Abstract: A method is disclosed for making a nano-size semiconductor component within a wide-bandgap semiconductor substrate. A first thermal energy beam is directed onto a first portion of the wide-bandgap semiconductor substrate to change the structure of the wide-bandgap semiconductor substrate into a first element of the semiconductor component. A second thermal energy beam is directed onto a second portion of the wide-bandgap semiconductor substrate adjacent to the first portion to form a second element of the semiconductor component.

Abstract: A laser apparatus and methods are disclosed for synthesizing areas of wide-bandgap semiconductor substrates or thin films, including wide-bandgap semiconductors such as silicon carbide, aluminum nitride, gallium nitride and diamond to produce electronic devices and circuits such as integral electronic circuit and components thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for drawing continuous metallic wire having a first diameter to a metallic fiber having a reduced second diameter. A feed mechanism moves the wire at a first linear velocity. A laser beam heats a region of the wire to an elevated temperature. A draw mechanism draws the heated wire at a second and greater linear velocity for providing a drawn metallic fiber having the reduced second diameter.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for drawing continuous metallic wire having a first diameter to a metallic fiber having a reduced second diameter. A feed mechanism moves the wire at a first linear velocity. A laser beam heats a region of the wire to an elevated temperature. A draw mechanism draws the heated wire at a second and greater linear velocity for providing a drawn metallic fiber having the reduced second diameter.

Abstract: A laser apparatus and methods are disclosed for synthesizing areas of wide-bandgap semi-conductor substrates or thin films, including wide-bandgap semiconductors such as silicon carbide, aluminum nitride, gallium nitride and diamond to produce electronic devices and circuits such as integral electronic circuit and components thereof.

Abstract: An improved seal and method of making is disclosed for sealing a filter element to a filter mounting. The improved seal comprises a bonding pad formed from a sintered matrix of randomly oriented metallic fiber. The bonding pad is disposed between the filter element and the filter mounting A mechanical fastener coacts between the filter element and the filter mounting for compressing the bonding pad to provide a seal between the filter element and the filter mounting. The bonding pad may be heated to create a frangible seal.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for making ultra fine fibers comprising forming a continuous cladding about a plurality of coated metallic wires. The cladding is drawn for reducing the outer diameter and for diffusion bonding the coating within the cladding. A plurality of the drawn claddings are assembled and a second cladding is formed the remainders. The second cladding is drawn for further reducing the outer diameter. The sacrificial coating and the claddings are removed to obtain a plurality of ultra fine fibers. In some embodiments, the ultra fine fibers are converted through a doping process.

Abstract: An improved formed membrane and process of making is disclosed comprising the deposition of fine metallic fibers onto a formed substrate. The deposited fine fibers accumulate on the formed substrate to form a formed layer of membrane material. Catalytically active particles can be dispersed with the fine fibers. A nonporous mask can be applied to a portion of the formed substrate. The formed layer of membrane material is sintered for forming the formed membrane.

Abstract: An improved tubular membrane and process of making is disclosed comprising the deposition of fine metallic fibers onto a substrate. The deposited fine metallic fibers are heated to form a flexible membrane. Catalytically active particles can be dispersed with the fine metallic fibers. The flexible membrane is wound to form a membrane winding. The membrane winding is sintered for forming a substantially rigid tubular membrane.

Abstract: A micro fuel cell array and method of making is disclosed for providing electrical power to an electrical load upon flow of a first and a second gas. The micro fuel cell array comprises an array of the fuel cell elements each comprising a first electrode element surrounded by a second electrode element with an electrolyte interposed therebetween. The array is drawn for miniaturizing the array and for electrically interconnecting the second electrode elements to form a second fuel cell electrode for connection to the electrical load. The first fuel cell elements are interconnected by a first electrode element for connection to the electrical load.

Abstract: A process for making fine and ultra-fine metallic fibers is disclosed comprising arranging a multiplicity of metallic wires to form an assembly of the metallic wires. The assembly of the metallic wires is wrapped with a wrapping material to form a wrapped assembly. A plurality of the wrapped assemblies are inserted into a tube for providing a cladding. The cladding is drawn for reducing the outer diameter thereof and for reducing the cross-section of each of the multiplicity of metallic wires within the cladding to transform the multiplicity of metallic wires into a multiplicity of fine or ultra-fine metallic fibers. The cladding is removed for providing the multiplicity of fine or ultra-fine metallic fibers. In one example, the metallic wires are coated with a coating material formed from the same material as the wrapping material and the cladding material.

