Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for producing covetic materials by exciting a hydrocarbon gas with pulse microwaves to form hydrocarbon radicals in a hot first region of a microwave reactor. Graphene nanoplatelets are formed by the nucleation, growth, and assembly of the hydrocarbon radicals, and contact a metal melt introduced downstream of the hot region to produce a mixture of molten metal and graphene nanoplatelets which assemble in-flight to form covetic materials.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for producing covetic materials by exciting a hydrocarbon gas with pulse microwaves to form hydrocarbon radicals in a hot first region of a microwave reactor. Graphene nanoplatelets are formed by the nucleation, growth and assembly of the hydrocarbon radicals, and contact a metal melt introduced downstream of the hot region to produce a mixture of molten metal and graphene nanoplatelets which assemble in-flight to form covetic materials. Graphene planes are infused in the metal matrix to achieve carbon loadings of at least 60%.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for producing covetic materials by exciting a hydrocarbon gas with pulse microwaves to form hydrocarbon radicals in a hot first region of a microwave reactor. Graphene nanoplatelets are formed by the nucleation, growth and assembly of the hydrocarbon radicals, and contact a metal melt introduced downstream of the hot region to produce a mixture of molten metal and graphene nanoplatelets which assemble in-flight to form covetic materials. Graphene planes are infused in the metal matrix to achieve carbon loadings of at least 60%.

Abstract: A system for determining the muzzle velocity of a firearm includes a firearm having a barrel and a gas block. A first sensor is arranged at a gas block and is configured to determine a change in pressure within the gas block. A second sensor is positioned at an end of the barrel of the firearm for detecting a pressure wave produced by a projectile fired by the firearm. A control unit is in communication with the first sensor and the second sensor and is configured to determine a velocity of the projectile based on information received from the first sensor and the second sensor.

Abstract: A firearm having an aim-compensation system. The firearm includes a barrel and is configured to fire a projectile. The firearm further includes a sensor disposed on the firearm that determines an orientation of the firearm. The firearm further includes a control unit that determines an intended point-of-aim of the firearm and an actual expected point-of-aim of the firearm based on the orientation of the firearm, and the control unit determines a differential of the intended point-of-aim and the actual expected point-of-aim. The firearm further includes a muzzle device arranged on the barrel which is in communication with the control unit, wherein, when the projectile is fired, the muzzle device directs a gas toward the projectile in an amount and direction based on the differential determined by the control unit so as to exert an aerodynamic force on the projectile to alter the trajectory of the projectile towards the intended point-of-aim.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a graded composition including at least a first, second, and third material property zone each having a crystallographic configuration distinct from other zones. In some implementations, the graded composition has a first material in the first material property zone including a metal, the first material composed of metallic bonds between metal atoms present in the first material property zone; a second material that at least partially overlaps the first material in the first material property zone including carbon, the second material composed of covalent bonds between the carbon in the second material and the metal in the first material; and, a third material that at least partially overlaps the second material property zone including carbon, the third material composed of covalent bonds between the carbon of the third material. Each crystallographic configuration may include a cubic crystallographic lattice, a hexagonal lattice, a face or body-centered cubic lattice.

Abstract: A system for determining the muzzle velocity of a firearm includes a firearm having a barrel and a gas block. A first sensor is arranged at a gas block and is configured to determine a change in pressure within the gas block. A second sensor is positioned at an end of the barrel of the firearm for detecting a pressure wave produced by a projectile fired by the firearm. A control unit is in communication with the first sensor and the second sensor and is configured to determine a velocity of the projectile based on information received from the first sensor and the second sensor.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a reactor including an energy source configured to generate a microwave in a direction of propagation. A reaction chamber is coupled to the energy source. A waveguide disposed in the reactor includes a window positioned at an angle, such as being misaligned, relative to the direction of propagation of the microwave such that an average dielectric constant experienced by the microwave increases over a region where the window occupies a greater fraction of a cross-sectional area of the waveguide. The window includes one or more dielectric materials that have respective dielectric constants that increase along the propagation direction in a first region that is adjacent to a first face of the window, and decrease in a second region that is adjacent to a second face of the window. The dielectric materials have a mass density that varies based on one or more pores formed therein.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a graded composition including at least a first, second, and third material property zone each having a crystallographic configuration distinct from other zones. In some implementations, the graded composition has a first material in the first material property zone including a metal, the first material composed of metallic bonds between metal atoms present in the first material property zone; a second material that at least partially overlaps the first material in the first material property zone including carbon, the second material composed of covalent bonds between the carbon in the second material and the metal in the first material; and, a third material that at least partially overlaps the second material property zone including carbon, the third material composed of covalent bonds between the carbon of the third material. Each crystallographic configuration may include a cubic crystallographic lattice, a hexagonal lattice, a face or body-centered cubic lattice.

Abstract: A firearm having an aim-compensation system. The firearm includes a barrel and is configured to fire a projectile. The firearm further includes a sensor disposed on the firearm that determines an orientation of the firearm. The firearm further includes a control unit that determines an intended point-of-aim of the firearm and an actual expected point-of-aim of the firearm based on the orientation of the firearm, and the control unit determines a differential of the intended point-of-aim and the actual expected point-of-aim. The firearm further includes a muzzle device arranged on the barrel which is in communication with the control unit, wherein, when the projectile is fired, the muzzle device directs a gas toward the projectile in an amount and direction based on the differential determined by the control unit so as to exert an aerodynamic force on the projectile to alter the trajectory of the projectile towards the intended point-of-aim.

Abstract: A pressure barrier comprising a window with a first side and a second side, a main section comprising a length, a first end, and a second end opposite the first end, a first gradient compression section adjacent to the first end of the main section, and a second gradient decompression section adjacent to the second end of the main section is described. A pressure difference can be formed between the first and second side of the window. The window can comprise a dielectric material, where an average dielectric constant of the gradient compression section increases toward the main section, and an average dielectric constant of the gradient decompression section decreases away from the main section. A microwave propagating in a propagation direction can enter the pressure barrier at the gradient compression section and exit the pressure barrier through the gradient decompression section.

Abstract: A pressure barrier comprising a window with a first side and a second side, a main section comprising a length, a first end, and a second end opposite the first end, a first gradient compression section adjacent to the first end of the main section, and a second gradient decompression section adjacent to the second end of the main section is described. A pressure difference can be formed between the first and second side of the window. The window can comprise a dielectric material, where an average dielectric constant of the gradient compression section increases toward the main section, and an average dielectric constant of the gradient decompression section decreases away from the main section. A microwave propagating in a propagation direction can enter the pressure barrier at the gradient compression section and exit the pressure barrier through the gradient decompression section.