Abstract: An acoustic imaging system comprises a plurality of piezoelectric elements in a piezoelectic array. The array comprises a plurality of physically separate sub-arrays which are assembled together. It is supported on an interconnect layer. The elements are connected to the interconnect layer by a plurality of electrically conductive paths. The elements receive acoustic energy and convert it into electrical signals. The signals are transmitted along the plurality of electrically conductive paths and through the interconnect layer to an image processor which processes the signals to produce an image.

Abstract: Small lengths of conductors, cut to the appropriate size are used as radar "chaff" or passive reflectors to give spurious returns on an enemy radar and thereby act as an electronic countermeasure. Currently used chaff includes chopped aluminum foil, aluminum coated glass fibres and silver coated nylon monofilaments. Current radars operate in the 10.sup.10 Hz region and current chaff dipoles are of centimetric size, but future radar systems are likely to operate at higher frequencies requiring shorter dipoles lengths to achieve an increased packing density the dipoles also need to be thinner. Carbon fibres have advantages over existing chaff materials as they are fine, light and much stiffer than existing chaff materials. The electrical resistance is about 1000.times.higher than that of aluminum however and this invention therefore proposes the use of carbon fibres coated with a much more conductive coating. Typical coating materials can be copper, silver aluminium applied by a number of different methods.

Abstract: A conductive gasket for use in electro magnetic interference protection of electrical apparatus comprises an elastomeric material in which high aspect ratio conductive fibres are embedded to provide the conductive paths across the gasket. Preferably the fibres are carbon fibres.