Abstract: A method of making an electrocaloric article is disclosed. The method includes mounting a supported electrocaloric film to a frame. The supported electrocaloric film includes an electrocaloric film and a first support film disposed on a first side of the electrocaloric film. An active area of the electrocaloric film is provided, which is not covered by the first support film on the first side of the electrocaloric film. Electrical connections are provided to electrodes disposed on opposing sides of the electrocaloric film in the active area.

Abstract: An embodiment of a method includes depositing a quantity of first intermediary material onto an electrically insulating substrate in a pattern corresponding to a desired pattern of a first conductive structure. The first intermediary material is adhered to the substrate to form a first intermediate layer to maintain the desired pattern of the first conductive structure. A quantity of a precursor of electrically conductive material is deposited generally along the pattern of the first intermediate layer. Energy is applied to enable migration and consolidation of the first electrically conductive material along the pattern of the first intermediate layer, forming a functional, electrically conductive top layer. At least one of the first electrically conductive material and its precursor has a wetting angle of less than 90° relative to the first intermediate layer, and a wetting angle greater than 90° relative to the substrate. At least one of the depositing steps is an additive deposition step.

Abstract: A sensor array system includes a skin. The sensor array system includes a lattice network coupled to a portion of the skin. The lattice network includes a plurality of interconnects and a plurality of nodes. The plurality of nodes are respectively defined by an intersection of two or more interconnects of the plurality of interconnects. The sensor array system includes a first sensor electrically connected to the lattice network at a first node of the plurality of nodes.

Abstract: A method of making a composite material includes disposing a carbon-based particulate material, such as graphene or carbon nanotubes, in an activation solution and activating surfaces of the carbon-based particulate material using the activation solution. Once the surfaces of the carbon-based particulate material have been activated, a metallic coating is applied to the activated surfaces to form a composite material. The composite material is then recovered as a particulate material formed having carbon-based particulate material with a metallic coating that is suitable for fusing together for forming electrical conductors, such as with an additive manufacturing technique.

Abstract: A panel includes a substrate and an electro-thermal layer disposed on the substrate. A thermally conductive and electrically insulating top layer is disposed on the electro-thermal layer. The top layer, electro-thermal layer, and substrate can all be printed layers. The electro-thermal layer can be a first electro-thermal layer and the top layer can be a first top layer, wherein at least one additional electro-thermal layer and at least one additional top layer are disposed on the first top layer, wherein the additional electro-thermal and top layers are disposed in an alternating order.

Abstract: An air data probe includes an air data probe body and an additively manufactured heater on the air data probe body.

Abstract: A panel includes a substrate and an electro-thermal layer disposed on the substrate. A thermally conductive and electrically insulating top layer is disposed on the electro-thermal layer. The top layer, electro-thermal layer, and substrate can all be printed layers. The electro-thermal layer can be a first electro-thermal layer and the top layer can be a first top layer, wherein at least one additional electro-thermal layer and at least one additional top layer are disposed on the first top layer, wherein the additional electro-thermal and top layers are disposed in an alternating order.

Abstract: A method of making a carbon allotrope heater element for ice protection includes imparting the heater element with a wetting layer, adding a metallic element, which is melted and wets the wetting layer such that a bus bar attachment is made on at least a portion of the carbon allotrope heater element.

Abstract: A sensor array having a lattice topology includes interconnects having an electrically-conductive layer sandwiched between two dielectric layers, the interconnects defining first-axis interconnects, second-axis interconnects, and interconnect junctions, sensor nodes located on associated interconnect junctions thereby defining an associated first-axis line and second-axis line, a sensor on an associated sensor node, a primary first-axis interconnect interface that is electrically connected to the first-axis interconnects, and a primary second-axis interconnect interface that is electrically connected to the second-axis interconnects. Each sensor node includes a first electrode that is electrically connected to an associated first-axis line, a second electrode that is electrically connected to an associated second-axis line, and a bypass bridge that electrically isolates the associated second-axis line from the associated first-axis line.

Abstract: An air data probe includes an air data probe body and an additively manufactured heater on the air data probe body, the heater including a first heater layer and a first dielectric layer on the first heater layer. The first dielectric layer makes up an exterior surface of the heater.

Abstract: A sensor array system includes a skin. The sensor array system includes a lattice network coupled to a portion of the skin. The lattice network includes a plurality of interconnects and a plurality of nodes. The plurality of nodes are respectively defined by an intersection of two or more interconnects of the plurality of interconnects. The sensor array system includes a first sensor electrically connected to the lattice network at a first node of the plurality of nodes.

