Abstract: A system and method for utilizing a carbide-derived carbon (CDC) fiber in solid-phase micro extraction. Optically pumping the carbide-derived carbon (CDC) fiber, as compared to using thermal desorption, enhances performance of the system. CDC provides for a broad based sorbent that is insensitive to high humidity. Optical pumping may be done axially or radially on a modified gas chromatography needle. In some cases, staged, or pulsed, optical pumping is used to drive off solvent or other lower boiling compounds first and then the desorption of the remaining analytes is cleaner and the instrumentation is less likely to be overloaded.

Abstract: A photon-activated quantum dot capacitor and method of fabrication. A photon-activated quantum dot capacitor photodetector having a read only integrated circuit; and a photon-activated quantum dot capacitor chip hybridized with the read only integrated circuit, wherein said photon-activated quantum dot capacitor chip comprises colloidal quantum dots that detect photons as a change in a dielectric constant of the colloidal quantum dots of the photon-activated quantum dot capacitor chip, including the further implementation of a photodetector.

Abstract: A method for detection and identification of a chemical using a preconcentrator to collect a sample of the chemical, process said sample of the chemical, and introduce said processed chemical into a chemical analysis instrument for the detection of and identification of the chemical. A system for detecting and identifying a chemical comprising a preconcentrator having at least dual concentrating elements.

Abstract: In the method for scrubbing a chemical from a medium, wherein the improvement comprises the steps of using a carbide derived carbon to adsorb the chemical which may later be released by heating. The carbide derived carbon may be a powder, a fiber, a solid foam, a mesh, or other solid form. The carbide derived carbon can adsorb a chemical in the gaseous, liquid, particulate, or aerosol phase.

Abstract: In the method for scrubbing a chemical from a medium, wherein the improvement comprises the steps of using a carbide derived carbon to adsorb the chemical which may later be released by heating. The carbide derived carbon may be a powder, a fiber, a solid foam, a mesh, or other solid form. The carbide derived carbon can adsorb a chemical in the gaseous, liquid, particulate, or aerosol phase.

Abstract: The system and method of using carbide derived carbon as a sorbent material in high humidity environments. In some cases, the sorbent material is used for breath analysis. In some cases, the sorbent material is used in a gas mask. In certain cases, the sorbent material is functionalized for detection or capture of particular chemicals.

Abstract: A method for detection and identification of a chemical using a preconcentrator to collect a sample of the chemical, process said sample of the chemical, and introduce said processed chemical into a chemical analysis instrument for the detection of and identification of the chemical. A system for detecting and identifying a chemical comprising a preconcentrator having at least dual concentrating elements.

Abstract: The system and method for destroying compromised objects, including electronic devices. The system and method utilizes a barrier separating two reagents that can be rapidly mixed to form a base when desired. The system and method have a barrier configured to be triggered remotely. The barrier comprises an aluminum foil layer.

Abstract: A photon-activated quantum dot capacitor and method of fabrication. A photon-activated quantum dot capacitor photodetector having a read only integrated circuit; and a photon-activated quantum dot capacitor chip hybridized with the read only integrated circuit, wherein said photon-activated quantum dot capacitor chip comprises colloidal quantum dots that detect photons as a change in a dielectric constant of the colloidal quantum dots of the photon-activated quantum dot capacitor chip, including the further implementation of a photodetector.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting at least one compound in a material under test (MUT) is presented. The system includes a Nuclear Quadrupole Resonance (NQR) frequency generator that generates an NQR frequency (fNQR) and propagates the fNQR frequency toward the MUT. A microwave frequency generator generates a microwave frequency (fmw) and propagates the fmw frequency toward the MUT. A RF output probe detects radio frequency (RF) emissions returned from the MUT. A detector detects the at least one compound based, at least in part, on whether the RF emissions returned from the MUT include any frequencies corresponding to fmw+/?(n×fNQR), where n is an integer of 2 or greater. In the preferred embodiment, n=2.

Abstract: The system and method for destroying compromised objects, including electronic devices. The system and method utilizes a barrier separating two reagents that can be rapidly mixed to form a base when desired. The system and method have a barrier configured to be triggered remotely. The barrier comprises an aluminum foil layer.

