Abstract: The instant disclosure relates to a laminated composite and methods of making the same. The laminated composite includes a plurality of stacked prepregs having an interface formed between each pair of adjacent prepregs. Each prepreg includes a matrix material and reinforcing fibers dispersed therein. At least one fibrous veil is laminated to at least a portion of at least one of the interfaces, the at least one fibrous veil having graphite nano-platelets attached to at least one surface thereof.

Abstract: A method of coating a surface of a fuel cell plate is disclosed herein. The method involves forming a sol gel mixture including a metal oxide modified with at least one functional group, where the at least one functional group is configured to improve adhesion; and adding carbon modified with a hydrophilic functional group to the mixture, thereby forming a suspension. The suspension is applied to the surface of the fuel cell plate, and is activated to form a porous, hydrophilic, and conductive film on the surface of the fuel cell plate.

Abstract: The present invention is an assembly and method for continuously manufacturing fasteners. A die press actuated at a first speed receives the contoured wire into a die having a piercing element for piercing an aperture and a cutting element for cutting a fastener from the wire. A guide receives the fasteners from the die press and a drive unit engages the fasteners oriented by the guide and conveys the fastener to an elevated height relative to a tapping device. The guide redirects the fasteners by a first router. The fasteners are gravity fed into the first router and redirected to one of the tapping devices. Each tapping device has a tapping element for forming internal ribs in the aperture of the fastener. The tapping devices each actuates at a second speed that in aggregate is generally equal to the first speed of the die press.

Abstract: A coated seal for sealing parts in a vehicle engine is disclosed herein. The seal includes a seal body portion including glass fiber-filled polytetrafluoroethylene, carbon-filled polytetrafluoroethylene, molybdenum disulfide-filled polytetrafluoroethylene, bronze-filled polytetrafluoroethylene or combinations thereof; and a coating portion including either expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, carbon-filled polytetrafluoroethylene, or combinations thereof. A method of using a coated seal in a vehicle engine is also disclosed herein. A system to achieve decreased friction, decreased noise, and improved wear in injector seals in a vehicle engine is also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A shipping plug is disclosed herein. The shipping plug is formed from a cylindrical member that is configured to be operatively disposed within a bore of a component to create a seal therewith. The cylindrical member is a resilient material, and has an upper wall, a lower wall, and a circumferential side defined between the upper and lower walls. A recess is defined in the upper wall. The recess includes a bottom end and at least one wall extending between the bottom end and the upper wall. The recess is configured to operatively receive a complementarily shaped rod which selectively distorts the circumferential side of the cylindrical member in response to a twisting or rotating action exerted thereon to temporarily release the seal.

Abstract: The present invention has its object to provide a heat exchanger with plastic tanks type, wherein a seal member is regularly compressed and hooks or tabs of header core crimped in a uniform fashion. Deformations predominantly located in the large sides or sides adjacent to the tank foot of the header, are formed and distributed in the inner or outer wall. The deformations in the periphery, or more particular, on the outside of the header wall, are formed after the brazing process.

Abstract: Methods for enhancing hydrogen spillover and storage are disclosed. One embodiment of the method includes doping a hydrogen receptor with metal particles, and exposing the hydrogen receptor to ultrasonification as doping occurs. Another embodiment of the method includes doping a hydrogen receptor with metal particles, and exposing the doped hydrogen receptor to a plasma treatment.

Abstract: An arsenic ion active DNAzyme includes a nucleotide sequence, which has a base sequence selected from ATCTCCTCCTGTTC (SEQ ID NO: 62), ATCTGCTCCTGTTC (SEQ ID NO: 63), ATCTCCTCATGTTC (SEQ ID NO: 64), ATCTCCTCTTGTTC (SEQ ID NO: 65), ATCTCCAACCTGTTC (SEQ ID NO: 66), and CCGTAGCGCAAAT (SEQ ID NO: 67). A mercury ion active DNAzyme includes a nucleotide sequence, which has a base sequence selected from AATTCCGTAGGTCCAGTG (SEQ ID NO: 68), AATTCCGTCGGTCCAGTG (SEQ ID NO: 69), AATTCCGCCGGTCCAGTG (SEQ ID NO: 70), GGTTCCGAGTCTCGCGTG (SEQ ID NO: 71), and CGTTCAAAAGGGGCACTG (SEQ ID NO: 72). Sensors incorporating the respective DNAzymes are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for reducing cure shrinkage of a thermoset resin includes forming a plurality of surface modified nanofibers. The surface modified nanofibers are formed by soaking nanofibers in an oxidizing acidic solvent. An oxidizing agent is added to the soaking nanofibers, thereby generating heat sufficient for at least one of in-situ oxidation and in-situ exfoliation of a subsurface of each of the nanofibers. Excess oxidizing agent and acidic solvent are removed from the nanofibers, which are then dried. The dried nanofibers have reduced surface hydrophobicity. The surface modified nanofibers are substantially uniformly dispersed into the thermoset resin. The surface modified nanofibers are adapted to reduce cure shrinkage of the thermoset resin during subsequent curing processes.

