Abstract: A method of making a membrane assembly is provided. The method comprises forming an inorganic membrane layer disposed on a substrate, and forming a plurality of macropores in the substrate at least in part using anodization. Further, a membrane assembly is provided. The membrane assembly comprises a filtering membrane that is coupled to an anodized substrate comprising a plurality of macropores.

Abstract: Provided is a device, such as a switch structure, that includes a contact and a conductive element that is configured to be deformable between a first position in which the conductive element is separated from the contact and a second position in which the conductive element contacts the contact. The conductive element can be formed substantially of metallic material configured to inhibit time-dependent deformation. For example, the metallic material may be configured to exhibit a maximum steady-state plastic strain rate of less than 10?12 s?1 when subject to a stress of at least about 25 percent of a yield strength of the metallic material and a temperature less than or equal to about half of a melting temperature of the metallic material. The contact and the conductive element may be part of a microelectromechanical device or a nanoelectromechanical device. Associated methods are also provided.

Abstract: A device for controlling the flow of electric current is provided. The device comprises a first conductor as thin film form; a second conductor switchably coupled to the first conductor to alternate between an electrically connected state with the first conductor and an electrically disconnected state with the first conductor. At least one conductor further comprises an electrical contact, the electrical contact comprising a solid matrix comprising a plurality of pores; and a filler material disposed within at least a portion of the plurality of pores. The filler material has a melting point of less than about 575 K. A method to make an electrical contact is provided. The method includes the steps of: providing a substrate; providing a plurality of pores on the substrate; and disposing a filler material within at least a portion of the plurality of pores. The filler material has a melting point of less than about 575 K.

Abstract: A device includes a first thermally conductive substrate having a first patterned electrode disposed thereon and a second thermally conductive substrate having a second patterned electrode disposed thereon, wherein the first and second thermally conductive substrates are arranged such that the first and second patterned electrodes are adjacent to one another. The device includes a plurality of nanowires disposed between the first and second patterned electrodes, wherein the plurality of nanowires is formed of a thermoelectric material. The device also includes a joining material disposed between the plurality of nanowires and at least one of the first and second patterned electrodes.

Abstract: In accordance with the present disclosure, a receiver panel is provided that includes multiple thermally conductive nanostructures. The thermally conductive nanostructures may be provided on a substrate that supports the multiple thermally conductive nanostructures. In one embodiment, the thermally conductive nanostructures may be substantially orthogonal with respect to the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: Provided is a device, such as a switch structure, that includes a contact and a conductive element that is configured to be deformable between a first position in which the conductive element is separated from the contact and a second position in which the conductive element contacts the contact. The conductive element can be formed substantially of metallic material configured to inhibit time-dependent deformation. For example, the metallic material may be configured to exhibit a maximum steady-state plastic strain rate of less than 10?12 s?1 when subject to a stress of at least about 25 percent of a yield strength of the metallic material and a temperature less than or equal to about half of a melting temperature of the metallic material. The contact and the conductive element may be part of a microelectromechanical device or a nanoelectromechanical device. Associated methods are also provided.

Abstract: A device for controlling the flow of electric current is provided. The device comprises a first conductor as thin film form; a second conductor switchably coupled to the first conductor to alternate between an electrically connected state with the first conductor and an electrically disconnected state with the first conductor. At least one conductor further comprises an electrical contact, the electrical contact comprising a solid matrix comprising a plurality of pores; and a filler material disposed within at least a portion of the plurality of pores. The filler material has a melting point of less than about 575 K. A method to make an electrical contact is provided. The method includes the steps of: providing a substrate; providing a plurality of pores on the substrate; and disposing a filler material within at least a portion of the plurality of pores. The filler material has a melting point of less than about 575 K.

Abstract: The present invention relates to gated nanorod field emission devices, wherein such devices have relatively small emitter tip-to-gate distances, thereby providing a relatively high emitter tip density and low turn on voltage. Such methods employ a combination of traditional device processing techniques (lithography, etching, etc.) with electrochemical deposition of nanorods. These methods are relatively simple, cost-effective, and efficient; and they provide field emission devices that are suitable for use in x-ray imaging applications, lighting applications, flat panel field emission display (FED) applications, etc.

Abstract: A method of making a membrane assembly is provided. The method comprises forming an inorganic membrane layer disposed on a substrate, and forming a plurality of macropores in the substrate at least in part using anodization. Further, a membrane assembly is provided. The membrane assembly comprises a filtering membrane that is coupled to an anodized substrate comprising a plurality of macropores.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention addresses the challenges of fabricating nanorod arrays comprising a heterogeneous composition and/or arrangement of the nanorods. In some embodiments, the present invention is directed to multicomponent nanorod arrays comprising nanorods of at least two different chemical compositions, and to methods of making same. In some or other embodiments, the nanorods are spatially positioned within the array in a pre-defined manner.

