Electrode construction Patent
Electrode attached to helmets for detecting low level signals from skin of living creatures
Westbrook, R. M.↗
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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.
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Head-mounted electrode platform - construction and error analysis.
Head mounted electron guidance platform construction and error analysis, noting stereotactic accuracy
Robinson, B. W.↗
Heart Rate Monitors
Under a NASA grant, Dr. Robert M. Davis and Dr. William M. Portnoy came up with a new type of electrocardiographic electrode that would enable long term use on astronauts. Their invention was an insulated capacitive electrode constructed of a thin dielectric film. NASA subsequently licensed the electrode technology to Richard Charnitski, inventor of the VersaClimber, who founded Heart Rate, Inc., to further develop and manufacture personal heart monitors and to produce exercise machines using the technology for the physical fitness, medical and home markets. Same technology is on both the Home and Institutional Model VersaClimbers. On the Home Model an infrared heart beat transmitter is worn under exercise clothing. Transmitted heart rate is used to control the work intensity on the VersaClimber using the heart rate as the speedometer of the exercise. This offers advantages to a full range of users from the cardiac rehab patient to the high level physical conditioning of elite athletes. The company manufactures and markets five models of the 1*2*3 HEART RATE monitors that are used wherever people exercise to accurately monitor their heart rate. Company is developing a talking heart rate monitor that works with portable headset radios. A version of the heart beat transmitter will be available to the manufacturers of other aerobic exercise machines.
Source record↗
Development of high energy density primary batteries Fourth quarterly report, 22 Mar. - 21 Jun. 1966
High energy density primary batteries for space flight applications - electrolyte systems, cell systems, and positive electrode construction
SPACE FLIGHT↗
Internally folded expanded metal electrode for battery construction
A battery system is disclosed which includes folded grids of expanded metal inserted through non-conductive substrates and pasted with electrochemically active materials. In the most preferred embodiment, a frame is provided with a plastic insert, and slots are provided in the latter to receive the expanded metal grid. After suitable coinage of the grid and insertion through the plastic film, the grid is sealed and pasted on opposite sides with positive and negative active material. A battery is assembled using one or a plurality of the resulting electrode elements, with separators, to produce a high-power, lead-acid battery. The folded grid provides many of the design benefits of standard bipolar construction.
Korinek, Paul D.↗
Method and Apparatus for Automated Isolation of Nucleic Acids from Small Cell Samples
RNA isolation is a ubiquitous need, driven by current emphasis on microarrays and miniaturization. With commercial systems requiring 100,000 to 1,000,000 cells for successful isolation, there is a growing need for a small-footprint, easy-to-use device that can harvest nucleic acids from much smaller cell samples (1,000 to 10,000 cells). The process of extraction of RNA from cell cultures is a complex, multi-step one, and requires timed, asynchronous operations with multiple reagents/buffers. An added complexity is the fragility of RNA (subject to degradation) and its reactivity to surface. A novel, microfluidics-based, integrated cartridge has been developed that can fully automate the complex process of RNA isolation (lyse, capture, and elute RNA) from small cell culture samples. On-cartridge cell lysis is achieved using either reagents or high-strength electric fields made possible by the miniaturized format. Traditionally, silica-based, porous-membrane formats have been used for RNA capture, requiring slow perfusion for effective capture. In this design, high efficiency capture/elution are achieved using a microsphere-based "microfluidized" format. Electrokinetic phenomena are harnessed to actively mix microspheres with the cell lysate and capture/elution buffer, providing important advantages in extraction efficiency, processing time, and operational flexibility. Successful RNA isolation was demonstrated using both suspension (HL-60) and adherent (BHK-21) cells. Novel features associated with this development are twofold. First, novel designs that execute needed processes with improved speed and efficiency were developed. These primarily encompass electric-field-driven lysis of cells. The configurations include electrode-containing constructs, or an "electrode-less" chip design, which is easy to fabricate and mitigates fouling at the electrode surface; and the "fluidized" extraction format based on electrokinetically assisted mixing and contacting of microbeads in a shape-optimized chamber. A secondary proprietary feature is in the particular layout integrating these components to perform the desired operation of RNA isolation. Apart from a novel functional capability, advantages of the innovation include reduced or eliminated use of toxic reagents, and operator-independent extraction of RNA.
