Abstract: A sensing element for a temperature sensor including a base with a platinum meander applied thereto. An alumina diffusion barrier (ADB) covers the meander to provide protection against contamination and structural stabilization, wherein the alumina diffusion barrier is a contiguous polycrystalline layer fabricated from alumina and approximately 1% by weight of a rutile additive to be substantially devoid of network porosity. The contiguous polycrystalline layer includes grains with a typical grain size being in a range of 0.5-3 ?m. A method for fabricating an alumina diffusion barrier includes the steps of: combining a nano-alumina and nano-rutile powder to create a formulation; applying the formulation to the platinum meander to form a layer; and sintering the layer to create a contiguous polycrystalline layer covering the platinum meander.

Abstract: A sensing element for a temperature sensor including a base with a platinum meander applied thereto. An alumina diffusion barrier (ADB) covers the meander to provide protection against contamination and structural stabilization, wherein the alumina diffusion barrier is a contiguous polycrystalline layer fabricated from alumina and approximately 1% by weight of a rutile additive to be substantially devoid of network porosity. The contiguous polycrystalline layer includes grains with a typical grain size being in a range of 0.5-3 ?m. A method for fabricating an alumina diffusion barrier includes the steps of: combining a nano-alumina and nano-rutile powder to create a formulation; applying the formulation to the platinum meander to form a layer; and sintering the layer to create a contiguous polycrystalline layer covering the platinum meander.

Abstract: The invention describes a method of manufacturing an electrode (1) for a gas-discharge lamp, which method comprises forming an electrode shaft (10); forming a coil (2) over a winding length (L W); arranging the coil (2) on the electrode shaft (10); and melting material of the coil (2) such that, when the melted coil material has re-solidified, the solidified material (30,31) comprises a one-piece shell (3), which one-piece shell (3) comprises a fused portion (30) over a fraction (L T) of the winding length (L W) and a mantle portion (31) over a remainder (L B) of the winding length (L W).

Abstract: The invention describes a method of manufacturing an electrode (1) for a gas-discharge lamp, which method comprises forming an electrode shaft (10); forming a coil (2) over a winding length (L W); arranging the coil (2) on the electrode shaft (10); and melting material of the coil (2) such that, when the melted coil material has re-solidified, the solidified material (30,31) comprises a one-piece shell (3), which one-piece shell (3) comprises a fused portion (30) over a fraction (L T) of the winding length (L W) and a mantle portion (31) over a remainder (L B) of the winding length (L W).