Abstract: A method for producing a thick film includes disposing a precursor solution onto a substrate to form a precursor film. The precursor solution contains precursor components to a rare-earth/alkaline-earth-metal/transition-metal oxide including a salt of a rare earth element, a salt of an alkaline earth metal, and a salt of a transition metal in one or more solvents, wherein at least one of the salts is a fluoride-containing salt, and wherein the ratio of the transition metal to the alkaline earth metal is greater than 1.5. The precursor solution is treated to form a rare earth-alkaline earth-metal transition metal oxide superconductor film having a thickness greater than 0.8 ?m. precursor solution.

Abstract: A method of making a multilayer article includes depositing a first material on the surface of a metal substrate to form a seed layer of the first material, the first material being deposited under reducing conditions relative to the metal substrate, and then epitaxially depositing a second material on a surface of the seed layer, wherein the second material is deposited from a solution-based precursor under second conditions that are more oxidizing than the reducing conditions used in the deposition of the first material.

Abstract: A method for producing a thin film includes disposing a precursor solution onto a substrate to form a precursor film. The precursor solution contains precursor components to a rare-earth/alkaline-earth-metal/transition-metal oxide including a salt of a rare earth element, a salt of an alkaline earth metal, and a salt of a transition metal in one or more solvents, wherein at least one of the salts is a fluoride-containing salt.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor relies on variations in permeability of magnetic material to detect an external field. An exemplary magnetic field sensor includes a lengthwise extending sensing element, and a coil wound about the sensing element. The sensing element may be formed as a number of geometrically and magnetically similar or identical sensing elements driven by an AC magnetic field. An external magnetic field changes the magnetic characteristics of the sensing element and induces a change in electric potential of the induction coil. The sensor output is proportional to the number of components of the sensing element.

Abstract: Superconductor reactors, methods and systems are disclosed.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor relies on variations in permeability of magnetic material to detect an external field. An exemplary magnetic field sensor includes a magnetic material and two or more conductors, at least one of which is connected to an electrical energy source. Current flowing through at least one of the conductors establishes a magnetic field in die magnetic material at a magnitude at which there is a generally linear relationship between the magnetic field and the permeability of the material. An external field to be sensed influences the permeability of the material. Sensing variations in the permeability of the magnetic material allows the external magnetic field to be sensed.

Abstract: Superconductor reactors, methods and systems are disclosed.

Abstract: An arc welding method for welding first and second sheet welding members (1, 2) requires a power supply (5) including two electrodes (3, 4). Welding points (13) on the first welding member are determined. An extrusion (132) is formed on the first welding member at each welding point. The extrusions contact the second welding member. The second welding member is attached to an electrode. One of the extrusions of the first welding member is connected with the other electrode. The power supply is turned on. Electric current flows from the extrusion to the second welding member, and much of air is ionized around the extrusion. Thus the extrusion is welded on the second welding member. Once all the welding points are welded on the second welding member, the first and second welding members are securely welded together.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor relies on variations in permeability of magnetic material to detect an external field. An exemplary magnetic field sensor includes a magnetic material and two or more conductors, at least one of which is connected to an electrical energy source. Current flowing through at least one of the conductors establishes a magnetic field in the magnetic material at a magnitude at which there is a generally linear relationship between the magnetic field and the permeability of the material. An external field to be sensed influences the permeability of the material. Sensing variations in the permeability of the magnetic material allows the external magnetic field to be sensed.

Abstract: Superconductor reactors, methods and systems are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to multi-layer articles and methods of making such articles. The multi-layer superconductors can have one or more layers with an oriented termination plane. The methods include first conditioning the termination plane of an underlying layer, such as a buffer layer or a superconductor layer, then disposing a layer of material on the conditioned termination plane. The conditioned termination plane can be a high quality termination plane. Superconductor articles formed by these methods can exhibit relatively high critical current densities.

Abstract: An apparatus for preventing trolleys of aircraft during turbulence from leaving the floor of said aircraft includes a securing lock installed on a trolley of an aircraft for sensing the gravity on the trolley. Control is provided to prevent the action of the trolley from leaving the floor of the aircraft during turbulence. An actuation of the securing lock occurs for preventing the trolley from leaving the floor of the aircraft during turbulence. The securing lock includes a blade locking system for preventing the trolley on an aircraft during turbulence from leaving the floor of the aircraft by holding the trolley onto the seats adjacent to an aisle with extendable blades.

Abstract: An apparatus for preventing trolleys of aircraft during turbulence from leaving the floor of said aircraft includes a securing lock installed on a trolley of an aircraft for sensing the gravity on the trolley. Control is provided to prevent the action of the trolley from leaving the floor of the aircraft during turbulence. An actuation of the securing lock occurs for preventing the trolley from leaving the floor of the aircraft during turbulence. The securing lock includes a blade locking system for preventing the trolley on an aircraft during turbulence from leaving the floor of the aircraft by holding the trolley onto the seats adjacent to an aisle with extendable blades.

Abstract: A modification of the traditional unimorph flextensional actuator is provided by replacing the metal shim with an electrically conducting oxide. Comprised of lead zirconate titanate and zinc oxide that is co-sintered, the laminate composite obtains large axial displacements while maintaining moderate axial loads. The varistor properties of zinc oxide dictate that the conductance increases several orders of magnitude when a critical electric field is applied. The versatility of the processing over other actuator system facilitates miniaturization, while maintaining comparable performance characteristics. Functional gradients in the material properties are created in the green body by layering thin tape cast sheets. The unique PZT-zinc oxide composite not only controls the piezoelectric gradient, but permits control of the sintering kinetics leading to the processing of either flat or highly domed structures.