Abstract: Systems and methods for improving plasma propellant ablation/sublimation based systems are provided. One set of embodiments provides systems and methods for reducing carbon charring during plasma system (e.g., a plasma coating application system) propellant (e.g., a carbon-fluorine polymer) ablation and increasing heat transfer, ablation, and plasma thrust from plasma systems. In particular, one embodiment can include using a nano or micro-sized magnetic or electromagnetic field responsive material as particulates or microcapsules that are intermixed with polytetrafluoroethylene (e.g., Teflon®) nano-fibers, and using resulting fiber composites as the propellant material. Embodiments can include improved plasma system, e.g., pulsed plasma thrusters, plasma torches, plasma coating systems, etc, as well as nozzle improvements such as embodiments with magnetic structures disposed in relation to the nozzle. Alternative embodiments also include recovery and reuse systems.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving plasma propellant ablation/sublimation based systems are provided. One set of embodiments provides systems and methods for reducing carbon charring during plasma system (e.g., a plasma coating application system) propellant (e.g., a carbon-fluorine polymer) ablation and increasing heat transfer, ablation, and plasma thrust from plasma systems. In particular, one embodiment can include using a nano or micro-sized magnetic or electromagnetic field responsive material as particulates or microcapsules that are intermixed with polytetrafluoroethylene (e.g., Teflon®) nano-fibers, and using resulting fiber composites as the propellant material. Embodiments can include improved plasma system, e.g., pulsed plasma thrusters, plasma torches, plasma coating systems, etc, as well as nozzle improvements such as embodiments with magnetic structures disposed in relation to the nozzle. Alternative embodiments also include recovery and reuse systems.

Abstract: A system and method for image enhancement associated with scan generators is provided. For example, a source stimulates a device under test (DUT) at electrical interconnects. An internal clock of the DUT is synchronized with the scan rate of the source to reduce the noise of the output signal and enhance a resultant image. A phase adjustment is effected to further reduce the noise in the signal. The synchronization and the phase adjustment seek to ensure that the data is collected at uniform times relative to the reference signal and thereby reduce the noise introduced into the system, by such offsets. Post-scan processing increases the signal-to-noise ratio through averaging techniques. Using a pixel overlay algorithm the averaged data is transformed into a 2-D array and the image of the DUT reconstructed.

Abstract: An invention for making productive uses of normally undesirable whiskers is provided. Embodiments of the invention include a variety of apparatuses and methods associated with forming and using whiskers as well as forming whisker compounds is disclosed. For example, whisker detection modules can be created which provide a whisker surveillance capability. The whisker detection modules can further be coupled with a whisker response system such as an alarm or insulating material dispersing system. Another aspect of the invention is providing a variety of environments or microenvironments with regard to a whisker forming structure to affect whisker creation such as maximizing whisker formation. Another example includes provision of a variety of embodiments for manufacturing compounds of whiskers of various metal and metal alloys, including structures and methods is provided. Whisker compounds produced using various embodiments of the invention can be used for various applications.

Abstract: An invention for making productive uses of normally undesirable whiskers is provided. Embodiments of the invention include a variety of apparatuses and methods associated with forming and using whiskers as well as forming whisker compounds is disclosed. For example, whisker detection modules can be created which provide a whisker surveillance capability. The whisker detection modules can further be coupled with a whisker response system such as an alarm or insulating material dispersing system. Another aspect of the invention is providing a variety of environments or microenvironments with regard to a whisker forming structure to affect whisker creation such as maximizing whisker formation. Another example includes provision of a variety of embodiments for manufacturing compounds of whiskers of various metal and metal alloys, including structures and methods is provided. Whisker compounds produced using various embodiments of the invention can be used for various applications.

Abstract: An invention for making productive uses of normally undesirable whiskers is provided. Embodiments of the invention include a variety of apparatuses and methods associated with forming and using whiskers as well as forming whisker compounds is disclosed. For example, whisker detection modules can be created which provide a whisker surveillance capability. The whisker detection modules can further be coupled with a whisker response system such as an alarm or insulating material dispersing system. Another aspect of the invention is providing a variety of environments or microenvironments with regard to a whisker forming structure to affect whisker creation such as maximizing whisker formation. Another example includes provision of a variety of embodiments for manufacturing compounds of whiskers of various metal and metal alloys, including structures and methods is provided. Whisker compounds produced using various embodiments of the invention can be used for various applications.

