Abstract: A method of manufacturing a nanoporous structure on a substrate includes: additively forming a precursor structure from at least one of a metal oxide or a metal cluster compound on a substrate: exposing the precursor structure to a vapor of an organic linker; and reacting the at least one of the metal oxide or the metal cluster compound in the precursor structure with the organic linker to form the nanoporous structure comprising a metal-organic framework.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of embedding an optical fiber within a substrate. The apparatus includes a bonding device and a conveyance device. The bonding device bonds a foil layer to the substrate to seal the optical fiber within a groove of the substrate. The conveyance device moves the substrate and the bonding device relative to each other. Relative motion between the substrate and the bonding device draws the optical fiber into the groove and the foil layer over the optical fiber at a collection point.

Abstract: A method of designing and forming a piezoelectric ceramic crystal integrating an impedance matching region and a backing region. The method includes receiving one or more required operating parameters of the piezoelectric ceramic crystal for an application, iteratively modeling and simulating performance of one or more materials, structures, and gradients to utilize within the piezoelectric ceramic crystal, identifying at least one material, structure, or gradient that exhibits predicted performance that at least substantially achieves the one or more required operating parameters of the piezoelectric ceramic crystal, outputting a design of the piezoelectric ceramic crystal, and forming the piezoelectric ceramic crystal via one or more additive manufacturing processes.

Abstract: A method of designing and forming at least one element of an acoustic transducer. The method includes receiving one or more required operating parameters of the at least one element of the acoustic transducer for an application, iteratively modeling and simulating performance of one or more materials to utilize within the at least one element of the acoustic transducer, iteratively modeling and simulating performance of one or more structures to utilize within the at least one element of the acoustic transducer, identifying at least one material and at least one structure that exhibit predicted performance that at least achieves the one or more required operating parameters of the at least one element of the acoustic transducer for the application, outputting a design of the at least one element of the acoustic transducer, and forming the at least one element of the acoustic transducer via one or more additive manufacturing processes.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing is provided. The method can include determining a cross-sectional shape of an object to be inspected using a sensor configured with a sensor coil. The method can also include providing a substrate having a profile matching the cross-sectional shape of the object. The method can further include applying a dielectric material to the substrate in a patter matching a shape of the sensor coil. The method can also include forming a first layer of a first material on the dielectric material by sputtering particles of the first material on the dielectric material in the pattern and forming additional layers of the first material atop the first layer by iteratively depositing the additional layers in the pattern via an additive manufacturing technique. A sensor including a sensor coil formed via the method is also provided.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a nanoporous structure on a substrate includes: additively forming a precursor structure from at least one of a metal oxide or a metal cluster compound on a substrate; exposing the precursor structure to a vapor of an organic linker; and reacting the at least one of the metal oxide or the metal cluster compound in the precursor structure with the organic linker to form the nanoporous structure comprising a metal-organic framework.

Abstract: A method of immobilizing a metal catalyst in a porous support includes additively forming a precursor structure on a substrate from a metal catalyst and at least one of a metal oxide or a metal cluster compound; exposing the precursor structure to a vapor of an organic linker; and reacting the at least one of the metal oxide or the metal cluster compound in the precursor structure with the organic linker to form a porous support that immobilizes the metal catalyst.

Abstract: A monitoring unit is configured for use on a valve. These configurations may include sensors that can generate data consistent with physical condition of a closure member, like a valve “plug,” when the valve is in service on a process line. Analysis of this data may indicate erosion on the plug that is often due to highly-erosive working fluids or other process (or application) conditions. Signals or alerts from the process control system, or DCS, may alert operators to perform timely maintenance that avoids problems that may arise as a result of physical changes in the valve plug.

Abstract: A process of manufacturing an electrode includes: adding an electrode active material and an additive to a mixer to form an electrode composition, the additive comprising at least one of a binder or a conductive agent; depositing the electrode composition on a substrate to form a first electrode layer; varying the electrode composition by changing a relative amount of the electrode active material and the additive added to the mixer, changing a composition of the electrode active material added to the mixer, changing a composition of the additive added to the mixer, or a combination thereof to form a plurality of additional adjusted electrode compositions; depositing the plurality of the additional adjusted electrode compositions on the first electrode layer to additively form the electrode such that a concentration of the electrode active material, a concentration of the additive, the composition of the electrode active material, the composition of the additive, or a combination thereof vary from the substra

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell includes an anode, a cathode, an electrolyte including zirconia between the anode and the cathode, and at least one current collector on a surface of the anode opposite the electrolyte and/or a surface of the cathode opposite the electrolyte. The at least one current collector may include a material of Mn+1AXn composition, wherein M is an early transition metal, A is a Group IIIA element or a Group IVA element, X is carbon (C) or nitrogen (N), and n is an integer from 1 to 3. Related methods and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of immobilizing a metal catalyst in a porous support includes additively forming a precursor structure on a substrate from a metal catalyst and at least one of a metal oxide or a metal cluster compound; exposing the precursor structure to a vapor of an organic linker; and reacting the at least one of the metal oxide or the metal cluster compound in the precursor structure with the organic linker to form a porous support that immobilizes the metal catalyst.

