Abstract: In one aspect, the disclosure relates to protective, anti-bacterial coatings for medical implants and methods of making the same. Also disclosed herein are methods for improving the anti-bacterial properties of a medical device coated with silicon carbide (SiC) or titanium nitride (TiN). Further disclosed herein are medical devices including an anti-microbial layer prepared by the disclosed methods. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

Abstract: In one aspect, the disclosure relates to protective, anti-bacterial coatings for medical implants and methods of making the same. Also disclosed herein are methods for improving the anti-bacterial properties of a medical device coated with silicon carbide (SiC) or titanium nitride (TiN). Further disclosed herein are medical devices including an anti-microbial layer prepared by the disclosed methods. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

Abstract: Dental prosthetic restoration coatings made of dielectric materials, methods of fabricating the same, as well as methods of testing dental prosthetic restorations are provided. A prosthetic restoration coating can include dielectric materials such as Al2O3, ZrO2, SiNx, SiC, and SiO2. Application can take place using plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) methods, and alternating materials can be used to achieve desired anticorrosive, structural integrity, hardness, adhesion, and color characteristics. A testing method can include immersing a test device in solutions of differing pH, with or without abrasive steps. The cycling can include an acidic solution and a basic solution, with an optional neutral solution. As the abrasive step, a chewing simulator can be utilized.

Abstract: Dental prosthetic restoration coatings made of dielectric materials, methods of fabricating the same, as well as methods of testing dental prosthetic restorations are provided. A prosthetic restoration coating can include dielectric materials such as Al2O3, ZrO2, SiNx, SiC, and SiO2. Application can take place using plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) methods, and alternating materials can be used to achieve desired anticorrosive, structural integrity, hardness, adhesion, and color characteristics. A testing method can include immersing a test device in solutions of differing pH, with or without abrasive steps. The cycling can include an acidic solution and a basic solution, with an optional neutral solution. As the abrasive step, a chewing simulator can be utilized.

Abstract: An alloy comprising: a magnetostrictive iron alloy having the formula: FexGayAlz, where x is of from about 65 at % to about 90 at %, y is of from about 5 at % to about 35 at %, and z is of from about 0 at % to about 30 at %; and wherein said alloy has a room temperature magnetostriction of at least approximately 150 ppm. An alloy having a saturated magnetostriction of from about at least 150 ppm comprising: a magnetostrictive iron alloy having the formula: FexGayBet, where x is of from about 65 at % to about 90 at %, y is of from about 1 at % to about 35 at %, and t is of from about 1 at % to about 30 at %; and wherein said alloy has a room temperature magnetostriction of at least approximately 150 ppm.

Abstract: Disclosed are bimetallic strips that incorporate magnetostrictive materials to enhance and provide sensing, actuating and energy harvesting functions. The bimetallic strips include a positive magnetostrictive Fe-based alloy layer and a flexible layer. The flexible layer may be a negative magnetostrictive layer or a permanent magnet layer. One or more permanent magnet materials may also be used in the arrangement. The bimetallic strips are inexpensive and easily manufactured, and have characteristics that enhance sensing and actuator applications, and enables energy harvesting.

Abstract: Disclosed are bimetallic strips that incorporate magnetostrictive materials to enhance and provide sensing, actuating and energy harvesting functions. The bimetallic strips include a positive magnetostrictive Fe-based alloy layer and a flexible layer. The flexible layer may be a negative magnetostrictive layer or a permanent magnet layer. One or more permanent magnet materials may also be used in the arrangement. The bimetallic strips are inexpensive and easily manufactured, and have characteristics that enhance sensing and actuator applications, and enables energy harvesting.

Abstract: A method of using a magnetostrictive material to achieve a high magnetomechanical coupling factor comprising building an internal anisotropy energy into the magnetostrictive material and applying a tensile or compressive stress to the magnetostrictive material with the built-in internal anisotropy energy. The internal anisotropy energy is built into the magnetostrictive material by annealing the magnetostrictive material under an annealing stress or a suitable magnetic field. For a positive magnetostrictive material, when the annealing stress is compressive, the stress applied to the annealed material under operation is tensile, and when the annealing stress is the tensile, the stress applied to the annealed material under operation is compressive.