Sundaram, Shivshankar↗
Fabrication of nano-gap electrode arrays by the construction and selective chemical etching of nano-crosswire stacks
Methods of fabricating nano-gap electrode structures in array configurations, and the structures so produced. The fabrication method involves depositing first and second pluralities of electrodes comprising nanowires using processes such as lithography, deposition of metals, lift-off processes, and chemical etching that can be performed using conventional processing tools applicable to electronic materials processing. The gap spacing in the nano-gap electrode array is defined by the thickness of a sacrificial spacer layer that is deposited between the first and second pluralities of electrodes. The sacrificial spacer layer is removed by etching, thereby leaving a structure in which the distance between pairs of electrodes is substantially equal to the thickness of the sacrificial spacer layer. Electrode arrays with gaps measured in units of nanometers are produced. In one embodiment, the first and second pluralities of electrodes are aligned in mutually orthogonal orientations.
Son, Kyung-Ah↗
Acoustic Gaussian Far-Field Pattern
Gaussian profile achieved by using annular electrodes. Transducer constructed by deposting circularly symmetric metallic multielectrode array on 12.7 mm diameter X-cut quartz disk. Each electrode independently connected to impedance network optimized to produce Gaussian distribution with less than 2 percent error. Ultrasonic transducer produces far field beam with Gaussian spatial profile for materials evaluation applications.
Claus, R. O.↗
Implantable electrode for recording nerve signals in awake animals
An implantable electrode assembly consisting of collagen and metallic electrodes was constructed to measure simultaneously neural signals from the intact nerve and bioelectrical noises in awake animals. Mechanical artifacts, due to bodily movement, were negligibly small. The impedance of the collagen electrodes, measured in awake cats 6-7 days after implantation surgery, ranged from 39.8-11.5 k ohms at a frequency range of 20-5 kHz. Aortic nerve activity and renal nerve activity, measured in awake conditions using the collagen electrode, showed grouped activity synchronous with the cardiac cycle. Results indicate that most of the renal nerve activity was from postganglionic sympathetic fibers and was inhibited by the baroceptor reflex in the same cardiac cycle.
Ninomiya, I.↗
Further development and application of polycrystalline metal whiskers
High strength metal whiskers have a larger versatile field of application than monocrystalline whiskers. Although polycrystalline metal whiskers can be used for composites, preferably by extrusion in thermoplastics or by infiltration of resins or metals into whisker networks, the chief application at present may be the production and various use of whisker networks. Such networks can be produced up to high degrees of porosity and besides high mechanical strength, they have high inside surfaces and high electric conductivity. There are for instance, applications concerning construction of electrodes for batteries and fuel cells, catalysts and also new heat-exchanger material, capable of preparing fuel oil and gasoline in order to assist a high-efficiency combustion. The technical application of polycrystalline metal whiskers require their modification as well as the construction of a pilot production unit.
Schladitz, H. J.↗
Heart Rate Monitor
In the mid 70's, NASA saw a need for a long term electrocardiographic electrode suitable for use on astronauts. Heart Rate Inc.'s insulated capacitive electrode is constructed of thin dielectric film applied to stainless steel surface, originally developed under a grant by Texas Technical University. HRI, Inc. was awarded NASA license and continued development of heart rate monitor for use on exercise machines for physical fitness and medical markets.
Source record↗
Ultrasonic transducer with a two-dimensional Gaussian field profile
A transducer is described which generates a two-dimensional Gaussian field by controlling both the position of multiple circular electrodes and the voltage applied to each electrode. The transducer is constructed by depositing concentric rings electrodes onto one flat surface of a circular piezoelectric crystal disk and attaching the rings to an impedance matching network which acts as a voltage divider. Geometrical inter-ring separations and electrical inter-ring impedances are designed to minimize the error between the generated acoustic field, modeled as a piecewise linear function, and the desired Gaussian distribution. Total mean squared error between the averaged far-field data and a Gaussian shape is less than two percent.
Claus, R. O.↗
Electron tunnel sensors
We have used the extreme sensitivity of electron tunneling to variations in electrode separation to construct a novel, compact displacement transducer. Electrostatic forces are used to control the separation between the tunneling electrodes, thereby eliminating the need for piezoelectric actuators. The entire structure is composed of micromachined silicon single crystals. Applications of the tunneling displacement transducer to the measurement of acceleration and infrared signals are discussed. Measurements of acceleration and infrared sensitivity are reported.
