Abstract: The architecture, design and fabrication of array of suspended micro-elements with individual seals are described. Read out integrated circuit is integrated monolithically with the suspended elements for low parasitics and high signal to noise ratio detection of changes of their electrical resistance. Array of individually sealed, suspended micro-elements is combined with signal processing chip that contains nonvolatile memory with sensitivity calibration of all elements and interpolation between non-functional elements. When the micro-elements are infrared light absorbers, image analysis and recognition is embedded in the processing chip to form the infrared imaging solution for infrared cameras.

Abstract: The architecture, design and fabrication of array of suspended micro-elements with individual seals are described. Read out integrated circuit is integrated monolithically with the suspended elements for low parasitics and high signal to noise ratio detection of changes of their electrical resistance. Array of individually sealed, suspended micro-elements is combined with signal processing chip that contains nonvolatile memory with sensitivity calibration of all elements and interpolation between non-functional elements. When the micro-elements are infrared light absorbers, image analysis and recognition is embedded in the processing chip to form the infrared imaging solution for infrared cameras.

Abstract: The electrostatic sensors of bridge or cantilever type with multiple electrodes, the electrostatic sensors of comb type and piezoelectric sensors are used for the single molecule detection of ligands. The electrical driving of sensors is separated in some cases from the sensing for increased sensitivity. The large arrays of sensors with individual or common sensing circuits are employed to further improve detection sensitivity. The fabrication of the sensors, their functionalization for detection of many chemical and biological species and electrical circuitry, packaging, microfluidic subsystem and the system architecture are also disclosed. The individual, specific sensing of single species or simultaneous detection of multiple species is realized. The freeze drying or critical point drying after exposure of sensors to ligands present in liquids and detection in reduced pressure or vacuum is employed for increased sensitivity, down to the single molecule.

Abstract: The electrostatic resonators of bridge, cantilever and comb type or piezoelectric resonators with detection electronics are key components of chemical, biological, biochemical and biomedical sensors with sensitivity down to the single molecule detection of ligands. The detection electronics relies on measurement of frequency changes of resonators using phase or signal comparator. The large arrays of these sensors with individual or common sensing circuitry improve detection sensitivity, selectivity and lower incidence of false positives and negatives.

Abstract: A segmented concrete screed for screeding concrete on a concrete casting bed includes a plurality of individual screed units each of which may be raised and lowered independently of the others such that screeding operations may selectively bypass obstructions in the concrete to be screeded.

Abstract: A segmented concrete screed for screeding concrete on a concrete casting bed includes a plurality of individual screed units each of which may be raised and lowered independently of the others such that screeding operations may selectively bypass obstructions in the concrete to be screeded.

Abstract: A method for casting hollow core concrete panels includes the use of raft connectors to hold a plurality of spaced foam billets in place during the manufacture to create panel or plank with spaced foam-filled cores. The panels include billets that form longitudinal voids that allows utilities to be run through the lengths of the concrete panels.

Abstract: A method for casting hollow core concrete panels includes the use of raft connectors to hold a plurality of spaced foam billets in place during the manufacture to create panel or plank with spaced foam-filled cores. The panels include billets that form longitudinal voids that allows utilities to be run through the lengths of the concrete panels.

Abstract: A method for casting hollow core concrete panels includes the use of raft connectors to hold a plurality of spaced foam billets in place during the manufacture to create panel or plank with spaced foam-filled cores.

Abstract: A slider assembly for selectively altering a position of a transducing head with respect to a track of a rotatable disc having a plurality of concentric tracks includes a slider body having a main portion and a head portion separated by a gap. The head portion carries the transducing head. The slider body is arranged to be supported by a support structure over a surface of the rotatable disc. A pair of structural elements are disposed on opposite side surfaces of the slider body between the main portion and the head portion across the gap. At least one of the structural elements is a microactuator responsive to electrical control signals to selectively bend to alter the position of the head portion with respect to the main portion of the slider body. The structural elements may be complementary microactuators.

Abstract: A slider assembly for selectively altering a position of a transducing head with respect to a track of a rotatable disc having a plurality of concentric tracks includes a slider body having a main portion and a head portion separated by a gap. The head portion carries the transducing head. The slider body is arranged to be supported by a support structure over a surface of the rotatable disc. A pair of structural elements are disposed on opposite side surfaces of the slider body between the main portion and the head portion across the gap. At least one of the structural elements is a microactuator responsive to electrical control signals to selectively bend to alter the position of the head portion with respect to the main portion of the slider body. The structural elements may be complementary microactuators.

Abstract: The invention uses piezoelectric sensors to test disk drives. Both contact start-stop and load-unload type disk drives may be tested. A piezoelectric sensor is affixed to a disk drive to test for disk drive mechanical integrity. One method of affixing the sensor to the disk drive is using a mechanical clamp. The clamp is intended for repeated use on many disk drives, and therefore its easy removal is important. An alternative clamping apparatus is a magnetic clamp. In use, the clamp affixes the piezoelectric sensor to a disk drive in an optimal location with optimal force. Affixed piezoelectric sensors are used to detect aberrant behavior generated by non-optimal disk drive performance. The clamp/sensor combination detects acoustic signal in a disk drive which is used to determine whether or not a disk drive has adequate head-disk clearance. The apparatus is flexible, allowing testing after assembly of head-disk assembly and before or after servowriting and final disk drive assembly.

Abstract: A contact recording disk file uses an integrated head-suspension assembly having a head carrier with a dual-layer wear pad for contacting the disk during read and write operations. The outer wear layer of the pad is relatively soft and wear prone compared to a harder and more wear-resistant inner layer. The outer wear layer wears away at a relatively rapid rate during initial wear-in of the head carrier. In this manner the head pole pieces, which extend into the wear pad, are rapidly put into contact with the disk, thereby compensating for initial misalignment of the wear pad with the surface of the disk. The inner wear layer then provides wear resistance over the life of the disk file. In the preferred embodiment, both the outer and inner wear layers are formed of essentially amorphous carbon doped with different amounts of hydrogen.

Abstract: Corrosion of carbon steel storage and mixing equipment is inhibited by admixing an effective amount of a member selected from the group consisting of ammonium polyphosphate, sodium nitrite, potassium nitrite, ammonium thiosulfate, sodium thiosulfate and potassium thiosulfate with an aqueous solution of ammonium sulfate useful as a fertilizer.

Abstract: Corrosion of carbon steel storage and mixing equipment is inhibited by admixing an effective amount of a member selected from the group consisting of ammonium polyphosphate, sodium nitrite, potassium nitrite, ammonium thiosulfate, sodium thiosulfate and potassium thiosulfate with an aqueous solution of ammonium sulfate useful as a fertilizer.

Abstract: Corrosion of carbon steel by an aqueous solution of zinc nitrate, ammonium nitrate, and urea is inhibited by incorporating therein an effective amount of ammonium thiosulfate. The solution is particularly useful in correcting zinc deficiencies in plants when applied as a foliar spray.