Abstract: The present invention relates to a smoking article which produces an aerosol that resembles tobacco smoke, but contains no more than a minimal amount of incomplete combustion or pyrolysis products.The smoking article of the present invention provides an aerosol "smoke" which is chemically simple, consisting essentially of oxides of carbon, air, water, and the aerosol which carries any desired flavorants or other desired volatile materials, and trace amounts of other materials. The aerosol "smoke" has no significant mutagenic activity as measured by the Ames Test. In addition, the article may be made virtually ashless so that the user does not have to remove any ash during use.One embodiment of the present smoking article comprises a short combustible carbonaceous fuel element; a short heat stable, preferably carbonaceous substrate bearing an aerosol forming substance, and a relatively long mouthend piece.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fuel elements useful in smoking articles which produce an aerosol that resembles tobacco smoke, but contains no more than a minimal amount of incomplete combustion or pyrolysis products.Preferred embodiments of the present invention comprise a short combustible carbonaceous fuel elements, usually less than about 20 mm in length, preferably from about 5 to 15 mm in length, and most preferably about 10 mm in length. The diameter of the fuel elements of the present invention generally is less than about 8 mm, preferably from about 3 to 7 mm, and most preferably from about 4 to 6 mm.Smoking articles utilizing the fuel elements of the present invention are capable of providing an aerosol "smoke" which is chemically simple, consisting essentially of air, oxides of carbon, water, and the aerosol which carries any desired flavorants or other desired volatile materials, and trace amounts of other materials.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automated smoking to replicate a predetermined draw profile of a smoking article is disclosed. In preferred embodiments, the smoking apparatus is digitally controlled and includes simulated flexible lips which are closed during puff phases of a recorded draw profile and which are open during smolder phases of a recorded draw profile. The apparatus can also include an automatically acting lighter and an improved control system for a human mimic smoking machine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a smoking article which produces an aerosol that resembles tobacco smoke, but contains no more than a minimal amount of incomplete combustion or pyrolysis products.Preferred embodiments of the present smoking article comprise a short combustible carbonaceous fuel element, a heat stable substrate bearing an aerosol forming substance, a heat conducting member which contacts a portion of the fuel element and the substrate, and an insulating jacket surrounding at least a portion of the fuel element.The smoking article of the present invention is capable of providing an aerosol "smoke" which is chemically simple, consisting essentially of air, oxides of carbon, water, and the aerosol which carries any desired flavorants or other desired volatile materials, and trace amount of other materials. The aerosol "smoke" from the preferred embodiments has no significant mutagenic activity as measured by the Ames Test.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a smoking article which produces an aerosol that resembles tobacco smoke, but contains no more than a minimal amount of incomplete combustion or pyrolysis products.The smoking article of the present invention provides an aerosol "smoke" which is chemically simple, consisting essentially of oxides of carbon, air, water, and the aerosol which carries any desired flavorants or other desired volatile materials, and trace amounts of other materials. The aerosol "smoke" has no significant mutagenic activity as measured by the Ames Test. In addition, the article may be made virtually ashless so that the user does not have to remove any ash during use.One embodiment of the present smoking article comprises a short combustible carbonaceous fuel element; a short heat stable, preferably carbonaceous substrate bearing an aerosol forming substance, and a relatively long mouthend piece.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a smoking article, preferably in cigarette form, which produces an aerosol that resembles tobacco smoke. The article preferably comprises a short combustible fuel element having a density greater than 0.5 g/cc, a separate substrate bearing an aerosol forming material, a heat conducting member recessed from the lighting end of the fuel element, which preferably encloses the substrate, a resilient insulating jacket encircling at least a portion of the fuel element, and an optional tobacco jacket encircling at least a portion of the aerosol forming material.

Abstract: A solar cell is constructed such that the losses resulting from radiation damage are reduced without sacrificing efficiency in the unirradiated cell. This is done by using a first conductivity type junction on the front of a high resistivity cell and a second, opposite conductivity type junction on the back of the cell. The two junctions are separated by an intrinsic region, and the cell potential, which is normally reduced by using high resistivity substrate material, is instead raised by using the second junction. The cell includes a reflective back surface and a non-reflective front surface to further enhance light absorption within the active cell volume. The reflective back surface is formed by polishing the substrate. The non-reflective front surface is a multi-pyramidal or V-grooved surface formed by preferential etching of the substrate material. The front electrode is a fine geometry grid deposited over the front surface of the cell.

Abstract: A unitized solid phase kit for radioimmunoassay is disclosed. All of the necessary assay reagents are incorporated in a single tube wherein all phases of the assay procedure are performed, requiring only the addition of the patient's sample. Antibody is bound to the tube surface, while labelled antigen is also present but unbound. Storage in the absence of air and water results in the stabilization of the reagents such that the system can be stored for long periods.