Abstract: An invention for making productive uses of normally undesirable whiskers is provided. Embodiments of the invention include a variety of apparatuses and methods associated with forming and using whiskers as well as forming whisker compounds is disclosed. For example, whisker detection modules can be created which provide a whisker surveillance capability. The whisker detection modules can further be coupled with a whisker response system such as an alarm or insulating material dispersing system. Another aspect of the invention is providing a variety of environments or microenvironments with regard to a whisker forming structure to affect whisker creation such as maximizing whisker formation. Another example includes provision of a variety of embodiments for manufacturing compounds of whiskers of various metal and metal alloys, including structures and methods is provided. Whisker compounds produced using various embodiments of the invention can be used for various applications.

Abstract: An invention for making productive uses of normally undesirable whiskers is provided. Embodiments of the invention include a variety of apparatuses and methods associated with forming and using whiskers as well as forming whisker compounds is disclosed. For example, whisker detection modules can be created which provide a whisker surveillance capability. The whisker detection modules can further be coupled with a whisker response system such as an alarm or insulating material dispersing system. Another aspect of the invention is providing a variety of environments or microenvironments with regard to a whisker forming structure to affect whisker creation such as maximizing whisker formation. Another example includes provision of a variety of embodiments for manufacturing compounds of whiskers of various metal and metal alloys, including structures and methods is provided. Whisker compounds produced using various embodiments of the invention can be used for various applications.

Abstract: A method, structure, and/or material composition associated with overetching a structure or allow of interest to deplete magnesium content at and in a vicinity of grain boundaries which mitigates or prevents corrosion including, for example, intergranular corrosion (IGC) and/or intergranular stress corrosion cracking (IGSCC). Another aspect of the invention can include a process and material composition associated with providing a particular coating having a number of material properties. Additional steps, material composition(s), and/or exemplary structure(s) can also be provided which provides a nano coating over the depletion zone having a first coating in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.

Abstract: A method, structure, and/or material composition associated with overetching a structure or allow of interest to deplete magnesium content at and in a vicinity of grain boundaries which mitigates or prevents corrosion including, for example, intergranular corrosion (IGC) and/or intergranular stress corrosion cracking (IGSCC). Another aspect of the invention can include a process and material composition associated with providing a particular coating having a number of material properties. Additional steps, material composition(s), and/or exemplary structure(s) can also be provided which provides a nano coating over the depletion zone having a first coating in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.

Abstract: An invention for making productive uses of normally undesirable whiskers is provided. Embodiments of the invention include a variety of apparatuses and methods associated with forming and using whiskers as well as forming whisker compounds is disclosed. For example, whisker detection modules can be created which provide a whisker surveillance capability. The whisker detection modules can further be coupled with a whisker response system such as an alarm or insulating material dispersing system. Another aspect of the invention is providing a variety of environments or microenvironments with regard to a whisker forming structure to affect whisker creation such as maximizing whisker formation. Another example includes provision of a variety of embodiments for manufacturing compounds of whiskers of various metal and metal alloys, including structures and methods is provided. Whisker compounds produced using various embodiments of the invention can be used for various applications.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for mitigating electrical failures caused by intrusive structures. Such structures can be tin whiskers forming on electrical circuits. In an illustrative embodiment, nano-capsules are filled with some type of insulative and adhesive fluid that is adapted to bind to and coat an intrusive structure, e.g., a whisker, making the whisker electrically inactive and thereby reducing the electrical faults that can be caused by the whisker. In another illustrative embodiment, randomly oriented nano-fibers having an elastic modulus higher than tin or any other whisker material is used to arrest a growth or movement of a whisker and further reduce a likelihood that a whisker can cause an electrical fault.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for mitigating electrical failures caused by intrusive structures. Such structures can be tin whiskers forming on electrical circuits. In an illustrative embodiment, nano-capsules are filled with some type of insulative and adhesive fluid that is adapted to bind to and coat an intrusive structure, e.g., a whisker, making the whisker electrically inactive and thereby reducing the electrical faults that can be caused by the whisker. In another illustrative embodiment, randomly oriented nano-fibers having an elastic modulus higher than tin or any other whisker material is used to arrest a growth or movement of a whisker and further reduce a likelihood that a whisker can cause an electrical fault.

Abstract: A system and method for image enhancement associated with scan generators is provided. For example, a source stimulates a device under test (DUT) at electrical interconnects. An internal clock of the DUT is synchronized with the scan rate of the source to reduce the noise of the output signal and enhance a resultant image. A phase adjustment is effected to further reduce the noise in the signal. The synchronization and the phase adjustment seek to ensure that the data is collected at uniform times relative to the reference signal and thereby reduce the noise introduced into the system, by such offsets. Post-scan processing increases the signal-to-noise ratio through averaging techniques. Using a pixel overlay algorithm the averaged data is transformed into a 2-D array and the image of the DUT reconstructed.