Abstract: This invention relates generally to a new class of chemoselective polymer materials primarily designed to sorb hydrogen bond basic analytes such as organophosphonate esters (nerve agents and precursors) and nitro-substituted compounds (explosives). In particular, the invention relates to linear polycarbosilane compounds for use in various analytical applications involving sorbent polymer materials, including chromatography, chemical trapping, analyte collection, and chemical sensor applications.

Abstract: A sensor and a method for sensing a change in mass of a reflective microbeam in a sensor, the sensor having a reflective layer disposed on a substrate and spaced apart from the reflective microbeam. The microbeam receives amplitude modulated laser energy at a first wavelength and is photothermally excited into resonance at the frequency of amplitude modulation, the reflective microbridge and the reflective layer receive optical energy at a second wavelength and reflect the optical energy toward a receiver. A change in reflectivity of the microbeam at different frequencies is determined. A change in reflectivity indicates a change in resonant frequency of the microbeam. Mass of the microbeam changes when a chemoselective material on the microbeam sorbs a target chemical.

Abstract: In the invention, a collection device includes a first micro scale plate having a sorbent surface and a through hole. The through hole provides for the passage of an analyte fluid flow through the plate and it has a volume and geometry to provide contact between the fluid and the sorbent surface in an amount effective to absorb a sufficient amount of analyte for subsequent detection of the analyte. The sorbent surface can be provided by a sorbent coating such as an active sensing film, e.g. a conducting or optically active material, examples of which include conducting polymers, polymer/carbon composites, carbon nanotubes. and dye-containing materials. The analyte collection device preferably includes a heating source, e.g. a heating element formed from a resistive trace, or a plurality of resistive traces on or within the first microscale plate, for effecting a thermal release of collected analyte from the plate.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a new class of chemoselective polymer materials. In particular, the invention relates to linear polycarbosilane compounds for use in various analytical applications involving sorbent polymer materials, including chromatoghraphy, chemical trapping, analyte collection, and chemical sensor applications.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for selective molecular recognition, the device comprising a sensing portion, wherein said sensing portion includes a substrate having coated thereon a layer comprising a hyperbranched compound having: (1) a polymer backbone portion that is at least partly randomly branched; (2) at least one pendant group extending from the polymer backbone portion; and (3) at least one halogen substituted alcohol or phenol group substituted at the pendant group(s) of the polymer backbone portion. The compound of the invention preferably has the general formula: wherein A is the hyperbranched backbone portion of the polymer; L and M are independently selected pendant groups of said polymer backbone; X and Y are independently selected halogen substituted alcohol or phenol groups; q and r are independently selected and at least 1; and n is at least 3.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting particles or vapor from air or surfaces comprising: a housing comprising an inlet open to the air to be sampled and an outlet; and a fan having one or more open areas within the housing capable of being driven at a speed effective to cause collection on the surface of the fan of particles or vapor in the air. A method of collecting a particulate sample from air comprising the step of driving a fan having one or more open areas within a housing comprising an inlet open to the air to be sampled and an outlet, at a speed effective to cause collection on the surface of the fan of particles in the air.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for selective molecular recognition, the device comprising a sensing portion, wherein said sensing portion includes a substrate having coated thereon a layer comprising a non-volatile, small molecule compound having at least two pendant and terminal unsaturated groups, each being functionalized with at least one halogen substituted alcohol or phenol functional group. The compound of the invention preferably has one of the following general formulae: wherein A is a core moiety; B is a pendant and terminal unsaturated group; q is at least 1; r is at least 2; X is a linking group; and n is an integer designating the number of repeating units from 1 to 3, with the proviso that, if n is greater than 1, then the B groups differ from each other in at least two of the repeating units. The device is used to detect the molecules of a hydrogen bond accepting vapor such as an organophosphonate or nitroaromatic vapor.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for selective molecular recognition, the device comprising a sensing portion, wherein said sensing portion includes a substrate having coated thereon a layer comprising a hyperbranched compound having: (1) a polymer backbone portion that is at least partly randomly branched; (2) at least one pendant group extending from the polymer backbone portion; and (3) at least one halogen substituted alcohol or phenol group substituted at the pendant group(s) of the polymer backbone portion. The compound of the invention preferably has the general formula: wherein A is the hyperbranched backbone portion of the polymer; L and M are independently selected pendant groups of said polymer backbone; X and Y are independently selected halogen substituted alcohol or phenol groups; q and r are independently selected and at least 1; and n is at least 3. The device is used to detect the molecules of a hydrogen bond accepting vapor such as organophosphorus or nitroaromatic species.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for selective molecular recognition, the device comprising a sensing portion, wherein said sensing portion includes a substrate having coated thereon a layer comprising a hyperbranched compound having:

