Electrodeposited Platinum Iridium Enables Microstimulation With Carbon Fiber Electrodes

Ultrasmall microelectrode arrays have the potential to improve the spatial resolution of microstimulation. Carbon fiber (CF) microelectrodes with cross-sections of less than 8 μm have been demonstrated to penetrate cortical tissue and evoke minimal scarring in chronic implant tests. In this study, we investigate the stability and performance of neural stimulation electrodes comprised of electrodeposited platinum-iridium (PtIr) on carbon fibers. We conducted pulse testing and characterized charge injection in vitro and recorded voltage transients in vitro and in vivo. Standard electrochemical measurements (impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry) and visual inspection (scanning electron microscopy) were used to assess changes due to pulsing. Similar to other studies, the application of pulses caused a decrease in impedance and a reduction in voltage transients, but analysis of the impedance data suggests that these changes are due to surface modification and not permanent changes to the electrode. Comparison of scanning electron microscope images before and after pulse testing confirmed electrode stability.

Fault Signatures Obtained From Fault Implant Tests on an F404 Engine

The fault diagnostic process for gas turbine engines can be improved if data acquired by an on-board engine monitoring system (EMS) are utilized effectively. In the commercial transport field, techniques are available to extract engine condition assessment information from steady-state EMS data. In a military environment, steady-state data are not always available, and therefore it is desirable to exact at least some of the information from transient data, such as during take-off. Fault signatures are presented for an F404 engine based on fault implant tests in a sea-level-static (SLS) test cell. A comparison is then made between the fault coverage capabilities of fault diagnostic techniques based on the use of steady-state engine data with those using transient data. The important conclusions to emerge from this work are that for the range of faults examined, not only is there similar fault information contained within the transient data, but the faults can be detected with increased sensitivity using these data.

Fault Signatures Obtained From Fault Implant Tests on an F404 Engine

The fault diagnostic process for gas turbine engines can be improved if data acquired by an on-board engine monitoring system (EMS) are utilised effectively. In the commercial transport field, techniques are available to extract engine condition assessment information from steady-state EMS data. In a military environment, steady-state data are not always available, and therefore it is desirable to extract at least some of the information from transient data, such as during take-off. Fault signatures are presented for an F404 engine based on fault implant tests in a sea-level-static (SLS) test-cell. A comparison is then made between the fault coverage capabilities of fault diagnostic techniques based on the use of steady-state engine data with those using transient data. The important conclusions to emerge from this work are that for the range of faults examined, not only is there similar fault information contained within the transient data but the faults can be detected with increased sensitivity using these data.

Initial Iowa Results with the Multichannel Cochlear Implant from Melbourne

Two subjects who use the Melbourne multichannel cochlear implant were studied. Live-voice word, consonant, and vowel recognition tests, and a speech-tracking task were administered at regular intervals during the first 90 days after implantation. Results indicated 30-50% correct recognition of vowels (given 9 alternatives) and about 30-60% correct recognition of consonants (given 12 alternatives). Speech tracking showed from two to three times faster rates with the implant and vision compared to a vision-alone condition. After 3-4 months of implant experience, a number of recorded tests from the Minimal Auditory Capabilities battery and the Iowa Cochlear-Implant tests were then administered. These results indicated about 80% recognition of everyday sounds in a five-choice closed-set condition and about 50% recognition of everyday sounds in an open-set condition. The subjects were 50% correct at identifying the accented words in a sentence and about 50% correct at determining the number of syllables in a word. One subject was unable to recognize a sentence as a statement or a question. Background noise (+10 dB S/N) reduced their performance on a four-choice spondee test to chance. Both subjects were able to identify a sound as either a voice or a modulated noise at 95% correct, and both could recognize speaker sex at 95% correct. Neither could discriminate whether two (successive) sentences were spoken by the same speaker or by two different speakers. Remarkably, one subject identified 45% and the other 85% of the words in sentences that were preceded by a contextual picture using sound alone. One subject identified 13% of the words in sentences in sound alone even without contextual information.