Abstract: Nanoparticulates of oxygen transfer materials that are oxides of rare earth metals, combinations of rare earth metals, and combinations of transition metals and rare earth metals are used as catalysts in a variety of processes. Unexpectedly large thermal efficiencies are achieved relative to micron sized particulates. Processes that use these catalysts are exemplified in a multistage reactor. The exemplified reactor cracks C6 to C20 hydrocarbons, desulfurizes the hydrocarbon stream and reforms the hydrocarbons in the stream to produce hydrogen. In a first reactor stage the steam and hydrocarbon are passed through particulate mixed rare earth metal oxide to crack larger hydrocarbon molecules. In a second stage, the steam and hydrocarbon are passed through particulate material that desulfurizes the hydrocarbon. In a third stage, the hydrocarbon and steam are passed through a heated, mixed transition metal/rare earth metal oxide to reform the lower hydrocarbons and thereby produce hydrogen.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the formation of unique carbonaceous materials and a new segregated manufacturing business of carbonaceous material. In particular, the invention is directed to using a flexible reactor (1) in which spray or vapor can be used to form carbonaceous materials (28) and also in combination with inorganic material (6) to enable performance enhancement of products made using these materials.

Abstract: Flame produced vapors for combustion chemical vapor deposition are redirected from the direction of the flame by differential atmospheric pressure, such as positive pressure provided by a blower or negative pressure provided by a vacuum. This allows, for example, lower surface temperatures of substrates being coated with flame-produced vapors and coating of interior surfaces.

Abstract: Patterned thin film layers (12) are applied to a substrate (10) surface by masking selective areas of a substrate surface, e.g., with a printed pattern (11) of a material such as an oil, and vapor-depositing thin film material. The masking material is subsequently removed.

Abstract: Electronic and optical (or photonic) devices with variable or switchable properties and methods used to form these devices, are disclosed. More specifically, the present invention involves forming layers of conductive material and dielectric material or materials with varying conductivity and indexes of refraction to form various electronic and optical devices. One such layer of adjustable material is formed by depositing epitaxial or reduced grain boundary barium strontium titanate on the C-plane of sapphire.

Abstract: Capacitors 10, 20, 40, 50, 70, 80) having a fluid dielectric material that is transported or undergoes a phase change are disclosed. The dielectric medium change results in a change in the total dielectric constant of the material between the electrodes (12, 14, 72, 74, 81, 82), thus changing the capacitance of the capacitors. Transporting or phase changing the dielectric fluids into and out of a the electric field of the capacitor, changes the effective dielectric constant and the capacitance of the capacitor.

Abstract: Electronic and optical (or photonic) devices with variable or switchable properties and methods used to form these devices, are disclosed. More specifically, the present invention involves forming layers of conductive material and dielectric material or materials with varying conductivity and indexes of refraction to form various electronic and optical devices. One such layer of adjustable material is formed by depositing epitaxial or reduced grain boundary barium strontium titanate on the C-plane of sapphire.

Abstract: To form an ionomer-based catalytic layer on a porous substrate, a heat source (40) is used to dry an ionomer-containing spray (46) so that it does not substantially liquid flow on the substrate (14). The ionomer spray (46) may contain a catalyst. A spray (46) of mixed material for forming the catalytic layer is entrained by a gas stream and is heated and directed to a substrate surface (12). For hydrogen/oxygen fuel cells, catalytic material is incorporated into the proton-conducting membrane (56) to convert diffusing oxygen and hydrogen to water to reduce potential loss at the electrodes and maintain hydration of the proton-conducting membrane (56).

Abstract: Tubular needles have a reduced inner diameter tip portion that increases back pressure behind the tip portion. This constricted tip portion promotes improved atomization, particularly when the liquid passes through the needle at near-supercritical conditions. A preferred method for constricting the inner diameter of a needle tip is to dip the dip of the needle in an electroless plating solution, such as an electroless nickel solution.

Abstract: Capacitors (10,20,40,50,70,80) having a fluid dielectric material that is transported or undergoes a phase change are disclosed. The dielectric medium change results in a change in the total dielectric constant of the material between the electrodes (12, 14, 72, 74, 81, 82), thus changing the capacitance of the capacitors. Transporting or phase changing the dielectric fluids into and out of a the electric field of the capacitor, changes the effective dielectric constant and the capacitance of the capacitor.

