Abstract: A system and method for determining whether a working fluid being used in a machine is near its failure point. The system includes an impedance/admittance sensor having a flow chamber through which the working fluid flows and a pair of spaced apart electrodes. A function generator generates frequency signals at certain frequencies over a range of frequencies and a sensor circuit receives the frequency signals and provides the frequency signals to the electrodes, where the conductance of the working fluid creates a measurement signal in the sensor circuit. A processor is responsive to the measurement signal and generates a relationship between the frequency signals and the measurement signal that is indicative of a contamination level of the working fluid.

Abstract: A spindle stabilizer assembly for use in connection with a rolled material dispenser that dispenses a rolled material. The spindle stabilizer assembly includes a spindle having a larger diameter part and a smaller diameter part, where the smaller diameter part is partially inserted into the larger diameter part and is slidable relative thereto against the bias of a spring. Strips of tape are axially formed to the larger diameter part and the larger diameter part is slid into a stabilizing tube, where the tape frictionally slows the rotation between the spindle and the tube. A friction engagement is provided between an outer diameter of the tube and the rolled material that allows the rolled material to rotate relative to the tube under a reasonable force so that the rolled material can be easily torn off the roll.

Abstract: A spindle stabilizer assembly for use in connection with a rolled material dispenser that dispenses a rolled material. The spindle stabilizer assembly includes a spindle having a larger diameter part and a smaller diameter part, where the smaller diameter part is partially inserted into the larger diameter part and is slidable relative thereto against the bias of a spring. Strips of tape are axially formed to the larger diameter part and the larger diameter part is slid into a stabilizing tube, where the tape frictionally slows the rotation between the spindle and the tube. A friction engagement is provided between an outer diameter of the tube and the rolled material that allows the rolled material to rotate relative to the tube under a reasonable force so that the rolled material can be easily torn off the roll.

Abstract: A system and method for determining whether a working fluid being used in a machine is near its failure point. The system includes an impedance/admittance sensor having a flow chamber through which the working fluid flows and a pair of spaced apart electrodes. A function generator generates frequency signals at certain frequencies over a range of frequencies and a sensor circuit receives the frequency signals and provides the frequency signals to the electrodes, where the conductance of the working fluid creates a measurement signal in the sensor circuit. A processor is responsive to the measurement signal and generates a relationship between the frequency signals and the measurement signal that is indicative of a contamination level of the working fluid.

Abstract: An aneutronic magnetron energy generator that generates microwave energy from a fusion-fission reaction that produces alpha particles in response to a proton colliding with an 11B nucleus. The magnetron energy generator includes a magnetron having an anode resonator including a central chamber and a plurality of radially disposed cavities. A cathode assembly is provided at the center of the chamber and includes a cathode electrode that generates a proton plasma. A series of electrically isolated acceleration rings extend from the cathode electrode and operate to accelerate protons from the proton plasma towards an outer target ring composed of boron eleven (11B). The accelerated protons fuse with the 11B nuclei to generate the alpha particles that then interact with crossed electric and magnetic fields between the target ring and the cavities. The alpha particles resonate with the cavities and generate a current within the resonator that is collected.

Abstract: An aneutronic magnetron energy generator that generates microwave energy from a fusion-fission reaction that produces alpha particles in response to a proton colliding with an 11B nucleus. The magnetron energy generator includes a magnetron having an anode resonator including a central chamber and a plurality of radially disposed cavities. A cathode assembly is provided at the center of the chamber and includes a cathode electrode that generates a proton plasma. A series of electrically isolated acceleration rings extend from the cathode electrode and operate to accelerate protons from the proton plasma towards an outer target ring composed of boron eleven (11B). The accelerated protons fuse with the 11B nuclei to generate the alpha particles that then interact with crossed electric and magnetic fields between the target ring and the cavities. The alpha particles resonate with the cavities and generate a current within the resonator that is collected.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an RFID disabling apparatus using prefabricated, “off-the-shelf” components. The method includes: disposing a prefabricated RFID circuit and a conductive loop on a substrate, coupling a first end of the conductive loop to a first endpoint of the RFID circuit, and coupling a second end of the conductive loop to a second endpoint of the RFID circuit. An optional electronic component can be coupled between the first endpoint and the second endpoint of the RFID circuit. The RFID circuit can be an “off-the-shelf” RFID circuit. A portion of the RFID circuit can be severed to create the first endpoint and the second endpoint.

Abstract: An electronic intelligent indenter system that determines the hardness and the case depth of a hardened portion of a test part in a non-destructive manner. The system employs an electronic indenter tool having a tip. To determine the depth of the case hardened portion of the part, the indenter tip is placed in contact with the surface of the part, and a laser emits a laser beam pulse that impinges the surface of the part proximate the tip. The laser beam generates ultrasonic waves that propagate into the part. The ultrasonic waves reflect off of a transition between the case hardened portion and an unhardened portion of the part. A detector in the indenter system detects the reflected ultrasonic waves. The ultrasonic waves cause the detector to generate a signal identifying the time between when the laser pulse is emitted and when the reflected wave is received.

Abstract: An electronic intelligent indenter system that determines the hardness and the case depth of a hardened portion of a test part in a non-destructive manner. The system employs an electronic indenter tool having a tip. To determine the depth of the case hardened portion of the part, the indenter tip is placed in contact with the surface of the part, and a laser emits a laser beam pulse that impinges the surface of the part proximate the tip. The laser beam generates ultrasonic waves that propagate into the part. The ultrasonic waves reflect off of a transition between the case hardened portion and an unhardened portion of the part. A detector in the indenter system detects the reflected ultrasonic waves. The ultrasonic waves cause the detector to generate a signal identifying the time between when the laser pulse is emitted and when the reflected wave is received.

