The photopyroelectric method has been recognized as a reliable and useful tool for the measurement of the thermal properties of condensed matter samples. Usually the photothermal signal is generated using intensity modulated light beams, whose amplitudes are difficult to maintain stable. In this paper we describe a variant of this technique that uses amplitude modulated electrical current as excitation source, via Joule heating of the metal contact on one side of the pyroelectric sensor. The possibilities of this method, called by us the electropyroelectric technique, for thermal effusivity measurements of liquid samples are shown using test samples of distilled water, ethanol and glycerine. The results obtained for this parameter agree well with the values reported in the literature. Our measurement uncertainties are about 3%, a fact that opens several possible applications.

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We describe recent applications of ferroelectric thin-film memory devices. processing alternatives and device physics is followed by some prototype architectures for Si MOSFET and GaAs JFET structures. cations include radiation-hardened satellite memories, automobile non-volatile dashboard memories, electronic camera memories, "smart" credit cards and inventory devices; shadow-%%, SRAMs, and DRAMS are described. Replacement of MNOS, core, EEPROM, magnetic bubble memory, plated wire, and CMOS with battery back-up seems possible within a few years.A brief description of Specific appli-