Abstract: An apparatus for generating a pressure wave in a liquid medium is disclosed. The apparatus includes a plurality of pressure wave generators having respective moveable pistons, the pistons having respective control rods connected thereto. The apparatus also includes a plurality of transducers coupled to the liquid medium and means for causing the pistons of respective ones of the plurality of the pressure wave generators to be accelerated toward respective ones of the plurality of transducers. The apparatus further includes means for causing restraining forces to be applied to respective control rods to cause respective pistons to impact respective transducers at respective desired times and with respective desired amounts of kinetic energy such that the respective desired amounts of kinetic energy are converted into a pressure wave in the liquid medium.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating a pressure wave in a medium is disclosed. The apparatus includes a plurality of pressure wave generators having respective moveable pistons, the pistons having respective control rods connected thereto. The apparatus also includes a plurality of transducers coupled to the medium and means for causing the pistons of respective ones of the plurality of the pressure wave generators to be accelerated toward respective ones of the plurality of transducers. The apparatus further includes means for causing restraining forces to be applied to respective control rods to cause respective pistons to impact respective transducers at respective desired times and with respective desired amounts of kinetic energy such that the respective desired amounts of kinetic energy are converted into a pressure wave in the medium.

Abstract: A photoresist-free method for depositing films composed of metal and metal oxide from metal complexes. More specifically, the method involves the deposition of silver and silver oxide films by applying the amorphous film of a silver complex to a substrate. The silver complexes have the formula AgaLc, wherein L is preferentially a ligand selected from the group consisting of acac, carboxylato, alkoxy, azide, carbonyl, nitrato, amine, halide, nitro, and mixtures thereof, and a and c are greater than one. These films, upon, for example, thermal, photochemical or electron beam irradiation may be converted to the metal or its oxides. By using either directed light or electron beams, this may lead to a patterned metal or metal oxide film in a single step.