Abstract: A method for making a braking band of a cast iron brake disc with increased resistance to wear and corrosion, may have the following steps: a) making a braking band of a brake disc of cast iron, preferably gray cast iron; b) immersing at least partially the braking band in molten aluminum maintained at a predetermined temperature so that the molten aluminum covers at least a predetermined surface region of the braking band. Forming intermetallic iron-aluminum compounds at a surface layer of the braking band and generating a layer having of intermetallic iron-aluminum compounds in the predetermined surface region of the braking band. The method may also have the steps of c) extracting the braking band from the molten aluminum; and d) removing the aluminum remaining adherent on the braking band after extraction to expose the layer of intermetallic iron-aluminum compounds on the surface.

Abstract: A method for making a brake disc may include providing a disc brake with a braking band and depositing on the disc a layer of chromium carbide and nickel-chromium in particle form to form a base protective coating. The method may also include depositing on the base protective coating a material in particle form consisting of tungsten carbide, iron, chromium and aluminium to form a surface protective coating made of tungsten carbide, iron, chromium and aluminium. Both protective coatings may be made by High Velocity Oxygen Fuel or High Velocity Air Fuel or Kinetic Metallization techniques.

Abstract: A chemical vapor infiltration (CVI) method for densifying at least one porous component includes placing the at least one porous component inside a crucible, bringing temperature inside the crucible to a value adapted to densify the porous component to transform it into a densified component, bringing pressure inside the crucible between 0.1 KPa and 25 KPa, once operational temperature and pressure are reached, flowing gas inside the crucible, gas being suitable for densifying the porous component to transform it into a densified component, and keeping an oxidizing environment outside the crucible, the external environment lapping against the crucible. The crucible is provided of at least one material having thermal conductivity greater than 30 W/mK from room temperature to at least 1000° C.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a brake disc may have the following operating steps: a) preparing a brake disc, with a braking band and provided with two mutually opposite braking surfaces; b) depositing on the disc a layer of chromium carbide (Cr3C2) and nickel-chromium (NiCr) in particulate form forming a base protective coating; and c) depositing over the base protective coating a material in particulate form with the tungsten carbide (WC) and cobalt (Co) forming a surface protective coating. Both protective coatings are created with HVOF (High Velocity Oxygen Fuel), HVAF (High Velocity Air Fuel) or KM (Kinetic Metallisation) technique.

Abstract: A method for making a brake disc may include providing a disc brake with a braking band and depositing on the disc a layer of chromium carbide and nickel-chromium in particle form to form a base protective coating. The method may also include depositing on the base protective coating a material in particle form consisting of tungsten carbide, iron, chromium and aluminium to form a surface protective coating made of tungsten carbide, iron, chromium and aluminium. Both protective coatings may be made by High Velocity Oxygen Fuel or High Velocity Air Fuel or Kinetic Metallization techniques.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a brake disc may have the following operating steps: a) preparing a brake disc, with a braking band and provided with two mutually opposite braking surfaces; b) depositing on the disc a layer of chromium carbide (Cr3C2) and nickel-chromium (NiCr) in particulate form forming a base protective coating; and c) depositing over the base protective coating a material in particulate form with the tungsten carbide (WC) and cobalt (Co) forming a surface protective coating. Both protective coatings are created with HVOF (High Velocity Oxygen Fuel), HVAF (High Velocity Air Fuel) or KM (Kinetic Metallisation) technique.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a biosensor for optical detection of Brownian relaxation dynamics of magnetic particles measured by light transmission. The magnetic particles can be functionalized with biological ligands for the detection of target analytes in a sample.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a biosensor for optical detection of Brownian relaxation dynamics of magnetic particles measured by light transmission. The magnetic particles can be functionalized with biological ligands for the detection of target analytes in a sample.

