Abstract: A polymer-carbon nanotube composite film is provided for use as a sensor for detecting chemical vapors. The composite film is formed by coating perpendicularly-aligned carbon nanotubes with a polymer selected from poly(vinyl acetate), poly(isoprene), or blends thereof. The sensor may be formed by attaching at least two electrodes to the polymer-carbon nanotube composite film. The sensor may be used in any applications where the sensor is capable of detecting a change in conductivity in the composite.

Abstract: A polymer-carbon nanotube composite film is provided for use as a sensor for detecting chemical vapors. The composite film is formed by coating perpendicularly-aligned carbon nanotubes with a polymer selected from poly(vinyl acetate), poly(isoprene), or blends thereof. The sensor may be formed by attaching at least two electrodes to the polymer-carbon nanotube composite film. The sensor may be used in any applications where the sensor is capable of detecting a change in conductivity in the composite.

Abstract: A system for processing an image includes a non-transitory memory component storing a set of executable instructions, and a scalable tile processing device. The executable instructions cause the system to receive image data, partition the image data into tiles, transmit a tile to the scalable tile processing device, receive an encoded bit stream corresponding to the transmitted tile from the tile processing device, output compressed image data including the encoded bit stream, receive the compressed image data, decode the compressed image data to generate a plurality of decoded code blocks, and output decompressed image data including the plurality of decoded code blocks. The scalable tile processing device receives the tile including tile image data, wavelet transforms, quantizes, segments, and encodes the tile image data to generate a plurality of encoded code blocks, and transmits an encoded bit stream including the plurality of encoded code blocks to the system.

Abstract: A system for processing an image includes a an image data input port, a compressed image data output port or a compressed image data storage node, a non-transitory memory component storing a set of executable instructions, and a scalable tile processing device. The executable instructions cause the system to receive image data, partition the image data into tiles, transmit a tile to the scalable tile processing device, receive an encoded bit stream corresponding to the transmitted tile from the tile processing device, and output compressed image data including the encoded bit stream. The scalable tile processing device receives the tile including tile image data, wavelet transforms, quantizes, segments, and encodes the tile image data to generate a plurality of encoded code blocks, and transmits an encoded bit stream including the plurality of encoded code blocks to the system.

Abstract: A system for processing an image includes a non-transitory memory component storing a set of executable instructions, and a scalable tile processing device. The executable instructions cause the system to receive image data, partition the image data into tiles, transmit a tile to the scalable tile processing device, receive an encoded bit stream corresponding to the transmitted tile from the tile processing device, output compressed image data including the encoded bit stream, receive the compressed image data, decode the compressed image data to generate a plurality of decoded code blocks, and output decompressed image data including the plurality of decoded code blocks. The scalable tile processing device receives the tile including tile image data, wavelet transforms, quantizes, segments, and encodes the tile image data to generate a plurality of encoded code blocks, and transmits an encoded bit stream including the plurality of encoded code blocks to the system.

Abstract: A lithium-air cell is provided which incorporates a cathode comprised of a lithium aluminum germanium phosphate (LAGP) glass-ceramic material for facilitating an oxygen reduction reaction. The lithium-air cell further includes a lithium anode and a solid electrolyte which may be in the form of a membrane comprising LAGP glass-ceramic and/or polymer ceramic materials.

Abstract: A test structure for polymer characterization over a wide frequency range, temperature range and under an applied DC electric field is disclosed. A high resistivity silicon substrate is topped by an adhesion layer. A polymer thin-film is deposited on a patterned metal1 layer which is deposited on top of the adhesion layer. A top metal2 layer is deposited on the polymer thin-film and patterned to form a CPW transmission line. A single bias voltage is applied to the center conductor of the CPW transmission line on metal2 and influences dielectric properties of the polymer. The dielectric permittivity and the loss-tangent of the polymer can be derived as functions of electric field and temperature by measuring the swept frequency scattering parameters and matching the experimental frequency response to the modeled frequency response. The electrical conductance properties of the polymer can be accurately characterized using the test structure over a wide temperature range.

Abstract: An inductor structure comprising a substrate and a planar conductor structure on a surface of the substrate, and methods for fabricating an inductor structure. The planar conductor structure may comprise a vertical stack of three or more multilayer films. Each multilayer film may comprise a first layer of a first metal, defining a first vertical thickness, and a second layer of a second metal, defining a second vertical thickness. The metals and thicknesses are chosen such that the inductor exhibits a negative electrical self-inductance when an electrical signal is transmitted from a first contact point to a second contact point.

