Abstract: A mechanically and piezoelectrically anisotropic polymer article is formed from a crystallizable fluoropolymer and a nucleating agent. The polymer article may be a thin film or a fiber, for example. A crystalline phase may constitute at least approximately 50% of the polymer article. In certain examples, a fluoropolymer may include vinylidene fluoride, trifluoroethylene, chlorotrifluoroethylene, hexafluoropropylene, and vinyl fluoride. The polymer article may include up to approximately 10 wt. % of the nucleating agent. Such a polymer article is optically transparent, has an elastic modulus of at least approximately 3 GPa, and an electromechanical coupling factor (k31) of at least approximately 0.15.

Abstract: Twelfth stage stator vanes for a compressor comprise airfoil profiles substantially in accordance with Cartesian coordinate values of Z, Y and Z set forth in inches in Table I, wherein the Z coordinate values are perpendicular distances from planes normal to a radius from the compressor centerline and containing the X and Y values with the Z value commencing at zero in the X, Y plane at a radial aerodynamic section of the airfoil. X and Y are coordinate values defining the airfoil profile at each distance Z. The X, Y and Z values may be scaled to provide a scaled-up or scaled-down airfoil section for each stator vane.

Abstract: A method for improving yields in manufacturing processes includes identifying parameters which affect performance at a subsequent step in the process, collecting data concerning individual performance parameters, creating a reference scale which correlates individual parameters with probability of failure at a subsequent step in the process, testing a manufactured unit to collect performance data concerning two or more of the individual parameters from a manufactured unit, comparing performance data concerning two or more of the individual parameters from the manufactured unit to the reference scale to assign probability of failure for each of the single performance parameters, calculating a Figure of Merit, and utilizing the Figure of Merit to sort or disposition units.