Abstract: A method includes obtaining thermal energy from a structure to be cooled, where the structure includes micro-channels. The method also includes providing the thermal energy to a water-based polymer network, where the water-based polymer network includes a gel formed using a polymer and water. The method further includes generating one or more gases by heating the water-based polymer network, where generating the one or more gases includes releasing the water in the water-based polymer network to produce steam. In addition, the method includes passing the one or more gases through the micro-channels to remove at least some of the thermal energy from the structure.

Abstract: A method of making spherical gettering particles for an environmental barrier coating according to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, among other possible things includes spraying liquid preceramic polymer into a chamber via a nozzle to form liquid droplets, curing the liquid droplets to form spherical particles in the chamber, and converting the spherical particles to spherical ceramic gettering particles in a fluidized bed. A method of making spherical gettering particles for an environmental barrier coating and an article are also disclosed.

Abstract: A thermoset component for joining with a thermoplastic component according to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, among other possible things includes a thermoset material, a weldable surface on the thermoset material, and a thermal barrier. The weldable surface includes a thermoplastic material. A hybrid polymeric component and a method of making a hybrid polymeric component are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a heat exchanger core from glass ceramic matrix composite includes placing one or more reinforcing fibers around one or more mandrels into a mold cavity. A glass matrix material infiltrates the one or more reinforcing fibers to produce an infiltrated core and the one or more mandrels is removed to create one or more passages passing through the infiltrated core.

Abstract: A method of forming a part includes forming a glass-ceramic matrix composite material to form a pre-consolidated feedstock sheet with a pre-determined shape. The pre-consolidated feedstock sheet is sectioned into a first piece of pre-consolidated feedstock sheet and a second piece of pre-consolidated feedstock sheet. The first piece of pre-consolidated feedstock sheet and a second piece of pre-consolidated feedstock sheet are assembled with a second piece of pre-consolidated feedstock sheet to form a composite layup. The first piece of pre-consolidated feedstock sheet and the second piece of pre-consolidated feedstock sheet are joined by compressing the composite layup to form a glass-ceramic matrix composite part.

Abstract: A laminate composite structure having at least one tubular region and at least one bonded region. The structure has a first composite layer, a second composite layer, a cavity, and one or more reinforcing fibers. Each composite layer comprises composite material with a top face and a bottom face opposite the top face. The top face of one is joined to the bottom face of the other along an interlaminar region. The cavity separates the bottom face and the top face to form a tube. The tube has an internal boundary defined by the bottom face and the top face. The reinforcing fibers line the internal boundary and are arranged so that the reinforcing fibers reduce the propensity of the composites layer to separate under internal pressure loading.

Abstract: A composite laminate comprising a substrate having a hot side and a cold side opposite said hot side; a thermal barrier coating coupled to said hot side of said substrate; and a reflective coating disposed on said thermal barrier coating.

Abstract: A method of making a composite article involves first forming an intermediate substrate. The intermediate substrate can be formed from fibers and an uncured thermoset polymer composition followed by partial cure, or from fibers and an uncured thermoset polymer composition followed by cure of the thermoset polymer composition and deposition of a thermoplastic on the surface of the substrate, or from fibers and an uncured thermoset polymer composition followed by cure and exposure of the substrate to organic solvent, a plasticizer, moisture, and/or heat. The intermediate substrate prepared according to any of the above techniques is then subjected to cold gas spray deposition to deposit a metal layer onto the intermediate substrate. In the case where the substrate was formed by partially curing a thermoset polymer composition, the metal-coated partially-cured thermoset polymer substrate is then fully cured.

Abstract: A method of making a composite article involves first forming an intermediate substrate. The intermediate substrate can be formed from fibers and an uncured thermoset polymer composition followed by partial cure, or from fibers and an uncured thermoset polymer composition followed by cure of the thermoset polymer composition and deposition of a thermoplastic on the surface of the substrate, or from fibers and an uncured thermoset polymer composition followed by cure and exposure of the substrate to organic solvent, a plasticizer, moisture, and/or heat. The intermediate substrate prepared according to any of the above techniques is then subjected to cold gas spray deposition to deposit a metal layer onto the intermediate substrate. In the case where the substrate was formed by partially curing a thermoset polymer composition, the metal-coated partially-cured thermoset polymer substrate is then fully cured.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling permeability in vacuum infusion processes are disclosed. A system includes a tool surface, a flexible film, a preform, a magnetic field source, and a magnetic element. The flexible film has a periphery sealingly coupled to the tool surface to define a volume. The preform is disposed within the volume. The magnetic field source is configured to generate a magnetic field. The magnetic element is positioned to receive the magnetic field generate by the magnetic field source. The magnetic element is configured to move the flexible film away from the upper side of the tool surface under application of the magnetic field. A method includes generating a magnetic field with the magnetic field source and receiving the magnetic field with the magnetic element to move the flexible film away from the upper side of the tool surface, thereby increasing permeability of the preform.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for vacuum infusing resin into a fabric preform within a mold. The methods comprise increasing permeability in a selected region, such as by deploying a VIPR chamber in a location corresponding to the resin injection port corresponding to the resin flow front furthest from the mold vent or a location identified by predictive modeling as best to achieve a desired flow front geometry. Suitable apparatus comprise a VIPR chamber, an image detector for detecting resin flow fronts, a processor programmed to identify a desired location to deploy the VIPR chamber, and an automatic positioner for moving the VIPR chamber to the identified location.

Abstract: A vacuum-induced injection molding apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a tool surface having an injection port extending therethrough. A flexible film extends over and is sealingly coupled to the tool surface. The flexible film comprises an outer surface and an inner surface such that the flexible film inner surface and the tool surface define a volume. A vacuum chamber is sealingly coupled to the outer surface of the flexible film. A vacuum port is in fluid communication with the volume. A method of injection molding a polymer matrix composite is also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling permeability in vacuum infusion processes are disclosed. A system includes a tool surface, a flexible film, a preform, a magnetic field source, and a magnetic element. The flexible film has a periphery sealingly coupled to the tool surface to define a volume. The preform is disposed within the volume. The magnetic field source is configured to generate a magnetic field. The magnetic element is positioned to receive the magnetic field generate by the magnetic field source. The magnetic element is configured to move the flexible film away from the upper side of the tool surface under application of the magnetic field. A method includes generating a magnetic field with the magnetic field source and receiving the magnetic field with the magnetic element to move the flexible film away from the upper side of the tool surface, thereby increasing permeability of the preform.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for vacuum infusing resin into a fabric preform within a mold. The methods comprise increasing permeability in a selected region, such as by deploying a VIPR chamber in a location corresponding to the resin injection port corresponding to the resin flow front furthest from the mold vent or a location identified by predictive modeling as best to achieve a desired flow front geometry. Suitable apparatus comprise a VIPR chamber, an image detector for detecting resin flow fronts, a processor programmed to identify a desired location to deploy the VIPR chamber, and an automatic positioner for moving the VIPR chamber to the identified location.

Abstract: A vacuum-induced injection molding apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a tool surface having an injection port extending therethrough. A flexible film extends over and is sealingly coupled to the tool surface. The flexible film comprises an outer surface and an inner surface such that the flexible film inner surface and the tool surface define a volume. A vacuum chamber is sealingly coupled to the outer surface of the flexible film. A vacuum port is in fluid communication with the volume. A method of injection molding a polymer matrix composite is also disclosed.