Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a corrosion inhibiting coating for metal and metal alloy substrates. The coating is comprised of a metal or metal alloy that is similar in composition to the substrate to be coated, further combined with a corrosion inhibiting material. The corrosion inhibiting material may be a refractory metal or metalloid. The method and apparatus for producing the coating allows for the corrosion inhibiting coating to have a supersaturated concentration of the corrosion inhibiting material alloyed with another metal or metal alloy. The method and apparatus allow for the selective vaporization of material sources to make the coating vapor, which are then entrained in a high speed gas flow that directs the coating vapor onto the substrate. Optional plasma assistance and application of a voltage to the substrate may be used. The coating may be customized for a variety of applications.

Abstract: A method for treating substrates or components; and substrates or components that have been treated by the associated method. The treatment may be applied to any iron or steel based alloy to create a treated layer that increases the strength of the substrate or component. The treatment may be especially useful for strengthening small structures, as with sandwich panels, small trusses, or other complex structures. The treatment may be used to improve strength, stiffness, fatigue resistance, and wear properties, among other benefits.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a corrosion inhibiting coating for metal and metal alloy substrates. The coating is comprised of a metal or metal alloy that is similar in composition to the substrate to be coated, further combined with a corrosion inhibiting material. The corrosion inhibiting material may be a refractory metal or metalloid. The method and apparatus for producing the coating allows for the corrosion inhibiting coating to have a supersaturated concentration of the corrosion inhibiting material alloyed with another metal or metal alloy. The method and apparatus allow for the selective vaporization of material sources to make the coating vapor, which are then entrained in a high speed gas flow that directs the coating vapor onto the substrate. Optional plasma assistance and application of a voltage to the substrate may be used. The coating may be customized for a variety of applications.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a high voltage, insulated electrical power cable suitable for use adjacent to one or more low power signal communications conductors in metal or plastic conduit or raceway. In one preferred embodiment, the power cable includes a first group of one or more conductors for supplying power and a power conductor insulation jacket enclosing the first group of one or more conductors. The power conductor insulation jacket includes a soft magnetic material that functions as an electromagnetic field shield in the radio frequency range of approximately 1 megahertz to 400 megahertz thereby protecting the integrity of signals transmitted on the adjacent signal communications conductors.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a hybrid electrical cable providing for power transmission or distribution and data and/or voice signal communications. In one preferred embodiment, the hybrid electrical cable includes a power cable having a group of one or more high voltage power conductors for conducting power and one or more groups of low power signal conductors for transmitting voice and/or data and/or control signals. The cable further includes a power cable insulation jacket overlying the group of one or more power conductors. The power cable insulation jacket includes a soft magnetic material, preferably a soft ferrite magnetic material, for RF absorption. The cable additionally includes an outer grounded metallic jacket or sheath overlying the power cable, the power cable insulation jacket and the one or more groups of low power conductors.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a hybrid electrical cable providing for power transmission or distribution and data and/or voice signal communications. In one preferred embodiment, the hybrid electrical cable includes a power cable having a group of one or more high voltage power conductors for conducting power and one or more groups of low power signal conductors for transmitting voice and/or data and/or control signals. The cable further includes a power cable insulation jacket overlying the group of one or more power conductors. The power cable insulation jacket includes a soft magnetic material, preferably a soft ferrite magnetic material, for RF absorption. The cable additionally includes an outer grounded metallic jacket or sheath overlying the power cable, the power cable insulation jacket and the one or more groups of low power conductors.

Abstract: Multi-layer assemblies of polysilicon thin films having predetermined stress characteristics and techniques for forming such assemblies are disclosed. In particular, a multi-layer assembly of polysilicon thin films may be produced that has a stress level of zero, or substantially so. The multi-layer assemblies comprise at least one constituent thin film having a tensile stress and at least one constituent thin film having a compressive stress. The thin films forming the multi-layer assemblies may be disposed immediately adjacent to one another without the use of intermediate layers between the thin films. Multi-layer assemblies exhibiting selectively determinable overall bending moments are also disclosed. Selective production of overall bending moments in microstructures enables manufacture of such structures with a wide array of geometrical configurations.

