Abstract: The devices and systems described herein generally relate to magnetic field chambers and reversibly hardenable ferrofluids. The reversibly hardenable ferrofluid can include a magnetically responsive fluid and a reversible hardening agent. The reversibly hardenable ferrofluid can achieve a first shape using one or more magnetic fields, such as delivered from a magnetic field chamber. Once the first shape is achieved, the reversibly hardenable ferrofluid can be cured or otherwise hardened. The hardened reversibly hardenable ferrofluid can be used for the intended purpose and then returned to a liquid state once the task is completed, allowing for reuse. The steps of hardening and liquifying can be mediated by the magnetic field chamber, as described in embodiments herein.

Abstract: A dynamic interface between a vehicle windshield and a structure (e.g., an A-pillar) is provided. The dynamic interface can be actively managed to allow its configuration to be selectively changed based on real-time driving environment conditions. The interface can include one or more actuators that can be selectively activated or deactivated to change the aerodynamic characteristics of the interface. When a crosswind activation condition is detected, the actuator(s) can be activated. The actuator(s) can be soft-bodied structures. The actuator(s) can include a bladder defining a fluid chamber filled with a dielectric fluid. A first conductor and a second conductor can be operatively positioned on opposite portions of the bladder. When electrical energy is supplied to the conductors, they can become oppositely charged. As a result, the conductors can be electrostatically attracted toward each other, displacing some of the dielectric fluid to an outer peripheral region of the fluid chamber.

Abstract: The devices and systems described herein generally relate to programmable surfaces. A set of tiles in conjunction with actuators, allow for the surface to be constantly changeable from a first shape to an unlimited variety of second shapes. Once a desired second shape is achieved, the shape can be held by actuating the actuators. The system can include detection and maintenance of the shapes of the programmable surface by controlling which of the actuators are released and when they are released.

Abstract: Composite materials include a steel matrix with reinforcing carbon fiber formed of individual fibers penetrating into the matrix to substantial depth. The fibers typically have defined diameters and large ratios of penetration depth to fiber diameter. Specified methods for forming the composite materials have a unique ability to achieve the large ratios of penetration depth to fiber diameter.

Abstract: Composite materials include a steel matrix with reinforcing carbon fiber integrated into the matrix, and having unreinforced regions suitable for stamping or other deformation. The composite materials have substantially lower density than steel, and are expected to have appreciable strength within regions having the reinforcing carbon fiber, while having greater deformability in unreinforced regions. Methods for forming composite steel composites includes combining at least two laterally spaced apart reinforcing carbon fiber components, such as a carbon fiber weave, with steel nanoparticles and sintering the steel nanoparticles in order to form a steel matrix with reinforcing carbon fiber integrated therein, and unreinforced regions located in the lateral spaces between carbon fiber components.

Abstract: Composite materials include a non-ferrous metal matrix with reinforcing carbon fiber integrated into the matrix. The composite materials have substantially lower density than non-ferrous metal, and are expected to have appreciable strength. Methods for forming composite non-ferrous metal composites includes combining a reinforcing carbon fiber component, such as a woven polymer, with non-ferrous metal nanoparticles and sintering the non-ferrous metal nanoparticles in order to form a non-ferrous metal matrix with reinforcing carbon fiber integrated therein.

Abstract: Methods for microwave melting of fiber mixtures to form composite materials include placing the fiber mixture in a receptacle located in a microwave oven. The methods further include microwave heating the mixture, causing a heat activated compression mechanism to automatically increase compressive force on the mixture, thereby eliminating air and void volumes. The heat activated compression mechanism can include a shape memory alloy wire connecting first and second compression brackets, or one or more ceramic blocks configured to increase in volume and thereby increase compression on the mixture.

Abstract: Methods for microwave melting of fiber mixtures to form composite materials include placing the fiber mixture in a receptacle located in a microwave oven. The methods further include microwave heating the mixture, causing a heat activated compression mechanism to automatically increase compressive force on the mixture, thereby eliminating air and void volumes. The heat activated compression mechanism can include a shape memory alloy wire connecting first and second compression brackets, or one or more ceramic blocks configured to increase in volume and thereby increase compression on the mixture.

Abstract: Carbon fiber reinforced metal matrix composite turbine rotors include a planar carbon fiber structure encapsulated within a metal matrix formed of sintered metal nanoparticles. The metal nanoparticles can include a metal having a high sintering temperature that would ordinarily destroy the carbon fiber. Novel techniques for making small uniform nanoparticles for sintering lowers the sintering temperature to a level that can accommodate carbon fiber. The composite rotors possess high strength to weight ratio.

Abstract: Carbon fiber reinforced metal matrix composite gears include a planar carbon fiber structure fully encapsulated within a metal matrix formed of sintered metal nanoparticles. The metal nanoparticles can be composed of a metal having a high sintering temperature that would ordinarily destroy the carbon fiber. Novel techniques for making small uniform nanoparticles for sintering lowers the sintering temperature to a level that can accommodate carbon fiber. The composite gears possess high strength to weight ratio.