Abstract: A piezoresistive pressure sensor that makes use of n-type boron nitride as the piezoresistive material. The boron nitride enables the sensor to provide suitable performance in hostile environments. The sensor includes a titanium substrate covered with a diamond insulator layer. An n-type boron nitride piezoresistive element is deposited on the diamond layer, and is electrically connected to electrical contacts. The electrical contacts are electrically connected to a resistive measurement system for determining the resistance of the piezoresistive element. In an alternate embodiment, the boron nitride piezoresistive material is used in a micobolometer for a focal plane array.

Abstract: A cold cathode is formed of carbon nitride. The cathode may include layers of boron nitride and diamond underlying the carbon nitride. The cathodes are made by reactive laser ablation or by sputtering. Electronic devices utilizing the carbon nitride cathodes are also described.

Abstract: A cold cathode is formed of n-type boron nitride. The cathode may include a layer of diamond underlying the boron nitride. The cathodes are made by laser ablation or by sputtering. Electronic devices utilizing the boron nitride cathodes are also described.

Abstract: A cold cathode is formed of n-type boron nitride. The cathode may include a layer of diamond underlying the boron nitride. The cathodes are made by laser ablation or by sputtering. Electronic devices utilizing the boron nitride cathodes are also described.

Abstract: A method is provided for improving the scratch or surface wear resistance of substrates by embedding discrete, hard particles within the surface layer of the substrate. Discrete, hard particles are applied to the substrate surface and then embedded within and bonded to the surface layer of the substrate by softening the substrate surface layer by either thermal or solvent means. Suitable substrate materials include thermoplastics, thermoset plastics, polymers, glass, soft metals, and composites. Suitable hard particles include diamond, silicon dioxide, aluminum oxide, cubic boron nitride, boron carbide, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, tantalum carbide, titanium carbide, titanium nitride, tungsten carbide, and zirconia alloys containing at least one phase stabilization additive selected from the group yttrium, hafnium, calcium, magnesium, and cesium. Scratch resistant substrates or articles having discrete, hard particles embedded within the surface layer of the substrate or article are also provided.

Abstract: A novel method of forming large area single crystal cubic boron nitride films on a silicon substrate by first treating the surface of the substrate with atomic hydrogen and then depositing a cubic boron nitride film by a reactive biased laser ablation technique.

Abstract: A method for preparing heteroepitaxial diamond films on silicon substrates is described. This method first involves the deposition of a cubic boron nitride layer on the silicon substrate as a first interfacial layer using laser ablation with a hexagonal boron nitride target in the presence of a nitrogen-containing atmosphere. The boron nitride layer is followed with a second interfacial layer, generally about 1 to 10 monolayers thick, of hydrogen terminated carbon which is deposited with laser ablation with a carbon target in the presence of atomic hydrogen. Finally, the heteroepitaxial diamond film is deposited using conventional chemical vapor deposition (CVD) techniques with a reactive gas mixture containing hydrogen, a carbon-containing gas or gases, and, optionally, oxygen. Large area, high quality heteroepitaxial diamond films can be prepared by this method.

Abstract: Shaped synthetic articles are fabricated by vapor deposition of synthetic diamond on releasable molds. A process is also provided for forming a shaped synthetic diamond article by coating a mold with an etchable layer and then depositing synthetic diamond on the etchable layer. The etchable layer is thereafter removed in an etchant bath, releasing the diamond article from the mold. The synthetic diamond articles are useful as high-temperature, corrosion resistant vessels and as wear surfaces.

Abstract: A composite susceptor for forming uniform deposits by chemical vapor deposition. The composite susceptor has an electrically conducted layer of material disposed on a block of material which is adapted to be heated by an induction heating coil. The conductive layer is electrically biased to control the geometry of the gas plasma. By electrically controlling the geometry of the gas plasma, more uniform deposition of a material on a substance is achieved. A composite susceptor having a segmented conductive layer for producing a graded electrical profile and a conductive ring surrounding a gas plasma are also described. In one aspect, a phase-shifting layer of material is disposed on the conductive layer.

Abstract: Thin film electrical structures, such as threshold switching devices and phase change memory cells, preferably utilizing electrically stable, relatively inert, conductive electrodes including a non-single-crystal deposited film of carbon material, are disclosed. The film of carbon material, which preferably is amorphous and substantially pure, is disposed adjacent to a layer of active material such as an amorphous semiconductor, and serves to prevent undesired degradation of the active material, especially when the device is carrying appreciable current in its on-state. A method of making such structures with high quality interfaces between the semiconductor layer and the conductive carbon barrier layers adjacent thereto by successively depositing such layers in a continuously maintained partial vacuum is disclosed. The method may include a step performed in the vacuum for hermetically sealing all of, or at least the electrically switchable portion of, the active layer against subsequent contamination.

Abstract: Solid-state overvoltage protection devices, preferably formed of deposited thin film, chalcogenide, threshold switching materials, typically include at least one elongated current conduction path through an elongated cross-sectional area of the threshold switching material. The cross-sectional area is formed with a length far exceeding the effective width thereof for distributing the transient current produced by overvoltage conditions over a relatively large area. In this manner, the concentration of localized heating effects can be avoided.