Abstract: A method for making a preform includes creating a pressure differential between an inside and an outside of a perforated shape memory polymer mandrel in its temporary shape. The pressure differential is such that pressure outside the perforated shape memory polymer mandrel is greater than pressure inside the perforated shape memory polymer mandrel. The perforated shape memory polymer mandrel has i) a predetermined preform shape as the temporary shape and ii) a shrunken shape as its permanent shape, wherein the shrunken shape is configured such that it is removable from the predetermined preform shape. The method further includes depositing, as the pressure differential is maintained, at least one material onto a surface of the perforated shape memory polymer mandrel. The at least one material is set in the predetermined preform shape, thereby forming the preform.

Abstract: A dual sided connector block for a solenoid is provided which may be used in multiple designs. The dual sided connector block includes a base, a first terminal insertion slot on a first side of the base, a second terminal insertion slot on the second side of the base, a tie-off post, and a magnet wire. The magnet wire is operatively configured as a solenoid coil and is routed inside of the base and wound around the tie off post. The magnet wire is accessible to a connector blade inserted through either the first terminal insertion slot or the second terminal insertion slot.

Abstract: A method of navigating a plurality of vehicles includes receiving vehicle identifications from the plurality of vehicles at a central location. A travel group is formed based on the received vehicle identifications. Global positioning information is received from at least one vehicle associated with the travel group at the central location. The received global positioning information is transmitted from the central location to at least one vehicle associated with the travel group.

Abstract: A system and method for initiating and realizing communication via a multi-mode system is disclosed. The method and system include realizing a preferred mode of communication. A signal indicating the preferred mode of communication is transmitted and followed by a response signal in the preferred mode. In response, the multi-mode system is adapted to provide for communication in the preferred mode.

Abstract: A method for forming an aperture includes stamping an aperture into the article using a pellet, and refining aperture shape(s) and/or aperture dimensions. Methods for forming articles having reduced residual compressive stress are also disclosed. Very generally, the methods include establishing a diamond coating on at least a portion of a substrate, and applying a stress-relief process to the diamond coating, the substrate, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for communicating a vehicle user's medical information stored in a key device to medical caregivers via a wireless communications network. The method comprises receiving vehicle user medical information in a key device, transmitting the medical information from the key device to a storage unit within a vehicle and transmitting the stored medical information from a telematics unit to a call center responsive to an emergency event.

Abstract: A method of managing communications for an in-vehicle telematics system includes substantially simultaneously receiving requests for communicating first and second audio signals via a vehicle audio system. The signals respectively correspond to interactive voice services (provided via a menu dialogue) from a first in-vehicle system and to a first audio messaging from a second in-vehicle system. An arbitration control selects one of the signals as a priority output and the other as a subordinate output. The priority output is provided over the audio system. A queue manager maintains the subordinate output in a queue for outputting over the audio system after priority output completion. If the first signal is the subordinate output, then the queue manager maintains a state of the menu dialogue, as of a time the priority output is selected, for continuation of the menu dialogue from the maintained state after priority output completion.

Abstract: A method for informing an in-vehicle telematics unit user of a connection status generally includes establishing a connection between the telematics unit and a call center, and initiating communication between the user and a call center service advisor. Next, the communication may be temporarily suspended while maintaining the connection. A connection status signal informing the user of the status of the connection is transmitted from the call center to the telematics unit during the temporary suspension in communication. After the signal is transmitted, the communication between the user and the call center service advisor is ultimately restored.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for providing vehicle settings to a telematics unit in a mobile vehicle that includes receiving a vehicle settings update signal at a call center from the telematics unit and sending vehicle settings from the call center to the telematics unit. The method may additionally include implementing the vehicle settings in the mobile vehicle. The method may further include sending an update flag signal from the call center to the telematics unit. The method may additionally include receiving at least one user preference at the call center via a web portal interface. The step of receiving at least one user preference may further include sending an update flag signal from the call center to the telematics unit responsive to receiving the at least one user preference at the call center via the web portal interface.

Abstract: An in-vehicle entertainment method includes playing through an in-vehicle audio component a received program content broadcast from a remote location; and receiving, during the playing of the received program content, a user input selecting an identifier. The selected identifier is associated with an electronic device remote from the vehicle. The method further includes transmitting, from the vehicle to the electronic device during the playing of the received program content, an alert identifying the received program content, a channel from which the received program content is playing, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A method for remotely participating in a listener survey includes receiving survey questions on an infotainment system, where the survey questions are at least partly displayed on a display portion of the infotainment system; transmitting to the survey provider a user input response to at least one of the survey questions; and receiving tabulated survey results of the survey, the results being at least partly displayed on the display portion of the infotainment system. A computer-readable medium storing a computer program and a system including a mechanism for practicing the above method are also disclosed.