Abstract: A method and system of measuring the spectroscopic impedance of a sensor and its immediate surroundings. The sensor is disposed on an engineered structure and is coated with a protective coating. The method includes providing a first optical signal having a first modulation frequency and amplitude. The method also includes transmitting the first optical signal and a second optical signal from a first location to a sensor location. The method also includes modulating the second optical signal with a second modulation frequency and amplitude, the second modulation frequency and amplitude converted from the first optical signal. The method also includes comparing the first modulation frequency to the second modulation frequency to determine one of a phase difference and a time lag and calculating the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy of the sensor and its immediate surroundings as a function of frequency.

Abstract: A method and system of measuring the spectroscopic impedance of a sensor and its immediate surroundings. The sensor is disposed on an engineered structure and is coated with a protective coating. The method includes providing a first optical signal having a first modulation frequency and amplitude. The method also includes transmitting the first optical signal and a second optical signal from a first location to a sensor location. The method also includes modulating the second optical signal with a second modulation frequency and amplitude, the second modulation frequency and amplitude converted from the first optical signal. The method also includes comparing the first modulation frequency to the second modulation frequency to determine one of a phase difference and a time lag and calculating the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy of the sensor and its immediate surroundings as a function of frequency.

Abstract: A detection system for monitoring an engineered structure includes an array of sensors disposable in a predetermined pattern on the engineered structure and disposable between a surface of the engineered structure and a protective coating substantially covering the surface. The detection system also includes a data acquisition system in communication with the array of sensors for retrieving data from the sensors. The array of sensors can provide data corresponding to at least one of a degree of cure of the protective coating, a health of the cured protective coating, and a corrosion rate of the engineered structure at each of the sensors.

Abstract: A detection system for monitoring an engineered structure includes an array of sensors disposable in a predetermined pattern on the engineered structure and disposable between a surface of the engineered structure and a protective coating substantially covering the surface. The detection system also includes a data acquisition system in communication with the array of sensors for retrieving data from the sensors. The array of sensors can provide data corresponding to at least one of a degree of cure of the protective coating, a health of the cured protective coating, and a corrosion rate of the engineered structure at each of the sensors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a web handling apparatus and process ideally suited for applications involving wet chemistry. The invention involves the horizontal processing of webs in processing containers. The web is redirected into the processing container by inserting a cassette across the web and into the processing container. The cassette includes at least one functional fluid element that facilitates processing of the web. The web handling practices of the invention improve the quality of the processed web. The invention is preferably used in electrodeposition processes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a web handling apparatus and process ideally suited for applications involving wet chemistry. The invention involves the horizontal processing of webs in processing containers. The web is redirected into the processing container by inserting a cassette across the web and into the processing container. The cassette includes at least one functional fluid element that facilitates processing of the web. The web handling practices of the invention improve the quality of the processed web. The invention is preferably used in electrodeposition processes.

Abstract: A laser imageable article includes an imageable layer that comprises the reaction product of a metal precursor and a reactant. The imageable article also includes a first boundary layer on a first side of the imageable layer, the first boundary layer being substantially transparent to laser radiation, and a second boundary layer on a second side of the imageable layer. The imageable layer may be imaged with a laser through the first boundary layer while maintaining the continuity of the first boundary layer. In a preferred embodiment, the imageable layer comprises the reaction product of an ion of one or more metals selected from columns 8, 9, and 10 of the periodic table of elements and a reducing agent selected from hypophosphorus acid and salts thereof, sodium borohydride, and dimethylamine borane. One preferred embodiment of the imageable layer comprises from 1 to 30 mole percent phosphorus and up to 99 mole percent nickel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a web handling apparatus and process ideally suited for applications involving wet chemistry. The invention involves the horizontal processing of webs in processing containers. The web is redirected into the processing container by inserting a cassette across the web and into the processing container. The cassette includes at least one functional fluid element that facilitates processing of the web. The web handling practices of the invention improve the quality of the processed web. The invention is preferably used in electrodeposition processes.

