A modular sensor platform is provided for installation on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for sensor operation. The platform includes an external shell that defines an internal volume, an interface module, and a mission module. The shell inserts between sections of the UAV. The interface module attaches to the shell within the volume. The mission module attaches to the shell within the volume. The interface module includes a communications package, a battery package and an air intake.

Air sample chamber designs for improving electrostatic detection of particles by increasing the sensitivity of detecting radon gas in an air sample chamber. Examples includes convex shaped conductive elements disposed around a detector surface within an electrostatic participation detector chamber that form an effective electrostatic lens arrangement that increases an angle from which particles in the chamber are directed to the detector surface, which thereby increases the volume of the chamber above the detector surface from which charged particles can be captured.

An all solid-state, MOF-, zeolite-, or activated carbon-based electrical readout sensor with a long-lived signal can be tuned specifically for real-time sensing of iodine gas in ambient conditions. The sensor may be of use in nuclear accident scenarios for first responders and/or as process sensors in advanced nuclear fuel recycling.

The disclosure relates to methods for identifying desirable (e.g., the best) depth intervals in a formation using carbon and/or oxygen isotope ratio information. The desirable depth. intervals in the formation correspond to regions in the formation with source rocks and relatively high (e.g., the highest) total organic carbon (TOC).

A digestive tract medication administration system and a medication administration capsule are provided. In an assembled state, with the constraint of a limit structure formed by a rotation limit pin on an inner shell of the capsule and a rotation limit slot in an outer shell of the capsule, and an angle exists between the N-S directions of the first magnetic column and the second magnetic column, a torque is present between the two magnetic columns, which makes parts inside the capsule tightly coupled. When an external magnetic field is applied, at least one or both of the two magnetic columns rotate under the action of the external magnetic field. When the external magnetic field is applied, the administration ports are in opened state, and when the external magnetic field is removed, the administration ports are in closed state.

Methods and systems for detecting ice crystals and volcanic ash in concentrations capable of causing power loss in aircraft jet engines. These hazard conditions are inferred from the detection of ice crystals or ash in air recently lifted from the lower atmosphere by convective updrafts. The detection systems can comprise subsystems for detecting air recently lifted from the lower troposphere by measuring radon activity along the aircrafts' flight track, as well as subsystems for detecting ice crystals or volcanic ash around the aircraft via multispectral measurements. The detection of ice crystals in air recently lifted from the lower troposphere indicates that the ice crystals are likely present in large concentration. The detection of volcanic ash in air recently lifted from lower atmosphere also indicates that volcanic ash is likely present in high concentration. These are hazards conditions that could cause power loss, jet engine flameout, and even damage jet engines.

Mercury that may be contaminated radioactively is converted with radionuclides of other elements to a gaseous state of aggregation, which increases the distance between the mercury atoms and reduces the shielding effect of the mercury with respect to the radionuclides of other elements contained in the mercury. The method disclosed, enables the radiological characterisation of the radiation listing of mercury, without prior processing, in particular homogenization, of the sample being necessary. In particular, the method enables continuous measurement of the entire mass to be characterized and includes preparing a predefined quantity of mercury, evaporating at least one fraction of the prepared mercury, and measuring the radioactive ?-radiation emitted by the gaseous mercury.

Embodiments of the invention can sample particulates, aerosols, vapors, and/or biological components of ambient air utilizing spherical air-sampling filters. Components of the embodiments may include a hopper for holding spherical air-sampling filters, an air-sampling manifold configured to deliver an air-sampling filter from the hopper to a sampling location, and an air compressor to perform an air sampling operation and to transport a used air-sampling filter away from the sampling location. Operation of some embodiments may begin by rotating a slotted drum within the air-sampling manifold to deliver an air-sampling filter from the hopper to the sampling position. Operation may continue by using the air compressor to draw air from an ambient environment through the air-sampling filter. After sampling is complete, the air compressor may be utilized to pneumatically transport the used air-sampling filter away from the sampling position to a filter retrieval location via an output tube.

A modular sensor platform is provided for installation on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for sensor operation. The platform includes an external shell that defines an internal volume, an interface module, and a mission module. The shell inserts between sections of the UAV. The interface module attaches to the shell within the volume. The mission module attaches to the shell within the volume. The interface module includes a communications package, a battery package and an air intake.

A tritium-in-air measuring apparatus for measuring a concentration of tritium in air, the measuring apparatus comprising a sensing apparatus for sensing the concentration of tritium in the air and producing at least one signal representing the concentration; a signal processing apparatus, operatively connected to the sensing apparatus, for receiving the signal, processing the signal, and outputting an indication of the concentration of tritium; the sensing apparatus comprising four equal-dimensioned ion chambers, the four chambers being formed in a single block of metal, the four chambers comprising a first measurement chamber, a second measurement chamber, a first compensation chamber and a second compensation chamber.