Abstract: Reduced and low work function materials capable of optimizing electron emission performance in a range of vacuum and nanoscale electronic devices and processes and a method for reducing work function and producing reduced and low work function materials are described. The reduced and low work function materials advantageously may be made from single crystal materials, preferably metals, and from amorphous materials with optimal thicknesses for the materials. A surface geometry is created that may significantly reduce work function and produce a reduced or low work function for the material. It is anticipated that low and ultra-low work function materials may be produced by the present invention and that these materials will have particular utility in the optimization of electron emissions in a wide range of vacuum microelectronics and other nanoscale electronics and processes.

Abstract: Reduced and low work function materials capable of optimizing electron emission performance in a range of vacuum and nanoscale electronic devices and processes and a method for reducing work function and producing reduced and low work function materials are described. The reduced and low work function materials advantageously may be made from single crystal materials, preferably metals, and from amorphous materials with optimal thicknesses for the materials. A surface geometry is created that may significantly reduce work function and produce a reduced or low work function for the material. It is anticipated that low and ultra-low work function materials may be produced by the present invention and that these materials will have particular utility in the optimization of electron emissions in a wide range of vacuum microelectronics and other nanoscale electronics and processes.

Abstract: A sabot 7 having a rearward end and a central longitudinal channel 1 which is engageable with projectile 33 has an anisotropic compressive strength distribution such that on individual radial planes the compressive strength in a first principal material direction P1 radiates from the central channel 1 towards the rearward end of the sabot. This permits a more even distribution of force at the interface between the sabot and the penetrator. The sabot may be constructed from a fibre reinforced plastic composite, containing a single or a double array of fibres.

Abstract: A projectile launcher and in particular a mass/countermass projectile launcher in which the piston intercept(s) comprises a braking collar (8) made of a material which exhibits constrained progressive crushing. When a projectile (18) is fired the launching piston (10) impacts upon the braking collar (8) at the muzzle of the launcher and initiates constrained progressive crushing in the collar (8). The crushing of the collar (8) absorbs the kinetic energy of the piston (10) thus arresting the axial motion of the piston (10). The projectile launcher according to the present invention can be less massive than similar launchers that use conventional metal piston intercepts which is an advantage if the launcher is designed to be shoulder-launched by a human operator. The type of collar material preferably used is made of a solid filler embedded in a plastics matrix and in particular the solid filler is made of reinforcing fibers.