A noncontact method has been devised for mapping or imaging spatial variations in the thickness and microstructure of a layer of a dielectric material. The method involves (1) placement of the dielectric material on a metal substrate, (2) through-the-thickness pulse-echo measurements by...

An efficient bit-interleaving algorithm for a turbo encoder differs from prior such algorithms in that it does not require memory to store permutation mappings and can work with constituent decoders that produce multiple bit reliabilities per decoding stage. The algorithm can be implemented in...

This new generalized approach to prognostics can provide an automated early failure prediction of an engineering system or its components, often in time to prevent occurrence of hard failures. This approach has been demonstrated in a proof-of-concept software prototype, shown to accurately...

Cool Polymers Xyloy™ is an injection-molded zinc/aluminum alloy processed in conventional plastic injection-molding equipment and molds. The Xyloy technology enables 3D netshaped metal parts right from the mold. Xyloy requires no carriers or binders, and — unlike die-cast metal parts — imposes no...

Kimberly-Clark Inexpensive, easy-to-manufacture conductive papers, tissues, and nonwovens open new areas for resistively heated and disposable electronic consumer goods. The technology allows electric and electronic features previously too expensive for disposables to be built into...

A company seeks unique materials to add to lip products for new lip sensations and experiences (such as cooling, warming, numbing, tingling, and flavors), solutions that can impart prolonged sensate experiences, and solutions that can impart not-yet-known sensations. Products should meet the following...

A company seeks to protect the surface of an aluminum product when exposed to the harsh alkaline environment inside a dishwasher. The product currently has a hard-anodized surface to protect against abrasion. The company seeks to avoid an exterior coating that can be abraded away....