Abstract: A method for operating with reconfigurable personal articles to enable targeted distributed mobile advertising is disclosed. A web server is provided for product registration. The web server receives identifying personal data from a mobile subscriber and stores the personal data in a database. Non-identifying demographic data is received from the mobile subscriber and stored in the database. A unique serial number associated with a reconfigurable article purchased by the mobile subscriber and is received and stored in the database, in association with the mobile subscriber. A portal accessible via the world wide web is created for the mobile subscriber. A patch having an advertisement thereon is sent to said mobile subscriber for display on the reconfigurable article, and advertisers are provided with electronic access to the non-identifying demographic data. A personal article with a reconfigurable surface substantially covering each exposed exterior surface is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for operating with reconfigurable personal articles to enable targeted distributed mobile advertising is disclosed. A web server is provided for product registration. The web server receives identifying personal data from a mobile subscriber and stores the personal data in a database. Non-identifying demographic data is received from the mobile subscriber and stored in the database. A unique serial number associated with a reconfigurable article purchased by the mobile subscriber and is received and stored in the database, in association with the mobile subscriber. A portal accessible via the world wide web is created for the mobile subscriber. A patch having an advertisement thereon is sent to said mobile subscriber for display on the reconfigurable article, and advertisers are provided with electronic access to the non-identifying demographic data. A personal article with a reconfigurable surface substantially covering each exposed exterior surface is disclosed.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides a fiber optic pressure sensor apparatus which includes a light source, a reflective sensor diaphragm movable in accordance with pressure in a medium and an optical fiber coupled to the light source for delivering a first wavefront of light to the reflective sensor diaphragm. The optical fiber has an endface which is separated from the reflective sensor diaphragm by a gap, the endface receiving a second wavefront of light reflected from the reflective sensor diaphragm. The first and second wavefronts constructively and destructively interfere to create a modulated optical signal. A spectrometer is coupled to the optical fiber for converting the optical signal into a series of digital values, and means for analyzing the digital values is provided for obtaining a measurement of the pressure in the medium. An optical coupler is preferably provided for coupling the light source, the optical fiber, and the spectrometer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel apparatus and method for volumetric dilatometry. A volumetric dilatometer includes an optical displacement sensor and a means for using a gap measurement obtained from the displacement sensor application in an application which requires the measurement of absolute distance and/or displacement. A novel signal-processing algorithm for volumetric dilatometry is also disclosed. The signal-processing algorithm includes a step for recovering the phase information from a spectral signal by taking the Fourier transform of a spectral signal and deriving a sensor gap measurement from the phase information. A micro-translation stage is provided for automated positioning of the optical sensor and automated re-leveling in an out-of-range condition. A heat source is consists of a vertical tube furnace, such as those found in drywell technologies.

Abstract: A system and method for gathering and analyzing data captured from one or more remote sensing units positioned in the field. Remote sensing units preferably utilize optical sensors. Power to sensing unit components is preferably selectively controlled to reduce power consumption. Remote sensing units according to the invention can be used for a variety of purposes, including water quality or electrical power monitoring, and data from such sensing units is preferably transmitted to a secure host terminal via a communications link. The host terminal preferably formats, analyzes, and stores the data for customer review and retrieval. If alarm conditions exist that require immediate customer notification, such notification can be sent to a customer via one or more telecommunications means. Through the use of the present invention, businesses can shift from a reactive to a proactive mode of monitoring and operation.

Abstract: An antibiofouling material, a method for making said antibiofouling material, a sensor apparatus employing said antibiofouling material, and a method of making said sensor apparatus. The disclosed antibiofouling material includes one or more biocides and one or more charge transfer compounds are embedded within a copolymer host matrix. Biocides used in the present invention may include, but are not limited to, Halobenzonitriles, Azoles, diuron; and simazine. Among its uses, the antibiofouling material of the present invention can be used in a sensor apparatus. In a preferred embodiment, one or more surfaces of said sensor apparatus are coated with an antibiofouling material comprised of one or more biocides, one or more charge transfer compounds, and a copolymer host matrix.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel apparatus and method for volumetric dilatometry. A volumetric dilatometer includes an optical displacement sensor and a means for using a gap measurement obtained from the displacement sensor application in an application which requires the measurement of absolute distance and/or displacement. A novel signal-processing algorithm for volumetric dilatometry is also disclosed. The signal-processing algorithm includes a step for recovering the phase information from a spectral signal by taking the Fourier transform of a spectral signal and deriving a sensor gap measurement from the phase information. A micro-translation stage is provided for automated positioning of the optical sensor and automated re-leveling in an out-of-range condition. A heat source is consists of a vertical tube furnace, such as those found in drywell technologies.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides a fiber optic pressure sensor apparatus which includes a light source, a reflective sensor diaphragm movable in accordance with pressure in a medium and an optical fiber coupled to the light source for delivering a first wavefront of light to the reflective sensor diaphragm. The optical fiber has an endface which is separated from the reflective sensor diaphragm by a gap, the endface receiving a second wavefront of light reflected from the reflective sensor diaphragm. The first and second wavefronts constructively and destructively interfere to create a modulated optical signal. A spectrometer is coupled to the optical fiber for converting the optical signal into a series of digital values, and means for analyzing the digital values is provided for obtaining a measurement of the pressure in the medium. An optical coupler is preferably provided for coupling the light source, the optical fiber, and the spectrometer.

Abstract: A method for calculating a distance from a fiber optic tip of a sensor to a reflective surface by high pass filtering a fringe signal gathered by a spectrometer, calculating a power spectral density of the filtered signal, and using a calibrated distance vs. peak spectral density wavelength curve to determine the measured distance. This fiber optic distance measurement technique can be applied to a variety of sensor types, including, but not limited to, pressure, displacement, temperature, acoustic, pressure, load, and magnetic field sensors.

Abstract: An antibiofouling material, a method for making said antibiofouling material, a sensor apparatus employing said antibiofouling material, and a method of making said sensor apparatus. The disclosed antibiofouling material includes one or more biocides and one or more charge transfer compounds are embedded within a copolymer host matrix. Biocides used in the present invention may include, but are not limited to, Halobenzonitriles, Azoles, diuron; and simazine. Among its uses, the antibiofouling material of the present invention can be used in a sensor apparatus. In a preferred embodiment, one or more surfaces of said sensor apparatus are coated with an antibiofouling material comprised of one or more biocides, one or more charge transfer compounds, and a copolymer host matrix.

Abstract: A system for gathering, transmitting, and storing data captured from remote monitoring sites positioned in the field. The system has specific applicability to distributed chemical sensing and reporting, and distributed power monitoring and reporting. Data from Transducers monitoring water quality parameters or electrical power parameters is transmitted to the Internet or Intranet via a communications link. Such data is relayed to secure servers, where it is formatted, analyzed, and stored for customer retrieval. If alarm conditions exist that require immediate customer notification, such notifications are sent to a customer via one or more telecommunications means, including pager, cellular telephone, or email. With respect to the distributed chemical sensing embodiments, the invention preferably utilizes fiber optic chemical sensors that address the problem of biofouling. Using anti-fouling measures, the invention can provide continuous, long-term waterway monitoring.