Kenny, T. W.↗
An electrochemical engine
Thin-electrode fuel cell, with electrodes arranged in circular shape, can provide power for new electrochemical engine. With this system, a safe high-voltage engine may be constructed. Since each electrode assumes a potential relative to electrolyte, and since there are no electrolyte paths between cells, any number of cell stacks can be connected in series.
Asher, W. J.↗
Supersonic CO electric-discharge lasers
Laser modeling activity is described which involved addition of an option allowing N2 as a second diatomic gas. This option is now operational and a few test cases involving N2/CO mixtures were run. Results from these initial test cases are summarized. In the laboratory, a CW double-discharge test facility was constructed and tested. Features include: water-cooled removable electrodes, O-ring construction to facilitate cleaning and design modifications, increased discharge length, and addition of a post-discharge observation section. Preliminary tests with this facility using N2 yielded higher power loadings than obtained in the first-generation facility. Another test-section modification, recently made and as yet untested, will permit injection of secondary gases into the cathode boundary layer. The objective will be to vary and enhance the UV emission spectrum from the auxiliary discharge, thereby influencing the level of photoionization in the main discharge region.
Hason, R. K.↗
Low-gravity electrodeposition and growth of polymer thin films with large third-order optical nonlinearities by electrochemical processes for devices: Thiophene-based polymers
It has been proposed that NLO thin film properties may be improved by low-gravity processing. Strong candidates for NLO thin film applications are the polythiophenes. Polymeric thiophenes are attractive materials due to their ease of preparation, stability, and high X(exp 3). A simple and convenient method for preparation of polythiophenes is electrochemical oxidation. We will apply some of our experience and lessons learned in low-gravity metal, metal/cermet electrode position to improve the quality of polythiophene(s) thin films. In low gravity electrode position of Ni at a high rate on an Au substrate often results in the production of an x-ray non diffracting surface. Cobalt metal deposition does not give this result nor does Ni when deposited similarly on a glassy carbon substrate. Co/Ni alloy composition produced during electrode position is strongly dependent upon the amount of convection. Code position of neutral inert cermets with metals is influenced significantly by the presence of gravity and the size of the cermets. Tracks left in the 1-g surfaces by unsuccessful particle occlusion indicate suspension of the large particles is not the only reason for poor volume percentages of the larger particles in the deposits. All size particles are more homogeneously distributed in the deposits in low-gravity electrocodeposition than in 1-g. Low gravity gives larger volume percentages for the larger particles in the deposits, while 1-g gives larger volume percentages for the smaller particles. Intermediate size particles give mixed results. The experimental cells were constructed with flat electrode end plates such that 1-g bench reference electrode positions could be carried out at various orientations with respect to gravity. A series of bench studies using similar designed cells are suggested so that convection modification can be applied to electrochemical thin film preparation. Convection effects can then be coupled with other parameter variations in current, temperature, concentration, solvent, electrolyte, and anode substrates to optimize the properties of NLO thin films before resorting to low-gravity processing.
Penn, Benjamin G.↗
Production of pulsed electric fields using capacitively coupled electrodes
It is shown that pulsed electric fields can be produced over extended volumes by taking advantage of the internal capacitances in a stacked array of electrodes. The design, construction, and performance of practical arrays are discussed. The prototype arrays involved fields of 100-1000 V/cm extending over several centimeters. Scaling to larger physical dimensions is straightforward.
Kendall, B. R. F.↗
Long life, rechargeable nickel-zinc battery
A production version of the inorganic separator was evaluated for improving the life of the nickel-zinc system. Nickel-zinc cells (7-10 Ah capacities) of different electrode separator configurations were constructed and tested. The nickel-zinc cells using the inorganic separator encasing the zinc electrode, the nickel electrode, or both electrodes had shorter lives than cells using Visking and cellophane separation. Cells with the inorganic separation all fell below 70% of their theoretical capacity within 30 cycles, but the cells constructed with organic separation required 80 cycles. Failure of the cells using the ceramic separator was irreversible capacity degradation due to zinc loss through cracks developed in the inorganic separator. Zinc loss through the separator was minimized with the use of combinations of the inorganic separator with Visking and cellophane. Cells using the combined separation operated 130 duty cycles before degrading to 70% of their theoretical capacity.
Luksha, E.↗