Abstract: One embodiment of a method for producing a plurality of nanostructures embedded in a host comprising the steps of: assembling a first preform, drawing said first preform into a first fiber, cutting said first fiber into a plurality of pieces, assembling said pieces of said first fiber into a second preform, and drawing said second preform into a second fiber. The host is made of a low thermal conductivity material such as a polymer or combination of polymers. The host can assume the form of a plurality of nanotubes which further reduces the host's thermal conductivity due to enhanced phonon scattering. The host can exhibit anisotropic thermal conductivity which reduces its thermal conductivity perpendicular to the direction in which it was drawn. The nanostructure-host composite can be cut into pieces and assembled into efficient thermoelectric devices for use in cooling or electric power generation applications. Other embodiments are described and shown.

Abstract: A arcuate resistive sensor element is imprinted upon a ceramic substrate forming a wall of a ceramic body in which an electrolyte, advantageously silver nitrate dissolved in a mixture of methanol, water and butanol, is sealed. To avoid the effects of electroplating, an AC exciting voltage is applied between the ends of the sensor element which is bridged by a discharge resistor whose resistance is much lower than the internal resistance of the sensor element so as to dissipate any polarization caused by asymmetry of the voltage supply. A signal output is taken from a midpoint of the sensor element which is always immersed in the electrolyte so that the effect of any leakage current is minimized. Linearity of output with change in the tilt angle achieved with an illustrative embodiment has been measured at better than 99.9% in tilt angle range of −50 to +50 degrees.