Abstract: Stable lipid-protein membranes are prepared by providing a medium of dissolved and emulsified lipids and dissolved proteins. The medium is applied to an orifice formed in a sheet of material in sufficient volume to provide sufficient lipid and protein to form a membrane across the orifice, which membrane comprises a bimolecular lipid layer with protein molecules interspersed therein. The medium is allowed to dry in the presence of air, and the lipid and protein molecules arrange themselves to form the membrane. The protein is selected to be specifically reactive with a particular chemical substance or a narrow class of chemical substances. When the membrane is exposed to a substance with which the membrane proteins react, a physical characteristic of the membranes is altered. Detection of a change in such membrane characteristic confirms the presence of the substance.

Abstract: A method of detecting the vapors of particular organic materials, such as narcotic vapors, in which a test plate is provided having a surface coated with an antibody specific for a particular organic material. The test plate is exposed to atmosphere in a region where the presence of the organic material is suspected so that, if vapors of the particular organic material are present, the material will react with the antibody and cause an observable change in the optical properties of the test plate.

Abstract: The invention provides a reaction product of chrysotile asbestos with an antigenic serum protein, preferably albumin, that has particular utility as an antigen in producing antibody to asbestos. The reaction product of asbestos with an antigenic serum protein also can be used in a method for producing an antibody toward asbestos by immunizing a laboratory animal with the reaction product, of asbestos and a serum protein, allowing it to remain in the blood of the animal for a sufficient period of time and thereafter recovering antibody globulins from the laboratory animal.

Abstract: A method is described for producing ammonia. A catalyst is produced by heating a mixture of carbon and magnesium above the melting point of magnesium in an inert atmosphere. The melt thereby produced is cooled and pulverized. Exposing the catalyst thereby produced to humid air results in production of ammonia. The addition of aluminum or zirconium to the mixture enhances the productivity of the catalyst.

Abstract: A method is described for determining the presence of an antigen-specific antibody in a vertebrate. Effluvial tissue is exposed to antigens from known sources and is subsequently examined to detect the presence or absence of a conjugate compound formed between a particular antigen and an antibody constituent of the tissue sample. The antigen may be labeled with a fluorescent or radioactive moiety to assist in the detection of conjugate compound formation.