Abstract: A method and precursor for making carbon fibers and the like comprising carbon black modified with at least one cyclic compound promoter. A source of the carbon black may be recycled materials such as recycled tires or recycled plastics. The carbon black is modified by attaching at least one cyclic compound promoter to the outer periphery of the carbon black.

Abstract: The present invention concerns compositions and methods of using the same that provide encapsulated polymer nanocomposites for efficient crack repair and monitoring of a cement-substrate interface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fiber reinforced polymer composite having a plurality of layers containing a plurality of fibers. The layers may be configured to maintain predetermined load sharing ratios among the layers at different load levels to produce a gradual load transfer between the different layers during the progressive failure of the composite. The composite is comprised of mono-fibers and the load sharing ratios of the layers have coefficients of variation that are less than 20%.

Abstract: The present invention provides a self-healing wellbore seal system comprising a casing, a fiber reinforced polymer layer, and layer of polymer cement. The layers are bonded together and configured to create a low permeable and ductile seal at discrete locations of the wellbore or along the wellbore. The polymer layer may be chemically bonded to the casing and inhibits the formation of a microannulus at the casing. The polymer layer may be an aramid fiber reinforced polymer, a fiber reinforced polymer layer, or a glass reinforced polymer layer.

Abstract: An electrically and thermally conductive polymer concrete (made of a polymer and aggregate particles without cement) comprising non-functionalized nanoparticles (e.g. non-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (NF-MWCNTs), non-functionalized carbon nanofibers, non-functionalized nanoalumina) dispersed therein and methods of making same.

Abstract: A method and precursor for making carbon fibers and the like comprising carbon black modified with at least one cyclic compound promoter. A source of the carbon black may be recycled materials such as recycled tires or recycled plastics. The carbon black is modified by attaching at least one cyclic compound promoter to the outer periphery of the carbon black.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fiber reinforced polymer composite having a plurality of layers containing a plurality of fibers. The layers may be configured to maintain predetermined load sharing ratios among the layers at different load levels to produce a gradual load transfer between the different layers during the progressive failure of the composite. The composite is comprised of mono-fibers and the load sharing ratios of the layers have coefficients of variation that are less than 20%.

Abstract: A fixation device and method for the subcutaneous fixation of bone fragments. A fixation mesh is formed by the intersection of a plurality of linear legs that are interconnected in sagittal planes to form linear sagittal lines and a plurality of crimped legs that are interconnected in transverse planes to form transverse lines. The mesh resists expansive forces that are created in the linear sagittal lines and a compressive stress is created in the transverse lines when tensile loads are applied to the linear sagittal lines resulting in a device that minimizes the gap distance between bone fragments.

Abstract: A break-away coupling is formed of metal and has a central axis and a necked-down central region formed by two inverted truncated cones each having larger and smaller bases. The cones are joined at the smaller bases by a narrowed transition region having an exterior surface formed by a curved surface of revolution having an inflection point of minimum diameter substantially midway of the coupling along the axis. The cones each define an angle ?1 and ?2, respectively, at each of the larger bases, wherein both ?1 and ?2 are selected to be within the range of 20°-40° and, preferably within the range of 30°-37°.

Abstract: A fixation device and method for the subcutaneous fixation of bone fragments. A fixation mesh is formed by the intersection of a plurality of linear legs that are interconnected in sagittal planes to form linear sagittal lines and a plurality of crimped legs that are interconnected in transverse planes to form transverse lines. The mesh resists expansive forces that are created in the linear sagittal lines and a compressive stress is created in the transverse lines when tensile loads are applied to the linear sagittal lines resulting in a device that minimizes the gap distance between bone fragments.

Abstract: A break-away coupling has a central axis and a necked-down central region formed by two inverted truncated cones having larger and smaller bases joined at the smaller bases by a narrowed transition region in the form of a catenoid having a radius R and a central plane of symmetry at its inflection point of minimum diameter. The length of the side of cone between the bases is equal to 1, the distance along the axis between each large base and the central plane equal to H, and: H 2 = R 2 + 1 2 Sin ? ? ? = h 1 l Where H = ( 0.521 - R ) 2 + ( 0.57 ) 2 , BC = R , and l = ( 0.521 - R + R 2 - h 2 2 ) 2 + ( h 1 ) 2 H = h 1 + h 2 where h1=height of cones between bases, and h2=axial distance along central axis between each smaller base and the central plane.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide materials and methods for forming CNTs-polymer composites (e.g., CNTs-SBR latex nano-composites and/or CNTs-epoxy nano-composites), CNTs-polymer concrete, and CNTs-polymer modified cementitious composites. In one embodiment, a plurality of CNTs and a surfactant-containing polymer, including a surfactant attached to a polymer chain, can be dispersed within a cementitious matrix to form a CNTs-polymer modified cementitious composite with the surfactant non-covalently bonded to one or more CNTs.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing a carbon structure including exposing a carbon fiber substrate to oxygen at a first predetermined temperature and activating the carbon fiber substrate by exposure to oxygen at a second predetermined temperature. A catalyst including palladium is deposited on the activated carbon fiber substrate. The deposited catalyst on the carbon fiber structure is exposed to a hydrocarbon at a third predetermined temperature to grow carbon structures thereon. The carbon structures grown can be multimodal in nature with structures that are nano-scale and/or submicron-scale.