Abstract: A ferroelectric varactor suitable for capacitive shunt switching is disclosed. High resistivity silicon with a SiO2 layer and a patterned metallic layer deposited on top is used as the substrate. A ferroelectric thin-film layer deposited on the substrate is used for the implementation of the varactor. A top metal electrode is deposited on the ferroelectric thin-film layer forming a CPW transmission line. By using the capacitance formed by the large area ground conductors in the top metal electrode and bottom metallic layer, a series connection of the ferroelectric varactor with the large capacitor defined by the ground conductors is created. The large capacitor acts as a short to ground, eliminating the need for vias. The varactor shunt switches can be used to create a bandpass filter and a tunable notch filter. The bandpass filter is implemented by cascading the switches, and the bandpass filter implemented through the use of a resonance circuit.

Abstract: Varactor shunt switches based on a nonlinear dielectric tunability of BaxSr(1?x)TiO3 (BST) thin-film on a sapphire substrates are presented. Nanostructured BST thin-films with dielectric tunability as high as 4.3:1 can be obtained on sapphire substrates, with very low loss-tangents below 0.025 at zero-bias and 20 GHz. The large capacitance of the varactor at zero bias can shunt the input signal to ground isolating the output port, resulting in the OFF state. When applying a bias voltage of approximately 10 V (a dc electric field of ˜250 kV/cm), the varactor's capacitance can be reduced to a minimum, allowing maximum transmission to the output resulting in the ON state. The microwave switching performance of the varactor shunt switch can be compared with the RF MEMS switches for potential applications at microwave and millimeterwave frequencies.

Abstract: A ferroelectric varactor suitable for capacitive shunt switching is disclosed. High resistivity silicon with a SiO2 layer and a patterned metallic layer deposited on top is used as the substrate. A ferroelectric thin-film layer deposited on the substrate is used for the implementation of the varactor. A top metal electrode is deposited on the ferroelectric thin-film layer forming a CPW transmission line. By using the capacitance formed by the large area ground conductors in the top metal electrode and bottom metallic layer, a series connection of the ferroelectric varactor with the large capacitor defined by the ground conductors is created. The large capacitor acts as a short to ground, eliminating the need for vias. The concept of switching ON and OFF state is based on the dielectric tunability of the ferroelectric thin-films. At 0 V, the varactor has the highest capacitance value, resulting in the signal to be shunted to ground, thus isolating the output from the input.

Abstract: Nanometer-sized non-superconducting particulates in superconductive REBCO films, where RE is a rare earth metal, for flux pinning enhancement and a method of forming are disclosed. A target with a second phase material sector portion and a superconductive material portion is used in a pulse laser deposition process to form films on substrates according to the present invention. The films consist of 10-20 nm-sized precipitates. In a 0.5 ?m thick film, a transport critical current density (Jc)>3 MA/cm2 at 77K in self-field was measured. In one embodiment, magnetization Jc at 77 K and 65K showed significant improvements in a composite YBCO films with fine precipitates produced according to the present invention as compared to non-doped (standard) YBCO films (>10 times increase at 9 T, 65 K).

Abstract: System and method of providing improved signal compression using frame decimation through frame simplification and generating an encoded bitstream of video frames therefrom are disclosed. The encoding method comprises zeroing a difference frame generated by an encoder by using a feedback loop that injects a reconstructed frame, generated by the encoder of the difference frame, as a next frame of the video frames to be processed by the encoder. The encoding system comprises an input configured to provide a stream of video frames; a first process configured to generate a difference frame, and a second process configured to generate a reconstructed frame. A feedback loop of the system is configured to inject a generated reconstructed frame from the second process of a generated difference frame from the first process as a next frame of the video frames in the stream to be processed into the encoded bitstream by the encoding system.

