USA as Represented by Secretary of the Navy

Indiana University

Norris J Caldwell

William W Fultz

Nishkamraj U Deshpande

H Fred Barsun

James E Schwabe

Nancey J Maegerlein

Lloyd W Zilch

Samuel G Stuart

Gary M Hieftje

Steven J Ray

Jacob T Shelley

Kevin P Pfeuffer

A method and apparatus for identification of a counterfeit electronic component, subjecting a suspected counterfeit electronic to an analytical method of ambient surface analysis to desorb and ionize compounds directly from a suspected counterfeit electronic surface with no pretreatment, detecting the resultant ions, comparing the identified ions to known standards, and returning a confidence that the suspected counterfeit electronic being analyzed is counterfeit.

Ambient sampling mass spectrometry and chemometric analysis for screening encapsulated electronic and electrical components for counterfeits

An invention for making productive uses of normally undesirable whiskers is provided. Embodiments of the invention include a variety of apparatuses and methods associated with forming and using whiskers as well as forming whisker compounds is disclosed. For example, whisker detection modules can be created which provide a whisker surveillance capability. The whisker detection modules can further be coupled with a whisker response system such as an alarm or insulating material dispersing system. Another aspect of the invention is providing a variety of environments or microenvironments with regard to a whisker forming structure to affect whisker creation such as maximizing whisker formation. Another example includes provision of a variety of embodiments for manufacturing compounds of whiskers of various metal and metal alloys, including structures and methods is provided. Whisker compounds produced using various embodiments of the invention can be used for various applications.

Whisker manufacturing, detection, response, and compound manufacturing apparatus and method

Growing community of inventors

Bloomington, IN, United States of America

Norris J Caldwell