Abstract: A building protection system includes a plurality of sensors and a plurality of thermal deactivation units (burn boxes) deployed at key locations in the facility. When such a sensor detects a potential threat, a corresponding burn box is activated to mitigate the threat. The burn box can be disposed inside an HVAC system, or inside a room or area in which the sensor is deployed. When the burn box is deployed in an HVAC duct, the HVAC system is manipulated to direct air from the area in which the sensor detects the threat into the burn box. When the burn box is deployed in a room, the HVAC system is manipulated to prevent air from that room from spreading through the facility, while the burn box mitigates the threat.

Abstract: A multi-tier approach for use in a detecting harmful agents conveyed by the air. In a first tier procedure, the air (in a structure or a predefined area) is continuously automatically screened at a plurality of different predefined locations by air sensors distributed in the area to be monitored. Each air sensor is configured to detect a potentially harmful substance that is carried by the air proximate the predefined location, to determine if a potentially harmful substance might be present, but need not identify a specific harmful substance. When a potentially harmful agent is identified by an air sensor in the first tier screening, a sample of the potential threat is collected, and a second tier procedure is initiated. The second tier procedure uses a manual test, such as a nucleic acid amplification and detection assay to detect any of a plurality of different specific threats in the sample.

Abstract: Airborne particles are impacted on a collection surface, analyzed, and then the collection surface is regenerated. Thus, the same collection surface can be used in numerous cycles. The analysis can be focused on one or more properties of interest, such as the concentration of airborne biologicals. Sensors based on regenerative collection surfaces may be incorporated in many networks for applications such as building automation.

Abstract: Airborne particles are impacted on a collection surface, analyzed, and then the collection surface is regenerated. Thus, the same collection surface can be used in numerous cycles. The analysis can be focused on one or more properties of interest, such as the concentration of airborne biologicals. Sensors based on regenerative collection surfaces may be incorporated in many networks for applications such as building automation.

Abstract: Airborne particles are impacted on a collection surface, analyzed, and then the collection surface is regenerated. Thus, the same collection surface can be used in numerous cycles. The analysis can be focused on one or more properties of interest, such as the concentration of airborne biologicals. Sensors based on regenerative collection surfaces may be incorporated in many networks for applications such as building automation.

Abstract: Airborne particles are impacted on a collection surface, analyzed, and then the collection surface is regenerated. Thus, the same collection surface can be used in numerous cycles. The analysis can be focused on one or more properties of interest, such as the concentration of airborne biologicals. Sensors based on regenerative collection surfaces may be incorporated in many networks for applications such as building automation.

Abstract: Airborne particles are impacted on a collection surface, analyzed, and then the collection surface is regenerated. Thus, the same collection surface can be used in numerous cycles. The analysis can be focused on one or more properties of interest, such as the concentration of airborne biologicals. Sensors based on regenerative collection surfaces may be incorporated in many networks for applications such as building automation.

Abstract: A portable modular water heater system having a heat exchanger and a fluid heating channel for heating water from a reservoir and for optionally producing purified potable water. Optionally, a thermoelectric module is included in the system for producing an electric current usable to rechargeable batteries, drive pumps, or other devices. When the heat exchanger module is exposed to a heat source, heat absorbed by the heat exchanger is transferred to the fluid heating channel, heating the water. The heated water is forced into an upper portion of the reservoir. A condenser module is optionally coupled to the reservoir to condense steam in the upper portion. The thermoelectric module produces an electrical current when exposed to a temperature differential between the reservoir's cool water and the heat exchanger. A portable microclimate heating system, such as a jacket with tubing, can be heated with the heater system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for purifying water by using thermal and/or thermocatalytic processes. The method and apparatus are particularly useful for processing impure water to remove and/or deactivate toxic inorganic, organic, and/or biological species such as Sarin, mustard gas, phosgene, cyanogen chloride, anthrax, E. coli, Giardia cysts, salmonella, hepatitis, and Norwalk viruses. In the thermal process, contaminated water is heated (preferably superheated) forming steam, whereby a majority of inorganic and biological species are removed or deactivated from the water. The steam is then condensed, forming liquid purified water. In the thermocatalytic process, the steam is brought into contact with a hydrolysis catalyst, preferably in the form of a coated surface or replaceable catalyst element.

Abstract: A portable modular water heater system having a heat exchanger and a fluid heating channel for heating water from a reservoir and for optionally producing purified potable water. Optionally, a thermoelectric module is included in the system for producing an electric current usable to rechargeable batteries, drive pumps, or other devices. When the heat exchanger module is exposed to a heat source, heat absorbed by the heat exchanger is transferred to the fluid heating channel, heating the water. The heated water is forced into an upper portion of the reservoir. A condenser module is optionally coupled to the reservoir to condense steam in the upper portion. The thermoelectric module produces an electrical current when exposed to a temperature differential between the reservoir's cool water and the heat exchanger. A portable microclimate heating system, such as a jacket with tubing, can be heated with the heater system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for purifying air to deactivate toxic chemical and biological species such as Sarin, mustard gas, phosgene, cyanogen chloride, Anthrax spores, E. coli bacteria, Salmonella bacteria, Hepatitis virus, and Norwalk virus. The apparatus comprises a reaction chamber coupled to a counterflow heat exchanger. Incoming contaminated air is directed through a heating side of a counterflow heat exchanger to preheat it. The air is further heated to a temperature of at least 200° C., which is sufficient to deactivate common biological toxic species. Optionally, the reaction chamber may include a catalyst on a surface area over which the heated air is directed, which enables a thermocatalytic reaction that is particularly effective in deactivating biological and chemical warfare agents, such as anthrax and Sarin.