In this report, we present the use of temperature programmed reaction/decomposition (TPR) in the isoconversion mode to measure outgassing kinetics and to make kinetic prediction concerning hydrogen release from the polycrystalline LiH/LiOH system in the absence of any external H{sub 2}O source.

Shape memory polymers (SMPs) are attracting a great deal of interest in the scientific community for their use in applications ranging from light weight structures in space to micro-actuators in MEMS devices. These relatively new materials can be formed into a primary shape, reformed into a stable secondary shape, and then controllably actuated to recover their primary shape. The first part of this presentation will be a brief review of the types of polymeric structures which give rise to shape memory behavior in the context of new shape memory polymers with highly regular network structures recently developed at LLNL for biomedical devices. These new urethane SMPs have improved optical and physical properties relative to commercial SMPs, including improved clarity, high actuation force, and sharper actuation transition. In the second part of the presentation we discuss the development of SMP based devices for mechanically removing neurovascular occlusions which result in ischemic stroke. These devices are delivered to the site of the occlusion in compressed form, are pushed through the occlusion, actuated (usually optically) to take on an expanded conformation, and then used to dislodge and grip the thrombus while it is withdrawn through the catheter.

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We describe a Monte Carlo solution for time dependent photon transport, in the difference formulation with the material in local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE), that is piecewise linear in its treatment of the material state variable. Our method employs a Galerkin solution for the material energy equation while using Symbolic Implicit Monte Carlo (SIMC) to solve the transport equation. In constructing the scheme, one has the freedom to choose between expanding the material temperature, or the equivalent black body radiation energy density at the material temperature, in terms of finite element basis functions. The former provides a linear treatment of the material energy while the latter provides a linear treatment of the radiative coupling between zones. Subject to the conditional use of a lumped material energy in the vicinity of strong gradients, possible with a linear treatment of the material energy, our approach provides a robust solution for time dependent transport of thermally emitted radiation that can address a wide range of problems. It produces accurate results in the diffusion limit.

Over the last ten years, a team at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory created fieldable instruments that performed identification/quantification via bioassays. These instruments have been based on molecular surface-recognition assays, such as immunoassays, and on nucleic-acid-based assays, such as the polymerase chain reaction. In 1996, we participated in the Joint Field Trials 3, employing both immunoassays as well as the polymerase chair reaction. In 1998, we participated in the Joint Field Trials 4, using only the real-time polymerase chain reaction, as implemented on a 10-chamber instrument. Our hand-held, real-time PCR instrument, known as HANAA has been commercialized as the Bioseeq{reg_sign}, by Smiths Detection. More recently, teams from LLNL have built and fielded an autonomous pathogen detection system (APDS).

For the Record section including the Minutes of the OHS Quarterly Board Meeting that was held on October 27, 2004.

Notes and Documents column including two short biographical sketches of the inductees into the Oklahoma Historians Hall of Fame in 2004—Howard Meredith and William G. McLoughlin.

For the Record section including the minutes of the regular quarterly board meeting of the Board of Directors of the Oklahoma Historical Society that was held on January 26, 2005.

Notes and Documents column including a document paying tribute to Virgil Talbot, who was inducted into the Oklahoma Historians Hall of Fame in 2005.

For the Record section including the minutes of the regular quarterly board meeting of the Board of Directors of the Oklahoma Historical Society that was held on April 28, 2005. It also includes the minutes of the annual meeting of the membership of the Oklahoma Historical Society that was held on April 29, 2005.

Notes and Documents column including a document honoring Reba Neighbors Collins, who was inducted into the Oklahoma Historians Hall of Fame in 2005. It also includes a document about the first boy scout troop founded in America in Pawhuska, Oklahoma.