Abstract: An elongate structure having a magnetostrictive material composition is subjected to tensile stress in the longitudinal-axial direction, thereby generally orienting the magnetization of the elongate structure in the longitudinal-axial direction. Electrical current is conducted through the elongate structure and/or through at least one adjacent elongate conductor, thereby generally orienting the magnetization of the elongate structure in the transverse direction, generally in parallel with the transverse direction of the magnetic field concomitant the conduction of current through the elongate structure. The elongate structure magnetostrictively contracts due to the (generally 90°) repositioning of the magnetization of the elongate structure.

Abstract: A positive magnetostrictive material such as a ferromagnetic alloy is subjected to a magnetic field during annealing treatment while being heated for a predetermined period of time at an elevated temperature below its softening temperature followed by cooling resulting in a treated ferromagnetic material having high tensile strength and positive magnetostriction properties for enhancing use thereof under tensile loading conditions. Such treatment of the ferromagnetic alloy may be augmented by application thereto of a compressive stress.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive alloy containing iron and gallium comprising: Fe100?(x+y+z)GaxAlyCz; where x is of from about 5 at. % to about 30 at. %; where x+y is of from about 5 at. % to about 30 at. %; and where z is of from about 0.005 at. % to about 4.1 at. %. The alloys can also contain B and N.

Abstract: Plural vibration damping devices transmit to and receive energy from a distributor that is programmed to either dissipate the vibration induced energy produced by the devices or redistribute the vibration induced energy produced by some of the devices to minimize overall vibration without introduction of energy from an external source.

Abstract: The efficiency of converting electrical energy into a mechanical output is maximized by alternatively matching selection of power supply for the drive coil applying a magnetic field to transducer element made of a magnetostrictive material having a near-zero magnetic anisotropy, or matching selection of the magnetostrictive material to the required magnetostriction for a given power supply.

Abstract: A high power magnetostrictive transducer element comprising a material of the formula TbxDyyHozFe2−w wherein 0.24≦x≦0.28, 0.52≦y≦0.56, 0.13≦z≦0.22, x+y+z=1, and 0≦w≦0.20 and wherein the material is prestressed by a compressive force of from about 5 to about 100 MPa.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive wire element made of amorphous ferromagnetic material is tailored for installation within a sensor by treatment which includes annealment by heating while a stress condition is imposed thereon, and applying a DC electric current thereto during said annealment to produce a cylindrical magnetic field relative to the wire element establishing spiral magnetic anistropy during cooldown after said heating.

Abstract: Magnetostrictive material such as Terfenol-D undergoes annealing treatment y heating for a limited period of time to an elevated temperature below the melting point, followed by cooling to a preferred magnetic state in which a compressive stress generated and applied during treatment is retained in the treated material as a built-in prestress.

Abstract: Polycrystalline or single crystal magnetostrictive alloys of the formula Tb.sub.1-x Dy.sub.x Zn.sub.w (0<x.ltoreq.0.7; 0.90.ltoreq.w.ltoreq.1.10) and Tb.sub.1-y Gd.sub.y Zn.sub.w (0<y.ltoreq.0.4; 0.90.ltoreq.w.ltoreq.1.10) and magnetostrictive transducer elements made of these alloys.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive element having a large magnetomechanical coupling factor long its axis, is selected to determine strain by measurement of changes in its electrical impedance along such axis. Such measurement is maximized by generation of current of a predetermined frequency conducted through the magnetostrictive element to correspondingly penetrate the magnetostrictive element to a substantial skin depth.

Abstract: The active elements of magnetostrictive and piezoelectric actuators undergo yclic elongation and contraction in out-of-phase relation to each other when energized by the same electric power supply to exert push/pull forces during four cycle phases of an operational sequence to impart continuous, unidirectional propulsion to a driven member.

Abstract: A structural laminate of rigid layers separated by very thin layers of vius fluid. The viscous fluid adheres to the confronting surfaces of adjacent rigid layers and is maintained in layered alignment within the laminate to ordinarily prevent flexural vibration and provide vibration overdampening to cope with flexural deforming forces.