Abstract: A system and a method for the controlled manipulation of any number of magnetic particles in solution are shown. The system and the method of the present invention are based on the employment of magnetic conduits properly structured in order to inject, move and annihilate with high precision magnetic domain walls and on the fact that said magnetic domain walls exert a high attraction force on magnetic particles. The injection, movement and annihilation of domain walls along said magnetic conduit result, therefore, in the trapping, movement and release, respectively, of single magnetic particles placed in solution in proximity of said magnetic conduits. The devices of the present invention guarantee the possibility of a digital transfer of magnetic particles along conduits formed by linear segments as well as high control and nanometric precision in the manipulation of said magnetic particles on curved conduits.

Abstract: A sensor is described for detecting the presence of a magnetic nanoparticle (N). The sensor is arranged on a support (1), on which a plurality of non-magnetic contacts (Iin, GND, V1, V2) electrically conductively connected to the sensor is disposed. The contacts are adapted to be connected to means for measuring magnetoresistance. The sensor includes a planar ferromagnetic nanostructure (3), comprising a detection area (31) shaped as a strip bent to form a corner. The detection area is adapted to selectively assume, as a response to an applied magnetic field, a first spin configuration comprising a transverse “head-to-head” domain wall (TW), and a second spin configuration, wherein such domain wall (TW) is absent. The transition from the first configuration to the second configuration is affected by the proximity of a magnetic nanoparticle (N) to the detection area.

Abstract: A system and a method for the controlled manipulation of any number of magnetic particles in solution are shown. The system and the method of the present invention are based on the employment of magnetic conduits properly structured in order to inject, move and annihilate with high precision magnetic domain walls and on the fact that said magnetic domain walls exert a high attraction force on magnetic particles. The injection, movement and annihilation of domain walls along said magnetic conduit result, therefore, in the trapping, movement and release, respectively, of single magnetic particles placed in solution in proximity of said magnetic conduits. The devices of the present invention guarantee the possibility of a digital transfer of magnetic particles along conduits formed by linear segments as well as high control and nanometric precision in the manipulation of said magnetic particles on curved conduits.

Abstract: Brake pad for braking systems, in particular for disc brakes, consisting of friction portion (10), tribologically active, and mechanical support portion (20) which is intended to cooperate with the actuating means of a braking system. At least friction portion (10) is made from a ceramic matrix material obtained with a method comprising the following operational steps: —preparing a mixture of at least one siliconic type ceramic precursor, of particles of hard materials suitable as abrasives, of particles of substances suitable as lubricants and particles of metal materials;—hot-pressing the mixture to obtain a preformed body;—submitting the preformed body to a process of pyrolysis in order to obtain ceramisation of the preceramic binder, thus obtaining the ceramic matrix material. The mixture comprises a catalyst suitable for favouring reticulation of said ceramic precursor during the hot-pressing step and the pyrolysis process is carried out a temperatures below 8000° C.

Abstract: A sensor is described for detecting the presence of a magnetic nanoparticle (N). The sensor is arranged on a support (1), on which a plurality of non-magnetic contacts (Iin, GND, V1, V2) electrically conductively connected to the sensor is disposed. The contacts are adapted to be connected to means for measuring magnetoresistance. The sensor includes a planar ferromagnetic nanostructure (3), comprising a detection area (31) shaped as a strip bent to form a corner. The detection area is adapted to selectively assume, as a response to an applied magnetic field, a first spin configuration comprising a transverse “head-to-head” domain wall (TW), and a second spin configuration, wherein such domain wall (TW) is absent. The transition from the first configuration to the second configuration is affected by the proximity of a magnetic nanoparticle (N) to the detection area.

Abstract: An optical fiber filter includes an optical fiber, a pair of first coupling regions, and a phase-shift region. The optical fiber includes a core and a cladding. An optical signal can pass through the optical fiber. The first coupling regions are formed in the optical fiber, at a predefined mutual distance, for producing power transfer between first and second propagation modes of the optical signal. The phase-shift region is defined by a section of the optical fiber, disposed between the first coupling regions, for producing a phase shift between the first and second propagation modes of the optical signal. In the first coupling regions, the optical fiber includes, in cross-section, an asymmetrical refractive index profile. A related optical fiber filtering device, optical fiber, process for producing an optical filter, optical amplifier, optical telecommunications system, optical fiber modal coupler, and method for filtering an optical signal are also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical fiber filter includes an optical fiber, a pair of first coupling regions, and a phase-shift region. The optical fiber includes a core and a cladding. An optical signal can pass through the optical fiber. The first coupling regions are formed in the optical fiber, at a predefined mutual distance, for producing power transfer between first and second propagation modes of the optical signal. The phase-shift region is defined by a section of the optical fiber, disposed between the first coupling regions, for producing a phase shift between the first and second propagation modes of the optical signal. In the first coupling regions, the optical fiber includes, in cross-section, an asymmetrical refractive index profile. A related optical fiber filtering device, optical fiber, process for producing an optical filter, optical amplifier, optical telecommunications system, optical fiber modal coupler, and method for filtering an optical signal are also disclosed.

