Abstract: An apparatus for laser deposition with a reactive gas includes a source, a target, and a substrate. The source emits a plasma jet of the reactive gas. The target generates a plasma plume of a deposition material when a laser beam ablates the target. The substrate collects a film resulting from a chemical reaction between the deposition material from the plasma plume and the reactive gas from the plasma jet. Correspondingly, a method for laser deposition with a reactive gas includes steps of emitting a plasma jet of the reactive gas, ablating a target with a laser beam, and collecting a film on a substrate. The plasma jet emits from an orifice of a source. Ablating the target generates a plasma plume of a deposition material. The film results from a chemical reaction between the deposition material from the plasma plume and the reactive gas from the plasma jet.

Abstract: A pulsed laser deposition system comprising a split ablation target having a first half and a second half, wherein the target contains a film material for deposition on a substrate, and wherein the film material is comprised of a plurality of component elements, the elements varying in volatility, and wherein one half of the split ablation target contains more of the most volatile elements being deposited than the other half, and wherein the split ablation target is rotated about its center. A laser beam is rastered back and forth across the target such that the laser spends more time on one half of the split target than the other half depending on the elemental volatility. The target rotation and laser beam rastering are coordinated simultaneously to vary the elemental composition of the resulting film deposition.

Abstract: A pulsed laser deposition system comprising a split ablation target having a first half and a second half, wherein the target contains a film material for deposition on a substrate, and wherein the film material is comprised of a plurality of component elements, the elements varying in volatility, and wherein one half of the split ablation target contains more of the most volatile elements being deposited than the other half, and wherein the split ablation target is rotated about its center. A laser beam is rastered back and forth across the target such that the laser spends more time on one half of the split target than the other half depending on the elemental volatility. The target rotation and laser beam rastering are coordinated simultaneously to vary the elemental composition of the resulting film deposition.

Abstract: An artificial neuromuscular unit (ANMU) network comprising: a plurality of ANMUs, wherein each ANMU comprises an electroactive polymer (EAP) actuator layer and a uniquely addressable EAP logic layer coupled to the actuator layer; a plurality of inert, non-ion-conducting and non-charge-conducting interfaces mechanically coupled between the ANMUs such that the actuator layer of each ANMU is insulated from the actuator layers and logic layers of the other ANMUs; an EAP common conductor layer coupled to the logic layer of each ANMU such that the logic layer of each ANMU is interposed between the common conductor layer and the corresponding actuator layer; and wherein the logic layer of each ANMU is configured to control the transfer of energy to and from the common conductor layer and the corresponding actuator layer.

Abstract: An artificial neuromuscular unit (ANMU) comprising: an electroactive polymer (EAP) actuator layer; an EAP logic layer coupled to the actuator layer; an EAP energy layer coupled to the logic layer such that the logic layer is interposed between the energy layer and the actuator layer, wherein the logic layer is configured to control energy transfer between the energy layer and the actuator layer; and a sensor element operatively coupled to the actuator layer and the logic layer, wherein the sensor element is configured to communicate deflections of the actuator layer to the logic layer.

Abstract: A directional neutron detecting apparatus includes first and second neutron detectors. Each neutron detector includes a thin planar sheet of neutron-reactive material; a first ohmic electrode operably coupled to one side of the planar sheet of neutron-reactive material; a second ohmic electrode operably coupled to a second side of the planar sheet of neutron-reactive material; a voltage source operably coupled to the first and second ohmic electrodes; and an electrical current detector operably coupled in series between the first ohmic electrode and the voltage source. The first and second neutron detectors are arranged so that their planar neutron-reactive sheets are substantially parallel, opposing and are spaced from each other. Multiple directional neutron detecting apparatuses may be arranged mutually orthogonally to thereby provide omni-directional neutron detection.

Abstract: A solid-state thermal neutron detector comprises: a layered structure that includes; an electrically insulating substrate; a first electrode affixed to the substrate; a neutron-reactive layer affixed to and in ohmic contact with the first electrode; and a second electrode affixed to and in ohmic contact with the neutron-reactive layer; a voltage source electrically coupled to the first and second electrodes; and an electrical current detector electrically coupled in series between the layered structure and the voltage source.

Abstract: The electrical response phenomenon of electrostrictive polymers is used to harvest electrical power from the general movement of objects such as from human walking motion, for example. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the polymer material is incorporated into the soles of footwear and is either full- or partial-wave rectified and then if desired converted to a direct current (DC) voltage level for suitable battery charging and the like.

Abstract: A superconducting magnet module comprises an alternate series of abutting and coaxially aligned first and second superconductive magnet modules. The first magnet module includes a first substrate having opposed first and second faces and a bore filled with a superconductive material extending between the first and second faces. The first face is formed of an electrically conductive material and the second face is formed of an electrically insulating material. A first spiral track of the superconductive material is formed on the first face in electrical and thermal contact with the electrically conductive material. The first spiral track is melt fused to the superconductive material in the bore. The second magnet module includes a second substrate having opposed third and fourth faces. The third face is formed of an electrically conductive material and the fourth face is formed of the electrically insulating material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for determining the granular nature of superconductive materials and devices which includes the steps of: conducting a substantially rectangular current pulse through the superconductive material, maintaining the temperature of the superconductive material at a substantially constant temperature which does not exceed the critical temperature of the superconductive material; determining the amplitude of the current pulse; determining the electrical resistance, R, of the superconductive material resulting from conducting current pulse through the superconductive material; increasing the current until the electrical resistance of the superconductive material becomes saturated; determining the electrical resistance difference, .delta., between the electrical resistance, R, of the saturated superconductive material and a total normal state electrical resistance of the superconductive material; generating a first output signal if .vertline..delta..vertline..ltoreq..epsilon.

Abstract: A compact heater is designed for the deposition of thin films at high temperatures in an oxidizing atmosphere or in vacuum. The heater is designed to accommodate a small-diameter load-lock system in an ultra-high-vacuum deposition chamber, and can operate in 0 to 1 atmosphere of oxygen up to at least 800.degree. C. The compact design allows the heater, including a substantially isothermal substrate holder having the substrate affixed thereto, included temperature sensor and attached main body portion, to be loaded through a load-lock port with about a 2.5 inch inside diameter. Heat is generated resistively, and the substrates are heated directly by thermal conduction. The heater was designed specifically to heat substrates to precisely monitored temperatures during the growth of high-temperature superconducting thin films.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for measuring the intragranular and ntergranular critical current of a granular superconductive material, comprising the steps of: 1) conducting a substantially rectangular electronic pulse through the material so as to conduct a current through the material such that when the intergranular critical current of the material is exceeded, any grains present in the material remain in a superconducting state when the current level is below the intragranular critical current; 2) measuring the current through the material while conducting the pulse; 3) measuring a voltage difference across the material while conducting the pulse; 4) determining the intergranular critical current through the material by discerning a non-zero voltage difference across the material and contemporaneously measuring the current; and 5) determining the intragranular critical current through the material by varying the current to discern a current level at which the electrical resistance of the materi