Abstract: A new and improved cable tie includes a core cable tie having a multi-slot head and a set of attachments that are not integrally formed with the core cable tie. A user can combine one or more attachments with a core cable tie to form a cable tie assembly. As such, a core cable tie can be modified with one or more attachments that are specific to a desired capability or configuration. This results in improved strength and cost savings in that the same core cable tie can be used for multiple applications. The user only adds attachments, such as finger or hand pulls, based on the needs of a specific situation.

Abstract: A new and improved cable tie includes a core cable tie having a multi-slot head and a set of attachments that are not integrally formed with the core cable tie. A user can combine one or more attachments with a core cable tie to form a cable tie assembly. As such, a core cable tie can be modified with one or more attachments that are specific to a desired capability or configuration. This results in improved strength and cost savings in that the same core cable tie can be used for multiple applications. The user only adds attachments, such as finger or hand pulls, based on the needs of a specific situation.

Abstract: A particle detection apparatus and method includes an excitation source having a first emission band that excites a sample and a second emission band; a first optical device connected to the excitation source and attenuates radiation emitted in the second emission band; an optical cavity adjacent to the first optical device, which includes a sample excited by radiation from the excitation source; a substrate coupled to the optical cavity and exposed to the radiation from the excitation source; a binding compound coupled to the substrate, which includes a ligand coupled to the substrate; and a capture material coupled to the ligand and capturing the sample; a second optical device connected to the substrate and attenuates radiation emitted in the first emission band; and an optical detector connected to the second optical device and detects radiation emitted in the second emission band.

Abstract: A plastic particle detector for detecting biological and other fluorescent materials is disclosed. The detector detects the fluorescence and scattering signals from these materials using deep UV excitation. The detector is fabricated using plastic materials and exploits the properties of lower manufacturing costs, lower materials costs, light weight, ruggedness and assembly ease offered by plastics, while eliminating stray fluorescence signals ordinarily generated by plastic materials.

Abstract: A method for detecting biological aerosols using a photon counting technique to determine the presence of particles is described. A Schmitt trigger is used to prevent over counting of particle events and for greater stability and noise immunity. An alarm determination is made using time-based statistical data derived from the observed fluorescent and scattered photon data.

Abstract: A particle detection device and method wherein a bulk sample of particles is selectively collected based on scattering properties of the particles and fluorescence properties of the particles. The bulk sample of particles is then excited to produce an atomic emission from the bulk sample of particles. The atomic emission from the bulk sample of particles is used to determine atomic emission properties of the particles and identify biological particles in the bulk sample.

Abstract: A biological aerosol detector is provided. The biological aerosol detector uses a semiconductor optical source with an ultraviolet emission band to excite biological molecules in an aerosol sample. Filtering optics are configured to attenuate radiation from a secondary emission band of the optical source to prevent false signals due to scattering of secondary emission band radiation from non-biological molecules. An intake/exhaust manifold that includes an intake pipe that fits within a concentric exhaust pipe is also provided. The intake/exhaust manifold planarizes the flow of the sampled aerosol to maximize the time of irradiation. An electrostatic sampling grid is also provided to selectively draw biological molecules having a net charge into the optical chamber.

Abstract: A method for generating a synthetic data signal is described. A synthetic data signal having any desired duration is generated from a data signal and a background signal of shorter duration. The duration of the background signal is extended by sampling the background signal at random times and for random durations. The sampled background signal is used to extend the background signal. Event data is identified from the data signal. The extended background signal is randomly populated with event data randomly sampled from the data signal to generate the synthetic data signal.

Abstract: The invention provides particle detectors and detection methods. A particle detector includes a spherical/ellipsoid shell comprising spherical and ellipsoid mirrors that define a focal point within an interior of the shell, a pair of opposing tubes passing through the spherical/ellipsoid shell and directed at the focal point for directing particles to the focal point, and a light source directed at the focal point for directing light at the particles to generate fluorescence from the particles at or near the focal point.

Abstract: The ion accelerator for an ion mobility detector cell is comprised of a ceramic tube coated inside with a thick film resistor composition across which a voltage potential difference is impressed to provide an ion accelerating electrical field gradient within the tube.

Abstract: A method of detecting leaks within artillery shells, bombs and other munitions is disclosed which involves the permanent in situ insertion within the munition cavity of an electrically resistive surface which varies in resistance with the adsorption thereon of leaking chemical vapors. In a typical embodiment of the invention, the electrically resistive surface is serially connected with an identical surface with an inert coating and the voltage drops across both the coated and uncoated surfaces are measured. Thereby, any changes in the resistance of the exposed surface due to factors other than adsorption thereon of leaking gases, e.g., temperature changes, are appropriately offset.