US Government As Represented by the Secretary of the Army

Brandeis University

Kenneth Kustin

Christopher J Doona

Florence E Feeherry

Maria Agudelo Curtin

Irwin A Taub

Barbara G Taub, Legal Representative

Albert T McManus

David Baer

Satish G Kandlikar

Satish Kanlikar

Irving R Epstein

Edward W Ross

A composition and method for chlorine dioxide production through reaction-diffusion chemistry that facilitates the in situ generation of chlorine dioxide, wherein a dry solid composition of hydroxymethanesulfinic acid monosodium salt dihydrate (abbreviated HMS) and a chlorine dioxide precursor are activated via the addition or absorption of water to produce chlorine dioxide. The dry solid chemical composition comprises dry, safe, transportable reagents that integrate with polymeric materials such as packaging and superabsorbent and stimuli-responsive hydrogel polymers to combine with water to produce chlorine dioxide.

Method and composition of humidity-controlled generation of chlorine dioxide in polymers and superabsorbent hydrogels

A food safety management tool that utilizes a mathematical model based on differential equations that is generalized for describing the continuous growth-death kinetics of microbial populations in foodstuffs. The method is used to provide a way to control target microorganisms when designing product formulations of minimally processed foodstuffs or when processing foods with high pressures, temperatures, or other lethal agents to achieve effective pasteurization, disinfection, or sterilization of foodstuffs, and includes the use of model parameters to predict food formulations to inhibit the growth of microorganisms and the processing times needed to reduce microbial hazards to levels that ensure consumer safety.

Method for microbiological quasi-chemical kinetics growth-death modeling in food

The present invention in one embodiment provides a process of generating chlorine dioxide by reacting formamidinesulfinic acid (FSA) and sodium chlorite in an aqueous solution.

Process for the generation of chlorine dioxide

This invention comprises a lightweight, portable chemical combination of reagents for sterilizing or disinfecting objects in the absence of electrical power or fire. The chemical combination includes a chemical oxidant with the capacity to liberate a biocidal intermediate, a chemical reductant of the oxidant with the capacity to react with the oxidant, and an effector to induce a reaction between the oxidant and reductant. In one embodiment, the oxidant comprises chlorite, the reductant comprises sulfite, and the effector comprises ascorbate. In another embodiment, the chemical combination comprises the oxidant, reductant, effector and iron-activated magnesium. When water or water solutions are added to either embodiment, the chemical combination generates heat, steam and a biocidal intermediate that can destroy contaminating microorganisms. In one embodiment, the biocidal intermediate is a halogen-based biocidal intermediate, such as chlorine dioxide. In another embodiment, the biocidal intermediate is a halogen-free biocidal intermediate.

Chemical combination for the generation of disinfectant and heat

The present invention provides for a method of generating an aqueous solution comprising chlorine dioxide using a chlorine-containing chemical oxidant; an effector having the capacity to reduce said chlorine-containing chemical oxidant; a chemical reductant; and water, and operating in either batch or continuous-flow modes. In batch mode, the aqueous chlorine dioxide solution can be generated in a sprayer device, a bottle, or a bucket to disinfect objects by spraying and wiping, by pouring, or by immersion, respectively. In continuous-flow mode, the aqueous chlorine dioxide solution can be generated in flow tubes or continuous-stirred tank reactors, then placed inside a suitable sprayer device, bottle, or bucket.

Process for producing aqueous chlorine dioxide for surface disinfection and decontamination

A portable, lightweight, easy-to-carry, reusable, durable, and environmentally-friendly assembly for sterilizing contaminated equipment using conditions of a chemical sterilant, heat, and humidity generated in situ without requiring external electricity, fuels, or other exogenous energy sources for operation. The carry assembly includes a plastic carry-case or insulated aluminum pressure vessel having an inner chamber for accepting microbiologically contaminated objects, a vessel disposed in the chamber for serving as a reaction chamber and/or boiler, a chemical combination which upon mixing generates at least minimally sufficient conditions of the sterilant, heat, and humidity to effect sterilization of the objects, and outlet valves mounted on the carry-case for controllably venting pressures above ambient air pressure.

Portable chemical sterilizer

Chemical combination for generation of disinfectant and heat

Flameless chemical heaters based on the iron-promoted magnesium-water reaon (Mg+H.sub.2 O.fwdarw.Mg(OH).sub.2 +H.sub.2) are reliable and potentially useful. The major limitation to their widespread application is the cogeneration of flammable dihydrogen gas in this reaction. The invention is a new chemical composition that removes this drawback by producing a controlled surge of heat without the release of large quantities of dangerous dihydrogen gas. The release of H.sub.2 gas is avoided by completely or almost completely suppressing H.sub.2 creation rather than by removing H.sub.2 after it is created. The reagents that suppress dihydrogen gas generation react with and remove (i.e., scavenge) precursors of H.sub.2 such as aquated electrons and H-atoms. The overall heat-generating reactions of the invention, for example, Mg+CuCl.sub.2 .fwdarw.Mg.sup.2+ +2Cl.sup.- +Cu.sup.0 release more heat per unit weight of magnesium than the Mg-H.sub.2 O reaction; in this case, approximately 70% more heat. Flameless chemical heaters using iron-promoted magnesium with various scavengers of H.sub.2 precursors can be formulated for diverse and safe applications, especially where numerous rations or medical supplies are to be heated in confined spaces such as cockpits, tents, and underwater shelters, without concern for explosion or fire.

Growing community of inventors

San Diego, CA, United States of America

Kenneth Kustin