(19)

(11)

EP 0 876 606 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 11.11.1998 Bulletin 1998/46 (21) Application number: 96936099.0 (22) Date of filing: 27.09.1996

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  G01N 21/ 64( . ) G01N 30/ 84( . ) G01N 30/ 74( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/US1996/015729 (87) International publication number: WO 1997/012238 (03.04.1997 Gazette 1997/15)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (30) Priority: 28.09.1995 US 19950004438 (71) Applicant: GEORGIA TECH RESEARCH CORPORATION Atlanta, GA 30332-0415 (US)	(72) Inventor: HUGHES, Kenneth, David Marietta, GA 30068 (US) (74) Representative: Boff, James Charles, et al  c/o Phillips & Leigh 7 Staple Inn Holborn London WC1V 7QF London WC1V 7QF (GB)