Southwest Research Institute

Electric Power Research Institute Incorporated

Hutchinson Technology Corporation

Karl Storz Endoscopy Gmbh and Company

Ralph Henry Hill, Jr

Joseph N Mitchell

Mary C Marshall

Andrew J Philips

James R Keys, Jr

Mark E Van Dyke

Dennis W Gilstad

Reuben Walter Edgar, Jr

James A Moryl

David W Naegeli

Ronald L Branstetter

Stephen J Hudak, Jr

Dennis S Rushforth

Christopher B Catterson

Larry D Canady, Jr

Brian Lee Robey

Jeremy R Pruitt

Henry W Oviatt, Jr

Roland R V Benke

Spring M Haby

Roberto T Pabalan

A method for collecting volatile radioactive substances. The method includes irradiating a volatile radioactive substance on or under a contaminated material surface using microwave radiation and vaporizing the volatile radioactive substance, wherein the volatile radioactive substance comprises at least one of cesium and iodine. The method further includes recovering the vaporized volatile radioactive substance from the contaminated material. The method may be accomplished with and/or without physically collecting or isolating the contaminated material.

Methods for vaporization and remediation of radioactive contamination

The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and/or method of identifying a user comprising illuminating a user with electromagnetic energy to induce luminescence and producing an output data signal. A reference data signal corresponding to the luminescence of a selected user may be identified and compared to the output data signal. In such a manner, an identification may be made as to whether a selected user is present.

Biometric device based on luminescence

Techniques are disclosed relating to gas leak detection. The techniques can be deployed, for example, in compact, handheld portable devices usable for detecting leaks in space-confined applications. The devices generally include a non-laser light source and thermal imaging camera that allow for detection of a target gas (or gasses) that absorbs at least some of the light source's wavelengths of operation. The light source can be implemented, for example, with an incoherent infrared (IR) light source, such as a resonance lamp configured with a gas cell containing a volume of a gas that, when excited by electric discharge, emits a wavelength that is absorbed by the target gas.

Compact handheld non-laser detector for greenhouse gasses

Techniques are disclosed relating to gas leak detection. The techniques can be deployed, for example, in compact, handheld portable devices usable for detecting leaks in space-confined applications. The devices generally include an unstablized laser and thermal imaging camera that allow for detection of gas that absorbs at least some of the wavelength of operation of the unstablized laser. The devices can be operated at a low-power density for safety and/or may be configured to mitigate wavelength hopping associated with unstablized laser light sources.

Compact handheld detector for greenhouse gasses

A composite insulator containing means for providing early warning of impending failure due to stress corrosion cracking, flashunder, or destruction of the rod by discharge activity conditions is described. A composite insulator comprising a fiberglass rod surrounded by a polymer housing and connected with metal end fittings on either end of the rod is doped with a dye-based chemical dopant. The dopant is located around the vicinity of the outer surface of the fiberglass rod. The dopant is formulated to possess migration and diffusion characteristics, and to be inert in dry conditions and compatible with the insulator components. The dopant is positioned within the insulator such that upon the penetration of moisture through the housing to the rod through a permeation pathway in the outer surface of the insulator, the dopant will become activated and will leach out of the same permeation pathway or diffuse through the housing. The activated dopant then creates a deposit or stain on the outer surface of the insulator housing. The dopant comprises an oil-soluble dye, an indicator, or a stain compound that can either be visually identified, or is sensitive to radiation at one or more specific wavelengths. The dopant could also be formulated by a nanoparticle enabled material. Deposits of activated dopant on the outer surface of the insulator can be detected upon imaging of the outer surface of the insulator by appropriate imaging instruments or the naked eye.

