Abstract: A wire bonding tool for bonding a micro-coaxial wire to a bonding surface includes an electrical-energy application mechanism configured to apply electrical-energy to remove a portion of an electrically conductive shield layer of the micro-coaxial wire to expose a portion of an insulating layer of the micro-coaxial wire, a thermal-energy application mechanism configured to apply thermal-energy to the micro-coaxial wire to remove the exposed portion of the insulating layer of the micro-coaxial wire to expose a portion of a core wire of the micro-coaxial wire, and a bonding head configured to bond the exposed portion of the core wire of the micro-coaxial wire to the bonding surface.

Abstract: A method includes attaching a micro-coaxial wire to electrical contacts in a substrate, the micro-coaxial wire including a core wire, a bonded section, and a shield layer, the electrical contacts including a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact. Attaching the micro-coaxial wire to the electrical contacts includes connecting a core wire of the micro-coaxial wire to the first electrical contact including forming a bonded section by bonding the core wire to the first electrical contact, and then depositing solder onto the bonded section of the core wire.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, devices, apparatus, tools, coaxial cables, materials, methods, and other implementations that include a method comprising controllably stripping, through one or more applications of energy directed at a micro coaxial cable, a conductive shield layer of the micro coaxial cable to expose a portion of a core conductive wire of the micro coaxial wire, and controllably deforming the exposed portion of the core conductive wire of the micro coaxial wire through the one or more applications of energy.

Abstract: A wire handling tool includes a frame, a first actuator having a proximal end attached to the frame and a first distal end including a first grasping member for grasping a wire. The first distal end is configured to move along a first axis, wherein movement of the first distal end causes movement of the grasped wire along the first axis. The wire handling tool includes a controller for controlling the first actuator according to a wire feeding sequence to move the wire along the first axis.

Abstract: A method for attaching a prefabricated miniature coaxial wire to a first electrical connection point, the prefabricated miniature coaxial wire having an electrically conductive core disposed within an electrical insulation layer disposed within an electrically conductive shield layer, includes attaching an exposed portion of the electrically conductive core at a distal end of the prefabricated miniature coaxial wire to the first electrical connection point, thereby establishing electrical conductivity between the electrically conductive core and the first electrical connection point, depositing a layer of electrically insulating material onto the exposed portion of the electrically conductive core such that the exposed portion of the electrically conductive core and the first electrical connection point is encased in the layer of electrically insulating material, and connecting the electrically conductive shield layer to a second electrical connection point using a connector formed from an electrically conduc

Abstract: Identifying marks are often used for authentication and tracking purposes with various types of articles, but the marks themselves can sometimes be subject to replication or removal by an outside entity, such as a person or group having malicious intent. This can make it easier for an outside entity to produce a counterfeit article or to sell a stolen article. Carbon nanotubes and other carbon nanomaterials can be used to form identifying marks that are not visible to the naked eye, thereby making the marks more difficult for an outside entity to tamper with. Various articles can include an identifying mark that is localized and not visible to the naked eye, the identifying mark being electrically conductive and containing a carbon nanomaterial. By electrically interrogating the article, such as through spatially measuring eddy currents about the article, the marks can be located and authenticated.

Abstract: Devices used in conjunction with detecting analytes and methods of their manufacture are disclosed. A pre-concentrator device includes a thermoelectric material and an aerogel which includes a nanostructured material disposed on, and in thermal communication with, the thermoelectric material. Such a pre-concentrator is part of a detection system including a sensor. The detection system is used in a method for detecting analytes.