Abstract: Metal flakes, an organic metal precursor, an organic solvent and either no binder, or a volatile or a thermally decomposable binder are combined to form a paste. The paste is deposited in a circuit pattern on a substrate and the circuit pattern is cured. While curing, the organic metal precursor decomposes to leave an electrically conductive path, and the printed circuit is thus formed. A precursor to an electrically conductive circuit material includes an organic metal precursor, metal microparticles, and an organic solvent. The method can be employed to form printed circuits, for a variety of electrical, electronic and sensing application, such as crack detection in ceramic, plastics, concrete, wood, fabric, leather, rubber or paper and composite materials.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices and methods for making nano structures such a nanoheater. In one embodiment, the nanoheater element comprises a first reactive member and interlayer disposed in communication with at least a portion thereof. Preferably, contact between the first and second reactive members of the nanoheater element can yield at least one exothermic reaction. A nanoheater device of the invention can optionally comprise a substrate on which the first reactive member is positioned in combination with other components. The invention also provides a nanoheater system comprising a plurality of nanoheater elements. Exemplary nanoheater elements and systems can be used to perform a method of the invention in which heat is produced. Methods includes processes for fabricating nanostructures such as layered devices, nanorods and nanowires.

Abstract: Wireless strain and displacement sensors wirelessly monitor structural health and integrity, and are made by printing inductor-interdigital capacitor sensing circuits on a variety of substrates, including ceramic substrates, with thermally processable conductive inks. Sensors of the invention can be employed to detect strain and displacement of civil structures, such as bridges and buildings. The sensors include sensing elements that are mounted or printed on stiff, inflexible substrates, which prevent the sensing elements from bending, stretching, or otherwise warping when the sensor is strained. An interlayer between the sensing elements allows the sensing elements to move with respect to each other during application of strain. Thus, strain causes the sensing elements to move but not to deform, causing changes in sensor resonance that can be detected through wireless radio-frequency interrogation.

Abstract: Metal flakes, an organic metal precursor, an organic solvent and either no binder, or a volatile or a thermally decomposable binder are combined to form a paste. The paste is deposited in a circuit pattern on a substrate and the circuit pattern is cured. While curing, the organic metal precursor decomposes to leave an electrically conductive path, and the printed circuit is thus formed. A precursor to an electrically conductive circuit material includes an organic metal precursor, metal microparticles, and an organic solvent. The method can be employed to form printed circuits, for a variety of electrical, electronic and sensing application, such as crack detection in ceramic, plastics, concrete, wood, fabric, leather, rubber or paper and composite materials.

Abstract: Wireless strain and displacement sensors wirelessly monitor structural health and integrity, and are made by printing inductor-interdigital capacitor sensing circuits on a variety of substrates, including ceramic substrates, with thermally processable conductive inks. Sensors of the invention can be employed to detect strain and displacement of civil structures, such as bridges and buildings. The sensors include sensing elements that are mounted or printed on stiff, inflexible substrates, which prevent the sensing elements from bending, stretching, or otherwise warping when the sensor is strained. An interlayer between the sensing elements allows the sensing elements to move with respect to each other during application of strain. Thus, strain causes the sensing elements to move but not to deform, causing changes in sensor resonance that can be detected through wireless radio-frequency interrogation.

Abstract: Metal flakes, an organic metal precursor, an organic solvent and either no binder, or a volatile or a thermally decomposable binder are combined to form a paste. The paste is deposited in a circuit pattern on a substrate and the circuit pattern is cured. While curing, the organic metal precursor decomposes to leave an electrically conductive path, and the printed circuit is thus formed. A precursor to an electrically conductive circuit material includes an organic metal precursor, metal microparticles, and an organic solvent. The method can be employed to form printed circuits, for a variety of electrical, electronic and sensing application, such as crack detection in ceramic, plastics, concrete, wood, fabric, leather, rubber or paper and composite materials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of fabricating nanostructures using a replacement reaction. In a preferred embodiment, metal particles in an inert atmosphere undergo a replacement reaction to form a layer on the metal particle which is removed to form a high surface area nanostructure. A preferred embodiment includes the fabrication of heater elements, powders and heater assemblies using the nanostructures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of fabricating nanostructures using a replacement reaction. In a preferred embodiment, metal particles in an inert atmosphere undergo a replacement reaction to form a layer on the metal particle which is removed to form a high surface area nanostructure. A preferred embodiment includes the fabrication of heater elements, powders and heater assemblies using the nanostructures.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices and methods for making nano structures such a nanoheater In one embodiment, the nanoheater element comprises a first reactive member and interlayer disposed in communication with at least a portion thereof. Preferably, contact between the first and second reactive members of the nanoheater element can yield at least one exothermic reaction. A nanoheater device of the invention can optionally comprise a substrate on which the first reactive member is positioned in combination with other components. The invention also provides a nanoheater system comprising a plurality of nanoheater elements. Exemplary nanoheater elements and systems can be used to perform a method of the invention in which heat is produced. Methods includes processes for fabricating nanostructures such as layered devices, nanorods and nanowires.

Abstract: A method and article of manufacture, implementing the method, allocates space for a dataset. The dataset has an initial area and zero or more additional allocated areas to provide space for storing the dataset. The size of a new additional area is determined. The new additional area is associated with a new area number, and the size of the new additional area is based on the new area number. Additional space for the dataset is allocated based on the size of the new additional area.

Abstract: A base table and related auxiliary table spaces are reorganized concurrently via a database utility. The database utility determines which auxiliary tables are related to the base table and automatically includes their respective auxiliary table in the same invocation of the utility. The reorganization is performed via allocated shadow data sets. The original data sets are switched with the newly built shadow data sets including the LOB shadows.

Abstract: Increasing the output signal from CPP GMR devices by increasing the read current has not previously been considered an option because it would make the device run too hot. This problem has been overcome by using, for the upper and lower leads, materials that differ significantly in their thermoelectric powers. Thus, when DC is passed through the device, from ? to + TEP leads, hot and cold junctions are formed and heat is transferred from the micro-device into the leads, resulting in a net local cooling of the device which enables it to operate at higher power. For a GMR device, this translates to a larger output voltage, making it easier, more sensitive, and more reliable to use.

Abstract: A method and article of manufacture, implementing the method, allocates space for a dataset. The dataset has an initial area and zero or more additional allocated areas to provide space for storing the dataset. The size of a new additional area is determined. The new additional area is associated with a new area number, and the size of the new additional area is based on the new area number. Additional space for the dataset is allocated based on the size of the new additional area. Alternately, an apparatus stores a dataset. A computer has a data storage device connected thereto. The data storage device has a plurality of areas for storing a dataset. The plurality of areas comprises an initial area having an initial area size and a plurality of additional areas having an additional area size, wherein the additional area size varies. In one embodiment, the additional area size monotonically increases.

Abstract: A base table and related auxiliary table spaces are reorganized concurrently via a database utility. The database utility determines which auxiliary tables are related to the base table and automatically includes their respective auxiliary table in the same invocation of the utility. The reorganization is performed via allocated shadow data sets. The original data sets are switched with the newly built shadow data sets including the LOB shadows.

Abstract: Increasing the output signal from CPP GMR devices by increasing the read current has not previously been considered an option because it would make the device run too hot. This problem has been overcome by using, for the upper and lower leads, materials that differ significantly in their thermoelectric powers. Thus, when DC is passed through the device, from − to +TEP leads, hot and cold junctions are formed and heat is transferred from the micro-device into the leads, resulting in a net local cooling of the device which enables it to operate at higher power. For a GMR device, this translates to a larger output voltage, making it easier, more sensitive, and more reliable to use.