Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to pressure sensors capable of operating at high temperatures. The present invention further relates to a high temperature pressure sensor with an improved gage factor. The present invention still further provides a pressure sensor with a smaller sized diaphragm, which is capable of reading higher pressures. The present invention also provides a method and sensor for detecting strain using shape memory alloys.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a forebody flow control system and more particularly to aircraft or missile flow control system for enhanced maneuverability and stabilization at high angles of attack. The present invention further relates to a method of operating the flow control system. In one embodiment, the present invention includes a missile or aircraft comprising an afterbody and a forebody; at least one deployable flow effector on the missile or aircraft forebody; at least one sensors each having a signal, the at least one sensor being positioned to detect flow separation on the missile or aircraft forebody; and a closed loop control system; wherein the closed loop control system is used for activating and deactivating the at least one deployable flow effector based on at least in part the signal of the at least one sensor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a flow control device and more particularly to reactive modular flow control device with deployable flow effectors. The present invention further relates to a method of operating the flow control device. One embodiment of the present invention includes a method of controlling air flow across a surface of an aircraft under certain flight conditions comprising the steps of sensing fluid separation from the surface by measuring the pressure on the surface; determining a standard deviation of the pressure measurements over a period of time; and deploying a flow of effector in response to the standard deviation of the pressure measurements exceeding a predetermined threshold number.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dry physiological recording electrode that can be used without skin preparation or the use of electrolytic gels. The dry physiological recording electrode comprising a substrate having an upper and a lower surface, and at least one penetrator(s) protruding from the upper surface of the substrate. The penetrator(s) is capable of piercing through the stratum corneum or outer layer of the skin, and transmitting an electric potential from the lower layers of the epidermis through the penetrator(s) which can be measured, or detecting agents from the lower layers of the epidmermis primarily the stratum germinativum layer. At least one epidermis stop may be provided resulting in the formation of detritus troughs interposed between adjacent penetrator(s) and epidermis stops. The present invention also includes a method of sensing biopotentials in the skin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dry penetrating device, one embodiment of which can be used as a physiological recording electrode that can be used without skin preparation or the use of electrolytic gels. The dry physiological recording electrode comprising a substrate having an upper and a lower surface, and at least one penetrator(s) protruding from the upper surface of the substrate. The penetrator(s) are capable of piercing through the stratum corneum or outer layer of the skin, and transmitting an electric potential from the lower layers of the epidermis through the penetrator(s) which can be measured, or detecting agents from the lower layers of the skin primarily the stratum germinativum layer. At least one epidermis stop may be provided resulting in the formation of detritus troughs interposed between adjacent penetrator(s) and epidermis stops. The present invention also includes a method of sensing biopotentials in the skin.

Abstract: The present invention is further directed to a refreshable display system with a flexible surface, with one application being a refreshable Braille display systems for use as a monitor for computer systems.

Abstract: A method and sensor for detecting strain using shape memory alloys is disclosed. The sensor comprises a substrate material, a flexible diaphragm provided on the substrate material and a thin film SMA material deposited on the flexible diaphragm. The thin film SMA material is capable of undergoing a phase transformation in response to a physical stimulus being applied thereto. During such a phase transformation, a change occurs in the electrical resistance of the thin film SMA material. By measuring the value of the electrical resistance of the thin film SMA material immediately before and after the thin film SMA material undergoes a phase transformation, the difference in the value of the electrical resistance can be determined and utilized to determine the magnitude of the physical stimulus that was applied to the thin film SMA material causing it to undergo a phase transformation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vitreous-bonded abrasive grinding wheel wherein the abrasive grit portion comprises a sol-gel alumina abrasive and wherein the wheel has improved corner or form holding characteristics and mechanical properties. The invention further includes the bond composition which allows for improved corner or form holding and mechanical properties with sol-gel alumina abrasives.

Abstract: A universal sampling device for retrieving samples of high and low viscosity substances at various depths and from specific portions of contained bodies of materials without being completely submerged therein, is disclosed. The sampling device is made of chemically inert material, has manually operable inlet and outlet vent valve means attached to opposite inlet and outlet ends of a relatively long tube into which the sample enters upon opening of the inlet and outlet valve means at the desired point in the substance to be tested. Means are provided for manually closing and opening of the inlet valve means such as pushing and pulling a valve stem by hand into sealingly engagement with an inlet valve body. Another method attaches a valve stem to an adjustable valve control rod extending upwardly through the tube and outlet valve means.

Abstract: A method of removing material from a surface comprising abrading a surface comprising the step of abrading a surface with an abrasive tool or an abrasive powder comprising a boron suboxide (BxO) composition, wherein during the abrading step the boron suboxide (BxO) composition is maintained at low temperatures. The abrasive which is from the boron suboxide (BxO) family of compounds exhibits an unexpectedly high quality of abrading comparable with the highest quality particulate natural and synthetic diamond, which has a hardness about double that of the boron suboxide (BxO) of the present invention.Further, the invention includes a lapping and polishing powder and lapping slurry wherein the powder is made from a dense, finely crystalline boron suboxide material with a Knoop hardness KHN.sub.100 of at least about 2800 kg/mm.sup.2 and preferably at least 3800 kg/mm.sup.2.

Abstract: A superhard form of boron suboxide comprises at least about 95% by weight B.sub.6 O and has a KNH.sub.100 value of at least about 3800 kg/mm.sup.2. In a preferred embodiment, the boron suboxide has an average grain size of about 0.1-40 microns. A method for forming the superhard boron suboxide comprises mixing boron oxide (B.sub.2 O.sub.3) and boron powder and subjecting the mixture to a temperature of 1500.degree. C. to about 2,200.degree. C. and a pressure sufficient to produce the superhard boron suboxide. The superhard boron suboxide may be made by this method with or without a sintering aid being present in the mixture of boron and boron oxide.