Abstract:
Capacitors (10,20,40,50,70,80) having a fluid dielectric material that is transported or undergoes a phase change are disclosed. The dielectric medium change results in a change in the total dielectric constant of the material between the electrodes (12, 14, 72, 74, 81, 82), thus changing the capacitance of the capacitors. Transporting or phase changing the dielectric fluids into and out of a the electric field of the capacitor, changes the effective dielectric constant and the capacitance of the capacitor.
Abstract:
Optical waveguide composite materials and integrated optical subsystems with low loss connection to optical fibers, are disclosed. The waveguide material has a varying thickness and/or refractive index from one portion (816) to another (820) and can be varied in all three directions. Methods of producing the composite materials and waveguides are also disclosed.
Abstract:
A thin film product having a nanostructured surface, a laminate product including the thin film and a temporary substrate opposite the nanostructured surface, a laminate product including the thin film and a final substrate attached to the nanostructured surface and a method of producing the thin film products. The thin film is particularly useful in the electronics industry for the production of integrated circuits, touch screen, flat panel display, printed circuit boards and EMF shielding. The nanostructured surface includes surface features that are mostly smaller than one micron, while the dense portion of the thin film is between 10-200mm. The thin film is produced by coating a temporary substrate (such as aluminum foil) with a coating material (such as copper) using any process. One such method is concentrated heat deposition or a combustion, chemical vapor deposition process. The resulting thin film provides a high level of adhesion to a final substrate, by embedding the nanostructures with the material of the final substrate (such as epoxy resin). The surface of the thin film adjacent the temporary substrate substantially conforms to the substrate surface and has a relatively low peel strength. In this manner, the temporary substrate is easily removed from the thin film after attaching the opposite nanostructured side of the thin film to the final substrate with a resulting, higher peel strength.
Abstract:
Thin layer capacitors are formed from a first flexible metal layer, a dielectric layer between about 0.03 and about 2 microns deposited thereon, and a second flexible metal layer deposited on the dielectric layer. The first flexible metal layer may either be a metal foil, such as a copper, aluminum, or nickel foil, or a metal layer deposited on a polymeric support sheet. Depositions of the layers is by or is facilitate by combustion chemical vapor deposition or controlled atmosphere chemical vapor deposition.
Abstract:
A method for causing a very fine atomization or vaporization of a liquid or liquid-like fluid, where the resulting atomized or vaporized solution is entered into engine, instrument or area for the fluid to be in mixed. The ability of the near supercritical atomizer to produce very fine droplets of a wide range of liquids without any aspirant is very important for number of industrial applications. Especially when the drop size can be so finely controlled. Industries needing such fine atomization include applications such as combustion, engines, scientific equipment, chemical processing, waste disposal control, cleaning, etching, insect control, surface modification, humidification and vaporization. It is important in these applications not to cause a decomposition of the material being atomized. Staying below the supercritical point normally enables no decomposition and/or no precipitation of components within the liquid or fluid in most applications, but a very fine atomization is obtained without the need of any aspirant.
Abstract:
The electrical conductivity of a zinc oxide layer (15) is improved by annealing (15) the layer at a temperature of between about 500°C and about 600°C in an inert atmosphere having sufficient levels of entrained ZnO to permit reduction of oxygen levels in the lattice structure of the zinc oxide layer (15) while maintaining zinc levels in the lattice structure.
Abstract:
Catalytic layers for fuel cells are formed by co-depositing platinum or gold from a combustion chemical vapor deposition flame and carbon particles and ionomer from a non-flame, co-deposition flame. A layer having high platinum or gold loading with high particulate size is deposited. Such layers have high efficiency, whereby the total amount of platinum or gold used in a fuel cell may be reduced.
Abstract:
A combustion chemical vapor deposition apparatus (100) having a manifold (116) into which a liquid (211) is pumped into by pump (213) through flow equilization tubes (206). The liquid (211) is sprayed through an array of spray nozzles (104). Combustible gas is provided through nozzles (114) and oxygen is supplied through orifices (106). The manifold is heated by heating element (202).
Abstract:
Coatings, particularly thin films, of polymeric material are produced in accordance with the invention by applying a finely divided aerosol (N) of polymer solution to a substrate (30) and substantially simultaneously applying an energy source (38) to the applied solution to apply the solution. In cases where the polymer is cross-linking, the energy source assists in cross-linking of the polymer. The preferred energy source is a flame (38) that may optionally or desirably deposit material along with the polymer spray. One particular aspect of the invention is directed to production of polyimide films. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the co-deposition process is used to provide thin polysiloxane coatings on glass and other substrates.
Abstract:
A method for chemical vapor deposition using a very fine atomization or vaporization of a reagent containing liquid (T) or liquid-like fluid (T) near its supercritical temperature, where the resulting atomized or vaporized solution (N) is entered into a flame or a plasma torch (170), and a powder is formed or a coating is deposited onto a substrate (190). The combustion flame (170) can be stable from 10 torr to multiple atmospheres, and provides the energetic environment in which the reagent contained within the fluid (T) can be reacted to form the desired powder or coating material on a substrate (190). The plasma torch likewise produces the required energy environment, but, unlike the flame, no oxidizer is needed so materials stable in only very low oxygen partial pressures can be formed. Using either the plasma torch or the combustion flame (170), coatings can be deposited and powders formed in the open atmosphere without the necessity of a reaction chamber, but a chamber may be used for various reasons including process separation from the environment and pressure regulation.