Abstract: Capacitor material for use in forming capacitors, is disclosed. More specifically, the invention is directed to capacitors formed from this material that have one or more discrete electrodes (314), each electrode (314) being exposed to at least two thicknesses of dielectric material (300). These electrodes (314) are surrounded by wider insulative material (312) such that the material can be cut, or patterned into capacitors having specific values. A single electrode can form a small value capacitor while still providing a larger conductive area for attaching the capacitor to associated circuitry. The thin dielectric (310) can be a tunable material so that the capacitance can be varied with voltage. The tunability can be increased by adding thin electrodes that interact with direct current.

Abstract: A continuous feed coater for coating a length of substrate with vaporized or sprayed material, is disclosed. A specific example is a roll-to-roll coater which includes two lower supply rollers for supporting two webs of uncoated material, and two upper take-up rollers for supporting the webs after they are coated. A central web-support forms a plenum that acts as a deposition chimney or chamber by bringing the two webs into close proximity to each other to form two large walls of the plenum. The ends of the webs are sealed using side dams to form the chimney with a rectangular cross section such that the vapor cannot exit from the edges of the material. The vaporized coating constituents to be deposited on the rolled material are directed into the deposition plenum from a coating material supply source located at the bottom of the plenum, and are exhausted through the top of the plenum.

Abstract: Capacitors (10,20,40,50,70,80) having a fluid dielectric material that is transported or undergoes a phase change are disclosed. The dielectric medium change results in a change in the total dielectric constant of the material between the electrodes (12, 14, 72, 74, 81, 82), thus changing the capacitance of the capacitors. Transporting or phase changing the dielectric fluids into and out of a the electric field of the capacitor, changes the effective dielectric constant and the capacitance of the capacitor.

Abstract: Resistive materials have resistivities that are axis dependent are provided. Such resistive materials having a resistivity in a first direction and a very different resistivity in an orthogonal direction. These resistive materials are particularly suitable for use as resistors embedded in printed wiring boards.

Abstract: Capacitor material for use in forming capacitors, is disclosed. More specifically, the invention is directed to capacitors formed from this material that have one or more discrete electrodes (314), each electrode (314) being exposed to at least two thicknesses of dielectric material (300). These electrodes (314) are surrounded by wider insulative material (312) such that the material can be cut, or patterned into capacitors having specific values. A single electrode can form a small value capacitor while still providing a larger conductive area for attaching the capacitor to associated circuitry. The thin dielectric (310) can be a tunable material so that the capacitance can be varied with voltage. The tunability can be increased by adding thin electrodes that interact with direct current.

Abstract: A method for chemical vapor deposition using a very fine atomization or vaporization of a reagent containing liquid or liquid-like fluid near its supercritical temperature, where the resulting atomized or vaporized solution is entered into a flame or a plasma torch, and a powder is formed or a coating is deposited onto a substrate. The combustion flame can be stable from 10 torr to multiple atmospheres, and provides the energetic environment in which the reagent contained within the fluid can be reacted to form the desired powder or coating material on a substrate. The plasma torch likewise produces the required energy environment, but, unlike the flame, no oxidizer is needed so materials stable in only very low oxygen partial pressures can be formed.

Abstract: Thin layer capacitors are formed from a first flexible metal layer, a dielectric layer between about 0.03 and about 2 microns deposited thereon, and a second flexible metal layer deposited on the dielectric layer. The first flexible metal layer may either be a metal foil, such as a copper, aluminum, or nickel foil, or a metal layer deposited on a polymeric support sheet. Depositions of the layers is by or is facilitate by combustion chemical vapor deposition or controlled atmosphere chemical vapor deposition.

Abstract: Electronic and optical (or photonic) devices with variable or switchable properties and methods used to form these devices, are disclosed. More specifically, the present invention involves forming layers of conductive material and dielectric material or materials with varying conductivity and indexes of refraction to form various electronic and optical devices. One such layer of adjustable material is formed by depositing epitaxial or reduced grain boundary barium strontium titanate on the C-plane of sapphire.

Abstract: Nanolaminates are formed by alternating deposition, e.g., by combustion chemical vapor deposition (CCVD), layers of resistive material and layers of dielectric material. Outer resistive material layers are patterned to form discrete patches of resistive material. Electrical pathways between opposed patches of resistive material on opposite sides of the laminate act as capacitors. Electrical pathways horizontally through resistive material layers, which may be connected by via plated holes, act as resistors.

Abstract: Apparatus for continuously moving a substrate and coating the substrate with a crystalline coating has at least one means for monitoring the crystalline orientation of the coating, either continuously or periodically.