Abstract: An improved system and method of analyzing cumulative radiation exposure registered as pits on track etch foils of radiation dosimeters. The light scattering apparatus and method of the present invention increases the speed of analysis while it also provides the ability to analyze exposure levels beyond that which may be properly measured with conventional techniques. Dosimeters often contain small plastic sheets that register accumulated damage when exposed to a radiation source. When the plastic sheet from the dosimeter is chemically etched, a track etch foil is produced wherein pits or holes are created in the plastic. The number of these pits, or holes, per unit of area (pit density) correspond to the amount of cumulative radiation exposure which is being optically measured by the apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuous real-time monitoring of the integrity of protective barrier materials, particularly protective barriers against toxic, radioactive and biologically hazardous materials has been developed. Conductivity, resistivity or capacitance between conductive layers in the multilayer protective materials is measured by using leads connected to electrically conductive layers in the protective barrier material. The measured conductivity, resistivity or capacitance significantly changes upon a physical breach of the protective barrier material.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the qualitative analysis of particles of various kinds of plastic which comprises passing said particles serially in a predetermined path, irradiating each particle with light of short wavelength from 180 to 500 nm, whereby each particle emits light radiation of a longer wavelength, and detecting such longer wavelength emissions for radiation intensities within a narrow wavelength range to form an emission spectrum, the emission spectrum generating a sorting signal.

Abstract: The present invention includes solid polymeric-host laser rods prepared using bulk polymerization of acrylic acid ester comonomers which, when admixed with dye(s) capable of supporting laser oscillation and polymerized with a free radical initiator under mild thermal conditions, produce a solid product having the preferred properties for efficient lasing. Unsaturated polymerizable laser dyes can also be employed as one of the comonomers. Additionally, a method is disclosed which alleviates induced optical stress without having to anneal the polymers at elevated temperatures (>85.degree. C.).

Abstract: Antithrombogenic and antibiotic composition of matter and method of preparation thereof. A random copolymer of a component of garlic and a biocompatible polymer has been prepared and found to exhibit antithrombogenic and antibiotic properties. Polymerization occurs selectively at the vinyl moiety in 2-vinyl-4H-1,3-dithiin when copolymerized with N-vinyl pyrrolidone.

Abstract: There is disclosed a new vinyl monomer capable of forming polymeric vesicles, micelles, monolayers, and side-chain liquid crystalline polymers. The vinyl monomer is of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is substituted or unsubstituted long chain alkyl or aryl and R.sub.2 is a hydrogen atom, alkyl, or aryl.The side-chain liquid crystalline polymers can be formed by free radical polymerization or by anionic polymerizations techniques. The different reaction methods give polymers of different configuration; the anionic technique results in a polymer having a nitrogen atom in the backbone. The polymers are useful in film and fiber formation and display good toughness.

Abstract: There is disclosed a new vinyl monomer capable of forming polymeric vesicles, micelles, monolayers, and side-chain liquid crystalline polymers. The vinyl monomer is of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is substituted or unsubstituted long chain alkyl or aryl and R.sub.2 is a hydrogen atom, alkyl, or aryl.The side-chain liquid crystalline polymers can be formed by free radical polymerization or by anionic polymerizations techniques. The different reaction methods give polymers of different configuration; the anionic technique results in a polymer having a nitrogen atom in the backbone. The polymers are useful in film and fiber formation and display good toughness.