Abstract: A nanostructure array including a nanoporous template and a masking material disposed on the nanoporous template such that a first number of the plurality of nanopores are fully coated while a second number of the plurality of nanopores are not-fully coated by the masking material is provided. The array includes forming nanostructures within the plurality of nanopores that are not-fully coated by the masking material.

Abstract: A method of making a nanostructure array including disposing a masking material on a nanoporous template such that a first number of the plurality of nanopores are fully coated while a second number of the plurality of nanopores are not-fully coated by the masking material is provided. The method includes forming the nanostructures within the plurality of nanopores that are not-fully coated by the masking material. A nanostructure array fabricated in accordance to above said method and devices based on the nanostructure array is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to gated nanorod field emission devices, wherein such devices have relatively small emitter tip-to-gate distances, thereby providing a relatively high emitter tip density and low turn on voltage. Such methods employ a combination of traditional device processing techniques (lithography, etching, etc.) with electrochemical deposition of nanorods. These methods are relatively simple, cost-effective, and efficient; and they provide field emission devices that are suitable for use in x-ray imaging applications, lighting applications, flat panel field emission display (FED) applications, etc.

Abstract: The present invention relates to gated nanorod field emission devices, wherein such devices have relatively small emitter tip-to-gate distances, thereby providing a relatively high emitter tip density and low turn on voltage. Such methods employ a combination of traditional device processing techniques (lithography, etching, etc.) with electrochemical deposition of nanorods. These methods are relatively simple, cost-effective, and efficient; and they provide field emission devices that are suitable for use in x-ray imaging applications, lighting applications, flat panel field emission display (FED) applications, etc.

Abstract: A coated turbine engine component includes a turbine engine component and an erosion resistant coating disposed on at least a portion of a surface of the turbine engine component using electron beam physical vapor deposition or ion plasma cathodic arc deposition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to gated nanorod field emission devices, wherein such devices have relatively small emitter tip-to-gate distances, thereby providing a relatively high emitter tip density and low turn on voltage. Such methods employ a combination of traditional device processing techniques (lithography, etching, etc.) with electrochemical deposition of nanorods. These methods are relatively simple, cost-effective, and efficient; and they provide field emission devices that are suitable for use in x-ray imaging applications, lighting applications, flat panel field emission display (FED) applications, etc.

Abstract: A method of making a nanostructure array including disposing a masking material on a nanoporous template such that a first number of the plurality of nanopores are fully coated while a second number of the plurality of nanopores are not-fully coated by the masking material is provided. The method includes forming the nanostructures within the plurality of nanopores that are not-fully coated by the masking material. A nanostructure array fabricated in accordance to above said method and devices based on the nanostructure array is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to gated nanorod field emission devices, wherein such devices have relatively small emitter tip-to-gate distances, thereby providing a relatively high emitter tip density and low turn on voltage. Such methods employ a combination of traditional device processing techniques (lithography, etching, etc.) with electrochemical deposition of nanorods. These methods are relatively simple, cost-effective, and efficient; and they provide field emission devices that are suitable for use in x-ray imaging applications, lighting applications, flat panel field emission display (FED) applications, etc.

Abstract: A self-aligned gated field emission device and an associated method of fabrication are described. The device includes a substrate and a porous layer disposed adjacent to the surface of the substrate, wherein the porous layer defines a plurality of substantially cylindrical channels, each of the plurality of substantially cylindrical channels aligned substantially parallel to one another and substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate. The device also includes a plurality of substantially rod-shaped structures disposed within at least a portion of the plurality of substantially cylindrical channels defined by the porous layer and adjacent to the surface of the substrate, wherein a portion of each of the plurality of substantially rod-shaped structures protrudes above the surface of the porous layer.

Abstract: A water-cooled stator bar clip for electrical generators and a method for applying a corrosion-resistant protective coating, preferably Sc, Ti, Cr, Zr, Nb, Mo, Hf, Ta, W, Ni, and Al, and their alloys or oxides to existing stator bar end fittings in order to significantly reduce the possibility of leaks through the brazed connections of the copper stator bar end connections. The coatings can be applied locally using various known physical vapor deposition (“PVD”), chemical vapor deposition (“CVD”) or other direct coating techniques known in the art. For example, the coatings can be applied using ion plasma deposition, sputtering or wire arc techniques (all PVD processes) or by using electroplating, high velocity oxygen free (“HVOF”) deposition, DC arc or electroless plating. Preferably, the coatings are applied either to new stator bar clips or to existing clips in the field.