Abstract: A resonant sensor for detecting a specific environmental analyte is presented. The resonant sensor comprises a top conductive layer of two ground conductors and a center signal line, a bottom conductive layer of two ground lines shunted together by a shunt line and a sensing layer positioned between the top conductive layer and the bottom conductive layer. A capacitor is created by the overlap of the center signal line of the top conductive layer and the shunt line of the bottom conductive layer. Electrical properties of the sensing layer change in response to binding the specific environmental analyte with the sensing layer. The sensing layer can be an electro-optic polymer. Nanoparticles or carbon nanotubes can be dispersed within the sensing layer to bind with the specific environmental analyte. An integrated antenna can be incorporated into to sensor to receive radio frequencies for wireless, passive sensing.

Abstract: Liquid-free lithium-air cells are provided which incorporate a solid electrolyte having enhanced ionic transport and catalytic activity. The solid electrolyte is positioned between a lithium anode and an oxygen cathode, and comprises a glass-ceramic and/or a polymer-ceramic electrolyte including a dielectric additive.

Abstract: A ceramic-ceramic nanocomposite electrolyte having enhanced conductivity is provided. The nancomposite electrolyte is formed from chemically stabilized zirconia such as yttria stabilized zirconia or scandia stabilized zirconia and a heterogeneous ceramic dopant material such as Al2O3, TiO2, MgO, BN, or Si3N4. The nanocomposite electrolyte is formed by doping the chemically stabilized zirconia with the ceramic dopant material and pressing and sintering the composite. The resulting electrolyte has a bulk conductivity of from about 0.10 to about 0.50 S/cm at about 600° C. to about 900° C. and may be incorporated into a solid oxide fuel cell.

Abstract: A compliant column sheath assembly for use in a gas chromatograph is provided which includes an open tubular column in the form of a helical coil having a coiled lengt of between about 5 and 15 cm. The sheath assembly further includes an insulating sheath which surrounds the open tubular column and a frame. When incorporated in a gas chromatograph, the compliant column sheath assembly allows samples to be analyzed in about 2 to 10 seconds.

Abstract: A method of growing carbon nanomaterials such as carbon ?anotubes, carbon nanofibers, and carbon whiskers on a variety of substrates is provided which includes exposing at least a portion of the substrate surface to an oxidizing gas, followed by forming catalysts on the substrate surface, either by immersing the carbon substrate in a catalyst solution or by electrodeposition. The treated substrate is then subjected to chemical vapor deposition to facilitate the growth of carbon nanomaterials on the surface thereof. The carbon nanomaterials may be grown on a variety of substrates including carbon substrates, graphite, metal, metal alloys, intermetallic compounds, glass, fiberglass, and ceramic substrates.

Abstract: A corrosion-inhibiting coating, process, and system that provides a tight, adherent zinc- or zinc-alloy coating that is directly deposited onto steel or cast iron surfaces for enhanced corrosion protection. A process for applying the coating is also provided. The process includes the application of two sequential aqueous baths. The first bath contains a precursor zinc compound while the second bath contains a reducing agent to deposit the zinc directly upon the steel or cast iron.

Abstract: An electroless deposition method of depositing metal nanoparticles onto conductive substrates such as carbon nanotubes is provided. The carbon nanotubes are provided on a support comprising a metal substrate and then immersed in an aqueous solution containing metal ions. The metal substrate metal has a redox potential which is lower than that of the metal ions in solution such that the metal ions are readily reduced into metal nanoparticles on the carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: A device and method for measuring the quality of a vehicle oil change and the condition of oil obtained during an oil change is provided which includes an oil measurement compartment and at least one coolant sensor. The oil measurement compartment includes a conductivity sensor including a pair of horizontal parallel wires and a pair of vertical parallel wires which are capable of measuring the quantity, temperature, and conductivity of the drained oil. The coolant sensor is comprised of a hydrophilic material in contact with a permanent surface comprised of two spaced apart metal wires or traces. The coolant sensor measures the viscosity, coolant concentration, and overall condition of the oil.

