Abstract: An electronic synapse device is provided. One embodiment of the invention includes a metastable switching synaptic device. Changing conductance of the metastable switching synaptic device occurs by receiving opposite signed first and second voltage pulses at the metastable switching synaptic device where magnitude of the first voltage pulse and the second voltage pulse each are below a switching voltage magnitude threshold. A magnitude difference between the first voltage pulse and the second voltage pulse exceeds the switching voltage magnitude threshold by an amount, wherein the amount is a function of a relative timing between the first voltage pulse and the second voltage pulse.

Abstract: Nanoparticles in a colloid are purified, with the colloid including a fluid, unwanted matter, and the nanoparticles to be purified. An electric field is applied that is substantially spatially uniform over a distance that is at least equal to a characteristic dimension of the nanoparticles, so that at least some of the nanoparticles move towards at least one collection surface as a result of the force arising between their electrical charge and the electric field, whereupon nanoparticles are collected on said at least one collection surface. The collection surface(s) may be one or more electrodes to which a voltage potential is applied. The collected nanoparticles are then removed from the collection surface, e.g., by dispersing them into another fluid.

Abstract: An electronic synapse device is provided. One embodiment of the invention includes a metastable switching synaptic device. Changing conductance of the metastable switching synaptic device occurs by receiving opposite signed first and second voltage pulses at the metastable switching synaptic device where magnitude of the first voltage pulse and the second voltage pulse each are below a switching voltage magnitude threshold. A magnitude difference between the first voltage pulse and the second voltage pulse exceeds the switching voltage magnitude threshold by an amount, wherein the amount is a function of a relative timing between the first voltage pulse and the second voltage pulse.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polymeric materials that exhibit an erasable photorefractive effect which can be fabricated into optical devices such as optical wave guides.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for the detection of analytes. A polyunsaturated polymerized lipid layer is employed, which is anisotropic, has a member of a specific binding pair bound to an end of the lipids, and whose optical characteristics are modified upon complex formation between the specific binding pair member and its complementary member. By providing for polarized light, linear and/or circular, one can detect the presence of complex formation by the change in the optical characteristics of the film. Polarizers, analyzers, and wave plates are employed for providing for a light signal which can be analyzed and related to the presence of an analyte in a sample.

Abstract: A plasma jet igniter is used to reliably relight a jet engine at high altitudes under adverse combustion conditions. The air-fuel mixture from the primary combustion zone of the jet engine combustor may be used as the plasma medium or, alternatively, liquid fuel direct from the aircraft fuel system may be used as a fuel charge.

Abstract: A computer-printable laminated diskette envelope form is disclosed which has two paper sheets secured by adhesive. Multiple structures are defined by patterns imperforated in the form and include a diskette envelope of novel tapered shape for easy insertion of a diskette and better wear as well as several labels such as a diskette identifier, a customer order label and the like. A pattern for the diskette envelope includes a print area for a directory listing of files stored on the diskette. A customized software utility interacts with the diskette and the envelope form controlling printing of the directory listing and providing a variety of options to users.

Abstract: A computer-printable laminated diskette envelope form is disclosed which has two paper sheets securedy by adhesive. Multiple structures are defined by patterns imperforated in the form and include a diskette envelope of novel tapered shape for easy insertion of a diskette and better wear as well as several labels such as a diskette identifier, a customer order label and the like. A pattern for the diskette envelope includes a print area for a directory listing of files stored on the diskette. A customized software utility interacts with the diskette and the envelope form controlling printing of the directory listing and providing a variety of options to users.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for the detection of analytes. A polyunsaturated polymerized lipid layer is employed, which is anisotropic, has a member of a specific binding pair bound to an end of the lipids, and whose optical characteristics are modified upon complex formation between the specific binding pair member and its complementary member. By providing for polarized light, linear and/or circular, one can detect the presence of complex formation by the change in the optical characteristics of the film. Polarizers, analyzers, and wave plates are employed for providing for a light signal which can be analyzed and related to the presence of an analyte in a sample.

Abstract: A plasma jet igniter is used to reliably relight a jet engine at high altitudes under adverse combustion conditions. The air-fuel mixture from the primary combustion zone of the jet engine combustor may be used as the plasma medium or, alternatively, liquid fuel direct from the aircraft fuel system may be used as a fuel charge.

Abstract: A blast furnace with a blowpipe (12) opening through the furnace wall (11) has apparatus for analysis (20) in a raceway (18) adjacent the blowpipe opening in a bed of the blast furnace. The apparatus includes means (24) arranged in relation to the blast furnace to transmit an optical signal into the raceway and means (30) for monitoring a received signal derived from reflection or scattering of the transmitted optical signal in the raceway. Means (32) is provided to analyse the received signal in relation to the transmitter signal and to thereby obtain a measure of a parameter of the raceway. The method of analysis comprises transmitting an optical signal into the raceway, monitoring a received signal derived from reflection or scattering of the transmitted optical signal in the raceway, and analyzing the received signal in relation to the transmitted signal to obtain a measure of a parameter of the raceway.