Abstract: A tool comprises a first rod that extends along a first axis and moves perpendicular to the first axis along a second axis. A first sliding guide moves along the first rod. A second rod extends parallel to the second axis and moves perpendicular to the second axis and parallel to the first axis, and a second sliding guide moves along the second rod. A third rod extends along a third axis and moves perpendicular to the third axis and parallel to the second axis, and a third sliding guide moves along the third rod. A fourth rod extends along a fourth axis and moves perpendicular to the fourth axis and parallel to the first axis, and a fourth sliding guide moves along the fourth rod. The periphery of the sensor network film is secured to the rods, and the rods and guides move simultaneously to stretch the film.

Abstract: A method of making an electrocaloric article is disclosed in which a continuous sheet of an electrocaloric film is bent back and forth to form a plurality of connected aligned segments of electrocaloric film with gaps between film surfaces of adjacent aligned segments. The continuous sheet of electrocaloric film is secured in this with a securing method that includes attaching a spacer to the continuous sheet of electrocaloric film prior to the back and forth bending; or providing a spacer comprising a base and a plurality of projections extending from the base, and inserting the projections into the gaps between the film surfaces of adjacent aligned segments after the back and forth bending; or interweaving a continuous spacer through the gaps between the aligned segments of the electrocaloric film; or attaching an end cap to a plurality of connecting portions of the electrocaloric film between the aligned segments.

Abstract: An embodiment of an apparatus includes a raw material deposition head in communication with a working surface, an energy beam generator, a wire feed, and an ultrasonic head. The energy beam generator is directed toward the working surface for consolidating raw material disposed on the working surface by the raw material deposition head. The wire feed dispenses pre-formed wire to the raw material consolidated on the working surface by an energy beam from the energy beam generator. The ultrasonic head is directed to embed the dispensed pre-formed wire into the consolidated raw material.

Abstract: A sensor assembly for a gas turbine engine according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a substrate layer formed on a localized surface of a rotatable gas turbine engine component, and at least one pair of transducers deposited on the substrate layer.

Abstract: In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, an ultraviolet radiation (UV) sensor includes a UV sensitive material and a first electrode and a second electrode connected in series through the UV sensitive material such that UV radiation can reach the UV sensitive material. The UV sensitive material can include at least one of zinc tin oxide, magnesium oxide, magnesium zinc oxide, or zinc oxide. The electrodes can be interdigitated comb electrodes.

Abstract: A method of making an electrocaloric article is disclosed. The method includes mounting a supported electrocaloric film to a frame. The supported electrocaloric film includes an electrocaloric film and a first support film disposed on a first side of the electrocaloric film. An active area of the electrocaloric film is provided, which is not covered by the first support film on the first side of the electrocaloric film. Electrical connections are provided to electrodes disposed on opposing sides of the electrocaloric film in the active area.

Abstract: An electrocaloric module includes a housing and an electrocaloric element in the housing. The electrocaloric element includes an electrocaloric film, a first electrode on a first surface of the electrocaloric film, and a second electrode on a second surface of the electrocaloric film. The electrocaloric module also includes a first thermal connection configured to connect to a first thermal flow path between the electrocaloric elements and a heat sink, a second thermal connection configured to connect to a second thermal flow path between the electrocaloric elements and a heat source, and a power connection connected to the first and second electrodes and configured to connect to a power source.

Abstract: A wear monitoring system for measuring incursion depth into an abradable coating includes a layer of abradable coating including a depth, and a measurement circuit including a plurality of conductive leads disposed within the abradable coating. The conductive leads are spaced radially apart within a common radial plane corresponding to the depth of the abradable coating. A radio frequency identification tag (RFID) is disposed within the abradable coating and connected to the measurement circuit. A plurality of resistor elements corresponds with the plurality of conductive leads. Each of the plurality of resistor elements in electrical communication with one of the plurality of conductive leads is disposed within the common radial plane of the corresponding one of the plurality of conductive leads. An electrical characteristic of the measurement circuit varies responsive to cutting of one or more of the plurality of conductive leads by a passing airfoil.

Abstract: A method of making a composite material includes disposing a carbon-based particulate material, such as graphene or carbon nanotubes, in an activation solution and activating surfaces of the carbon-based particulate material using the activation solution. Once the surfaces of the carbon-based particulate material have been activated, a metallic coating is applied to the activated surfaces to form a composite material. The composite material is then recovered as a particulate material formed having carbon-based particulate material with a metallic coating that is suitable for fusing together for forming electrical conductors, such as with an additive manufacturing technique.