Abstract: A phase change material comprising a mixture of water and deuterium oxide is described, wherein the mole fraction of deuterium oxide is selected so that the mixture has a selected phase change temperature within a range between 0° C. and 4° C. The mixture is placed in a container and used for passive storage and transport of biomaterials and other temperature sensitive materials. Gels, nucleating agents, freezing point depression materials and colorants may be added to enhance the characteristics of the mixture.

Abstract: A passive thermal control enclosure for transporting and storing payloads in earth orbit includes an inner box-like enclosure surrounded by an outer box-like enclosure with insulation in the space between the enclosures. The walls of the inner enclosure are fiber-matrix composite skins with honeycomb sandwiched therebetween. Each enclosure has its own door latched closed by releasable latches formed in opposed pairs that can be operated without any net force on the operator. Packs of phase change material (PCM) are placed into the inner enclosure with the payload. The PCM is contained in flexible packages. The packs of PCM are removed when they melt and replaced with fresh packs, and the melted packs preferably are re-frozen on-board the orbiting spacecraft. Freezing preferably is carried out such that the freeze front moves substantially in only one direction from one end of the pack to the other.

Abstract: A passive thermal control enclosure for transporting and storing payloads in earth orbit includes an inner box-like enclosure surrounded by an outer box-like enclosure with insulation in the space between the enclosures. The walls of the inner enclosure are fiber-matrix composite skins with honeycomb sandwiched therebetween. Each enclosure has its own door latched closed by releasable latches formed in opposed pairs that can be operated without any net force on the operator. Packs of phase change material (PCM) are placed into the inner enclosure with the payload. The PCM is contained in flexible packages. The packs of PCM are removed when they melt and replaced with fresh packs, and the melted packs preferably are re-frozen on-board the orbiting spacecraft. Freezing preferably is carried out such that the freeze front moves substantially in only one direction from one end of the pack to the other.

Abstract: An apparatus for transmitting and receiving spoken utterances over a local area network (LAN) in near-real-time. The type of LANs include both wireless LANs (e.g., radio frequency LANs) and wired LANs (e.g., a Novell network). A User depresses computer mouse buttons to initiate or terminate speaking into a computer which contains a sound card, microphone and speakers. The computer mouse buttons generate messages which are monitored by a hibernating process. Upon receiving the appropriate messages, the hibernating process awakens to transmit to one or more selected users. With only a slight time delay, one or more selected remote users receive the recorded message. Two buffers provide an efficient transfer mechanism of the recorded message between the transmitting and the receiving computers. Also, encryption techniques provide security measures for the transmitted recorded measures and compression techniques assist in the transfer of the recorded message.

Abstract: A switch device which includes a magnet movable within a passageway. A wire coil is provided about the passageway such that, as the magnet moves into the coil, a current is induced, thereby providing a signal pulse. The switch can be utilized for sensing changes in inertia, with a stopper opposing movement of the magnet unless the magnet imparts sufficient force against the spring biased stopper to allow the magnet to move along the passageway. The biasing force of the stopper can be adjusted to adjust the amount of force, acceleration or deceleration required for actuating the switch. The switch may also be utilized without the spring-biased stopper, with the magnet preloaded with a spring or weight, such that the switch automatically operates upon removal of a safety pin.