Abstract: A water toxicity detection system and method employ bivalve organisms as biological indicators to monitor aquatic environments in real-time. The system includes sensors configured to measure gape behavior of multiple bivalve organisms, generating corresponding gape measurements that are processed by a computing system. The processor normalizes gape measurements and calculates exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) and exponentially weighted moving variance (EWMV) values to assess short-term behavioral patterns. A detection module uses EWMA and EWMV as state-space variables to identify deviations indicative of exposure to toxic substances, specifically detecting gape closing (GC) events characterized by increased activity followed by shell closure. The system generates system-level alarms when a predetermined fraction of individual bivalves simultaneously exhibits abnormal behavior patterns consistent with toxicity exposure.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for emulsion templating hollow silica-based particles. The particles are suitable for containing one or more active ingredients or for containing other smaller particles which may include one or more active ingredients. The emulsion templated particles can be formed from two or more silanes. The emulsion templated particles can also be formed from a silane and a compound that attaches a polymer on the shell of the hollow silica-based particles.

Abstract: An injection-molding process and an apparatus for making a multi-component hollow article, and the article made thereby. The process comprises molding, from a first plastic material, a hollow body having a wall with at least one vent therethrough and at least one flap molded in an area adjacent to the vent. The flap is molded in a first position in which the vent is open. The flap is hingedly movable from the first position to a second position in which the vent is closed by the flap. After the flap is folded into the second position, the hollow body, including the folded flap, is at least partially overmolded with a second plastic material, wherein the second material is essentially precluded from leaking into the hollow body through the vent. The apparatus comprises a first mold bar for molding a hollow body, a second mold bar for overmolding the hollow body with a second plastic material, and a closing tool for moving, and optionally retaining, the flap in the second position.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for emulsion templating hollow silica-based particles. The particles are suitable for containing one or more active ingredients or for containing other smaller particles which may include one or more active ingredients. The emulsion templated particles can be formed from two or more silanes. The emulsion templated particles can also be formed from a silane and a compound that attaches a polymer on the shell of the hollow silica-based particles.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for emulsion templating hollow silica-based particles. The particles are suitable for containing one or more active ingredients or for containing other smaller particles which may include one or more active ingredients. The emulsion templated particles can be formed from two or more silanes. The emulsion templated particles can also be formed from a silane and a compound that attaches a polymer on the shell of the hollow silica-based particles.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for forming hollow silica-based particles suitable for containing one or more active ingredients or for containing other smaller particles which may include one or more active ingredients. The method comprises preparing an emulsion including a continuous phase that is polar or non-polar and a dispersed phase comprising droplets including (i) a polar active ingredient when the continuous phase is non-polar or (ii) a non-polar active ingredient when the continuous phase is polar; and adding a silica precursor to the emulsion such that the silica precursor can be emulsion templated on the droplets to form hollow silica-based particles. The silica precursor has the general formula (I): R1x—Si—(OR2)y, wherein R1 is selected from substituted and unsubstituted alkyl, substituted and unsubstituted aryl, alcohols, amines, amides, aldehydes, acids, esters, and functional groups having an unsaturated carbon-carbon bond, R2 is an alkyl group, x+y=4, and y=1, 2 or 3.

Abstract: A hyper-spectral and hyper-spatial sensor system is disclosed. A micro-channel plate array imaging sensor is provided for imaging a scene of interest and cooperates with a passive imaging system which may comprise a system having a responsivity to the visible electromagnetic spectrum. Image data from the dual-sensor systems is received and processed at high processing speeds using a massively parallel image processing architecture for the detection of salient scene features in the scene.

Abstract: An injection-molding process and an apparatus for making a multi-component hollow article, and the article made thereby. The process comprises molding, from a first plastic material, a hollow body having a wall with at least one vent therethrough and at least one flap molded in an area adjacent to the vent. The flap is molded in a first position in which the vent is open. The flap is hingedly movable from the first position to a second position in which the vent is closed by the flap. After the flap is folded into the second position, the hollow body, including the folded flap, is at least partially overmolded with a second plastic material, wherein the second material is essentially precluded from leaking into the hollow body through the vent. The apparatus comprises a first mold bar for molding a hollow body, a second mold bar for overmolding the hollow body with a second plastic material, and a closing tool for moving, and optionally retaining, the flap in the second position.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for forming hollow silica-based particles suitable for containing one or more active ingredients or for containing other smaller particles which may include one or more active ingredients. In the method, an emulsion is prepared including a continuous phase that is polar or non-polar, and a dispersed phase comprising droplets including (i) a polar active ingredient when the continuous phase is non-polar or (ii) a non-polar active ingredient when the continuous phase is polar; and a prehydrolyzed silica precursor is added to the emulsion such that the silica precursor can be emulsion templated on the droplets to form hollow silica-based particles.