Abstract: Multi-layer assemblies of polysilicon thin films having predetermined stress characteristics and techniques for forming such assemblies are disclosed. In particular, a multi-layer assembly of polysilicon thin films may be produced that has a stress level of zero, or substantially so. The multi-layer assemblies comprise at least one constituent thin film having a tensile stress and at least one constituent thin film having a compressive stress. The thin films forming the multi-layer assemblies may be disposed immediately adjacent to one another without the use of intermediate layers between the thin films. Multi-layer assemblies exhibiting selectively determinable overall bending moments are also disclosed. Selective production of overall bending moments in microstructures enables manufacture of such structures with a wide array of geometrical configurations.

Abstract: Multi-layer assemblies of polysilicon thin films having predetermined stress characteristics and techniques for forming such assemblies are disclosed. In particular, a multi-layer assembly of polysilicon thin film may be produced that has a stress level of zero, or substantially so. The multi-layer assemblies comprise at least one constituent thin film having a tensile stress and at least one constituent thin film having a compressive stress. The thin films forming the multi-layer assemblies may be disposed immediately adjacent to one another without the use of intermediate layers between the thin films.

Abstract: Multi-layer assemblies of polysilicon thin films having predetermined stress characteristics and techniques for forming such assemblies are disclosed. In particular, a multi-layer assembly of polysilicon thin film may be produced that has a stress level of zero, or substantially so. The multi-layer assemblies comprise at least one constituent thin film having a tensile stress and at least one constituent thin film having a compressive stress. The thin films forming the multi-layer assemblies may be disposed immediately adjacent to one another without the use of intermediate layers between the thin films.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming an integral three-dimensional object from a plurality of individual laminations includes a cutting surface on which each of the laminations is individually deposited. A concentrated energy source cuts each of the plurality of laminations into a shape required for assembly of the laminations into the integral three-dimensional object. A transfer mechanism removes each of the cut laminations from the cutting surface and stacks each of the cut laminations on an assembly surface. The transfer mechanism includes a gripper face having a peripheral portion and a central portion. A mask is positioned on the gripper face. The mask has an apertured central portion corresponding to the cut lamination. A source of suction communicates with the gripper face and a valve mechanism selectively draws a suction on the gripper face peripheral portion, the gripper face central portion, both or neither.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming an integral three-dimensional object from a plurality of individual laminations includes a cutting surface on which each of the laminations is individually deposited. A concentrated energy source cuts each of the plurality of laminations into a shape required for assembly of the laminations into the integral three-dimensional object. A transfer mechanism removes each of the cut laminations from the cutting surface and stacks each of the cut laminations on an assembly surface. The transfer mechanism includes a gripper face having a peripheral portion and a central portion. A mask is positioned on the gripper face. The mask has an apertured central portion corresponding to the cut lamination. A source of suction communicates with the gripper face and a valve mechanism selectively draws a suction on the gripper face peripheral portion, the gripper face central portion, both or neither.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an integral three dimensional object from laminations includes the steps of fabricating a plurality of first sheets of a first material composition, cutting each of the first sheets to form a contoured layer representing a cross-section of the three dimensional object and to form a waste material and discarding the waste material. The contoured layers are stacked in a desired sequence to form a stack of contoured layers which are then laminated. Subsequently, the contoured layers of the stack are secured to each other to form the integral three dimensional object. This method works particularly well with ceramic material sheets. If desired, a second type of sheet made of a fugitive material can also be cut to form a contoured layer representing a void in a cross-section of the three dimensional object. The contoured layers of the second sheets are then stacked along with the contoured layers of the first sheets to form the object.

Abstract: Oxide thin films are deposited onto functionalized self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) which are bonded to various surfaces. The resulting oxide thin films have ordered, uniform densely packed crystalline structures.

Abstract: Iron and titanium oxide thin films are deposited onto functionalized self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) which are bonded to silicon or glass substrates. The resulting oxide thin films have ordered, uniform densely packed crystalline structures.