University of Kentucky Research Foundation

M Pinar Menguc

Michael Anthony Marra, Iii

Apparao M Rao

Bruce Lanier Walcott

Robert Ryan Vallance

Stephen R Swabb

Novel methods and devices for nanomachining a desired pattern on a surface of a conductive workpiece are disclosed. In one aspect, the method comprises using an electron beam emitted from one or more nanotubes to evaporate nanoscale quantities of material from the workpiece surface. The surface of the workpiece to be machined may be excited to a threshold energy to reduce the amount of power required to be emitted by the nanotube. In another aspect, a device is described for nanomachining a desired pattern on a surface of a conductive workpiece, comprising a vessel capable of sustaining a vacuum, a leveling support, a nanopositioning stage, and a laser for heating the workpiece. A nanotool is provided comprising at least one nanotube supported on an electrically conductive base, adapted to emit an electron beam for evaporating material from an electrically conductive workpiece.

Processes for nanomachining using carbon nanotubes

A radiation modulator system and related method for actively controlling a flame in a combustion system are provided. The system includes a plurality of radiation modulators positioned adjacent the flame. A sensor arrangement is provided for sensing combustion characteristics of the flame and generating a sensor signal representative of the combustion characteristics. The sensor signal is received in a computer which then generates a control signal for transmission to a linkage arrangement which provides for the repositioning of the radiation modulators. Thus, the flame is actively controlled by continually repositioning the modulators in response to the sensor signal and the control signal. The related method broadly includes the steps of: (1) positioning the radiation modulators adjacent the flame; (2) sensing combustion characteristics of the flame; and (3) repositioning the radiation modulators responsive to the combustion characteristics.

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Lexington, KY, United States of America

M Pinar Menguc