Abstract: A self-shielded flux cored arc welding electrode is disclosed including a ferrous metal sheath and a core within the sheath enclosing core ingredients comprise a composition window of aluminum, manganese and rare earth metals in wires of about 2.0-3.0 wt. % [Al], 1.0-2.0 wt. % [Mn] and 0.001-0.11 wt. % rare earth metals or 0.001-0.5% rare earth metal oxides, such as, but not limited to, La, Ce, etc. Resulting welds include 0.7-1.0 wt. % [Al] and 1.1-1.5 wt. % [Mn]. Resulting welds have a maximum diffusible hydrogen content of 5 mL/100 g or less, Resulting welds also have a Charpy V-notch toughness at ?40° F. of at least 100 ft-lbs.

Abstract: A non-radioactive source for Atmospheric Pressure Ionization is described. The electron-beam sealed tube uses a pyroelectric crystal(s). One end of the crystal is grounded while the other end has a metallic cap with sharp feature to generate an electron beam of a given energy. The rate of heating and/or cooling of the crystal is used to control the current generated from a tube. A heating and/or cooling element such as a Peltier element is useful for controlling the rate of cooling of the crystal. A thin window that is transparent to electrons but impervious to gases is needed in order to prolong the life of the tube and allow the extraction of the electrons. If needed, multiple crystals with independent heaters can be used to provide continuous operation of the device. Dielectric shielding of the pyroelectric crystal is used to minimize discharge of the crystal.

Abstract: A non-radioactive source for Atmospheric Pressure Ionization is described. The electron-beam sealed tube uses a pyroelectric crystal(s). One end of the crystal is grounded while the other end has a metallic cap with sharp feature to generate an electron beam of a given energy. The rate of heating and/or cooling of the crystal is used to control the current generated from a tube. A heating and/or cooling element such as a Peltier element is useful for controlling the rate of cooling of the crystal. A thin window that is transparent to electrons but impervious to gases is needed in order to prolong the life of the tube and allow the extraction of the electrons. If needed, multiple crystals with independent heaters can be used to provide continuous operation of the device. The energy of the electrons can be determined through the appropriate choice of the radius of curvature of the sharp feature and the gap between the sharp feature and the window, while the opposite side of the crystal is at low voltage.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a thermally optimized cold cathode heater in which a heater wire is disposed in a plurality of turns are shown. Turns of the plurality of turns are closely spaced to concentrate heat in an area of a host cathode device corresponding to a cold cathode position and turns of the plurality of turns are disposed to minimize introduction of heat in an area of the host cathode device not corresponding to the cold cathode position.

Abstract: A solar/thermal radiation cell device comprising at least two parallel metal or semiconductor plates of equal or unequal dimensions separated by an air or an insulated gap and based on an insulator slab for producing electricity from solar energy. Multiple cells are arranged in a stack and connected in series and/or parallel to cascade the electrical energy obtained.

Abstract: An improved pyroelectric material comprises a polycrystalline material doped with at least one donor element such that the polycrystalline material has a grain size less than 10 .mu.m (or 5 .mu.m) and a Figure of Merit greater than 90 nC/(cm.sup.2.K). In the preferred embodiments the polycrystalline material is barium strontium titanate or calcium-substituted barium strontium titanate. The donor element may be Nb, Ta, Bi, Sb, Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er or a combination thereof. The material may additionally be doped with an acceptor such as Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ru, Al, Ga, Mg, Sc, K, Na, U, In, Mg, Ni, Yb or a combination thereof to control the resistivity. Other structures and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A thermionic energy converter comprises an emitter, a transparent collector support generally parallel to an emitting surface of the emitter, a conductive film collector from about 10 to about 3,000 Angstroms in thickness covering a support surface of the collector support, and an enclosure for maintaining a controlled atmosphere in the gap between the conductive film collector and the emitting surface. According to another embodiment an improvement is set forth in a thermionic energy converter comprising an emitter, a collector and an enclosure adapted to maintain a controlled atmosphere in the emitter-collector gap. The improvement comprises an insulator post supportingly attaching the emitter and the collector. The embodiments are advantageously used together.

Abstract: A novel pyroelectric material is provided by doping lead germanate with barium to provide the composition Pb.sub.5-x Ba.sub.x Ge.sub.3 O.sub.11 0<x.ltoreq. 0.5. The material has a pyroelectric coefficient comparable to that of triglycine sulphate (TGS).