Jul. 15, 2010  27  US 2010/0179368 Al  aqueous mixtures of the invention to pseudoplastic non-New› tonian solutions for use with a range of high performance  nozzles including, but not limited to, ultrasonic nozzles.  [0220]  Surface active components of the organic/aqueous  mixtures are also useful for forming microemulsion fogs that  enhance aerosol decontamination by increasing (i) the rates  oftoxant hydrolysis, (ii) the aerosol persistence of the decon› taminating solution when dispersed through high perfor› mance nozzles; and (iii) the area covered per unit volume of  decontaminant. The surfactant components can also form  microemulsion sprays that enhance surface decontamination  when dispersed through high performance nozzles. In this  case, the surface active components form a thin film that holds  the decontamination solution on the surface to be decontami› nated. Thus, other embodiments of the present invention  include methods of forming microemulsion fogs or sprays  when dispersed through high performance nozzles.  [  0221]  One embodiment of the present invention are decon› tamination solutions with minimum viscosity at the disper› sion nozzle, but optimum viscosity for diffusion and retention  on the target surface Such formulations produce medium  sized droplets with no change in droplet size with speed,  pressure, flow fluctuations, and temperature. To compare  droplet sizes produced by different nozzle designs, droplet  diameters derived using the same assessment method must be  used. FIG.  10  shows how droplet size is determined. Viscosity  and surface tension are the two main factors that influence  droplet size. Generally, as viscosity or surface tension is  increased, the forces required to generate droplets increases.  This increase in required force results in less energy available  for atomization. Hence, viscous liquids or those with high  surface tension tend to form more coarse droplets. Moreover,  as flow rate increases, an increase in droplet size is also  observed. In the case of air atomizers, increasing the shear  velocity of the liquid will decrease droplet size. The shear  velocity is a function of viscosity.  [0222]  According to certain aspects of the invention, meth› ods of decontaminating toxants can use a decontamination  solution comprising an aqueous/organic solution providing  certain capabilities. Specifically, the solution can rapidly dis› solve full threat loads of toxants in a homogeneous, isotropic  solution; can rapidly dissolve reactive oxygen species or their  dry sources in sufficient concentrations to rapidly and com› pletely hydrolyze or otherwise neutralize full threat; can rap› idly dissolve loads oftoxants in small volume ratios of decon› taminant solution to toxant; and can remain a low viscosity  liquid with a low vapor pressure from about 125°  F. to about  -25°  F. Further, the solution can also improve the reaction  kinetics of decontamination; can minimize the volume ratio  of decontamination solution/toxant for greater efficacy; can  utilize surfactant/block co-polymer synergies to create non› Newtonian solutions; and can minimize damage to sensitive  equipment (e.g., electronics and specialized materials). The  solution should also have a sufficiently low vapor pressure  and high flash point, to ensure easy and safe shipping, storage,  and use. In addition, ease of cleanup and disposal of the  solution and the toxant by-products is desirable, as are envi› ronmental safety and biodegradability.  [0223]  Another aspect of the invention relates to systems  comprising the decontaminants of the instant invention. One  system configuration for any of the polyol based formulations  can comprise four parts: the base mix, at least one liquid  activator (which may be two liquid activators), and a dry  activator. This format is known as a quaternary system (FIG.  13).  Alternative system configurations can comprise three  parts (a ternary kit) or two parts (a binary kit). The latter  system would include a base solution which contains all of the  components except either (i) the reactive oxygen species or its  source, or (ii) the liquid activator or dry activator or source  thereof. The binary system configuration of the present inven› tion (FIG.  14)  has the peroxy acid source(s) dissolved in their  stable unactivated states in the base mix, and the activator  source, in either its stable liquid or  dry  source, would be  contained in a separate container.  [0224]  The system components can be routinely supplied in  two, three, or four containers, depending upon the system  configuration. The components can be mixed on an as-needed  basis in the required volumes. In addition, the base mix can be  shipped fully diluted with water, or, in the case of the high  flash point polyol based formulations, shipped without the  water fraction. Certain embodiments of the invention com› prise mixed components as a solution ready for deployment.  Other embodiments include hardware for dispersal of decon› tamination solutions as either an aerosol fog or as a spray for  surface applications. Other embodiments of the invention use  the solutions as fogs or sprays to hydrolyze chemical toxants.  [0225]  The following examples illustrate concepts related  to the present invention.  [0226]  The melting point of a solution of 9% isopropyl  alcohol PA, 9% H$_{2}$O$_{2}$ ,  and 82% H$_{2}$O by volume can be  determined. CH 3 ----CH(CH 3 )-OH does not dissociate  appreciably and forms an ideal solution. 2 moles of hydrogen  peroxide are disproportionate  so the solute is CH 3 ----CH(CH 3 )-OH. The concentration of  CH 3 -CH(CH 3 )-OH is 8% v/v=80 ml/L; the density of  CH 3 -CH(CH 3 )-OH=0.7855 g/ml; the solution contains  0.7855 g/mlx80 ml=62.84 g; the molecular weight ofCH 3 - CH(CH3)-OH=60.10 g/M.  62.84 g/60.10 g/M=l.046  Moles is added to 920 ml water with a density of 1 g/ml. Then  ll  T=kfm=l.86°  C. kg mol-$^{1}$xl.137 molal=2.11 °  C. and the  freezing Point=(0-2.11)°  C.=-2.11 °  C.  [0227]  The amount of glycol (1,2-ethane-diol), C$_{2}$H$_{6}$O$_{2 }$ which must be added to 1.00 L of H$_{2}$O such that the solution  does not freeze above -20°  C. may be calculated as follows:  EXAMPLE2  EXAMPLE 1  llT  20.0° C.  m  =  ik1  =  1.86’ C. kg mo1-1  =  10.8 molal  where kf (H$_{2}$0)=1.86°  C. kg mol-1; llT=i kf m where i=l.  Since 1.0 Lhasa mass of 1.0 kg, 10.8 mo! of ethylene glycol  is needed, so 10.8 molx62 g/mol=670 grains of ethylene  glycol. The density of ethylene glycol is 1.1088. Therefore,  670 g/1.1088 g/mL=604 ml, which is dissolved in 1 L=6.04  ml in 10 ml. At this concentration, the viscosity of such a  solution renders it unusable for aerosol spraying.  [0228]  The amount of NaCl that must be added to 1.00 L of  H$_{2}$O to decrease the freezing point to -20°  C. can be calcu› lated:  EXAMPLE3 