Abstract: A composite material includes a polymeric matrix, at least one transparent region including a plurality of optically clear elements provided in the polymeric matrix and at least one opaque region including a plurality of opaque reinforcing elements provided in the polymeric matrix generally adjacent to the at least one transparent region. A structural window and a method for reinforcing a composite material are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a composite article may include providing a plurality of fibers. At least a portion of the plurality of fibers may be substantially optically transparent. The method may further include forming the fibers with at least one base surface and a pair of side surfaces oriented in non-perpendicular relation to the base surface. The method may additionally include positioning the fibers in a layer in side-by-side relation to one another such that the side surfaces overlap one another when viewed along a direction normal to a plane of the layer. The method may also include embedding the fibers at least partially in a substantially optically transparent polymeric matrix.

Abstract: A structure may include a first layer, a second layer, and an adhesive layer. The first layer may have a faying surface, a side edge, and a first coefficient of thermal expansion. The second layer may also have a faying surface, a side edge, and a second coefficient of thermal expansion that is different than the first coefficient of thermal expansion. The adhesive layer may be interposed between the first and second faying surfaces. The faying surface of at least one of the first and second layers may include an edge treatment extending along at least a portion of a respective one of the side edges. The edge treatment may have an edge treatment length measured along a direction generally parallel to the faying surface and an edge treatment height measured along a direction generally perpendicular to the faying surface.

Abstract: A macro fiber for a composite article may include a plurality of inner fibers. Each one of the inner fibers may have an inner fiber final cross-sectional size of less than approximately 100 nanometers. The inner fibers may be surrounded by matrix material.

Abstract: A composite material includes a polymeric matrix, at least one transparent region including a plurality of optically clear elements provided in the polymeric matrix and at least one opaque region including a plurality of opaque reinforcing elements provided in the polymeric matrix substantially parallel and adjacent to the at least one transparent region. A structural window and a method for reinforcing a composite material are also disclosed.

Abstract: A hybrid fiber consists of a continuous phase base material that permeates the length of the hybrid fiber and a plurality of fibrils or nanotubes that are dispersed throughout the hybrid fiber interior in the form of a yarn woven from the plurality of fibrils or nanotubes. The method of making the hybrid fiber involves coating the yarn with the continuous phase base material and infusing the continuous phase base material into the plurality of fibrils or nanotubes that form the yarn.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for incorporating a plurality of independently rotating rotors made from high-strength materials with a high-temperature superconductive (HTS) bearing technology into an open-core flywheel architecture to achieve a desired high energy density in the flywheel energy storage devices and to obtain superior results and performance.

Abstract: A composite structure may include a plurality of fibers at least partially embedded within a matrix. The fibers may be connected to one another at a at least one connection site.

Abstract: A system for fabricating a composite item from a layup may comprise a debulking device, a vacuum generator and a curing device. The debulking device may include a vacuum chamber, an envelope and a heater. The vacuum chamber may have a chamber pressure. The envelope may be contained within the vacuum chamber and may have an envelope pressure. The layup may be received within the envelope. The heater may heat the layup. The vacuum generator may be in fluid connection with the debulking device. The curing device may cure the layup.

Abstract: Magnets and methods of their manufacture are disclosed for use in flywheel assemblies, such that the magnets comprise oriented fibers, such as, for example, axially-oriented fibers in a flexible rotor magnet composition to predictably allow the magnet to expand dimensionally upon rotation only in a predetermined and predictable fashion while maintaining critical contact with a rotor surface.

Abstract: A composite article may include a matrix and a plurality of fibers embedded in the matrix. Each one of the fibers has a fiber length and a fiber geometry. The fiber geometry of at least a portion of the fibers may vary along the fiber length.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a composite article may include providing a plurality of fibers. At least a portion of the plurality of fibers may be substantially optically transparent. The method may further include forming the fibers with at least one base surface and a pair of side surfaces oriented in non-perpendicular relation to the base surface. The method may additionally include positioning the fibers in a layer in side-by-side relation to one another such that the side surfaces overlap one another when viewed along a direction normal to a plane of the layer. The method may also include embedding the fibers at least partially in a substantially optically transparent polymeric matrix.

Abstract: A macro fiber for a composite article may include a plurality of inner fibers. Each one of the inner fibers may have an inner fiber final cross-sectional size of less than approximately 100 nanometers. The inner fibers may be surrounded by matrix material.

Abstract: A coated fiber for a composite article may include a fiber body and a matrix layer. The fiber body may have at least one fiber surface. The matrix layer may at least partially coat the fiber surface and may be applied during formation of the fiber body.

Abstract: A film for a composite article may include a non-weakened portion and a weakened portion. The weakened portion may have at least one property that may be lower than the property of the non-weakened portion.

Abstract: A composite article may include a plurality of fibers embedded within a matrix. The fibers may include a first fiber and a second fiber which may be oriented in substantially parallel relation to one another. The first and second fibers may be connected to one another at one or more connection sites.

Abstract: A composite article has an article surface and may comprise a plurality of fibers at least partially embedded in a matrix. Each fiber may have at least one base surface and a pair of side surfaces. The side surfaces may be oriented in non-perpendicular relation to the base surface. The fibers may be positioned in side-by-side relation to one another such that the side surfaces of each fiber are oriented substantially parallel to the side surfaces of the immediately adjacent fibers.

Abstract: A composite article may include a matrix and a plurality of fibers embedded in the matrix. Each one of the fibers has a fiber length and a fiber geometry. The fiber geometry of at least a portion of the fibers may vary along the fiber length.

Abstract: A composite article comprises a substantially transparent matrix and at least one substantially transparent organic fiber embedded within the matrix. The matrix and the organic fiber may have substantially equivalent refractive indices within a wavelength band of interest.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for incorporating a plurality of independently rotating rotors made from high-strength materials with a high-temperature superconductive (HTS) bearing technology into an open-core flywheel architecture to achieve a desired high energy density in the flywheel energy storage devices and to obtain superior results and performance.