Abstract: A sensitive chemiluminescence immunoassay method for field detection of the presence or the amount of low chlorinated biphenyl compounds in a solution is disclosed. The assay has a five minute analysis time and a working range of detection as low as about 1 part per billion chlorinated biphenyl. Kits for the detection of chlorinated biphenyls are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for detecting and destroying various chlorinated hydrocarbons and unsaturated hydrocarbons in the environment using electrochemical techniques has been invented. By concentrating the chlorinated hydrocarbons or unsaturated hydrocarbons in a solvent by liquid-solid or liquid-liquid extraction, and then passing current through the solvent extractant containing the chlorinated hydrocarbons or unsaturated hydrocarbons electrochemically removes chlorine and oxidizes unsaturated hydrocarbons. The potential is measured to correlate to the concentration of the chlorinated hydrocarbon specie.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an improved method for measuring the presence and amount of a variety of metals contained in a sample. In the first step, all of the various forms of each metal are converted to a soluble metallic complex which is capable of being electrochemically reduced. Voltammetry is then used to determine the stripping current or charge characteristic of each metallic complex. Finally, the concentration of each metal can be calculated by insertion of the stripping current or charge value into an equation which correlates peak current or charge values with metal concentration.The metals which can be detected and quantified by using this method are gold, silver, bismuth, cadmium, thallium, and mercury.

Abstract: The end region of a fiber optic sensor is tapered by suspending a fiber in a container. Etchant is added to the container at a controlled rate in order to etch a taper into the fiber. The taper size and shape are controlled by the selection of the size and shape of the container, as well as by the rate of adding etchant to the container.