Methods for Tape Fabrication of Continuous Filament Composite Parts and Articles of Manufacture Thereof
Andrew H. Weisberg
U.S. Patent 8,545,657 B2
October 1, 2013
This method for fabricating a composite structure includes forming two layers and placing the second above the first. For each layer, a bonding material is applied to a tape made of a fiber and a matrix. The bonding material has a curing time of less than about 1 second. The tape is added to a substrate to form adjacent tape winds with an approximately constant distance between. Additional systems, methods, and articles of manufacture are also presented.
Systems Having Optical Absorption Layer for Mid and Long Wave Infrared and Methods for Making the Same
Paul J. Kuzmenko
U.S. Patent 8,545,995 B2
October 1, 2013
An optical system according to one embodiment includes a substrate and an optical absorption layer coupled to the substrate. The optical absorption layer comprises a layer of diamondlike carbon and absorbs at least 50 percent of mid-wave infrared light (3 to 5 micrometers) and at least 50 percent of long-wave infrared light (8 to 13 micrometers). An optical system according to another embodiment includes depositing a layer of diamondlike carbon as an optical absorption layer above a substrate using plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition. The optical absorption layer absorbs at least 50 percent of mid-wave infrared light and at least 50 percent of long-wave infrared light. Additional systems and methods are also presented.
High Power Density Fuel Cell Comprising an Array of Microchannels
Jeffrey D. Morse, Ravindra S. Upadhye, Christopher M. Spadaccini, Hyung Gyu Park
U.S. Patent 8,557,480 B2
October 15, 2013
A fuel cell according to one embodiment includes a porous electrolyte support structure with an array of fuel and oxidant microchannels. Fuel electrodes form along some of the microchannels, and oxidant electrodes form along others. The array of porous walls is formed using at least one of the following methods: molding, stamping, extrusion, injection, or electrodeposition. In another embodiment, anode electrodes form along some of the microchannels, and cathode electrodes form along others.
Method for Manufacturing Solid-State Thermal Neutron Detectors with Simultaneous High Thermal Neutron Detection Efficiency (>50%) and Neutron to Gamma Discrimination (>104)
Rebecca J. Nikolic, Adam M. Conway, Daniel Heineck, Lars F. Voss, Tzu Fang Wang, Qinghui Shao
U.S. Patent 8,558,188 B2
October 15, 2013
Solid-state thermal neutron detectors can be manufactured with simultaneous high thermal neutron detection efficiency (>50 percent) and neutron–gamma discrimination (>104). A structure includes a p+ area on the first side of an intrinsic region and an n+ area on the second side. The thickness of the intrinsic region is minimized to achieve a desired gamma discrimination factor of at least 1.0 × 104. Material is removed from the p+ or the n+ area and placed into the intrinsic layer to produce pillars with open space between each pillar. The open space is filled with a neutron-sensitive material. An electrode is placed in contact with the pillars, and another electrode is placed in contact with the side that is opposite the intrinsic layer with respect to the first electrode.
System and Method of Modulating Electrical Signals Using Photoconductive Wide Bandgap Semiconductors as Variable Resistors
John Richardson Harris, George J. Caporaso, Stephen E. Sampayan
U.S. Patent 8,563,930 B2
October 22, 2013
This system and method produce modulated electrical signals using a variable resistor with a photoconductive wide-bandgap semiconductor. The conduction response changes in amplitude of incident radiation and is substantially linear throughout a nonsaturation region, thus enabling operation in nonavalanche mode. The system also includes a modulated radiation source, such as a modulated laser, to produce amplitude-modulated radiation. This radiation is directed on the variable resistor to modulate the resistor’s conduction response. A voltage source and an output port are connected to the variable resistor so that an electrical signal can be produced at the output port via the resistor. In this method, the variable resistor modulates the electrical signal, creating a waveform substantially similar to the amplitude-modulated radiation.
Photoconductive Switch Package
George J. Caporaso
U.S. Patent 8,563,957 B2
October 22, 2013
A photoconductive switch is made of a substrate with a center consisting of a photoconductive material such as silicon carbon. The outer substrate consists of diamond produced with chemical vapor deposition or another suitable material. Conducting electrodes are formed on opposing sides of the substrate. These electrodes extend beyond the substrate’s center, with their edges lying over the outer substrate. Thus, any high electric fields produced at the edges of the electrodes remain outside the substrate’s center and do not affect the active switching element. Light is transmitted through the outer substrate to the substrate’s center to actuate the switch.