Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide materials, devices and arrays of integrated sensor assembly, as well as methods for forming and using such devices and arrays in sensing systems. In one embodiment, the integrated sensor assembly can include an interconnecting member and at least one sensor member connected with the interconnecting member at any location thereof. Each of the sensor member and the interconnecting member can include a core element and a polymer. The core element for the sensor member and the core element for the interconnecting member can be electrically interconnected. Various embodiments can also include a connector member connected to the interconnecting member for transmitting sensing signals from or to the sensor member.

Abstract: A light-transmissive transfer belt used in the system for determining toner mass amount and methods for making the belt. A system and method, using the transparent transfer belt, is capable of determining an amount of toner mass present on a toner application surface, and the real-time adjustment of parameters controlling xerographic transfer performance in the system. The system comprises transmission-based sensors alone and in combination with reflective-based sensors.

Abstract: A light-transmissive transfer belt used in the system for determining toner mass amount and methods for making the belt. A system and method, using the transparent transfer belt, is capable of determining an amount of toner mass present on a toner application surface, and the real-time adjustment of parameters controlling xerographic transfer performance in the system. The system comprises transmission-based sensors alone and in combination with reflective-based sensors.

Abstract: A fluid jet based micromachining device and method include a workpiece, and fluid jets directing synchronized forces at the workpiece so as to converge forces at a dynamic contact zone on the workpiece and provide mechanical support to the workpiece during periods of contact with the fluid jets.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, there are temperature sensing and temperature control devices and methods of making them. The temperature sensing and control devices can include a composite member, the composite member including a non-metallic binder material, and one or more non-metallic, electrically conductive fibers disposed in the non-metallic binder material. The temperature sensing and control devices can also include a plurality of contacts disposed on the one or more non-metallic, electrically conductive fibers, wherein the composite member has a substantially continuous decrease in electrical resistance with an increase in temperature.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a component comprising a substantially homogeneous composition of at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of epoxies, acetals, polyesters, non-ionic rubbers, non-ionic polyurethanes, polyether sulfones, polyether ether ketones, polyether imides, polystyrenes, polyethylene terephthalates, polyamides, polyimides, polyvinylchlorides, polyphenylene oxides, polycarbonates, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene terpolymers, silicones, fluropolymers, and polyolefins, a filler, and a metal plating catalyst. A method of making a component also is described comprising obtaining a polymeric material, a liquid, a filler and a metal plating catalyst; combining the metal plating catalyst with the polymeric material, liquid, and filler to form a substantially homogeneous mixture; and evaporating and/or curing the mixture to form a solidified component.

Abstract: A charging device comprises first and second electrodes forming a charging zone. A plurality of nanostructures adhere to at least one of the first and second electrodes. A charging voltage supply couples to the electrodes to support the formation of gaseous ions in the charging zone. An aperture electrode or grid proximate to the first and second electrodes is coupled to a grid control voltage supply which grid control voltage supply, in turn, controls a flow of gaseous ions from the charging zone to thereby charge a proximately-located receptor. In one embodiment, the charging voltage supply is arranged to provide a pulsed-voltage waveform. In one variation of this embodiment, the pulsed-voltage waveform comprises a pulsed-DC waveform. In another embodiment, the charging voltage supply is arranged to provide an alternating-current waveform. In one embodiment, the charging device itself is comprised in an image forming device.

Abstract: This is a charging assembly that is useful in marking processes with an electrostatically charged surface. The assembly includes, besides the charger, a controller and an electric field probe. Charge and current flows can be detected by the probe and corrected immediately after detection of flaws by the probe and conveyed to the controller. If flaws in the charger are determined by the probe, corrections are made to the output by a controller; this is done before a final copy or print is made. The term flaws as used means any non-uniform appearing region in the printed image or any otherwise unacceptable defect. The probe is enabled to detect and indicate flaws and the controller which is in communication with the probe takes corrective action on the flaws. The probe used is a novel probe having two sensing elements surrounded by one or more reference electrodes.

Abstract: An electrical component including an electrically conductive composition including a pyrrolized carbon-based material coated with a conductive polymer is disclosed.

Abstract: A fluid jet based micromachining device and method include a workpiece, and fluid jets directing synchronized forces at the workpiece so as to converge forces at a dynamic contact zone on the workpiece and provide mechanical support to the workpiece during periods of contact with the fluid jets.

Abstract: A microbial fuel cell includes a cell housing having first and second chambers. The first chamber is adapted for containing a fluid including a biomas. The second chamber is adapted for containing an oxygenated fluid. A cathode extends into the cell housing second chamber. An electrode assembly includes a bound segment and an anode segment extending into the cell housing first chamber. The electrode assembly has multiple, substantially aligned, fibers. The outer surfaces of the fibers of the anode segment are adapted for receiving a biofilm.