Abstract: Actuators having reversible seals are described herein. The actuators can move from a first position to a second position and lock in the second position using a reversible seal. The device can include a soft hydraulic actuator having a fluid-impermeable membrane. The fluid-impermeable membrane can define a compartment, the compartment having a central region, an edge region extending from and fluidly connected with the central region, a reversible seal between the central region and the edge region, and a dielectric fluid. When actuated, the actuators can force fluid through the reversible seals and into the edge region. Once in the edge region, the reversible seals be actuated and controllably sealed to prevent return flow.

Abstract: The soft bodied structures and systems for controlling such devices are described herein. The soft bodied structures can, through a series of soft hydraulic actuators, move from a first position to a second position by a somersaulting motion. The system can include connecting to a first contact point of the surface using a surface attachment. The rigidity of the controllably resistive material can then be increased. The medial hydraulic actuators can be actuated to expand the exterior medial surface, creating a bend. The device can then attach to a second contact point using the surface attachment and the end portion actuator of the unattached end portion. Then, the surface attachment of the first attached end portion can detach. The medial hydraulic actuators and the controllably resistive material can then relax, followed by detaching the surface attachment of the second attached end portion.

Abstract: A mirror assembly can include a mirror and one or more actuators operatively positioned to cause the position and/or the orientation of the mirror to be adjusted. The one or more actuators include a bladder. The bladder can include a flexible casing. The bladder can define a fluid chamber. The fluid chamber can contain a dielectric fluid. The one or more actuators can include a first conductor and a second conductor operatively positioned on opposite portions of the bladder. The one or more actuators can be configured such that, when electrical energy is supplied to the first conductor and the second conductor, the first conductor and the second conductor can become oppositely charged. As a result, the first conductor and the second conductor are electrostatically attracted toward each other to cause at least a portion of the dielectric fluid to be displaced to an outer peripheral region of the fluid chamber.

Abstract: Self-healing microvalves are described herein. The self-healing microvalve can move from a first position to a second position using an electrical input and use a soft hydraulic assembly to return from the second position to the first position. The electrical input can create an electrostatic attraction, causing the compression of the soft hydraulic assembly and movement of the valve gate to seal the microvalve. The elasticity of the soft hydraulic assembly can then return the self-healing microvalve to the original state, once the electrical input is removed.

Abstract: Actuators having electroactive valves are described herein. The actuators can move from a first position to a second position and lock in the second position using an electroactive valve. The device can include an actuator having a fluid-impermeable membrane. The fluid-impermeable membrane can define a compartment, the compartment having a central region, an edge region extending from and fluidly connected with the central region, an electroactive valve between the central region and the edge region, and a dielectric fluid. When actuated, the actuators can force fluid through the electroactive valves and into the edge region. Once in the edge region, the electroactive valves can prevent return flow until receiving an actuation signal.

Abstract: Thermally annealed superparamagnetic core shell nanoparticles of an iron-cobalt ternary alloy core and a silicon dioxide shell having high magnetic saturation are provided. A magnetic core of high magnetic moment obtained by compression sintering the thermally annealed superparamagnetic core shell nanoparticles is also provided. The magnetic core has little core loss due to hysteresis or eddy current flow.

Abstract: A magnetic core of superparamagnetic core shell nanoparticles having a particle size of less than 200 nm; wherein the core is an iron cobalt ternary alloy and the shell is a silicon oxide is provided. The magnetic core is a monolithic structure of superparamagnetic core grains of an iron cobalt ternary alloy directly bonded by the silicon dioxide shells. A method to prepare the magnetic core which allows maintenance of the superparamagnetic state of the nanoparticles is also provided. The magnetic core has little core loss due to hysteresis or eddy current flow.

Abstract: The soft bodied structures and systems for controlling such devices are described herein. The soft bodied structures can move from a first position to a second position by an earthworm-like motion. The system can include connecting to a first contact point of the surface using a surface attachment. The medial region can include one or more spacer regions. The medial actuators can be actuated to expand the exterior medial surface at the spacer regions, thus moving the unattached end portion forward. The device can then attach to a second contact point using the surface attachment and the end portion actuator of the unattached end portion. Then, the surface attachment of the first attached end portion can detach. The medial actuators and the spacer regions can then relax, followed by detaching the surface attachment of the second attached end portion.

Abstract: Orthopedic replacements include are formed at least partially of composite materials including a metal matrix with reinforcing carbon fiber integrated into the matrix. The composite materials have substantially lower density than metal, and are expected to have appreciable strength. The orthopedic replacements can include a bone attachment portion and a load bearing portion. In some versions, the orthopedic replacements can include a core formed of the composite material, with a shape completion portion, formed for example from plastic, at least partially coating the core.

Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to automatically adjusting a climate of a vehicle based on detecting the type of clothing a vehicle occupant is wearing. In one embodiment, the method includes, in response to acquiring an identifier from a reader, where the identifier being associated with a tag affixed to a wearable article in proximity of the reader, determining a type of the wearable article based on the identifier. The method includes controlling a climate control system based at least in part on the type of the wearable article.