Abstract: An apparatus for fabricating a piezoelectric transducer includes a base and a piezoelectric powder depositor to traverse the base and deposit a plurality of layers of piezoelectric powder on the base. The apparatus also includes an electrode disposed at an end of a boom of which is moveable to a selected location with respect to the base and a voltage source to apply a voltage to the electrode to establish an electric field between the electrode and base with sufficient strength to sinter and pole each layer of piezoelectric material and a controller having instructions to deposit the plurality of layers of the piezoelectric powder on the base and to control a position of the electrode and actuate the voltage source to the electrode to sinter and pole the layer of piezoelectric material at defined locations after each layer is deposited to form the piezoelectric transducer in a selected shape.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer is provided. The ultrasonic transducer can be configured for flow metering applications and can include a head mass, a tail mass, and a spanning element joining the head mass with the tail mass. At least one cavity can be created in the head mass, tail mass, or spanning element using additive manufacturing. A method of manufacturing is also provided. The method of manufacturing can include forming a head mass utilizing a first process of additive manufacturing. The method of manufacturing can also include forming a tail mass utilizing a second process or additive manufacturing. The method of manufacturing can further include joining the head mass and the tail mass by a spanning element.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of embedding an optical fiber within a substrate. The apparatus includes a bonding device and a conveyance device. The bonding device bonds a foil layer to the substrate to seal the optical fiber within a groove of the substrate. The conveyance device moves the substrate and the bonding device relative to each other. Relative motion between the substrate and the bonding device draws the optical fiber into the groove and the foil layer over the optical fiber at a collection point.

Abstract: A sensor and a method of manufacture of a sensor. The sensor includes a body having a groove therein, a first optical fiber and second optical fiber disposed in the groove, and a first layer and second layer bonded in the groove. The groove is formed in the body of the sensor. The first optical fiber is deposited in the groove. The first layer is bonded in the groove to form a first chamber in which the first optical fiber is disposed. The second optical fiber is disposed in the groove. The second layer is bonded in the groove to form a second chamber in which the second optical fiber is disposed.

Abstract: A system and a method of carbon capture. The system includes a volume having a gas mixture therein, an optical fiber and a processor. The gas mixture includes carbon dioxide as a component. The optical fiber has a coating sensitive to carbon dioxide to generate a strain on the optical fiber. The processor is configured to adjust an operating parameter of the system based on a presence of the carbon dioxide determined using the optical fiber.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a nanoporous structure on a substrate includes: additively forming a precursor structure from at least one of a metal oxide or a metal cluster compound on a substrate; exposing the precursor structure to a vapor of an organic linker; and reacting the at least one of the metal oxide or the metal cluster compound in the precursor structure with the organic linker to form the nanoporous structure comprising a metal-organic framework.

Abstract: A buffer rod for an acoustic measurement device including a ceramic nonmetallic body, a window plate disposed at one longitudinal end of the body, an opposite end of the body configured to interact with a transducer.

Abstract: A sensor system, including: a dielectric material on a part body; and a sensor on the dielectric material, the sensor configured to provide impedance, capacitance, and resistance values and to alter one or more of the impedance, capacitance and resistance values responsive to a stress applied to the part body. Also disclosed is a method of making and a method of using the sensor system.

Abstract: A printed circuit board (PCB) including a rigid dielectric layer having a curved geometry, and a conductive layer attached to the dielectric layer. A method for making a printed circuit board (PCB) including depositing a layer of dielectric material onto a surface, curing and sintering the material on the surface, depositing a first layer of conductive material on the layer of dielectric material, and depositing a second layer of conductive material on the first layer of conductive material, the second layer being thinner in cross section than the first layer. A system for producing a curved rigid PCB including a housing, a build platform disposed in the housing, a mobile robotic depositor disposed upon the build platform, and a print head disposed in the housing and in printing proximity to the build platform, the head having a plurality of deposition nozzles and a laser.