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 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 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 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.

Abstract: A sensor including at least one sensor probe including 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.

Abstract: A solid composite electrolyte membrane for use in a lithium battery is provided which exhibits a conductivity ranging from about 10?4 S cm?1 to about 10?3 S cm?1 at ambient temperature. The membrane is formed by providing a glass or glass-ceramic powder formed from a mixture of lithium carbonate, alumina, titanium dioxide, and ammonium dihydrogen phosphate. The powder is mixed with a conditioning agent and at least one solvent, followed by the addition of a binder and one or more plasticizers. The resulting slurry is cast into a tape which is then subjected to a binder burn-off and sintering process to form the membrane. The resulting membrane may be a glass-ceramic composite having a porosity ranging from 0 to 50%, or the membrane may be further infiltrated with a polymer to form a water-impermeable polymeric-ceramic composite membrane.

Abstract: A composition is provided in which carbon nanofibers are functionalized with at least one moiety where the moiety or moieties comprise at least one bivalent radical. The composition can include a nanocomposite, such as polyimide films. Methods for making functionalized carbon nanofibers and nanocomposites are also provided.

Abstract: Metal-free fuel cell cathodes having a catalytic layer of vertically-aligned, nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes (VA-NCNTs) are provided. The fuel cell cathodes comprise a cathode body, a binder layer attached to an outer surface of the cathode body, and the catalytic layer, which is supported by the binder layer. The binder layer may comprise a composite of a conductive polymer and doped or undoped nonaligned carbon nanotubes. In a method for forming the fuel cell cathodes, the VA-NCNTs may be formed by pyrolysis of a metalorganic compound and integration of the nanotubes with nitrogen. The binder layer is applied, and the resulting supported nanotube array may be attached to the cathode body. Fuel cells comprising the fuel cell cathodes are provided. The fuel cell cathodes comprising VA-NCNTs demonstrate superior oxygen-reduction reaction performance, including for electrocatalytic activity, operational stability, tolerance to crossover effects, and resistance to CO poisoning.

Abstract: Special polarization states are generated that have unique focusing properties that may be used to create extremely strong longitudinal fields. Combined with surface plasmon excitation, these polarization states can be used in apertureless near-field scanning optical microscopy systems. A radially polarized beam is directed into a plasmon-generating optical fiber comprising a metal coated, tapered, apertureless tip. The apertureless tip excites surface plasmon waves and direct the surface plasmon waves to the tip when a radially polarized beam propagates along the plasmon-generating optical fiber. An objective lens collects the near field optical signals from a sample positioned adjacent to the apertureless. Potential spatial resolution of the apertureless NSOM could reach beyond 10 nm. Such strong field enhancement allows the development of a reliable nano-Raman system that can measure mechanical as well as chemical compositions of samples with resolution beyond 10 nm.

Abstract: Rigid-rod copolymer compositions incorporating PBO (poly(p-phenylenebenzobisoxazole)), DiOH-PBO (poly(2,5-dihydroxy-1,4-phenylenebenzobisoxazole), DiOH-PBI (poly(2,5-dihydroxy-1,4-phenylenebenzobisimidazole)), DiOH-PyBI (poly(2,5-dihydroxy-1,4-phenylenepyridobisimidazole), PBZT (poly(p-phenylenebenzobisthiazole)) and its corresponding dihydroxy analogues attached to a flexibilizing hexafluoroisopropylidene linkage are described. Also described are their fabrication into fibers by a dry jet wet spinning technique and the measured fiber mechanical properties. The copolymer compositions are highly flame-resistant and have potential utility for fire-protective clothing.

Abstract: A non-contact thermo-elastic property measurement and imaging system and method thereof are described. Acoustic energy is incident on a first surface of a specimen under test. The acoustic energy is converted partially into heat by the specimen, causing a slight increase in the temperature in a region of interaction. The temperature increase is imaged using a high sensitivity infrared camera. Presence of defects (surface and subsurface) in the material modifies the distribution of temperature. An image of temperature distribution can be used for nondestructive testing and evaluation of materials. The temperature change in the specimen caused by acoustic excitation is related to thermal and elastic properties of the material. A measurement of the change in the temperature as a function of the amplitude of incident excitation can be used for direct measurement of thermo-elastic property of the specimen.