Abstract: A real-time system for determining the geographic movements of an individual or object by sampling particulates contained thereon. The system includes particle collection, sample preparations, and sample analysis using three primary modes of detecting certain particulates. The first mode involves the imaging of pollen, spores, or other biological material which are visible through a light microscope when properly stained or prepared. The second mode involves the use of real-time polymerase chain reaction to amplify and detect target nucleic acid sequences. The third mode involves the use of X-ray diffraction to identify mineral particles. The results from any mode, or any combination of modes, are analyzed by comparison to a reference database containing geographic information and the results are compiled by a controller for visual display.

Abstract: A real-time system for determining the geographic movements of an individual or object by sampling particulates contained thereon. The system includes particle collection, sample preparations, and sample analysis using three primary modes of detecting certain particulates. The first mode involves the imaging of pollen, spores, or other biological material which are visible through a light microscope when properly stained or prepared. The second mode involves the use of real-time polymerase chain reaction to amplify and detect target nucleic acid sequences. The third mode involves the use of X-ray diffraction to identify mineral particles. The results from any mode, or any combination of modes, are analyzed by comparison to a reference database containing geographic information and the results are compiled by a controller for visual display.

Abstract: The present invention resides in a white thermal control surface resistant to darkening due to exposure to X-rays and ultraviolet radiation. The surface comprises a substrate and a ceramic zirconium orthosilicate coating on said substrate. The zirconium orthosilicate coating is obtained by plasma-spray applying particles of zirconium orthosilicate onto the substrate. The particles of zirconium orthosilicate are doped with an oxide of a +3 valent metal. The metal ions of said +3 valent metal oxide are dispersed substantially uniformly throughout said particles.

Abstract: The present invention resides in a white thermal control surface resistant to darkening due to exposure to X-rays and ultraviolet radiation. The surface comprises a substrate and a ceramic zirconium orthosilicate coating on said substrate. The zirconium orthosilicate coating is obtained by plasma-spray applying particles of zirconium orthosilicate onto the substrate. The particles of zirconium orthosilicate are doped with an oxide of a +3 valent metal. The metal ions of said +3 valent metal oxide are dispersed substantially uniformly throughout said particles.

Abstract: The present invention resides in an optically black article comprising a substrate and an optically black coating adhered to the substrate. The coating has an absorptivity of at least about 0.92 and an emissivity of at least about 0.85, obtained by plasma spraying onto the substrate a composition comprising about 20% to about 50% by weight of a carbonyl metal and about 80% to about 50% by weight of a ceramic metal oxide. A preferred carbonyl metal is carbonyl iron. A preferred ceramic metal oxide is a yttria stabilized zirconia, having an average particle size in the range of about 10 microns to about 106 microns (140 mesh).

Abstract: An article of manufacture comprises a substrate and an optically black surface on the substrate and having an absorptivity of more than about 0.89 and an emissivity more than about 0.86. The surface comprises boron particles plasma spray applied to the substrate using a powder selected from the group consisting of crystalline boron having a particle size finer than about 200 mesh and amorphous boron.

Abstract: An article of manufacture comprises a substrate and an optically black surface on the substrate and having an absorptivity of more than about 0.89 and an emissivity more than about 0.86. The surface comprises boron particles plasma spray applied to the substrate using a powder selected from the group consisting of crystalline boron having a particle size finer than about 200 mesh and amorphous boron.

Abstract: The present invention resides in the discovery that an optically black electroplated cobalt/cobalt oxide surface which has been anodized and then preferably calcined has both a high emissivity and high absorptivity, and is stable against loss of absorptivity at temperatures of more than 450.degree. C. for prolonged periods. Preferably, the optically black cobalt oxide surfaces of the present invention have an absorptivity of at least about 0.96 and an emissivity of at least about 0.6.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite ductile metal foil having an optically black surface comprising a metal foil substrate having a thickness effective for shaping and reshaping; a black chromium surface applied to at least one side of said substrate by electrodeposition; said surface having a solar absorptivity of at least about 0.95; an emissivity in the range of about 0.4 to about 0.8; and an adhesion strength effective to resist spalling when a two inch by two inch sample of said composite foil is subjected to repeated deformation around a one mil diameter mandrel. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the substrate is molybdenum.

Abstract: An optically black coating with improved infrared absorption is disclosed along with a process for formation therefor. An anodizable substrate is first treated in a surface modification step prior to anodizing to produce major surface modifications at least about 100 microns in width and at least about 50 microns in depth. Preferably, the depth is at least about 1/2 the width, and the modifications are present in a random series of irregularly sized modifications having widths from about 100 microns to about 1,000 microns and depths from about 50 microns to about 750 microns. A second aspect involves the use of steam for sealing the anodized surface.