138 results about "Environmental exposure" patented technology

A novel method for production of and an apparatus for an encapsulated solid-state electrochemical device is disclosed. The present invention provides for electrical devices, such as, for example, thin-film batteries with sensitive chemistries that can survive environmental exposure while providing external electrical contact to the internal cell chemistry. The method of packaging of the present invention may include bonding one or more protective multi-layer laminates to the environmentally sensitive surfaces of an electronic device. The present invention may provide the advantage of avoiding entrapped air beneath the laminates.

The present invention includes a method and apparatus for detecting exposure to environmental tobacco smoke by analyzing a sample of breath using electronic sensor technology, including surface acoustic-wave gas sensor technology. The method determines the presence and concentration of substance(s) (or a class of substances) indicative of environmental smoke exposure. Diagnostic software is used to identify substances where a stored library of signatures is compared to the signature obtained from the system. Signal processing and neural networks are preferably utilized in the analysis.

A method and apparatus for transporting radiopharmaceuticals. Typically, the apparatus is a two-part assembly, each part having an exterior shell, a radiation shield and a non-porous lining. Additionally, the assembled apparatus has a sealed internal chamber suitable for carrying a syringe or a sharps container containing a syringe. The internal chamber of the radiopharmaceutical pig is lined with a non-porous lining, typically a durable plastic, that prevents contamination of the radiopharmaceutical doses, the radiation shield, or the environment. Additionally, the non-porous lining can be quickly and easily cleaned and sterilized, avoiding the often difficult, to impossible, task of cleaning and sterilizing the radiation shield of the radiopharmaceutical pig. The non-porous lining is surrounded by a radiation shield that is typically comprised of elemental lead. The radiation shield prevents radiation from the radiopharmaceutical from contaminating the user or environment. The radiation shield is surrounded by an exterior shell that absorbs impact and prevents the radiopharmaceutical pig from breaking. Additionally, the exterior shell prevents environmental exposure to the potentially hazardous material of the radiation shield. Generally, a method of transporting a radiopharmaceutical by filling the container with a radiopharmaceutical, inserting the container into the internal chamber of the radiopharmaceutical pig having a non-porous lining, and assembling the radiopharmaceutical pig so the that the container is in the internal chamber and is encapsulated by the radiation shield, is also provided.

The present invention relates to aqueous compositions of associative polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs), optionally containing surfactants, biocidal agents and / or oxidants, which can provide surface protection to treated articles including reduced soiling tendency, reduced cleaning effort and improved soil repellancy, as well as providing bacteriostatic properties to treated surfaces that thereby gain resistance to water, environmental exposure and microbial challenge. Treatment means and compositions are provided that employ associative polyelectrolyte complexes formed by combining a water soluble cationic first polyelectrolyte with a water soluble second polyelectrolyte bearing groups of opposite charge to the first polyelectrolyte under suitable mixing conditions where the one polyelectrolyte present in molar excess is added in the form of a first aqueous solution during a mixing step to a second aqueous solution comprising the oppositely charged polyelectrolyte present in molar deficiency. Also provided are means to form stable associative polyelectrolyte complexes in aqueous solutions having R values from about 0.10 to 20, including near stoichiometric R values approaching 1, being the ratio of charged groups present on the component polyelectrolytes employed.

Robust ceramic igniters are provided that include an improved sealing system which can significantly enhance operational life of the igniter. Preferred igniters comprise a conductive cold zone and hot zone with higher resisitivity. A hermetic sealant material covers one or more electrical connections on the of each cold zone, thus shielding the electrical connections from environmental exposure, and thereby avoiding igniter failure resulting from electrical shorts and / or undesired oxidation.

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus which quantifies radiation safety in medical imaging through the creation and analysis of objective data for each individual imaging procedure with respect to acquisition parameters, calculated radiation dose, and clinical data related to imaging examination selection and performance. The present invention also calculates a cumulative radiation dose based upon an individual patient's entire medical record, along with occupational and environmental exposures, to calculate a dynamic cumulative radiation-induced carcinogenesis risk. The present invention provides reforms to improve patient safety, quality and accountability, by creating a technology which simultaneously records and tracks objective data referable to radiation safety, medical imaging quality, and accountability among the various stakeholders and technologies in use. This quantifiable data is referred to as the Radiation Dose Quality Index (RDQI), and creates an objective, data-driven measure of quality and safety as it relates to medical practice.

Methods and devices are provided for improved roofing devices. In one embodiment of the present invention, a photovoltaic roofing assembly is provided that comprises of a roofing membrane and a plurality of photovoltaic cells supported by the roofing membrane. The photovoltaic cells may be lightweight, flexible cells formed on a lightweight foil and disposed as a layer on top of the roofing membrane. The roofing assembly may include at least one flexible encapsulant film that protects the plurality of photovoltaic cells from environmental exposure damage, wherein the encapsulant film is formed using a non-vacuum process. Optionally, the process may be a lamination process. In other embodiments, the process is a non-vacuum, non-lamination process. The resulting roofing membrane and the photovoltaic cells are constructed to be rolled up in lengths suitable for being transported to a building site for unrolling and being affixed to a roof structure.

Cementitious composites engineered for self-healing, combining self-controlled tight crack width and extreme tensile ductility. Self-healing takes place automatically at cracked locations without external intervention. In the exemplary embodiment, fiber-reinforced cementitious composites with self-controlled tight crack width less than 50 μm and tensile ductility more than 2% are prepared. Self-healing in terms of mechanical and transport properties recovery of pre-damaged (by pre-cracking) composite is revealed in a variety of environmental exposures, include wetting and drying cycles, water permeation, and chloride submersion.

A building façade system adapted to be installed onto an exposed surface of a building and provide a substrate for installation of façade elements (e.g., stone, stucco and the like). The system preferably provides a corrosion-resistant structure adapted to withstand extended environmental exposure. In general, the system includes a highly porous three dimensional matrix filamentous polymeric mat and a fiberglass mesh layer associated therewith. Collectively, the polymeric mat and fiberglass mesh layer are adapted to be installed onto an exposed building wall and provide a substrate onto which desired façade elements may be installed.

Material condition monitoring may be performed by electromagnetic sensors and sensor arrays mounted to the material surface. The sensors typically have a periodic winding or electrode structure that creates a periodic sensing field when driven by an electrical signal. The sensors can be thin and flexible so that they conform to the surface of the test material. They can also be mounted such that they do not significantly modify the environmental exposure conditions for the test material, such as by creating stand-off gaps between the sensor and material surface or by perforating the sensor substrate.

The present invention relates to aqueous compositions of associative polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs), optionally containing surfactants, biocidal agents and / or oxidants, which can provide a cleaning benefit and surface protection to treated articles including reduced soiling tendency, reduced cleaning effort and improved soil repellancy, as well as providing bacteriostatic properties to treated surfaces that thereby gain resistance to water, environmental exposure and microbial challenge. Treatment means and compositions are provided that employ associative polyelectrolyte complexes formed by combining a water soluble cationic first polyelectrolyte with a water soluble second polyelectrolyte bearing groups of opposite charge to the first polyelectrolyte under suitable mixing conditions and at least one oxidant selected from the group: alkaline metal salts and / or alkaline earth metal salts of hypochlorous acid, hypochlorous acid, solubilized chlorine, any source of free chlorine, acidic sodium chlorite, active chlorine generating compound and any combinations or mixtures thereof. Also provided are means to form stable associative polyelectrolyte complexes with at least one oxidant in aqueous solutions having R values from about 0.10 to 20.