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting particles or vapor from air or surfaces comprising: a housing comprising an inlet open to the air to be sampled and an outlet; and a fan having one or more open areas within the housing capable of being driven at a speed effective to cause collection on the surface of the fan of particles or vapor in the air. A method of collecting a particulate sample from air comprising the step of driving a fan having one or more open areas within a housing comprising an inlet open to the air to be sampled and an outlet, at a speed effective to cause collection on the surface of the fan of particles in the air.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a new class of chemoselective polymer materials. In particular, the invention relates to linear polycarbosilane compounds for use in various analytical applications involving sorbent polymer materials, including chromatoghraphy, chemical trapping, analyte collection, and chemical sensor applications.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a new class of chemoselective polymer materials. In particular, the invention relates to linear and branched polysiloxane compounds for use in various analytical applications involving sorbent polymer materials, including chromatography, chemical trapping, analyte collection, and chemical sensor applications.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for selective molecular recognition, the device comprising a sensing portion, wherein said sensing portion includes a substrate having coated thereon a layer comprising a hyperbranched compound having:

Abstract: The invention provides a device for selective molecular recognition, the device comprising a sensing portion, wherein said sensing portion includes a substrate having coated thereon a layer comprising a non-volatile, small molecule compound having at least two pendant and terminal unsaturated groups, each being functionalized with at least one halogen substituted alcohol or phenol functional group.

Abstract: Transition metal-containing ceramic or carbonaeous material are formed from novel linear polymers containing a random distribution of repeating acetylenic units, organotransition metal complexes, siloxane, boron, silicon, and/or carborane-siloxane units. The precursor thermosets are formed by crosslinking of the linear polymers through the acetylenic units in the polymer backbone. The ceramics may also be formed directly by pyrolysis of the linear polymers. The preceramic polymers are potentially useful for fabricating ceramic fibers and composite materials having enhanced strength, hardness and toughness as well as superior mechanical, optical, electrical and/or magnetic properties.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a new class of chemoselective polymer materials. In particular, the invention relates to linear and branched polysiloxane compounds for use in various analytical applications involving sorbent polymer materials, including chromatography, chemical trapping, analyte collection, and chemical sensor applications.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a new class of chemoselective polymer materials. In particular, the invention relates to linear polycarbosilane compounds for use in various analytical applications involving sorbent polymer materials, including chromatoghraphy, chemical trapping, analyte collection, and chemical sensor applications.

Abstract: A precursor composition includes (1) at least one crosslinking compound represented by the formula: wherein: u and x are independently selected positive integers, v and w are independently selected integers greater than or equal to zero, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7 and R8 are independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, aryl, alkylaryl, haloalkyl, haloaryl and mixtures thereof; A and E are independently selected from the group consisting of O, an aliphatic bridge, an aryl bridge and mixtures thereof; and R9 and R10 are unsubstituted or substituted vinyl or ethynyl groups, (2) at least one organosilicon compound containing at least two silicon hydride moieties per molecule, and (3) a hydrosilation catalyst, A cross-linked polymer is formed by reacting the crosslinking compound of formula I with the organosilicon compound via a hydrosilation reaction. A thermoset polymer is formed by thermally curing the crosslinked polymer.

Abstract: Organometallic linear polymers containing metallocene, inorganic units (such as silicon and boron), and acetylenic units which display superb processability, and which are readily converted to a thermoset through the acetylenic groups, yielding high temperature thermosetting polymers and ceramics that exhibit outstanding long-term thermal (high char yield) and magnetic properties and synthesis of these.

Abstract: A precursor composition includes (1) at least one crosslinking compound resented by the formula: ##STR1## wherein: u and x are independently selected positive integers, v and w are independently selected integers greater than or equal to zero, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6, R.sup.7 and R.sup.8 are independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, aryl, alkylaryl, haloalkyl, haloaryl and mixtures thereof, A and E are independently selected from the group consisting of O, an aliphatic bridge, an aryl bridge and mixtures thereof; and R.sup.9 and R.sup.10 are unsubstituted or substituted vinyl or ethynyl groups, (2) at least one organosilicon compound containing at least two silicon hydride moieties per molecule, and (3) a hydrosilation catalyst. A cross-linked polymer is formed by reacting the crosslinking compound of formula I with the organosilicon compound via a hydrosilation reaction. A thermoset polymer is formed by thermally curing the crosslinked polymer.