Abstract: Ceramic matrix composite articles include, for example a first plurality of plies of ceramic fibers in a ceramic matrix defining a first extent, and a local at least one second ply in said ceramic matrix defining a second extent on and/or in said first plurality of plies with the second extent being less than said first extent. The first plurality of plies has a first property, the at least one second ply has at least one second property, and said first property being different from said at least one second property. The different properties may include one or more different mechanical (stress/strain) properties, one or more different thermal conductivity properties, one or more different electrical conductivity properties, one or more different other properties, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A coated component, along with methods of its formation and use, is provided. The coated component may include a substrate having a surface with a plurality of cavities defined therein, a bond coating (e.g., including a silicon material) on the surface of the substrate within the cavities, and an environmental barrier coating over the surface of the substrate and encasing the bond coating within the cavities such that the bond coating, when melted, is contained within the cavities. Such a coated component may be, in one embodiment, a turbine component, such as a CMC component for use in a hot gas path of a gas turbine engine.

Abstract: A coated component, along with methods of its formation and use, is provided. The coated component may include a substrate having a surface, a first refractory layer on the surface of the substrate, a silicon-based bond coating on the first refractory layer, and an environmental barrier coating on the silicon-based bond coating. The silicon-based bond coating includes a silicon-phase contained within a refractory phase such that, when melted, the silicon-phase is contained within the refractory phase and between the surface of the substrate and an inner surface of the environmental barrier coating.

Abstract: Ceramic matrix composite articles include, for example a first plurality of plies of ceramic fibers in a ceramic matrix defining a first extent, and a local at least one second ply in said ceramic matrix defining a second extent on and/or in said first plurality of plies with the second extent being less than said first extent. The first plurality of plies has a first property, the at least one second ply has at least one second property, and said first property being different from said at least one second property. The different properties may include one or more different mechanical (stress/strain) properties, one or more different thermal conductivity properties, one or more different electrical conductivity properties, one or more different other properties, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A coated component, along with method of forming the same, is provided. The coated component may include a substrate having a surface, a silicon-based bond coating on the surface of the substrate, and an EBC on the silicon-based bond coating. The silicon-based bond coating may include a silicon-phase contained within a refractory phase. The silicon-phase, when melted, is contained within the refractory phase and between the surface of the substrate and an inner surface of the environmental barrier coating. Such a coated component may be, in particular embodiments, a turbine component.

Abstract: Ceramic matrix composite articles include, for example a first plurality of plies of ceramic fibers in a ceramic matrix defining a first extent, and a local at least one second ply in said ceramic matrix defining a second extent on and/or in said first plurality of plies with the second extent being less than said first extent. The first plurality of plies has a first property, the at least one second ply has at least one second property, and said first property being different from said at least one second property. The different properties may include one or more different mechanical (stress/strain) properties, one or more different thermal conductivity properties, one or more different electrical conductivity properties, one or more different other properties, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A ceramic matrix composite article includes a chemical vapor infiltration ceramic matrix composite base portion including ceramic fiber reinforcement material in a ceramic matrix material having between 0% and 5% free silicon. The ceramic matrix composite article further includes a melt infiltration ceramic matrix composite covering portion including a ceramic fiber reinforcement material in a ceramic matrix material having a greater percentage of free silicon than the chemical vapor infiltration ceramic matrix composite base portion.

Abstract: A system and method for capturing images used in a facial recognition system are provided. The system and method are configured to generate a sequential set of control signals configured to cause a camera to capture a corresponding sequential set of probe images of a face of an individual. Each control signal in the sequential set of control signals is configured to cause the camera to capture a probe image of the sequential set of probe images using a different exposure time. The different exposure times associated with the sequential set of control signals together form a predetermined profile configured to enable capture of a usable image from the sequential set of probe images despite variation in at least one of an amount of light and a skin tone of the face of the individual.

Abstract: An airfoil for an aircraft engine is provided. The airfoil may include a plurality of composite plies extending in a chordwise direction from a leading edge to a trailing edge and in a spanwise direction between an airfoil tip and an airfoil base. The airfoil may include at least one discontinuous ply having a first ply segment, a second ply segment, and a butt joint disposed between the first ply segment and the second ply segment. The butt joint may be disposed along a first fragment profile to frangibly attach the first and second ply segments.

Abstract: According to present embodiments or aspects thereof, a composite booster spool with separable composite blades is provided. The blades are inserted radially from within the inner circumference of the spool and extend outwardly through the spool. The system provides a reduced weight assembly as compared to prior art metallic or composite/metallic combination systems. Additionally, the blades are separable which results in a more field-serviceable assembly over a fully integral system wherein the blades and spool are integrally formed from composites or combination of metal and composites.