Indicators for early detection of potential failures due to water exposure of polymer-clad fiberglass

A composite insulator containing means for providing early warning of impending failure due to stress corrosion cracking, flashunder, or destruction of the rod by discharge activity conditions is described. A composite insulator comprising a fiberglass rod surrounded by a polymer housing and fitted with metal end fittings on either end of the rod is doped with a dye-based chemical dopant. The dopant is located around the vicinity of the outer surface of the fiberglass rod. The dopant is formulated to possess migration and diffusion characteristics correlating to those of water, and to be inert in dry conditions and compatible with the insulator components. The dopant is placed within the insulator such that upon the penetration of moisture through the housing to the rod through a permeation pathway in the outer surface of the insulator, the dopant will become activated and will leach out of the same permeation pathway. The activated dopant then creates a deposit or stain on the outer surface of the insulator housing. The dopant comprises a dye that is sensitive to radiation at one or more specific wavelengths or is visually identifiable. Deposits of activated dopant on the outer surface of the insulator can be detected upon imaging of the outer surface of the insulator by appropriate imaging instruments or the naked eye.

Chemically-doped composite insulator for early detection of potential failures due to exposure of the fiberglass rod

A light source for a spectroscopy unit that measures tissue includes a block for engaging tissue and a light source. The block is formed of translucent material. The light source is positioned in close proximity to the block either directly or through use of a light fiber. The light source produces light at a single wavelength or small range of wavelengths shorter than the desired range of wavelengths to be produced by the light source for the spectroscopy unit. A luminescent material is placed in the light path between light source and the tissue to produce the desired wavelength of light when pumped by the light source.

Spectroscopy light source

An ultraviolet target designator and methodology that utilizes ultraviolet radiation from a laser designator to remotely designate targets for various applications. In one embodiment, the ultraviolet laser designator is used to remotely designate a target for insects to fly to so as to collect environmental information. In another embodiment, the ultraviolet laser operates in the solar blind region to remotely designate a target. When used in conjunction with a solar blind camera, the targeting can be performed without detection by infrared or visible detection devices.

Ultraviolet target designator and methodology

A method and apparatus based on the exploitation of quantum effects related to stimulated emission for detecting the presence of aircraft or missile exhaust plumes in the atmosphere. In the preferred embodiment, the present invention is directed toward detecting electromagnetic radiation due to the presence of chemical compounds existing in the exhaust plume which occur in areas of the spectrum not normally interrogated; that is, in the regions of 0.2-200 microns and 1 KHz-1000 GHz.

Advanced missile approach warning system (amaws) and stealth (low

An optical inspection system for using laser-induced luminescence to detect the quality of materials, such as fuel. The inspection system comprises an excitation means for illuminating a specimen to cause it to produce fluorescent radiation. The spectral representation of the fluorescence produced by the specimen is compared to a reference spectrum to obtain an indication of the physical characteristics of the specimen.

Laser-induced-fluorescence inspection of jet fuels

An optical inspection system for using laser-induced luminescence to detect the quality of organic materials, such as peanuts. The inspection system comprises an excitation means for illuminating a specimen to cause it to produce fluorescent radiation. The spectral representation of the fluorescence produced by the specimen is compared to a reference spectrum to obtain an indication of the physical characteristics of the specimen. In a preferred embodiment, the system identifies and removes peanuts contaminated with aflatoxin from a stream of peanuts by determining fluorescence at a predetermined wavelength.

Optical inspection of food products

A method and apparatus for optical diagnosis and treatment of abnormal cells through the use of hormone-specific chemical markers which are preferential to genital tissues. Abnormal cells can be differentiated from normal cells by the amount of fluorescent or thermal radiation produced by the chemical marker retained in the respective cells when irradiated with electromagnetic radiation at a predetermined wavelength. Once the abnormal cells have been detected, they can be treated through the use of an optical technique based on photochemical or thermal reactions which can be controlled to destroy the abnormal cells, while leaving normal cells unharmed.

Photocharacterization and treatment of normal abnormal and ectopic

An optical inspection system for using laser-induced luminescence to detect deterioration of a polymer-based material. The inspection system comprises an excitation means for illuminating a specimen of the polymer material to cause it to produce fluorescent radiation. The spectral representation of the fluorescence produced by the specimen is compared to the spectrum of a reference sample of known quality in order to obtain an indication of the physical characteristics of the specimen.

Growing community of inventors

San Antonio, TX, United States of America

Ralph Henry Hill, Jr