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: A sensing system for use in monitoring the structural health of a structure such as a polymeric matrix composite structure is provided. The system includes a sensor formed from a conductive ink containing carbon nanofibers and a polymeric resin, and a data acquisition system for acquiring and evaluating data from the sensor. The conductive ink may be applied directly to the structure to be monitored in the form of a grid pattern. Damage to the structure may be detected by measuring changes in resistance values detected from the sensor.

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 length 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 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 and system to provide improved accuracies in multi jointed robots through kinematic robot model parameters determination are disclosed. The present invention calibrates multi-jointed robots by using the chain rule for differentiation in the Jacobian derivation for variations in calculated poses of reference points of a reference object as a function of variations in robot model parameters. The present invention also uses two such reference objects and the known distance therebetween to establish a length scale, thus avoiding the need to know one link length of the robot. In addition, the present invention makes use of iterative methods to find the optimum solution for improved accuracy of the resultant model parameters. Furthermore, the present invention provides for determination of the end joint parameters of the robot, including parameters defining the tool attachment mechanism frame, which allows for interchange of tools without subsequent calibration.

Abstract: A method and system for the preferential growth of semiconducting vertically-aligned single-walled carbon nanotubes (VA-SWNTs) is provided. The method combines the use of plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition at low pressure with rapid heating. The method provides a high yield of up to approximately 96% semiconducting SWNTs in the VA-SWNT array. The as-synthesized semiconducting SWNTs can be used directly for fabricating field effect transistor (FET) devices without the need for any post-synthesis purification or separation.

Abstract: A method of joining metals to a ceramic material such as a ceramic matrix composite is provided which utilizes a compliant interlayer having a coefficient of thermal expansion between the coefficient of thermal expansion of the metal and that of the ceramic matrix composite. The compliant interlayer is bonded to the metal, and the ceramic matrix composite is then bonded to the bonded interlayer/metal. The method results in a high strength joint between a metal having a high coefficient of thermal expansion and a ceramic material having a low coefficient of thermal expansion.

Abstract: Smart aerospace structures are described herein utilizing a deactivated RFID tag including an IC and an electrical by-pass. The electrical by-pass is conductive and the electrical by-pass is in parallel with the IC such that the deactivated RFID becomes activated upon an abnormal condition, such as an improper clamp installation, a clamp failure, an impact, a thermal event or a crack.

Abstract: Corrosion-inhibiting pigments based on cobalt are described that contain a trivalent or tetravalent cobalt/valence stabilizer complex. An inorganic or organic material is used to stabilize the trivalent or tetravalent cobalt ion to form a compound that is sparingly soluble in water. Specific stabilizers are chosen to control the release rate of trivalent or tetravalent cobalt during exposure to water and to tailor the compatibility of the powder when used as a pigment in a chosen binder system. Stabilizers may also modify the processing and handling characteristics of the formed powders. Cobalt/valence stabilizer combinations are chosen based on the well-founded principles of cobalt coordination chemistry. Many cobalt-valence stabilizer combinations are presented that can equal the performance of conventional hexavalent chromium systems.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for preparing a substrate-supported aligned carbon nanotube film including: synthesizing a layer of aligned carbon nanotubes on the substrate capable of supporting nanotube growth, applying a layer of a second substrate to a top surface of aligned carbon nanotube layer, removing said substrate capable of supporting nanotube growth to provide an aligned carbon nanotube film supported on said second substrate.

Abstract: Corrosion-inhibiting pigments based on manganese are described that contain a trivalent or tetravalent manganese/valence stabilizer complex. An inorganic or organic material is used to stabilize the trivalent or tetravalent manganese ion to form a compound that is sparingly soluble, exhibits low solubility, or is insoluble in water, depending upon the intended usage. Specific stabilizers are chosen to control the release rate of trivalent or tetravalent manganese during exposure to water and to tailor the compatibility of the powder when used as a pigment in a chosen binder system. Stabilizers may also modify the processing and handling characteristics of the formed powders. Manganese/valence stabilizer combinations are chosen based on the well-founded principles of manganese coordination chemistry. Many manganese-valence stabilizer combinations are presented that can equal the performance of conventional hexavalent chromium or tetravalent lead systems.

Abstract: The instant invention provides methods and compositions for the production and use of pluripotent stem-like cells from low passage somatic cells, e.g., fibroblasts.