Abstract: A hairstyle holding composition formed of natural or naturally derived ingredients, the composition comprising a hairstyle holding resin, wherein the hairstyle holding resin consists essentially of a low viscosity levan, wherein the levan produces a low intrinsic viscosity dispersion in water having particle sizes in the range of from about 50 to about 200 nm, and wherein the composition further includes at least one natural or naturally derived additive, wherein the at least one additive is selected from the group consisting of natural oils, natural antimicrobial substances, a natural fragrance, a natural emulsifier, a natural viscosity controller and a natural liquefied or gaseous form hydrocarbon to serve as a propellant.

Abstract: A sensor suite comprising a LIDAR transmitter and receiver element and a visible imager element. The transmitter operates with a plurality of selectable beam-forming optics or a tilt-tip element. A Risley or counter-rotating prism set element permits beam-steering with lower size, weight and power (SWaP). The optics for the system may be configured in a Cassegrain-type configuration in cooperation with a plurality of beam-splitting elements to permit predetermined spectrums of the received electromagnetic spectrum to be provided respectively to the LIDAR receiver and the visible imager. One or a plurality of laser illuminator analysis spectrometers are provided for the detection of incoming laser illumination from an external source which may be in the form of a micro-lamellar spectrometer element.

Abstract: A device and method for the acquisition, processing and optimized transmission of video image data. The display output of an electronic viewing device is split by means of a beam-splitting element. A split portion of the image is detected by a detector and its output digitized. Regions of interest in the split image may be identified by eye-tracking or image saliency processing means to define salient regions in the split image. The salient regions in the split image are transmitted to a remote receiver at a higher resolution than the non-salient regions in the scene whereby video transmission bandwidth is reduced and optimized.

Abstract: A sensor system is provided having a precision tracking sensor element and a micro-lamellar spectrometer for determining the wavelength of an electromagnetic source such as a laser designator source. Acquisition sensor elements may be provided and mounted on a rotating base element that rotates about a first axis. The precision tracking sensor elements may be mounted on a hinged or pivoting element or gimbal on the housing and provided with drive means to permit a user to selectively manually or automatically direct it toward a scene target of interest detected by the acquisition sensor elements. At least one of the imaging elements in the precision tracking sensor or acquisition sensors is stacked micro-channel plate focal plane array element.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for forming hollow silica-based particles suitable for containing one or more active ingredients or for containing other smaller particles which may include one or more active ingredients. In the method, an emulsion is prepared including a continuous phase that is polar or non-polar, and a dispersed phase comprising droplets including (i) a polar active ingredient when the continuous phase is non-polar or (ii) a non-polar active ingredient when the continuous phase is polar; and a prehydrolyzed silica precursor is added to the emulsion such that the silica precursor can be emulsion templated on the droplets to form hollow silica-based particles.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for forming hollow silica-based particles suitable for containing one or more active ingredients or for containing other smaller particles which may include one or more active ingredients. The emulsion templated particles can be formed from two or more silanes. The emulsion templated particles can also be formed from a silane and a compound that attaches a polymer on the shell of the hollow silica-based particles.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for forming hollow silica-based particles suitable for containing one or more active ingredients or for containing other smaller particles which may include one or more active ingredients. The method comprises preparing an emulsion including a continuous phase that is polar or non-polar and a dispersed phase comprising droplets including (i) a polar active ingredient when the continuous phase is non-polar or (ii) a non-polar active ingredient when the continuous phase is polar; and adding a silica precursor to the emulsion such that the silica precursor can be emulsion templated on the droplets to form hollow silica-based particles. The silica precursor has the general formula (I): R1x—Si—(OR2)y, wherein R1 is selected from substituted and unsubstituted alkyl, substituted and unsubstituted aryl, alcohols, amines, amides, aldehydes, acids, esters, and functional groups having an unsaturated carbon-carbon bond, R2 is an alkyl group, x+y=4, and y=1, 2 or 3.

Abstract: A detector module which may comprise a black silicon detector for detecting incident radiation and generating a visible output to a display output pixel element such as one or more OLED elements. One or more vertically interconnected unit cells, which may be in the form of a plurality of vertically stacked and bonded layers, is disclosed having a detector layer comprising one or more black silicon detector elements, an amplification layer and a display layer having a dedicated display output pixel element. The layers are vertically interconnected by means of electrically conductive area interconnects such as electrically conductive through-silicon vias.

Abstract: A novel flexible infrared device is provided for heating surfaces in a uniform manner not available previously. The heater is designed in a manner so as to allow “hugging” of the surface by attaching the heater module to at least two swivel points located above the heating plane. In this manner the common problems encountered with heating dies by IR heaters is overcome.

Abstract: A naturally occurring film forming material for a hair spray or mousse, rather than a synthetic resin. A preferred naturally occurring film forming material is a polysaccharide, which is a sugar polymer with an INCI name of LEVAN. The film forming material may be mixed with any of a naturally occurring edible oil to add sheen to the hair, naturally occurring substances for antibacterial purposes and a naturally occurring fragrance and an emulsifier.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for emulsion templating hollow silica-based particles. The particles are suitable for containing one or more active ingredients or for containing other smaller particles which may include one or more active ingredients. The emulsion templated particles can be formed from two or more silanes. The emulsion templated particles can also be formed from a silane and a compound that attaches a polymer on the shell of the hollow silica-based particles.