Abstract: The process for making fine metallic mesh is disclosed comprising the steps of cladding an array of metallic wires with an array cladding material to provide an array cladding. The array cladding is drawn for reducing the diameter thereof and for reducing the corresponding diameters of each of the metallic wires for producing a clad array of fine metallic fibers within the array cladding. The array cladding is fashioned into a mesh by weaving, braiding, crocheting and the like thereby forming a series of bends in the clad array for reducing interaction between adjacent portions of the array cladding. The array cladding material is removed for producing fine metallic mesh from the array of the fine metallic fibers.

Abstract: An improved gas burner for a gas burner assembly and method of making is disclosed comprising a porous burner element extending between a first and a second end. The porous burner element comprises a sintered matrix of metallic fibers. A first end cap is formed from a rigid metallic material and is secured to the first end of the porous burner element. A second end cap comprises a sintered matrix of metallic fibers. The second end cap is secured to the second end of the porous burner element solely by the metallic fibers of the porous burner element bonding with the metallic fibers of the second end cap. In another embodiment of the invention, the porous burner element has a plurality of pleats for increasing the surface area of the porous burner element.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for making a capacitor comprising a first capacitor plate element covered with a spacing material selected for forming a capacitor dielectric. The first capacitor plate element and the spacing material is encased with a second capacitor element. The second capacitor plate element is drawn for reducing the outer diameter thereof. A multiplicity of the capacitor elements are inserted within a second capacitor plate connector. The second capacitor plate connector is drawn for reducing the outer diameter of the metallic tube and for electrically interconnecting the multiplicity of the second capacitor plate elements with the second capacitor plate connector to form a second capacitor plate. The multiplicity of the first capacitor elements are interconnected with a first capacitor plate connector to form a first capacitor plate. The spacing material is replaced with a dielectric material to form the capacitor thereby.

Abstract: The invention relates to fine metallic alloy fibers and the process of making the fine metallic alloy fiber comprising the steps of forming a first and a second metallic alloy component into a composite having a physical configuration suitable for a drawing process. The composite is drawn to provide a fine composite fiber formed from the first and second metallic alloy components. A portion of one of the first and second alloy components is removed to provide a proper volumetric relationship between the first and second metallic alloy components for producing a desired metallic alloy. The fine composite fiber is heated for converting the remainder of the first and second metallic alloy components into the desired metallic alloy to provide the fine metallic alloy fiber.

Abstract: The process for making fine metallic mesh is disclosed comprising the steps of cladding an array of metallic wires with an array cladding material to provide an array cladding. The array cladding is drawn for reducing the diameter thereof and for reducing the corresponding diameters of each of the metallic wires for producing a clad array of fine metallic fibers within the array cladding. The array cladding is fashioned into a mesh by weaving, braiding, crocheting and the like thereby forming a series of bends in the clad array for reducing interaction between adjacent portions of the array cladding. The array cladding material is removed for producing fine metallic mesh from the array of the fine metallic fibers.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for drawing continuous metallic wire having a first diameter to a metallic fiber having a reduced second diameter. A feed mechanism moves the wire at a first linear velocity. A laser beam heats a region of the wire to an elevated temperature. A draw mechanism draws the heated wire at a second and greater linear velocity for providing a drawn metallic fiber having the reduced second diameter.

Abstract: An apparatus and process is disclosed for making fine metallic fiber tow comprising the steps of cladding an array of metallic wires with an array cladding material to provide an array cladding. The array cladding is drawn for reducing the diameter thereof and for reducing the corresponding diameters of each of the metallic wires of the array within the array cladding for producing an array of fine metallic fibers. A series of bends is formed in the array cladding. The array cladding is placed onto a support with the series of bends creating spaces between adjacent portions of the array cladding to minimize the number of direct contacts between adjacent portions of the array cladding. The array cladding material is removed for producing metallic fiber tow. The apparatus of the present invention forms the bends in the array cladding.

Abstract: An improved seal and method of making is disclosed for sealing a filter element to a filter mounting. The improved seal comprises a bonding pad formed from a sintered matrix of randomly oriented metallic fiber. The bonding pad is disposed between the filter element and the filter mounting A mechanical fastener coacts between the filter element and the filter mounting for compressing the bonding pad to provide a seal between the filter element and the filter mounting. The bonding pad may be heated to create a frangible seal.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for making fine metallic alloy fibers from a metallic alloy wire having plural alloy components and encompassed by a cladding material. Preferably, the cladding material is tightened about the metallic alloy wire in the presence of an inert atmosphere. The cladding is drawn for reducing the outer diameter thereof to provide a drawn cladding encompassing a fine metallic alloy fiber. The cladding material is removed for providing the fine metallic alloy fiber. A portion of the cladding material diffuses into the fine metallic alloy fiber. The cladding material may be selected for providing a fine metallic alloy fiber formed from a new alloy material and/or providing a fine metallic alloy fiber having surface properties in accordance with the properties of the selected cladding material.