Abstract: A method for evaluating a weld in a formed object includes performing a contact mechanics test of a first region that includes the weld and storing one or more corresponding weld surface mechanical property measurements, performing a contact mechanics test of a second region that excludes the weld and storing one or more corresponding base material surface mechanical property measurements, determining a relative difference in the weld surface mechanical property measurements and the base material surface mechanical property measurements, determining one or more weld width measurements on the exterior surface of the formed object, and evaluating the weld based on the determined relative difference in the weld surface mechanical property measurements and the base material surface mechanical property measurements in relation to the determined weld width measurements in order to provide an index of weld quality that is traditionally measured through a destructive test or examination.

Abstract: A method of removing an electrically conductive coating from a metallic component includes providing an electrolytic cell with the metallic component containing the conductive coating. A DC power supply connected to the cathode and anode is activated to produce a plasma causing the conductive coating to disintegrate. A method of conductive coating removal from a metallic component includes providing an aqueous solution of ammonium citrate, sodium hydrogen carbonate, sodium carbonate, sodium citrate, and/or potassium phosphate as an electrolyte, a cathode and the metallic component with the conductive coating as an anode. A DC power supply connected to the cathode and anode produces a plasma causing the conductive coatings on the metallic component to disintegrate.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing a contact mechanics test in a substrate includes a stylus having at least two contact elements. Each contact element has a contact profile, and the contact elements are disposed in the stylus to define a stretch passage therebetween. The stylus is configured to deform the substrate so as to cause the substrate to flow between the contact elements and induce tension in the substrate in order to generate and preserve micromodifications in the substrate. Methods of performing a contact mechanics test using the apparatus are also provided.

Abstract: A flat pack (1) for operating a downhole tool or sensor includes a plurality of tubes (3a, 3b); a spacer (2) disposed between the tubes (3a, 3b); and a jacket (4) encapsulating the tubes (3a, 3b) and the spacer (2). The tubes (3a, 3b) and the spacer (2) are positioned in the jacket (4) in a side-by-side arrangement. The tubes (3a, 3b) and the spacer (2) are not twisted along the flat pack (1).

Abstract: An electronic design system and corresponding methods are disclosed. The electronic design system may include a computing device that allows for users to associate material swatches to material boards where a user can manage and sort the material swatches. The computing device allows a user to search for materials based on user input or pre-configured filters. The computing device also allows for the automatic ordering of samples of materials associated with the material swatches, such as to a supplier of the material, and may automatically associate the ordered material with a representative of the supplier. The electronic design system may also allow users to share material boards across various user accounts. In some examples, the electronic design system includes a swatch presentation device that provides data to the computing device. The computing device may determine material data for a material associated with the swatch presentation device.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing a contact mechanics test by engaging multiple styluses with a substrate through a contact load that is applied by a load applicator and transferred to the styluses through a stylus load transfer mechanism. This apparatus allows the styluses to be positioned in close proximity to allow for a smaller and more compact apparatus, with less uncertainty on the magnitude of the engagement load being applied to each stylus. Ultimately, this provides a more portable apparatus for testing of material properties.

Abstract: A material storage and transport system is disclosed. The material storage and transport system can include a material storage tray forming a storage volume defined by a bottom and walls extending up from the bottom along a perimeter of the bottom. The material storage and transport system can also include a releasable strap adapted to extend across the bottom when in a securing configuration and a sample carrier, including at least one sample secured to a sample support substrate by a molded sheet. The material storage and transport system can include a hinged lid that is integrally connected to a wall of the material storage tray, and configured to convert between a folded-in position, an opened position, and a closed position.

Abstract: A material storage and transport system is disclosed. The material storage and transport system can include a material storage tray forming a storage volume defined by a bottom and walls extending up from the bottom along a perimeter of the bottom. The material storage and transport system can also include a releasable strap adapted to extend across the bottom when in a securing configuration and a sample carrier, including at least one sample secured to a sample support substrate by a molded sheet. The material storage and transport system can include a hinged lid that is integrally connected to a wall of the material storage tray, and configured to convert between a folded-in position, an opened position, and a closed position.

Abstract: A material storage and transport system is disclosed. The material storage and transport system can include a material storage tray forming an open-top storage volume defined by a bottom and walls extending up from the bottom along a perimeter of the bottom. The material storage and transport system can also include a releasable strap adapted to extend across the bottom when in a securing configuration and a sample carrier, including at least one sample secured to a sample support substrate by a molded sheet. A lid element and the sample carrier can be adapted (i) to fit within the storage volume when arranged parallel to the bottom, and (ii) to be secured to the material storage tray by the releasable strap.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing a contact mechanics test on a substrate includes a stylus, a core configured to engage the stylus against the substrate, a stylus engagement mechanism configured to induce a contact load or a penetration depth to the stylus, a core engagement mechanism configured to maintain contact of the core and to move the core along the substrate surface, a frame configured to be fixed with respect to the apparatus or to be moved together with the core engagement mechanism as an assembly, a frame engagement mechanism configured to engage the frame with the substrate surface; and a substrate monitoring device configured to measure characteristics of substrate contact response and/or collect material machined from the substrate. Methods of performing a contact mechanics test are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing a contact mechanics test on a substrate includes a stylus, a core configured to engage the stylus against the substrate, a stylus engagement mechanism configured to induce a contact load or a penetration depth to the stylus, a core engagement mechanism configured to maintain contact of the core and to move the core along the substrate surface, a frame configured to be fixed with respect to the apparatus or to be moved together with the core engagement mechanism as an assembly, a frame engagement mechanism configured to engage the frame with the substrate surface; and a substrate monitoring device configured to measure characteristics of substrate contact response and/or collect material machined from the substrate. Methods of performing a contact mechanics test are also provided.