Abstract: A cable and termination for high voltage and high frequency current carrying applications includes an inner conductor having a sheath of braided metallic wire and a cylindrical core of flexible material extending within the sheath and supporting the sheath to prevent reduction in diameter of the sheath in response to tensile forces applied to the cable. The core includes one or more wire filaments connected to bear a portion of tensile forces applied to the cable. The inner conductor is encased in an outer insulation assembly which includes a conducting layer, spaced from the sheath and connected for ground return. The cable includes a termination assembly having a socket, connected to the sheath and wire filaments, for receiving an inner conductor of a complementary termination assembly.

Abstract: A fluorescent dyed polymer member and a light source are structurally arranged in a manner to efficiently gather light from the light source and then transmit the gathered light to a light utilization device. Light from the light source is gathered over a large area that is occupied by the polymer member. This gathered light is transmitted through the polymer member to an edge portion thereof having a relatively small light emitting area. Light is then emitted as an external beam having a cross section that corresponds to the physical shape of the edge of the polymer member, for example a straight of linear footprint of light. The area brightness of this external beam is greater than the area brightness of the initial light source.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polymeric materials that exhibit an erasable photorefractive effect which can be fabricated into optical devices such as optical wave guides.

Abstract: A roll for hot fusing having a coating comprising a cross-linked elastomeric random copolymer of dimethylsiloxane and diphenylsiloxane and three additives, (1) from 40 to 55% by weight of small zinc oxide particles, (2) from 5 to 10% by weight of small graphite particles and (3) from 1 to 5% by weight of ceric dioxide particles.

Abstract: A circuit for the suppression of spurious frequency components for use in cascaded class C common base transistor amplifiers. The circuit uses a capacitor and shunt diode connected in series between emitter and ground of each stage to slow the pulse falltime and thereby eliminate spurious frequencies resulting from parasitic-caused ringing. The cathode-to-capacitor junction is pulsed through an RF choke at the pulse repetition frequency by a pulse generator. This effectively replaces the fast trailing edge of the RF pulse with the slower turn-on time of the PIN diode circuit. The resulting slower falltime eliminates spurious frequency production that normally occurs at each stage of cascaded amplifiers.

Abstract: A new high quality, low cost, thin-film magnetic recording member is provided, which has a coercive field strength greater than 650 Oe, a saturation magnetization greater than 10,000 Gauss, and a squareness ratio of 0.9 or larger. The member includes a substrate on which is directly sputter deposited a chromium layer, without the use of an intervening nickel-containing layer between the substrate and the chromium. A nickel-cobalt recording layer is then sputter deposited directly onto the chromium layer. In the preferred mode, the start of that nickel-cobalt deposition begins less than 100 seconds after the chromium deposition is terminated and is followed by the sputtering of a protective layer. Before the chromium deposition, the substrate is preheatead to drive off adsorbed gases, and to establish the proper conditions for the chromium deposition. The substrate is also heated during the time between when the chromium deposition ends and the nickel-cobalt deposition begins.

Abstract: A spectroscopic method of sensing the presence of methane in an atmosphere includes directing through the atmosphere light emitted by a neodymium laser at a wavelength having a fluorescence linewidth which embraces at least one significant absorption line of the v.sub.2 +2v.sub.2 band of methane.

Abstract: The prevention of electrode material erosion by undercutting in the outer electrode shell of igniter electrodes of jet engine ignition systems is prevented by the application of an electrical insulation coating. The coating is applied to the surface of the outer electrode shell which faces the ceramic insulation around the center electrode where erosion patterns are known to occur. The insulation material is selected from electrical insulation substances such as oxides of aluminum, tungsten, magnesium, beryllium or zirconium by choosing a non-porous electrical insulating substance with thermal expansion characteristics approximately equalling those of the outer electrode shell. Since a typical outer electrode shell is composed of 446 stainless steel, an optimum choice for the electrical insulation coating is AL.sub.2 O.sup.3 deposited with a coating thickness of between 5 and 10 mils.

Abstract: A magnetic head/slider assembly for flying a magnetic head on a fluid bearing relative to magnetic recording media moving in a predetermined direction, as a fluid bearing surface which is convexly curved longitudinally of the assembly. A magnetic recording head extends rearwardly of the slider body with at least a portion of its bottom surface also being convexly curved. The head/slider assembly is supported such that the portion of the assembly closest to the magnetic recording media when the media is stopped is a portion of the slider body forward of the trailing edge thereof, whereby the magnetic head gap remains spaced above the media when the media contacting portion of the assembly is resting thereupon.