Tag Archives: glass

A Robust High-Temperature Semiconducting Carbon Monoxide (CO) Sensor

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Summary:

In many combustion-related industries, monitoring CO levels is critical for estimating the efficiency of the combustion process. With the ideal balance of oxygen to fuel, pollution is also minimized. Existing gas sensors based on metal oxide materials typically operate at 200-300 degrees C. Researchers at The Ohio State University have developed a CO sensor for hostile industrial environments (450-800 degrees C) that responds to CO at concentrations approaching one part per million. These sensors can be miniaturized with minimal electrical power requirements, and exhibit stable baseline resistance and good response and recovery times. To the best of our knowledge, we know of no existing solid state sensors that equal the performance of these sensors.

Potential Applications:

  • Combustion control
  • Heat treating
  • Metal processing and casting
  • Glass and ceramics manufacturing
  • Food processing
  • Power plant operations
  • Automotive applications

Advantages:

  • Responds to CO at ppm levels
  • Can be used in high-temperature, hostile environments (450-800 degrees C)
  • Minimal drift
  • Quick recovery times
  • More economical than existing high-temperature sensor technologies

Super hydrophobic surface profiles

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Summary:

Engineers at The Ohio State University have developed super-slick, water-repellent surfaces that mimic the texture of lotus leaves. Scientists have long known that the lotus, or water lily, provides a good model for studying water-repellent surfaces. In studying this leaf, which is covered with microscopic bumps, OSU’s inventors realized that its texture could be exploited in applications where reduced friction is desired, as water-repellent surfaces generally exhibit a low coefficient of friction. The challenge is in optimizing the surface for specific materials and applications, so the researchers developed the first computer model that calculates the optimal distribution of "bumps" on the surface for a particular application. Among the wide range of potential applications, this technology could lead to self-cleaning glass, and could also reduce friction between the tiny moving parts inside micro-electrical-mechanical systems (MEMS), which can’t be lubricated by traditional means.

Potential Applications:

  • Self-cleaning glass for automotive and building applications
  • Water-repellent textiles/clothing
  • Lubrication of individual parts in MEMS/NEMS devices
  • Replacement of traditional lubrication techniques for a wide class of machine components
  • May reduce aerodynamic drag for automotive/aerospace applications
  • Self-cleaning solar panels

Advantages:

  • Overcomes limitations of traditional lubrication techniques for MEMS/NEMS devices
  • Can be optimized for a particular application
  • Achieves a lower coefficient of friction than the lotus leaf itself

Low-Cost, Fast, and Accurate System to Test Wire Pattern Continuity

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Summary:

Dr. Eric Walton of the ElectroScience Laboratory at the Ohio State University has developed a system for testing a conductive pattern that is fast, inexpensive, and accurate. Conductive patterns are found in a wide range of everyday products, from electronics to automobiles. One common application of a conductive pattern is the defroster/defogger on the rear window of an automobile. As the conductive wire patterns in these windows become more complex, methods of testing the continuity and quality of these patterns becomes more difficult and expensive. It is important that the testing system be robust enough to easily handle complex changes in pattern design, accurate enough to meet engineering standards, and inexpensive enough to be cost-effective to the manufacturer. This invention meets and exceeds all of these needs. This invention is just as useful in other applications such as the testing of printed circuit boards, the testing of conductive patterned surfaces used in electroforming, or the testing of any material in which conductive patterns are used for heating.

Potential Applications:

  • Invaluable tool for automotive glass manufacturers who aim to increase efficiency and reduce costs
  • Provides a fast and easy way to test the quality of printed circuit boards
  • A fantastic testing tool for the emerging field of printed electronics using conductive inks, which will find applications in e-readers, RFID tags, and other novel, groundbreaking electronic technologies

Advantages:

  • Reliable as the system is never in direct contact with the material to be tested
  • Inexpensive and easy to modify and/or replace components
  • Extremely accurate
  • Speed limited only by computing power and production capabilities
  • Easily integrated into an automated production line

On-Glass Impedance Matching Antenna Connector

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Summary:

Dr. Eric Walton of the ElectroScience Laboratory at The Ohio State University has developed a way to connect an on-glass antenna to a transmission cable that overcomes impedance matching problems in the AM and FM bands. Impedance matching for on-glass antennas is a challenge since in the FM frequency band coaxial cable impedance is often 50 ohms, and in the much lower AM frequency band the antenna and the receiver input impedance is much closer to 6,000 ohms. This invention results in a wide bandwidth and a transformation from the coaxial cable impedance to the antenna impedance. The matching circuit is especially designed to be imbedded in a small window attachment clip. This invention would be particularly suited for use in automobiles where the rear window heater grid can also function as an antenna, and consequently is essential along with another of Dr. Walton’s inventions which is described in U.S. Patent #5,781,160 (OSU Reference #94048). It should be noted, however, that this method is applicable in other on-glass wideband antenna configurations where impedance matching in the AM and FM bands must be achieved.

Potential Applications:

  • An elegant and cost-effective impedance matching solution in the AM and FM bands for automotive antenna manufacturers
  • When coupled with U.S. Patent #5,781,160, a complete AM/FM on-glass automotive heater grid/antenna system can be realized

Advantages:

  • Allows for easy, convenient impedance matching for printed on-glass AM/FM antennas