Use of Programmed Piezo Crystal Flexures for Economic Vapor Deposition of Parylene HT® on Unlimited Lengths of Magnet Wire

The electronics industry recognizes the need for high-temperature electronics (HTE) particularly for aerospace and geothermal applications. HTE is generally defined as robust operation in temperatures up to 300°C. A major constraint to HTE is high temperature magnet wire which is pervasive in electronic component windings and signal wire for sensors. The magnet wire constraint is caused by the temperature limits of the thin Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene (FEP) coatings applied to HT magnet wire that limits the operating temperature to 220°C. [1], [2] There are coatings, particularly parylene-based coatings such as parylene HT®, that would greatly improve HT magnet wire, signal wire, and create the potential for subminiature thermocouple (TC) sensors; however, the slow vapor deposition process required to apply parylene is generally thought impractical for use in pore-free coating of long lengths of small diameter wire. For this research, experiments were first performed coating small diameter, wire product prototypes in standard batch vacuum chambers utilizing static fixtures. Finding this approach impractical we devised a new process utilizing a piezo-crystal electrodynamically actuated fixture of 14” diameter by 18” height that supports a web of one 24,500’ long, continuous small-diameter wire. A prototype dynamic fixture was built and a trial run successfully coated a 1500’ length of 0.005” diameter copper wire with Parylene HT®. This successful demonstration was the basis for a DOL Phase I SBIR to explore the feasibility of electrodynamically actuated devises that would synchronize horizontal and vertical actuation to drive horizontal motion to the wire web to enable a continuous reel-to-reel operation for parylene vapor deposition. This is discussed in future work

SPIN TRAPPING THE OXIDIZED PRODUCTS OF PUFA IN MODEL MEMBRANES: THE PROTECTION CONFERRED BY VITAMIN E

poster abstractElectron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy is recognized as the most sensitive and noninvasive means to quantify free radicals of biological relevance such as reactive oxygen species (ROS). In spin trapping a molecule (the spin trap) reacts with the free radical producing a spin adduct that is sufficiently stable to be detected by EPR. Here we apply a novel spin trapping technique to investigate the protection that α-tocopherol (vitamin E), the major lipid soluble antioxidant in membranes, confers on polyunsaturated lipids in model membranes. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) readily oxidize because they have a cis,cis-1,4-pentadiene motif that renders the central methylene group vulnerable to attack by ROS. Our method quantifies the oxidized products of PUFA in lipid vesicles that have been exposed to a peroxyl radical generator 2,2'-azobis-(amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH) that initiates the free radical chain reaction. By measuring the reduction in lipid peroxidation due to the presence of αtocopherol, we test the hypothesis that the vitamin co-localizes with polyunsaturated lipids in membrane domains to ensure close proximity to the most vulnerable lipid species

Elevated oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction in right coronary artery of right ventricular hypertrophy

Remodeling of right coronary artery (RCA) occurs during right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH) induced by banding of the pulmonary artery (PA). The effect of RVH on RCA endothelial function and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in vessel wall remains unclear. A swine RVH model (n = 12 pigs) induced by PA banding was used to study RCA endothelial function and ROS level. To obtain longitudinal coronary hemodynamic and geometric data, digital subtraction angiography was used during the progression of RVH. Blood flow in the RCA increased by 82% and lumen diameter of RCA increased by 22% over a 4-wk period of RVH. The increase in blood flow and the commensurate increase in diameter resulted in a constant wall shear stress in RCA throughout the RVH period. ROS was elevated by ∼100% in RCA after 4 wk of PA banding. The expressions of p47phox, NADPH oxidase (NOX1, NOX2, and NOX4) were upregulated in the range of 20–300% in RCA of RVH. The endothelial function was compromised in RCA of RVH as attributed to insufficient endothelial nitric oxide synthase cofactor tetrahydrobiopterin. In vivo angiographic analysis suggests an increased basal tone in the RCA during RVH. In conclusion, stretch due to outward remodeling of RCA during RVH (at constant wall shear stress), similar to vessel stretch in hypertension, appears to induce ROS elevation, endothelial dysfunction, and an increase in basal tone