is attached to the first inner surface of the first half of the folder and the granular food item bags are arranged in and NxM array on the first inner surface of the first half of the folder. The folder is then folded along the at least one crease so the second inner surface of the second half of the folder is folded over the granular food item bags attached to the first inner surface.

Abstract: A packaging system for packaging granular food items for shipment includes a plurality of granular food item bags, each granular food item bag having a side surface. A folder has at least one crease with a first half having a first inner surface on one side of the crease and a second half having a second inner surface on an opposing side of the at least one crease. The side surface of each granular food item bag is attached to the first inner surface of the first half of the folder and the granular food item bags are arranged in and N×M array on the first inner surface of the first half of the folder. The folder is then folded along the at least one crease so the second inner surface of the second half of the folder is folded over the granular food item bags attached to the first inner surface.

Abstract: A primer includes a layered thermite coating comprising alternating layers of metal oxide and reducing metal (thermite) deposited upon a substrate. A carbide-containing ceramic layer is disposed within the alternating layers of metal oxide and reducing metal.

Abstract: A non-self-passivating fuel such as boron or magnesium is protected from exposure to oxygen sources by a self-passivating fuel layer such as aluminum or titanium. When the non-self-passivating fuel is utilized within a layered structure of alternating fuel and oxygen source layers, self-passivating fuel layers located between each non-self-passivating fuel layer and each oxygen source layer. The self-passivating fuel oxidizes until self-passivation is reached, protecting the non-self-passivating fuel from oxidation. Any of the non-self-passivating fuel which does not oxidize is available for use as fuel in any fuel-oxygen source reaction.

Abstract: A packaging system for packaging granular food items for shipment includes a plurality of granular food item bags, each granular food item bag having a side surface. A folder has at least one crease with a first half having a first inner surface on one side of the crease and a second half having a second inner surface on an opposing side of the at least one crease. The side surface of each granular food item bag is attached to the first inner surface of the first half of the folder and the granular food item bags are arranged in and N×M array on the first inner surface of the first half of the folder. The folder is then folded along the at least one crease so the second inner surface of the second half of the folder is folded over the granular food item bags attached to the first inner surface.

Abstract: A propellant is made from a flexible sheet that in some examples is nitrocellulose. An ignitable material is deposited on one side of the flexible sheet. The ignitable material is a series of triangles having a base adjacent to one edge of the sheet, and an apex adjacent to the other side of the sheet. Some examples of the ignitable material may be thermite compositions. The flexible sheet is rolled around a nonburnable tube and placed within a firearm casing, with the triangle bases being adjacent to the back of the casing, and the triangle apexes being adjacent to the front of the casing. The nonburnable tube is disposed over the primer pocket, so that ignition products from the primer travel through the tube, igniting the propellant adjacent to the front of the casing.

Abstract: A primer structure is provided for holding a deposited ignitable material, and for holding the ignitable material within a firearm cartridge or within another munition. The primer includes a disk and a retaining ring. Ignitable material is deposited on a surface of the disk. The retaining ring is positioned in front of the disk. The retaining ring includes angled passageways for reaction products to travel from the ignitable material to the propellant. The forwardmost surface of the retaining ring, as well as the angle of the passageways, dissipate pressure that would otherwise be borne by the disk. Both the disk and retaining ring include angled or stepped surfaces to resist movement under pressure.

Abstract: A primer includes a layered thermite coating comprising alternating layers of metal oxide and reducing metal (thermite) deposited upon a substrate. The layered thermite coating may include a primary ignition portion adjacent to the substrate, and a secondary ignition portion deposited on the primary ignition portion. The alternating thermite layers may be thinner within the primary ignition portion than in the secondary ignition portion. The primary ignition portion is structured for sensitivity to a firing pin strike to the opposite side of the substrate. The secondary ignition portion is structured to burn at a rate that will ignite smokeless powder or other ignitable substances used in munitions.

Abstract: A firearm cartridge includes a thermite charge and a thermite bullet. Upon ignition, the thermite charge is ignited by the primer. The bullet, instead of being propelled down the barrel, is also ignited by the thermite charge. The ignition of the thermite charge is commenced by the firing pin of the gun striking the primer. Upon ignition, the thermite charge ignites the bullet. The ignited thermite charge and bullet melt firearm components that are located adjacent to the chamber, and/or weld themselves to the chamber, rendering the firearm unusable.

Abstract: A propellant is made from a flexible sheet that in some examples is nitrocellulose. An ignitable material is deposited on one side of the flexible sheet. The ignitable material is a series of triangles having a base adjacent to one edge of the sheet, and an apex adjacent to the other side of the sheet. Some examples of the ignitable material may be thermite compositions. The flexible sheet is rolled around a nonburnable tube and placed within a firearm casing, with the triangle bases being adjacent to the back of the casing, and the triangle apexes being adjacent to the front of the casing. The nonburnable tube is disposed over the primer pocket, so that ignition products from the primer travel through the tube, igniting the propellant adjacent to the front of the casing.

Abstract: According to various aspects of the subject technology, systems and methods for qualifying solar leads are described. In certain implementations, data about utility customers and/or other information are used to identify high-quality solar leads, thus reducing the amount of extraneous work for installers and resulting in an overall reduction of the total cost of solar implementations.

Abstract: One example of a sound suppressor for a firearm includes a tubular housing and a plurality of individual tubular baffle elements that fit within the tubular housing to form a baffle assembly having a symmetrical or an asymmetrical baffle structure. Different examples of the tubular baffle elements may abut each other or may interlock with each other. Another example of the sound suppressor includes an outer housing that resists passage of heat therethrough.

Abstract: A propellant in the form of a pellet includes adjoining pellet sections. Each pellet section includes a smokeless powder, a burnable metal, and a polymer. The smokeless powder in each pellet section will in many examples be different from the burn rate of the smokeless powder in other pellet sections. A nonignitable tube passes through the center of the pellet. When the pellet is used within a firearm cartridge, the ignition products from the primer travel through the nonburnable tube, igniting the pellet sections sequentially from the front to the rear of the cartridge. The pressure generated by the propellant within a cartridge casing can be maximized and controlled through the selection of the burn rate for each pellet section.

Abstract: A cup for a primer facilitates the use of deposited ignitable material, for example, a layered thermite material, within a cup that fits within a standard primer pocket within a firearm cartridge casing or other location designed for a presently available primer. The primer cup includes a tube and a disk. The ignitable material can be deposited on one surface of the disk. The disk can then be inserted within the tube, wherein it is retained within the tube by an inwardly projecting ledge at one end of the tube.

Abstract: A rotating binding for a snowboard or other recreational equipment to which a user's foot is attached includes a lever having teeth at one end for engaging corresponding teeth in a disk attached to the snowboard or other equipment. Movement of the lever is resisted until an additional movement of the lever is performed in order to unsecure the lever from a secured position in which it engages the teeth within the disk. Some examples of the snowboard or other recreational equipment may include retractable fins that may be extended downward from the snowboard, or secured in a retracted position.