Abstract: The present invention is an aircraft engine heating system and the associated method of its operation. The system contains an electric heater comprised of an electrical heating element, thermostat and fan. A power cord is provided for supplying electricity to the heating element and the fan. Two metal tubing adaptors attach to the front and rear of the heater. A flexible, heat-resistant tube is connected to each adaptor via metal fasteners. The front tube is inserted in to the engine intake vent of an aircraft. This tube directs warm air into the aircraft engine. The return tube leads from the other aircraft engine vent to the rear of the heat system. In this way, warm air is re-circulated through the aircraft engine, warming the engine more quickly and reducing the power demands to operate the system.

Abstract: Particular aspects provide novel methods for analysis of ion populations, the methods comprising filtering and selecting an ion population using a low-field dual-gate ion mobility spectrometer comprising a drift tube, the spectrometer operating at a pressure of at least 100 Torr, to provide mobility-selected ions. Certain aspects comprise: (i) subsequently accumulating the low-field selected ions in an ion trap (e.g., an MS ion trap) and mass spectrometry analysis; (ii) introducing the low-field selected ions into a high-field ion mobility spectrometer for separating thereby (optionally followed by mass spectrometry); and (iii) introducing the low-field selected ions into an ion trap mass spectrometer, and subsequently into a second low-field ion mobility spectrometer (e.g., a non-dual gate spectrometer operating at less than about 100 Torr). Additional aspects provide novel apparatus and combination thereof for performing the disclosed methods.

Abstract: The invention includes an ion mobility spectrometer having a liquid filled drift chamber. The chamber has an ionization region partitioned from and an ion separation region by a reversible ion-migration block. An electrical field within the chamber allows ions to migrate toward the electrode collector. Passage of ions from the ionization region is triggered by reversing the block allowing ions to migrate into the ion separation region. The invention includes a method of ion mobility analysis in liquid phase. Ions are mobilized to migrate through a drift liquid and are detected at an end of a drift chamber. The invention also includes a method of generating ions in a sample. A sample containing molecules in a first solvent is introduced into a second solvent through a charged capillary where the electrically charged sample is electro-disperses to ionize the molecules.

Abstract: The invention includes an ion mobility spectrometer having a liquid filled drift chamber. The chamber has an ionization region partitioned from and an ion separation region by a reversible ion-migration block. An electrical field within the chamber allows ions to migrate toward the electrode collector. Passage of ions from the ionization region is triggered by reversing the block allowing ions to migrate into the ion separation region. The invention includes a method of ion mobility analysis in liquid phase. Ions are mobilized to migrate through a drift liquid and are detected at an end of a drift chamber. The invention also includes a method of generating ions in a sample. A sample containing molecules in a first solvent is introduced into a second solvent through a charged capillary where the electrically charged sample is electro-disperses to ionize the molecules.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for preparing high-purity propylene carbonate and for simultaneously making passivated electrodes, wherein optionally prepurified propylene carbonate is exposed in a cell to an electric field between bare electrodes.

Abstract: A new cultivar of Vriesea plant named June, characterized by its very wide inflorescence relative to the overall size of the plant, abundant medium green foliage in a dense rosette, spectacular scape, arrangement and branches, all bright red in color, heavy floral branching, erect scape and alternately arranged bracts, and yellow flowers associated with each bract.