Abstract: A nanostructure and method for assembly thereof are disclosed. The nanostructure includes a gain medium nanoparticle; an output coupler nanoparticle being discrete from and linked to the gain medium nanoparticle; and a plurality of metal nanoparticles being linked about the gain medium nanoparticle, wherein the gain medium nanoparticle and the output coupler nanoparticle are included in the nanostructure in a one to one ratio.

Abstract: A nanostructure and method for assembly thereof are disclosed. The nanostructure includes a gain medium nanoparticle; an output coupler nanoparticle being discrete from and linked to the gain medium nanoparticle; and a plurality of metal nanoparticles being linked about the gain medium nanoparticle, wherein the gain medium nanoparticle and the output coupler nanoparticle are included in the nanostructure in a one to one ratio.

Abstract: A nanostructure and method for assembly thereof are disclosed. An exemplary nanostructure includes a photocatalytic nanoparticle; a first tier of metal nanoparticles, each metal nanoparticle of the first tier being linked about the photocatalytic nanoparticle; and a second tier of metal nanoparticles, each metal nanoparticle of the second tier being linked to one of the metal nanoparticles of the first tier and located a distance from the photocatalytic nanoparticle greater than a distance between a metal nanoparticle of the first tier and the photocatalytic nanoparticle.

Abstract: In the method of latent print analysis, wherein the improvement comprises using an ultra-fine, nanoporous carbon material as an adsorptive powder to identify trace chemicals found within oils of a print.

Abstract: Analytes are rapidly desorbed from a carbonaceous sorbent powder with improved quantitation and reduced analyte re-adsorption, thermal degradation, and rearrangement. The sample is distributed in a thin layer onto a desorption surface within a chamber. The layer can be a monolayer. Heating light irradiates the sample through a window, directly and rapidly heating the sample while the desorbed analytes diffuse into a vacuum or are removed by a carrier gas. Finally, the sorbent is flushed from the chamber by a transport gas. The desorption surface can be an inner surface of the window, or a surface of a porous frit that divides the chamber into two sections. The frit can be stainless steel or glass. The carrier gas can be helium, argon, or carbon dioxide. The light source can be a tungsten halogen lamp. A heater can control the chamber temperature according to a heating profile.

Abstract: A desalination apparatus is disclosed which uses a salt sponge unit to remove a majority of salt from water. A parallel plate capacitor can be connected after the salt sponge to remove remaining salt ions. The salt sponge is a nanoporous, high surface area carbon scaffold to which crown ethers are attached. A power supply is connected to the salt sponges for applying a bias voltage to regenerate the salt sponges. A chlorine treatment unit can be connected after the parallel plate capacitor. A method of purifying sea water using the apparatus also is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for providing superadsorption of polar organic compounds using a material system is provided. The method can comprise enhancing adsorption by means of using high surface area and mass transfer rates and decreased reactivity at surface sites attractive to the polar compounds; and employing consequence management by maintaining a high rate of adsorptivity combined with high fidelity and accuracy of the material system. A modified superadsorbent material for air sampling applications comprising a superadsorbent material treated with a solution, thereby forming a treated superadsorbent material, wherein the treated superadsorbent material is substantially hydrophobic and is capable of adsorbing polar compounds.

Abstract: A nanostructure and method for assembly thereof are disclosed. The nanostructure includes a gain medium nanoparticle; an output coupler nanoparticle being discrete from and linked to the gain medium nanoparticle; and a plurality of metal nanoparticles being linked about the gain medium nanoparticle, wherein the gain medium nanoparticle and the output coupler nanoparticle are included in the nanostructure in a one to one ratio.

Abstract: Analytes are rapidly desorbed from a carbonaceous sorbent powder with improved quantitation and reduced analyte re-adsorption, thermal degradation, and rearrangement. The sample is distributed in a thin layer onto a desorption surface within a chamber. The layer can be a monolayer. Heating light irradiates the sample through a window, directly and rapidly heating the sample while the desorbed analytes diffuse into a vacuum or are removed by a carrier gas. Finally, the sorbent is flushed from the chamber by a transport gas. The desorption surface can be an inner surface of the window, or a surface of a porous frit that divides the chamber into two sections. The frit can be stainless steel or glass. The carrier gas can be helium, argon, or carbon dioxide. The light source can be a tungsten halogen lamp. A heater can control the chamber temperature according to a heating profile.