Abstract: Material properties are manipulated using rapid pulse application of energy in combination with applied electric or magnetic fields. When sintering, annealing or crystallizing a target film, the pulse repetition cycle can be constrained to ensure material temperature rises above and falls below the Curie temperature before the next energy pulse. This process results in enhanced material properties as compared to traditional techniques having a single, slow temperature excursion and subsequent application of the applied external field.

Abstract: An approach to printing a nickel precursor ink on a wide range of substrates for electronics and magnetic applications is disclosed. The nickel ink reduces to elemental nickel following heating. The ink was printed using an ultrasonic aerosol printing technique. By sintering the nickel precursor ink in the presence of a homogeneous magnetic field, the reduced nickel complex formed continuously aligned nickel nanofibers axially aligned with the direction of the magnetic field. The fabrication of aligned interlayered nanofiber films provides opportunities to produce structures with enhanced isotropic electrical and magnetic properties. The resistivity of the film was found to be as low as 0.56 m?·cm, and the saturation magnetization was measured to be 30 emu/g, which is comparable to bulk Ni. Magnetic anisotropy was induced with an easy axis along the direction of the applied magnetic field with soft magnetic properties.

Abstract: A capsule is disclosed which includes a flexible outer shell capable of transforming into an asymmetric shape; an internal medium encapsulated by the outer shell, the medium including a plurality of magnetic particles, wherein the magnetic particles can move in response to an applied magnetic field. A valve system includes an in-line valve sized to fit within a flow channel including a capsule having a flexible outer shell containing an internal medium encapsulated by the outer shell, the medium including a plurality of magnetic particles; and a magnetic field source disposed about the exterior wall of the channel.

Abstract: A magnetic nanocomposite device is described herein for a wide range of sensing applications. The device utilizes the permanent magnetic behavior of the nanowires to allow operation without the application of an additional magnetic field to magnetize the nanowires, which simplifies miniaturization and integration into microsystems. In addition, the nanocomposite benefits from the high elasticity and easy patterning of the polymer-based material, leading to a corrosion-resistant, flexible material that can be used to realize extreme sensitivity. In combination with magnetic sensor elements patterned underneath the nanocomposite, the nanocomposite device realizes highly sensitive and power efficient flexible artificial cilia sensors for flow measurement or tactile sensing.

Abstract: An approach to printing a nickel precursor ink on a wide range of substrates for electronics and magnetic applications is disclosed. The nickel ink reduces to elemental nickel following heating. The ink was printed using an ultrasonic aerosol printing technique. By sintering the nickel precursor ink in the presence of a homogeneous magnetic field, the reduced nickel complex formed continuously aligned nickel nanofibers axially aligned with the direction of the magnetic field. The fabrication of aligned interlayered nanofiber films provides opportunities to produce structures with enhanced isotropic electrical and magnetic properties. The resistivity of the film was found to be as low as 0.56 m?·cm, and the saturation magnetization was measured to be 30 emu/g, which is comparable to bulk Ni. Magnetic anisotropy was induced with an easy axis along the direction of the applied magnetic field with soft magnetic properties.

Abstract: Material properties are manipulated using rapid pulse application of energy in combination with applied electric or magnetic fields. When sintering, annealing or crystallizing a target film, the pulse repetition cycle can be constrained to ensure material temperature rises above and falls below the Curie temperature before the next energy pulse. This process results in enhanced material properties as compared to traditional techniques having a single, slow temperature excursion and subsequent application of the applied external field.

Abstract: A capsule is disclosed which includes a flexible outer shell capable of transforming into an asymmetric shape; an internal medium encapsulated by the outer shell, the medium including a plurality of magnetic particles, wherein the magnetic particles can move in response to an applied magnetic field. A valve system includes an in-line valve sized to fit within a flow channel including a capsule having a flexible outer shell containing an internal medium encapsulated by the outer shell, the medium including a plurality of magnetic particles; and a magnetic field source disposed about the exterior wall of the channel.

Abstract: A magnetic nanocomposite device is described herein for a wide range of sensing applications. The device utilizes the permanent magnetic behavior of the nanowires to allow operation without the application of an additional magnetic field to magnetize the nanowires, which simplifies miniaturization and integration into microsystems. In5 addition, the nanocomposite benefits from the high elasticity and easy patterning of the polymer-based material, leading to a corrosion-resistant, flexible material that can be used to realize extreme sensitivity. In combination with magnetic sensor elements patterned underneath the nanocomposite, the nanocomposite device realizes highly sensitive and power efficient flexible artificial cilia sensors for flow measurement or tactile sensing.