Over the past decade, polymer composites have emerged as a new class of high performance materials with unique and desirable material properties such as strength, weight and rigidity. These composites...
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As electronic gadgets continue to get smaller, tiny metal silicide nanowires may one day be used as fundamental building blocks in devices from cell phones to lasers.  Metal silicides already are int...
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Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS) have been used to create mechanical resonators for switching, filtering and other purposes in electrical systems. NEMS/ME...
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Concrete normally is a brittle material until reinforcement bars, or rebar, are incorporated to create a stronger and more flexible material referred to as “reinforced concrete.”  Many concrete s...
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Silicon-based microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) work well for optical- and physical-sensing applications, and can be fabricated very precisely by using standard integrated circuit technology. Howe...
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A continuing need exists for compact, efficient, inexpensive electrical machines with high torque capability over a large speed range and the ability to control machine speed. This need is particularl...
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Embedding sensors into a mass of material allows them to assess the material in a way that is not often possible with surface-mounted sensors. In addition, it is frequently necessary to embed sensors ...
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Digital-to-analog converters (DACs) convert digital data, encoded as bits, into analog signals, such as current or voltage. For example, in devices like MP3 players and CDs, DACs convert audio signals...
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Internal combustion engines are a major contributor to atmospheric pollution, emitting carbon oxides, nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides.  Federally mandated emission regulations effective in 2010 are...
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Thermoelectric materials can turn heat into electrical power or remove heat by applying a voltage. They are used in many applications, ranging from a simple, electrically cooled ice chest, to high-tec...
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Sensors currently used for detecting the presence of a given analyte, such as a toxin, in solution or in air require direct contact with a power supply. Distributed sensing systems or “sensor networ...
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Distributed energy resources (DER), which include small-scale, distributed power generators, energy storage devices and renewable sources of energy, are frequently located near the consumer’s “loa...
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Wind-powered generators are an increasing source of power for many countries. However, before their use can become widespread, they must be able to work effectively with the existing utility grid. Vol...
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Distributed energy resources (DER), the combination of distributed power generators, energy storage devices and renewable sources of energy, are frequently located at customer sites where the energy r...
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Conventional integrated circuits, such as complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) circuits, allow large numbers of transistors to be combined into electronic gates. These gates control the flow...
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Micro-end mills are tools with tips just 10 to 500 micrometers in diameter. As part of emerging micro- and meso-scale machine tool systems, they are used for high-precision machining of miniature part...
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Although electrochemically active materials with high density and surface area have many potential uses in electrocatalysts, batteries, fuel cells and sensors, creating these materials can be challeng...
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