Abstract: A fused optical coupler comprising a polarization maintaining fiber and a standard fiber is provided. The cross-section of the said standard fiber is smaller than the cross-section of the polarization maintaining fiber in the area of fusion of the coupler. The internal forces in the coupling area are sufficiently low to provide an extinction ratio of more than 20 dB at the output of the polarization maintaining fiber.

Abstract: A temperature-stabilized optical amplifier (100) comprises at least an erbium-doped waveguide (101) for amplifying optical signals; at least a first and a second pump sources (103, 104) for generating respective pump beams at a first and, respectively, a second pump wavelength (&lgr;1, &lgr;2), said first and second pump wavelength being lower and, respectively, higher than 978 nm at an intermediate temperature of a predetermined range of temperature, and being subjected to drift as a consequence of temperature variations; and a pump distribution device (105), optically coupled to said pump sources for receiving said pump beams, and optically coupled to said at least an erbium-doped waveguide for feeding to said at least an erbium-doped waveguide a mixed pump radiation comprising at least a power fraction of each of said pump beams.

Abstract: An optical transmission system includes an optical transmitting unit (10) to transmit optical signals in a transmission wavelength band above 1570 nm; an optical receiving unit to receive the optical signals; an optical fiber link optically coupling the transmitting unit to the receiving unit, at least an optical amplifying unit (100) coupled along the link and adapted to amplify the optical signals; the optical amplifying unit (100) having an amplification wavelength band including the transmission wavelength band and comprising: an input (101) for the input of the optical signals, an output (102) for the output of the optical signals, at least an erbium-doped active fiber (103a, 103b) for the amplification of the optical signals, having a first end optically coupled to the input (101) and a second end optically coupled to the output (102), a pump source (104, 106) for generating a pump radiation having a wavelength greater than 1400 nm and lower than 1470 nm, and an optical coupler (105, 107) optically coup

Abstract: A temperature-stabilized optical amplifier (100) comprises at least an erbium-doped waveguide (101) for amplifying optical signals; at least a first and a second pump sources (103, 104) for generating respective pump beams at a first and, respectively, a second pump wavelength (&lgr;1, &lgr;2), said first and second pump wavelength being lower and, respectively, higher than 978 nm at an intermediate temperature of a predetermined range of temperature, and being subjected to drift as a consequence of temperature variations; and a pump distribution device (105), optically coupled to said pump sources for receiving said pump beams, and optically coupled to said at least an erbium-doped waveguide for feeding to said at least an erbium-doped waveguide a mixed pump radiation comprising at least a power fraction of each of said pump beams.

Abstract: An optical transmission system includes an optical transmitting unit (10) to transmit optical signals in a transmission wavelength band above 1570 nm; an optical receiving unit to receive the optical signals; an optical fiber link optically coupling the transmitting unit to the receiving unit, at least an optical amplifying unit (100) coupled along the link and adapted to amplify the optical signals; the optical amplifying unit (100) having an amplification wavelength band including the transmission wavelength band and comprising: an input (101) for the input of the optical signals, an output (102) for the output of the optical signals, at least an erbium-doped active fiber (103a, 103b) for the amplification of the optical signals, having a first end optically coupled to the input (101) and a second end optically coupled to the output (102), a pump source (104, 106) for generating a pump radiation having a wavelength greater than 1400 nm and lower than 1470 nm, and an optical coupler (105, 107) optically coup