DEVELOPMENTS AT NIST Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have developed a number of new devices and methods involving a variety of technologies. In certain cases other parties have participated in the development of these technologies. NIST may enter into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with interested parties to perform further research on the invention for purposes of commercialization. NIST may grant CRADA Partners an option to negotiate for exclusive licenses to any jointly owned inventions which arise from the CRADA as well as an option to negotiate for exclusive royalty-bearing licenses for NIST employee inventions which arise from the CRADA. Anyone interested in the further development of any of these technologies or in applying for a license to commercialize these technologies should send a written request for further information, referencing the NIST Docket Number and Title, to: National Institute of Standards and Technology, Industrial Partnerships Program, Building 820, Room 213, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899; Telecopy: 301-869-2751. This is not an announcement of a contract action or a grant. NIST DOCKET NUMBER: 95-031 Title: Time and Polarization Resolved Acoustic Microscope Description: This acoustic microscope analyzes the properties of a solid using an ultrasonic transducer having a curved piezoelectric element, mounted in a curved insulating material, that generates and receives coherent, short-duration ultrasonic pulses through its coupling fluid. The received echo waveforms are recorded and compared with reference samples or known theory and computer simulations. NIST DOCKET NUMBER: 95-035C Title: Method For Obtaining High Density Green Ceramics From Powders Description: This invention is a novel method of preparing slurries of fine ceramic powders in which the ceramic particles are dispersed more effectively. The resulting ceramic products have higher green densities which makes them useful in many applications, including high temperature components. NIST DOCKET NUMBER: 95-036PA Title: X-Ray Lithography Mask Inspection System Description: In this technique for high-resolution inspection of X-ray lithography masks, an X-ray conversion microscope forms an enlarged image of the actual X-ray pattern that a mask projects onto a resist. The system improves measurement accuracy and eliminates problems associated with inspection by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). NIST DOCKET NUMBER: 96-031CIP Title: Ultra-Low Temperature Neck Bonding Process Description: New types of ceramic structures and ceramic composites are formed by a low cost, moderate temperature sintering process using a pre-ceramic precursor which, upon mild heating, decomposes to form "necks" between individual ceramic particles. The properties of the resulting porous ceramic bodies can be further modified to form a new class of composite materials. NIST DOCKET NUMBER: 96-036 Title: Piezo-Actuated Microtensile Tester Description: This NIST microtensile test device measures the mechanical properties of a thin film suspended across a silicon frame. A cantilevered moving grip avoids friction while piezoelectric actuation allows fine control of the applied tension. The reasonably priced tester is controlled by a conventional personal computer. Technolgy available for commercial use without a license. WEB: NIST Contracts Homepage, http://www.nist.gov/admin/od/contract/contract.htm. E-MAIL: NIST Contracts Office, Contract@nist.gov.

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