Abstract: A method of making an asymmetric end-functionalized carbon nanotube film is described. The method includes providing a carbon nanotube film having a first end and a second end; contacting the first end of the carbon nanotube film with a first reactive medium; reacting the first end of the carbon nanotube film with the first reactive medium by a first physicochemical process; contacting the second end of the carbon nanotube film with a second reactive medium, wherein the first reactive medium is different from the second reactive medium; and reacting the second end of the carbon nanotube film with the second reactive medium by a second physicochemical process.

Abstract: A nanocomposite dry adhesive. The nanocomposite dry adhesive includes a substrate; and an array of vertically aligned single-walled carbon nanotubes or vertically aligned multi-walled carbon nanotubes on the substrate, wherein the nanocomposite dry adhesive utilizes the array of single-walled carbon nanotubes or multi-walled carbon nanotubes as synthesized, the as synthesized single-walled carbon nanotubes being substantially free of randomly entangled nanotube segments on top of the vertically aligned single-walled carbon nanotubes, the as synthesized multi-walled carbon nanotubes having randomly entangled nanotube segments on top of the vertically aligned multi-walled carbon nanotubes; wherein the dry adhesive has a normal adhesion strength of at least about 5 N·cm?2, and a shear adhesion strength of at least about 13 N·cm?2. Methods of making a nanocomposite dry adhesive are also described.

Abstract: A non-contact acousto-thermal method and apparatus are provided for detection of incipient damage in materials. The apparatus utilizes an ultrasonic horn which receives an acoustic wave generated by an ultrasonic transducer energized by an RF pulse. The ultrasonic horn is placed at a distance from the sample to be tested with sufficient gap so that when excited, the face of the ultrasonic horn does not come into contact with the sample. An IR camera is placed at a distance from the opposite side of the sample. The acoustic wave is amplified by the ultrasonic horn, and the interaction between the sample and the acoustic wave produces changes in the temperature of the sample in the region of interaction during acoustic excitation such that the temperature of the material rapidly increases. The temperature-time profile is captured by the IR camera and may be analyzed by a data acquisition unit.

Abstract: A polymer-carbon nanomaterial composite. The composite includes a polymer matrix; and plasma-modified carbon nanomaterials having surface functional groups attached thereto, wherein the carbon nanomaterial is selected from carbon nanotubes, carbon nanofibers, carbon nanoparticles, carbon black, nanodiamond, fullerenes, or combinations thereof. The invention also involves a method of making a polymer-carbon nanomaterial composite, and a method of modifying carbon nanomaterials.

Abstract: Rinsing or sealing solutions comprising a rare earth element and a valence stabilizer for barrier films. The treated films contain a rare earth/valence stabilizer complex. The rare earth element is selected from cerium, praseodymium, terbium, or combinations thereof, and at least one rare earth element is in the tetravalent oxidation state. The rinsing or sealing solution may also contain an optional preparative or solubility control agent. The oxidized rare earth element is present in the coating in a “sparingly soluble” form. The valence stabilizers can be either inorganic or organic in nature. A number of rare earth/valence stabilizer combinations that match the performance of conventional hexavalent chromium systems are presented.

Abstract: Conversion coatings comprising a rare earth element and a valence stabilizer combined to form a rare earth/valence stabilizer complex are described for substrate metals. The rare earth element is selected from cerium, praseodymium, terbium, or combinations thereof, and at least one rare earth element is in the tetravalent oxidation state. The coating bath may also contain a preparative or solubility control agent. The oxidized cerium, praseodymium or terbium is present in the coating in a “sparingly soluble” form. The valence stabilizers can be either inorganic or organic in nature. A number of cerium, praseodymium, or terbium/valence stabilizer combinations are presented that can equal the performance of conventional hexavalent chromium systems.

Abstract: A sensor comprising: at least one sensor probe comprising: a pair of electrodes; a vertically aligned nanotube disposed between the pair of electrodes; optionally a piezoelectric polymer on the nanotube; and optionally, a field source for generating a field, the field source operatively connected to the pair of electrodes; whereby when the sensor probe is contacted, a change in the field occurs or electricity is generated. Methods of using the sensors are also described.