Methods and articles for identifying objects using encapsulated perfluorocarbon tracers

摘要

A system and method for tagging, tracking, locating and identifying people and vehicles transporting people using Perfluorocarbon tracers. An on-going problem faced by military as well as law enforcement personnel is that of friendly fire incidents. To prevent possible friendly-fire incidents, troops would separate the two layers of the uniform patch, thereby releasing a controlled release of the Perfluorocarbon vapors. Other “friendly” troops, equipped with sensors tuned to the specific perfluorocarbon characteristics would thus be able to literally view a plume around the tagged person or object. The system may conversely be used to tag enemies. Formulations of mixed perfluorocarbons may be used to provide coding of emissions.

主权项

1. A tracing method, comprising:
(a) providing a tracer comprising a liquid perfluorinated tracer having at least one of (i) a —CF2—CF2— portion, or (ii) spectral characteristics corresponding to highly electronegative fluorine substituents of an organic composition, encapsulated within at least one permeable wall capsule having a first composition within a polymer matrix having a second composition, the polymer matrix having a controlled matrix permeability for the perfluorinated tracer, wherein the polymer matrix substantially causes a steady state release rate of the perfluorinated tracer into air for an extended period; (b) physically blocking a release of the perfluorinated tracer with an electronically controlled barrier substantially impermeable to the perfluorinated tracer; (c) altering the electronically controlled barrier to permit contact of the polymer matrix with air, to thereby permit a release of the perfluorinated tracer into the air, wherein prior to changing the electronically controlled barrier, the release of perfluorinated tracer is undetectable and after changing the electronically controlled barrier the release of perfluorinated tracer is detectable.