Abstract: A microbial fuel cell includes a cell housing having first and second chambers. The first chamber is adapted for containing a fluid including a biomass. The second chamber is adapted for containing an oxygenated fluid. A cathode extends into the cell housing second chamber and an anode segment of an electrode assembly extends into the cell housing first chamber. The electrode assembly has multiple, substantially aligned, fibers. The outer surfaces of the fibers of the anode segment are adapted for receiving a biofilm.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide charging systems and methods for effectively delivering charges onto a receptor. The charging system can include a low velocity gas stream, an emitter assembly for providing cathode-to-anode field bias to generate charges from the low velocity gas stream, and an emitter-to-receptor (e.g., photoreceptor) electric bias to enhance the charge delivery to the receptor. The disclosed charging systems and methods can be used to achieve an optimal charging performance at a low projected cost for any suitable receptor that needs to be charged. Exemplary receptors can include a photoreceptor (PR) such as a belt PR or a drum PR, a toner layer, a sheet of media on which toner can be deposited, or a transfer belt in an electrophotographic printing machine.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide precision resistive composite members and methods for manufacturing and using them. The resistive composite member can have controllable dimensions, geometric shapes, mechanical properties and resistance values. The resistive composite member can be used for high-performance sensors or instrument probes that require, for example, high contact pressure, ultra-high frequency, and/or enable state-of-the-art digital signal transmission, characterization, or measurement. The resistive composite member can include one or more “twisted-fiber-tow” or one or more arrays of “twisted-fiber-tow” contained in a suitable non-metallic or essentially non-metallic binder material. The “twisted-fiber-tow” can further include a number of fibers that are twisted individually and/or in bundles in order to control the mechanical properties and fine-tune the resistance of the resistive composite member and thus to customize the high-performance instrument probes.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide composite materials, methods for making and processing these materials, and systems for using the composite materials. The disclosed composite material (or composite member) can include fiber-like and/or particulate materials incorporated within a binder polymer. For example, the composite member can include fibril-shaped, semi-conductive elements that are contained in a suitable binder polymer to achieve a particular resistance value, wherein the fibrils can be integrated and interlinked in a manner as to create an array of resistive elements that precisely define and control current flows through the related device. The composite member can therefore have resistive characteristics and, none or neglectablely low amount of capacitive or inductive characteristics. The composite member can be used in electric test market, e.g., as high performance, dynamic probes/sensors for very frequency and/or complex mixed-frequency signals.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, there are electron emitters, charging devices, and methods of forming them. An electron emitter array can include a plurality of nanostructures, each of the plurality of nanostructures can include a first end and a second end, wherein the first end can be connected to a first electrode and the second end can be positioned to emit electrons, and wherein each of the plurality of nanostructures can be formed of one or more of oxidation resistant metals, doped metals, metal alloys, metal oxides, doped metal oxides, and ceramics. The electron emitter array can also include a second electrode in close proximity to the first electrode, wherein one or more of the plurality of nanostructures can emit electrons in a gas upon application of an electric field between the first electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: A nanocomposite composition includes aerogel components and polymeric components and is capable of absorbing water in an amount that is less than an amount that can be absorbed by the polymeric resin components. The nanocomposite has decreased hydrophilicity and improved mechanical and electrical characteristics. Charging members, such as bias transfer rolls and bias transfer belts, include the nanocomposite material.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electrical component comprising a segment having a diameter in the range of about 1 micrometers to about 10 cm, the segment comprising a plurality of non-metallic, resistive fibers in a non-metallic binder. The segment is precisely trimmed to impart to the segment an electrical resistance within 1% of the desired resistance value. A manufacturing system and methods of manufacturing components having precise specifications also are disclosed.

Abstract: This is an electronic scanning probe, preferably made up of at least two sensing elements, each sensing element substantially surrounded by reference electrodes. These sensing elements are separated at a distance that causes little or no cross-interference to take place between these sensing elements when positioned in concert with a surface of interest. Ideally, this probe is used in electrostatic marking systems where an electrostatic charge is placed onto a receiving surface.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, there is an electrophotographic charging device including a first electrode, a second electrode adjacent the first electrode, a plurality of nanostructures adhering to the first electrode, and voltage supplies electrically connected to the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the voltage difference between the first electrode and the second electrode creates a high electric field at the nanostructures to cause charge species generation that is deposited on a receptor.