Abstract: A laser imageable article includes an imageable layer that comprises the reaction product of a metal precursor and a reactant. The imageable article also includes a first boundary layer on a first side of the imageable layer, the first boundary layer being substantially transparent to laser radiation, and a second boundary layer on a second side of the imageable layer. The imageable layer may be imaged with a laser through the first boundary layer while maintaining the continuity of the first boundary layer. In a preferred embodiment, the imageable layer comprises the reaction product of an ion of one or more metals selected from columns 8, 9, and 10 of the periodic table of elements and a reducing agent selected from hypophosphorus acid and salts thereof, sodium borohydride, and dimethylamine borane. One preferred embodiment of the imageable layer comprises from 1 to 30 mole percent phosphorus and up to 99 mole percent nickel.

Abstract: A method for electroplating of a substrate traveling in a substrate direction. The method comprises directing a first fluid stream and a second fluid stream respectively across the first and second width portions of the substrate. The first and second fluid streams do not flow substantially cocurrently with nor countercurrently to the substrate direction.

Abstract: A method of altering a portion of the semiconductive layer of an electric power cable, to increase its resistance so as to render it electrically insulative. The semiconductive layer is loaded with carbon powder which forms chains to provide conductive pathways through the layer. By introducing an intercalant into the semiconductive layer, which causes the layer to swell, the conductive pathways are interrupted and the material is rendered insulative (>10.sup.4 .OMEGA.-cm). The intercalant may be a polymerizable material with a curing agent which is cured in situ, i.e., without removing the semiconductive layer from the cable. By this method, flashover to the semiconductive layer at a cable splice or termination may be prevented without requiring tedious removal of the exposed portion of the semiconductive layer. The method is usable with both strippable and coextruded semiconductive layers.

Abstract: A method of altering a portion of the semiconductive layer of an electric power cable, to increase its resistance so as to render it electrically insulative. The semiconductive layer is loaded with carbon powder which forms chains to provide conductive pathways through the layer. By introducing an intercalant into the semiconductive layer, which causes the layer to swell, the conductive pathways are interrupted and the material is rendered insulative (>10.sup.4 .OMEGA.-cm). The intercalant may be a polymerizable material with a curing agent which is cured in situ, i.e., without removing the semiconductive layer from the cable. By this method, flashover to the semiconductive layer at a cable splice or termination may be prevented without requiring tedious removal of the exposed portion of the semiconductive layer. The method is usable with both strippable and coextruded semiconductive layers.

Abstract: A method of altering a portion of the semiconductive layer of an electric power cable, to increase its resistance so as to render it electrically insulative. The semiconductive layer is loaded with carbon powder which forms chains to provide conductive pathways through the layer. By introducing an intercalant into the semiconductive layer, which causes the layer to swell, the conductive pathways are interrupted and the material is rendered insulative (>10.sup.4 .OMEGA.-cm). The intercalant may be a polymerizable material with a curing agent which is cured in situ, i.e., without removing the semiconductive layer from the cable. By this method, flashover to the semiconductive layer at a cable splice or termination may be prevented without requiring tedious removal of the exposed portion of the semiconductive layer. The method is usable with both strippable and coextruded semiconductive layers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an amorphous metal alloys of the formula:Cr.sub.a X.sub.b M.sub.cwhereinX is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Pt, Pd, Ir, Rh and Ru;M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of P, B, N, C, As, Sb and S; and wherein a ranges from about 0.60 to abotu 0.96;b ranges from greater than zero to about 0.01;c ranges from about 0.04 to about 0.40; and with the provisor that a+b+c equals 1.00.

Abstract: Amorphous chromium-metalloid alloys exhibiting corrosion resistance in acid environments are described. The alloys contain a relatively low amount of a metalloid selected from the group of B, C, P, N, S, Sb and As. Additional metalloid elements such as Al, Si and Ge may also be present to enhance other properties of the amorphous alloy.