Abstract: Methods and devices for high-temperature sealing of metallic components to ceramic components. The disclosed methods and devices for sealing enable a first environment containing one or more fluids to be isolated from at least one other environment containing one or more fluids. The seal may operate at least part of the time at an elevated temperature, such as a temperature above 100° C., above 300° C., and, in some embodiments, as high as 1000° C. In a typical embodiment, the elevated temperature may be in the range of 600-800° C. The first and/or second environments may be at elevated pressures for at least some fraction of the time. The elevated pressure may be above 100 psig, above 500 psig, and, in some embodiments, as high as 15,000 psig. In a typical embodiment, the elevated pressure may be in the range of 1,000-5,000 psig, and more specifically 1,500-3,000 psig.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to variable resistance zones for sensing input to an electronic device, as well as ministops for controlling deformation of the input components to ensure the accuracy of the inputs sensed. In one embodiment, a system in accordance with the present invention includes multiple variable resistors, an actuator, and a converter. The actuator overlies the multiple pressure-sensitive variable resistors and is configured to generate a pressure at a contact location on the multiple variable resistors. The converter is coupled to the multiple variable resistors and is programmed to map a pressure at the contact location to a pressure, location, or both along the surface of the actuator.