Abstract: A metal organic framework (MOF)-polymer composite for detoxifying a chemical warfare agent (CWA) comprises MOF nanoparticles having catalytically active Lewis acid sites and at least one polymer having catalytically active basic sites. The composite is configured such that the at least one polymer is in surrounding relation to the MOF nanoparticles such that at least a portion of the Lewis acid sites of the MOF nanoparticles are in proximal relation to at least a portion of the basic sites of the at least one polymer thereby forming a plurality of proximal acid-base interfaces thus enabling a bifunctional catalytic mechanism for detoxifying the CWA. The MOF-polymer composite can provide CWA detoxification without the presence of a basic compound.

Abstract: Described herein is a nanostructured silicon carbonaceous composite material and methods for producing the same. The methods include formation of a metal organic framework/silica (MOF/SiO2) intermediate material and conversion of the MOF/SiO2 intermediate material to the nanostructured silicon carbonaceous composite material. Relatively inexpensive and/or recycled materials can be used as precursors in manufacturing the nanostructured silicon carbon composition material, which can be used in various applications, including as silicon anode material in a lithium-ion battery.

Abstract: A cementing method includes positioning a bottom plug at a casing shoe, rupturing the bottom plug, signaling when a top plug reaches a target position, and releasing a chemical into a cement slurry below the top plug in response to the signaling. The signal may comprise a mechanical trigger changing its position due to movement of the top plug past the target position.

Abstract: A cementing method includes positioning a bottom plug at a casing shoe, rupturing the bottom plug, signaling when a top plug reaches a target position, and releasing a chemical into a cement slurry below the top plug in response to the signaling. The signaling or releasing involves an electronic signaling interface included with the bottom plug and/or the top plug. A cementing system includes a top plug position interface that identifies when a top plug reaches a target position relative to a bottom plug and a chemical release interface that releases a chemical into a cement slurry below the top plug. The top plug position interface or the chemical release interface include an electronic signaling interface integrated with at least one of the top plug and a bottom plug.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming a piezoelectric ultrasonic transducer apparatus having a first electrode deposited on a dielectric layer disposed on a primary substrate. A piezoelectric material is deposited between the first electrode and a second electrode, to form a transducer device. At least the piezoelectric material is patterned such that a portion of the first electrode extends laterally outward therefrom. The primary substrate and the dielectric layer are etched to form a first via extending to the laterally outward portion of the first electrode, and a first conductive material is deposited to substantially fill the first via and form an electrically-conductive engagement with the laterally outward portion of the first electrode. The primary substrate is etched to define a second via extending therethrough, wherein the second via is laterally spaced apart from the first via. An associated method and apparatus are also provided.

Abstract: A method and associated apparatus directed to a piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducer (pMUT) defining an air-backed cavity are provided. A first via defined by a device substrate and associated dielectric layer, and extending to the first electrode, is substantially filled with a first conductive material. A support member engaged with the device substrate defines a second via extending to the first conductive material. The second via has a second conductive material disposed thereon, forms an electrically-conductive engagement with the first conductive material, and extends outwardly of the second via to be accessible externally to the support member.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming a piezoelectric ultrasonic transducer apparatus having a first electrode deposited on a dielectric layer disposed on a primary substrate. A piezoelectric material is deposited between the first electrode and a second electrode, to form a transducer device. At least the piezoelectric material is patterned such that a portion of the first electrode extends laterally outward therefrom. The primary substrate and the dielectric layer are etched to form a first via extending to the laterally outward portion of the first electrode, and a first conductive material is deposited to substantially fill the first via and form an electrically-conductive engagement with the laterally outward portion of the first electrode. The primary substrate is etched to define a second via extending therethrough, wherein the second via is laterally spaced apart from the first via. An associated method and apparatus are also provided.

Abstract: An ultrasound device including an ultrasonic transducer device having a plurality of transducer elements forming a transducer array is provided. Each transducer element includes a piezoelectric material disposed between a first electrode and a second electrode. One of the first and second electrodes is a ground electrode and the other of the first and second electrodes is a signal electrode. The ultrasound device further includes a cable assembly having a plurality of connective signal elements and a plurality of connective ground elements extending in substantially parallel relation therealong. Each connective element is configured to form an electrically-conductive engagement with respective ones of the signal electrodes and the ground electrodes of the transducer elements in the transducer array. The connective ground elements are alternatingly disposed with the connective signal elements across the cable assembly, to provide shielding between the connective signal elements.

Abstract: A method and apparatus directed to formation of a connection with an ultrasonic transducer apparatus (UTA) comprising a transducer device having first and second electrodes is provided. The UTA is engaged with an interposer device surface. The interposer device is greater in at least one lateral dimension than and extends laterally outward of the UTA, and comprises at least two laterally-extending conductors. A conductive engagement is formed between the first and second electrodes and respective first ends of the conductors. A connection support substrate is engaged with the interposer device about second ends of the conductors, and includes at least two connective elements for forming a conductive engagement with the respective second ends of the conductors. The UTA is then inserted into a catheter member lumen such that the device plane of the UTA and the at least two connective elements extend axially along the lumen.

Abstract: A method and associated apparatus directed to a piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducer (pMUT) defining an air-backed cavity are provided. A first via defined by a device substrate and associated dielectric layer, and extending to the first electrode, is substantially filled with a first conductive material. A support member engaged with the device substrate defines a second via extending to the first conductive material. The second via has a second conductive material disposed thereon, forms an electrically-conductive engagement with the first conductive material, and extends outwardly of the second via to be accessible externally to the support member.

Abstract: A method of generating an enhanced receive signal from a piezoelectric ultrasound transducer is described. The method comprises providing a piezoelectric ultrasound transducer comprising a piezoelectric element operable in flexural mode, receiving a acoustic signal by the piezoelectric element, applying a DC bias to the piezoelectric element prior to receiving the acoustic signal and/or concurrently with receiving the acoustic signal, and generating an enhanced receive signal from the piezoelectric element as a result of receiving the acoustic signal by the piezoelectric element. pMUT-based imaging probes using the above method are also described.

Abstract: A piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducer comprising a substrate and a first dielectric film formed on the substrate. An opening having a sidewall is formed through the substrate and first dielectric film. A bottom electrode is formed on the first dielectric film spanning the opening. A piezoelectric element is formed on the bottom electrode. A second dielectric film surrounds the piezoelectric element. A conformal insulating film is formed on the sidewall of the opening. A conformal conductive film is formed in contact with the bottom electrode and on the sidewall of the opening, wherein an open cavity is maintained in the opening. A top electrode is formed in contact with the piezoelectric element.

Abstract: A valve assembly may include a main housing and first and second electro-statically actuated valves. The main housing may define at least three chambers, with a first chamber configured to be coupled to a high pressure supply port, a second chamber configured to be coupled to an output port, and a third chamber configured to be coupled to a low pressure exhaust port. The first electro-statically actuated valve may be provided between the first and second chambers, and the first electro-statically actuated valve may allow or substantially block fluid communication between the first chamber and the second chamber responsive to a first electrical signal. The second electro-statically actuated valve may be provided between the second and third chambers, and the second electro-statically actuated valve may allow or substantially block fluid communication between the second chamber and the third chamber responsive to a second electrical signal. Related methods are also discussed.