Abstract: An infrared radiation emitting element is provided. A carbonized conducting filament is formed from an insulating substrate material. Passing current through the filament produces radiation in the infrared band. The radiation emitted is tuned by altering the physical or chemical characteristics of the filament. A substrate is optionally doped prior to filament formation. Alternatively, or in addition, a post-filament formation doping process is used. The light-emitting element is a durable, low power IR emitter that is operable as a marker.

Abstract: A sensing device formed upon a substrate, including a method of forming the sensing device. A substrate can be provided, which is formed from a polymer. A sensor circuit can then be patterned and formed upon the substrate. One or more carbonized filaments can also be formed upon the substrate for use with the sensor circuit. The sensor circuit itself can comprise a capacitive type sensor circuit. A polymer can be coated over the sensor circuit and circuit components thereof to form an all polymer sensor for use in detecting chemical agents. Such a hygrosensitive polymer can comprise, for example, HMPTAC (2-hydroxy-3-methacryloxypropyl trimethylammonium chloride). The all polymer sensor formed thereof can also be utilized as a humidity sensor. The polymer can be laser carbonized by an argon ion laser to form the plurality of carbonized filaments.

Abstract: A testing method for connecting a first group of input conductors to output conductors in which the number of switching devices connected to each output conductor at connections with the group of input conductors are summed individually, the output conductor having the least number of switching devices at these intersections is chosen, and the switching devices are summed for each of the group of input conductors having a switching device at an intersection with the chosen output conductor and the input conductor having the least number of switching devices is selected. A switching device at the intersection of this first selected input conductor and the first selected output conductor is chosen for closure to provide the first connection in the output combination desired. The process is repeated until all of the connections are chosen or one fails.

Abstract: A switch matrix including a number of rows of input conductors, a number of columns of output conductors, and switching devices joining selected ones of the input conductors to selected ones of the output conductors, the switching devices being programmable to make connections between input and output conductors, the switching devices joining conductors being positioned on a random basis.

Abstract: A method for heparin neutralization within a blood bag containing whole blood and CPDA anti-coagulant, or the like, recovered from an extracorporeal circuit having heparin induced into the blood for reuse in a patient without further treatment thereof, by use of commercially available components wherein a modified blood bag containing CPDA and whole blood is infused with a calculable amount of protamine.