Abstract: Provide in one embodiment is an apparatus, comprising an indentor wherein a tip thereof is configured to engage a sample surface, a surface-referencing device configured to establish the position of the indentor relative to the sample surface, a drive mechanism configured to move the indentor along the sample surface to form a scratch, and a measurement device configured to measure at least one of (i) a pile-up height of sample material removed from the scratch and (ii) a width of the scratch.

Abstract: Recovery of a metal from scrap materials or other source materials containing two or more metals or other materials by iodization of the materials or parts of them to create multiple metal iodides of respective metals, separating the iodides and dissociating at least one of the iodides to recover its metal component.

Abstract: A capacitor includes a pair of electrodes and a metalized dielectric layer disposed between the pair of electrodes, in which the metalized dielectric layer has a plurality of metal aggregates distributed within a dielectric material. The distribution is such that a volume fraction of metal in the metalized dielectric layer is at least about 30%. Meanwhile, the plurality of metal aggregates are separated from one another by the dielectric material. A method for forming a metal-dielectric composite may include coating a plurality of dielectric particles with a metal to form a plurality of metal-coated dielectric particles and sintering the plurality of metal-coated dielectric particles at a temperature of at least about 750° C. to about 950° C. to transform the metal coatings into discrete, separated metal aggregates.

Abstract: Disclosed is process for the separation of tungsten from molybdenum and more particularly from ammonium molybdate solutions. The method comprises dissolving technical grade molybdenum trioxide in an aqueous ammonium hydroxide solution and further adding certain metal generating compounds to the aqueous solution thereby generating a tungsten-containing precipitate. Calcium, iron and manganese are the preferred metal generating compounds of the invention. Certain temperature and pH values of the system, as disclosed, are preferred for the precipitation of the tungsten from the ammonia molybdate solution.

Abstract: A capacitor includes a pair of electrodes and a metalized dielectric layer disposed between the pair of electrodes, in which the metalized dielectric layer has a plurality of metal aggregates distributed within a dielectric material. The distribution is such that a volume fraction of metal in the metalized dielectric layer is at least about 30%. Meanwhile, the plurality of metal aggregates are separated from one another by the dielectric material. A method for forming a metal-dielectric composite may include coating a plurality of dielectric particles with a metal to form a plurality of metal-coated dielectric particles and sintering the plurality of metal-coated dielectric particles at a temperature of at least about 750° C. to about 950° C. to transform the metal coatings into discrete, separated metal aggregates.

Abstract: The present disclosure concerns a system, methods and compositions for attaching architectural panels to a building surface, such as a wall. In certain embodiments, the system comprises panels, each with upper, lower and side interlocking members. In a preferred embodiment, the upper and lower interlocking members form a modified tongue and groove joint, with a 45 degree angle interface, while the side interlocking members form a ship lap joint. The upper and lower interlocking members may be designed to press the panels against the building surface and to hide the locations of screws or other attachment devices when the interlocking members are engaged. The system provides a stronger and more secure attachment of panels to a building surface, while eliminating the problem of having to disguise the location of the attachment devices where such devices are inserted directly through the surface of the panel.

Abstract: Utilization of process and equipment for oxidation of metal sulfides, preferably two step metal sulfide oxidation reactions, and more preferably with looping back of second step oxide to the first step as an oxidizing agent, to generate sulfur dioxide and a useful metal or metal oxide, and react the sulfur dioxide with halogen (iodine or bromine) and water to produce sulfuric and halogen acid under moderate process conditions and equipment requirements and then dissociating the halogen acids (HI or HBr) to halogen and hydrogen as an overall environmentally and cost efficient and otherwise acceptable safe process for producing hydrogen and other useful products.

Abstract: A capacitor, and methods of its manufacture, having improved capacitance efficiency which results from increasing the effective area of an electrode surface are disclosed. An improved “three-dimensional” capacitor may be constructed with electrode layers having three-dimensional aspects at the point of interface with a dielectric such that portions of the electrode extend into the dielectric layer. Advantageously, embodiments of a three-dimensional capacitor drastically reduce the space footprint that is required in a circuit to accommodate the capacitor, when compared to current capacitor designs. Increased capacitance density may be realized without using high k (high constant) dielectric materials, additional “electrode-dielectric-electrode” arrangements in an ever increasing stack, or serially stringing together multiple capacitors.