Sulfuric acid anodizing assisted by a hydrothermal sealing with inhibitors [Ce³⁺-Mo⁶⁺] was used to prevent pitting corrosion on spray-deposited hypereutectic Al–Si alloy (A390). An investigation concerning the evaluation of pitting corrosion resistance on the anodic oxide thin film with ions incorporated was carried out in NaCl solution using electrochemical measurements (i.e., potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, EIS). The influence of Si phase morphology and size on the growth mechanism of an anodic oxide film was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results were then compared with those for its equivalent IM390 alloy (Al-17Si-4.5Cu-0.6Mg) produced through a conventional process ingot metallurgy, IM. The electrochemical findings indicate that sulfuric acid anodizing followed by a simple hot water sealing treatment was ineffective. In this manner, an intense attack was localized by pitting corrosion that occurred on the anodic oxide film in less than three days, as denoted by characteristic changes in the EIS spectra at the lowest frequencies. Improved results were achieved for Ce–Mo surface modification, which can provide better corrosion resistance on the aluminum alloys because no signs of pits were observed during the corrosion testing.

This work reports the formation of a ferroelectric poled bulk ceramic structure as opacity sensor (OPS) and the improved photovoltaic output of the lead lanthanum zirconate titanate (PLZT) employed. This ceramic was implanted during its fabrication with a platinum wire (Pt-wire) which works as an internal electrode. Photovoltaic current have been measured in PLZT with Pt-wire under chopped LASER beam illumination. This photovoltaic current was measured on the upper face of a sensor in order to obtain a characterization curve. Different thin materials were put on the OPS in order to determine its opacity according to their thickness and viscosity. Opacity is a condition in which a material partially or completely impedes the passage of light beam. The results indicated that the photovoltaic current response was less than 700 pA at 160 mW/cm² maximum power of illumination; 2-D scans were obtained from fruit tissues, vegetal oils and thin materials at 160 mW/cm² of illumination in order to get a representation of opacity images.

This work reports on the development of a Lead Lanthanum Zirconate Titanate (PLZT) bulk ferroelectric poled ceramic structure as a Piezoelectric Plethysmograph (PZPG) sensor. The ceramic was implanted during its fabrication with a platinum (Pt) wire which works as an internal electrode. The ceramic was then submitted to an experimental setup in order to validate and determine the Pt-wire mechanical effects. This PZPG sensor was also mounted on a finger splint in order to measure the blood flow that results from the pulsations of blood occurring with each heartbeat. Fingertip pulses were recorded jointly with an ECG signal from a 25 year old male to compare the time shift; the PZPG sensor guarantees the electrical isolation of the patient. The proposed PZPG has several advantages: it can be adjusted for fingertip measurements, but it can easily be extended by means of spare bands, therefore making possible PZPG measurements from different body locations, e.g., forehead, forearm, knee, neck, etc.

An indentation intraocular pressure sensor (IIOPS) was designed and manufactured. It is based on piezoelectric polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) films. This sensor will help in the detection and diagnosis of intraocular pressure (IOP) in eye diseases like glaucoma. The pressure in the normal aqueous and vitreous phases is, on average, 15.5 mmHg and up of 21 mmHg when glaucoma exists. The proposed IIOPS offers a measurement range from 10–29 mmHg with a resolution of 1 mmHg and an accuracy of ±0.025.