Abstract: A personal radiation monitor worn by a person who may be exposed to potentially harmful radiation includes a main unit and a radiation sensor cartridge which is matable with and removable from the main unit of the monitor. The removable sensor cartridge includes one or more radiation sensor elements for detecting radiation, and further includes an electronic memory having stored therein calibration and identification information relating to the type of radiation and/or frequency bands of radiation which the sensor or sensors are designed to detect. The sensor cartridge is easily removable from the main unit of the monitor so that one sensor cartridge is interchangeable by the end user with another sensor cartridge.

Abstract: A vacuum concentrator uses microwave heating to enhance the rapid drying of a liquid specimen. Microwave heating without excessive arcing is made possible in a vacuum chamber by controlling the power of a microwave generator, by modifying antenna-like objects, and by interposing air in a direct path between opposing edges of microwave injection slots, while maintaining the vacuum condition in the vacuum chamber. This can be accomplished by using air filled plastic bosses passing through, and substantially filling the microwave injection slots. An alternate to the air filled bosses can be a non-metallic closure plate that excludes the microwave injection slots from the vacuum chamber, while allowing energy to be injected freely into the chamber. The microwave heating energy is absorbed by a vacuum chamber cover and dissipated to the atmosphere as heat.