Abstract: Identification of reflective surfaces as being associated with optical threats is disclosed. A first laser signal is emitted from a first laser system at a first wavelength and a first emission circular polarization orientation. A first signal reflection of the first laser signal from a reflective surface at the first wavelength having a first return circular polarization orientation that is different from the first emission circular polarization orientation is detected. A first return quantification of the first signal reflection, based at least in part on an amount of circular polarization of the first signal reflection, is determined. It is determined that the reflective surface is associated with a threat optic based at least in part on the first return quantification.

Abstract: A method for forming a ceramic matrix composite article includes laying up a first group of plies; laying up a second group of plies, the first and second groups of plies being adjacent to each other; compacting the first group of plies and the second group of plies in the same processing step; and performing a first infiltration process on the first group of plies. The method also includes performing a second infiltration process on the second group of plies, the first infiltration process being one of a melt infiltration process or a chemical vapor infiltration process, and the second infiltration process being the other of the melt infiltration process or the chemical vapor infiltration process.

Abstract: Compressor blades constructed of composite materials are disclosed. Some example compressor blades may include a composite blade panel including an airfoil having a span extending radially outward with respect to an axis of rotation and/or a blade attachment feature radially inward from the airfoil with respect to the axis of rotation. The blade attachment feature may be circumferentially oriented with respect to the axis of rotation. The blade attachment feature may be arranged to releasably engage a generally circumferentially oriented spool attachment feature. The spool attachment feature may be generally shaped as a circumferential dovetail slot configured to slidably receive the blade attachment feature therein.

Abstract: A method for forming a ceramic matrix composite article includes laying up a first group of plies; laying up a second group of plies, the first and second groups of plies being adjacent to each other; compacting the first group of plies and the second group of plies in the same processing step; and performing a first infiltration process on the first group of plies. The method also includes performing a second infiltration process on the second group of plies, the first infiltration process being one of a melt infiltration process or a chemical vapor infiltration process, and the second infiltration process being the other of the melt infiltration process or the chemical vapor infiltration process.

Abstract: A ceramic matrix composite article includes a chemical vapor infiltration ceramic matrix composite base portion including ceramic fiber reinforcement material in a ceramic matrix material having between 0% and 5% free silicon. The ceramic matrix composite article further includes a melt infiltration ceramic matrix composite covering portion including a ceramic fiber reinforcement material in a ceramic matrix material having a greater percentage of free silicon than the chemical vapor infiltration ceramic matrix composite base portion.

Abstract: A coated component, along with method of forming the same, is provided. The coated component may include a substrate having a surface, a silicon-based bond coating on the surface of the substrate, and an EBC on the silicon-based bond coating. The silicon-based bond coating may include a silicon-phase contained within a refractory phase. The silicon-phase, when melted, is contained within the refractory phase and between the surface of the substrate and an inner surface of the environmental barrier coating. Such a coated component may be, in particular embodiments, a turbine component.

Abstract: A coated component, along with methods of its formation and use, is provided. The coated component may include a substrate having a surface, a first refractory layer on the surface of the substrate, a silicon-based bond coating on the first refractory, and an environmental barrier coating on the silicon-based bond coating. The silicon-based bond coating includes a silicon-phase contained within a refractory phase such that, when melted, the silicon-phase is contained within the refractory phase and between the surface of the substrate and an inner surface of the environmental barrier coating.

Abstract: A coated component, along with methods of its formation and use, is provided. The coated component may include a substrate having a surface with a plurality of cavities defined therein, a bond coating (e.g., including a silicon material) on the surface of the substrate within the cavities, and an environmental barrier coating over the surface of the substrate and encasing the bond coating within the cavities such that the bond coating, when melted, is contained within the cavities. Such a coated component may be, in one embodiment, a turbine component, such as a CMC component for use in a hot gas path of a gas turbine engine.

Abstract: Ceramic matrix composite articles include, for example a first plurality of plies of ceramic fibers in a ceramic matrix defining a first extent, and a local at least one second ply in said ceramic matrix defining a second extent on and/or in said first plurality of plies with the second extent being less than said first extent. The first plurality of plies has a first property, the at least one second ply has at least one second property, and said first property being different from said at least one second property. The different properties may include one or more different mechanical (stress/strain) properties, one or more different thermal conductivity properties, one or more different electrical conductivity properties, one or more different other properties, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A system including a configurable memory controller, a memory interface, and a configurable high speed communications fabric comprising a plurality of interconnect stations arranged in an array and operable to implement a plurality of pipelined buses, where the configurable memory controller is operably coupled to the configurable high speed communications fabric using a first interconnect station of the plurality of interconnect stations, where the memory interface is operably coupled to the configurable high speed communications fabric using a second interconnect station of the plurality of interconnect stations, where the plurality of interconnect stations are configured to satisfy a timing requirement of the memory interface, and where the configurable memory controller, the memory interface, and the configurable high speed communications fabric are associated with a configurable integrated circuit.