Abstract: An apparatus for capturing a target analyte in advance of performing spectroscopic analysis to determine the existence of the target analyte from a source contacted with a collection substrate. The collection substrate is fabricated of a material selected to have an affinity for the target analyte, sufficiently transparent in a spectral region of interest and capable of immobilizing the target analyte thereon in a manner that limits scattering sufficient to obscure spectral analysis. The collection substrate may be coated with a material selected to react with, bind to, or absorb the target analyte. The target analyte may be captured to the collection substrate by one or more of wiping, dabbing or swabbing a target analyte carrier with the collection substrate.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system and method to improve the signal to noise ratio (SNR) of optical spectrometers that are limited by nonrandom or fixed pattern noise. A signal from a sample is collected using a short test exposure, a total observation time to maximize SNR is calculated, and the total observation time is achieved by averaging multiple exposures whose time is selected based on the time dependent noise structure of the detector. Moreover, with a priori knowledge of the time dependent noise structure of the spectrometer, this method is easily automatable and can maximize SNR for a spectrum of an unknown compound without any user input.

Abstract: An apparatus for capturing a target analyte in advance of performing spectroscopic analysis to determine the existence of the target analyte from a source contacted with a collection substrate. The collection substrate is fabricated of a material selected to have an affinity for the target analyte, sufficiently transparent in a spectral region of interest and capable of immobilizing the target analyte thereon in a manner that limits scattering sufficient to obscure spectral analysis. The collection substrate may be coated with a material selected to react with, bind to, or absorb the target analyte. The target analyte may be captured to the collection substrate by one or more of wiping, dabbing or swabbing a target analyte carrier with the collection substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus for capturing a target analyte in advance of performing spectroscopic analysis to determine the existence of the target analyte from a source contacted with a collection substrate. The collection substrate is fabricated of a material selected to have an affinity for the target analyte, sufficiently transparent in a spectral region of interest and capable of immobilizing the target analyte thereon in a manner that limits scattering sufficient to obscure spectral analysis. The collection substrate may be coated with a material selected to react with, bind to, or absorb the target analyte. The target analyte may be captured to the collection substrate by one or more of wiping, dabbing or swabbing a target analyte carrier with the collection substrate.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system and method to improve the signal to noise ratio (SNR) of optical spectrometers that are limited by nonrandom or fixed pattern noise. A signal from a sample is collected using a short test exposure, a total observation time to maximize SNR is calculated, and the total observation time is achieved by averaging multiple exposures whose time is selected based on the time dependent noise structure of the detector. Moreover, with a priori knowledge of the time dependent noise structure of the spectrometer, this method is easily automatable and can maximize SNR for a spectrum of an unknown compound without any user input.

Abstract: There is described herein an interactive game having both lotterized and skill-based wagering aspects embedded therein. A skill-based game is used to provide players with the challenge and entertainment value that they are accustomed to experiencing in popular mobile games, while adding the possibility of collecting real world winnings via lotteries and other forms of wagering.

Abstract: There is an interactive video game having a lotterized aspect incorporated therein. In addition to the traditional interactive video game, instant and future win opportunities are presented to the player throughout the game. The game and win opportunities are played with a plurality of virtual currencies, the virtual currencies comprising credits for purchasing virtual goods in the game play instance, tokens applicable within the game play instance for participating in the real world lottery, and gifts representative of virtual goods exchangeable between players.

Abstract: A method that streamlines concrete building construction and marketing of the building. Prefabrication units are designed and constructed in a controlled environment at a prefabrication factory using familiar, off the shelf components already used in the concrete construction industry. The method has allows one to build the prefabrication unit, which is 90% of the structure in the factory, with the remaining 10%, including the external walls and final utility connections, at the building site. Also because the prefabricated structures are light-weight and pre-finished structures, on-site installation is easier. With the prefabrication units completed at the factory, plumbing, heating and electrical and finishing can be tested and corrected while complete access is still available in the earlier stages of construction. Plumbing, electrical, heating tradesmen and subsequent inspectors visit the building site only for hook-up and inspection.

Abstract: There is described herein an interactive game having both lotterized and skill-based wagering aspects embedded therein. A skill-based game is used to provide players with the challenge and entertainment value that they are accustomed to experiencing in popular mobile games, while adding the possibility of collecting real world winnings via lotteries and other forms of wagering.

Abstract: There is an interactive video game having a lotterized aspect incorporated therein. In addition to the traditional interactive video game, instant and future win opportunities are presented to the player throughout the game. The game and win opportunities are played with a plurality of virtual currencies, the virtual currencies comprising credits for purchasing virtual goods in the game play instance, tokens applicable within the game play instance for participating in the real world lottery, and gifts representative of virtual goods exchangeable between players.