Methods of delivery of encapsulated perfluorocarbon taggants

Abstract

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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An automated vapor dispenser, comprising:
 a reservoir;   a nozzle, operatively connected to the reservoir, and having a valve or pump configured to selectively control a time-varying flow from the reservoir through the nozzle.   
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the valve or pump comprises a microelectromechanical system (MEMS). 
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the valve or pump comprises a piezoelectric device. 
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the valve or pump comprises a bubble jet device. 
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the valve or pump comprises a pump. 
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising an automated control having a program, wherein the valve or pump is selectively controlled in dependence on the program to provide a time-coded plume. 
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 6 , wherein the automated control is responsive to a wireless remote control signal. 
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second reservoir; and   a second nozzle, operatively connected to the second reservoir, and having a second valve or pump configured to selectively control a time-varying flow from the second reservoir through the second nozzle.   
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the reservoir comprises puncturable seal, and the nozzle is operatively connected to the reservoir through a hollow protrusion configured to puncture the seal. 
     
     
         10 . A system for emitting a plurality of vapors, comprising:
 a plurality of reservoirs;   a plurality of nozzles, respectively operable connected to the plurality of reservoirs, each nozzle having a respective pump or valve configured to modulate a flow from the reservoir; and   an automated control, configured to modulate a flow from each reservoir to the respective nozzle.   
     
     
         11 . The system according to  claim 10 , wherein the pump or valve comprises at least one of a microelectromechanical system (MEMS), a piezoelectric device, a bubble jet device, and a pump. 
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 10 , wherein the automated control operable in accordance with a program, to provide a respective time-coded plume for each respective reservoir which varies in dependence on the program. 
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 10 , wherein the automated control is responsive to a wireless remote control signal. 
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 10 , wherein each of the plurality of reservoirs comprises a container having a puncturable seal, each reservoir being connected to a respective nozzle though a respective hollow protrusion configured to puncture the puncturable seal. 
     
     
         15 . A method for emitting a vapor, comprising:
 providing a reservoir, a nozzle, operatively connected to the reservoir, and a valve or pump configured to selectively control a time-varying flow from the reservoir through the nozzle;   dispensing a vapor from the nozzle in a plume; and   modulating the plume over time with an automated control.   
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the valve or pump comprises at least one of a microelectromechanical system (MEMS), a piezoelectric device, a bubble jet device, and an electromechanical pump. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the automated control is programable to provide a time-coded plume which varies in dependence on a program. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 15 , further comprising receiving a control signal from a remote control, and modulating the time-coded plume in response to the control signal. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 15 , further comprising:
 providing a second reservoir, a second nozzle, operatively connected to the second reservoir, and a second valve or pump configured to selectively control a time-varying flow from the second reservoir through the second nozzle;   dispensing a vapor from the second nozzle in a second plume; and   modulating the second plume over time with the automated control, wherein the plume and the second plum have a different modulation.   
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19 , further comprising receiving a control signal from a remote control, modulating the plume in response to the control signal, and modulating the second plume in response to the control signal.