Abstract: A solid polymer blend material comprising: (i) a lignin-acrylonitrile component containing a homogeneous blend of a lignin component and an acrylonitrile-containing rubber component; and (ii) a styrene-containing thermoplastic component that is non-elastomeric; wherein components (i) and (ii) are homogeneously dispersed in the polymer blend material. Methods for producing the blend material are also described. Methods for producing objects made of the blend material by melt extrusion are also described, comprising: (a) melt blending components (i) and (ii) to form a polymer blend in which components (i) and (ii) are homogeneously blended, wherein the polymer blend exhibits a melt viscosity of no more than 2000 Pa·s at a shear rate of 100-1000 s?1 and when heated to a temperature of no more than 240° C.; and (b) forming an object made of said polymer blend material.

Abstract: A method for applying a coating to a surface includes the step of providing a reaction mixture comprising a silicon alkoxide and an alcohol. A reaction limiting amount of water is added. The silicon alkoxides and water are allowed to react to form silica precursor particles during an initial reaction period. A coating precursor composition is prepared by adding an acid soluble in the alcohol to the reaction mixture during a second reaction period after the initial reaction period. The precursor silica particles grow to form silica nanofeatures having a major dimension that is larger than a major dimension of the silica precursor particles. The coating precursor composition is applied to a surface, and the alcohol and water are allowed to evaporate and the silica nanofeatures to adhere to the surface and form a nanostructured layer on the surface. A coating precursor composition and a coated article are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure concerns embodiments of aluminum alloy compositions exhibiting microstructural stability and strength at high temperatures. The disclosed aluminum alloy compositions comprise particular combinations of components that contribute the ability of the compositions to exhibit improved microstructural stability and hot tearing resistance as compared to conventional alloys. Also disclosed herein are embodiments of methods of making and using the alloys.

Abstract: A method includes performing by a processor: receiving a plurality of synchrophasor measurements of a power system signal associated with a time interval from a phasor measurement unit (PMU), each of the plurality of synchrophasor measurements including a phase angle, frequency value, and a timestamp associated with the synchrophasor measurement, determining a plurality of relative phase angles based on the plurality of phase angles, determining a correlation coefficient between the plurality of relative phase angles and a plurality of corresponding frequency values of the power system signal, and detecting an error in the plurality of timestamps based on the correlation coefficient; estimating the error in the plurality of timestamps based on the plurality of relative phase angles and the plurality of corresponding frequency values.

Abstract: A structural health monitoring method is provided that utilizes self-sensing printed polymer structures. The method is based on resistivity properties of conductive materials, which can be integrated to a 3D printed polymer structure during additive manufacturing. An article to be monitored has at least one 3D printed polymer structure including a circuit comprising at least one conductive pathway extending through a non-conductive material. The resistance across the circuit is measured during or after loading of the article to determine a resistance value. The measured resistance value is compared to a known resistance value, and based on the comparison, a defect can be detected in the 3D printed polymer structure. Structural health monitoring systems and articles with integrated structural health monitoring are also provided.

Abstract: An air castable Fe-based stainless steel alloy comprises in weight % based on the total weight of the alloy 18-22% Cr, 15-22% Ni, 3-6% Al, 0.5-5% Mn, 0-3.5% W, 0-5% Cu, 0-2% Si, 1-2.5% Nb, 0.3-0.6% C balance Fe wherein, Cu+W+Si=0.5-10.5, and the alloy provides an oxidation resistance of 0.5<specific mass change<+2 mg/cm2 after 400 one hour cycles at 900° C. in 10% water vapor.

Abstract: The disclosure describes techniques for forming nanoparticles including Fe16N2 phase. In some examples, the nanoparticles may be formed by first forming nanoparticles including iron, nitrogen, and at least one of carbon or boron. The carbon or boron may be incorporated into the nanoparticles such that the iron, nitrogen, and at least one of carbon or boron are mixed. Alternatively, the at least one of carbon or boron may be coated on a surface of a nanoparticle including iron and nitrogen. The nano particle including iron, nitrogen, and at least one of carbon or boron then may be annealed to form at least one phase domain including at least one of Fe16N2, Fe16(NB)2, Fe16(NC)2, or Fe16(NCB)2.

Abstract: A method for extracting a rare earth element from a rare earth-containing substance, the method comprising mixing the rare earth-containing substance with a protic ionic liquid, such as: wherein R1 is selected from hydrogen atom and hydrocarbon groups containing 1 to 6 carbon atoms; R2 and R3 are independently selected from hydrocarbon groups containing 1 to 12 carbon atoms; and X? is an anionic species; to produce a composition of the formula (RE)(amide)yXz at least partially dissolved in the protic ionic liquid, wherein RE is at least one rare earth element having an atomic number selected from 39, 57-71, and 90-103; y is 2-6; z is a number that charge balances the total positive charge of RE; and the amide is the conjugate base of the cationic portion of the protic ionic liquid of Formula (1) and has the following formula:

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of an aging heat treatment that can be used to replace conventional aging steps when making alloy embodiments of the present disclosure. Embodiments of the disclosed aging heat treatment reduce cost and complexity in producing aluminum alloy-based components while also promoting and/or improving microstructure stability of the aluminum alloys.

Abstract: A method and system for sampling a solid sample material can include the step of mounting the sample material on a support. A sample surface is coated with a surface treatment composition in a dry deposition process. A solvent supply conduit for supplying solvent to the sample surface and a solvent exhaust conduit for withdrawing solvent from the sample surface can be provided. Solvent is flowed from the solvent supply conduit to the surface treatment composition and the sample surface such that the solvent contacts the surface treatment composition. A laser beam is directed from a laser source to the sample and the surface treatment composition. The laser beam will ablate the sample and the surface treatment composition in portions intersected by the laser beam. Ablated sample material enters the solvent liquid and will be transported with the solvent away from the sample surface through the solvent exhaust conduit.

Abstract: Conductors for use in heating systems are provided. The conductors are configured to have an extended current path for the current and increased resistance as seen by the current. The heating system may be an induction system. For example, the conductor may comprise a conductive material having a surface which faces an induction coil of an oscillating circuit. This surface may have a predetermined pattern of peaks and valleys. The peaks and valleys form a non-linear current path for the induced current when exposed to an electromagnetic field generated by the oscillating circuit. Other conductors such as a heat pipe may be used. The pipe may have walls with varying thicknesses over its length. The varying thicknesses may include a first thickness and a second thickness which alternate. The heat pipe may be used in an induction or direct contact heating system where AC is directly applied to the pipe.

Abstract: A solid polymer blend material comprising: (i) a lignin-acrylonitrile component containing a homogeneous blend of a lignin component and an acrylonitrile-containing rubber component; and (ii) a styrene-containing thermoplastic component that is non-elastomeric; wherein components (i) and (ii) are homogeneously dispersed in the polymer blend material. Methods for producing the blend material are also described. Methods for producing objects made of the blend material by melt extrusion are also described, comprising: (a) melt blending components (i) and (ii) to form a polymer blend in which components (i) and (ii) are homogeneously blended, wherein the polymer blend exhibits a melt viscosity of no more than 2000 Pa·s at a shear rate of 100-1000 s?1 and when heated to a temperature of no more than 240° C.; and (b) forming an object made of said polymer blend material.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of soft magnetic alloy embodiments for use in additive manufacturing and structures fabricated from such alloys. In some embodiments, the fabricated structures comprise a continuous thin wall (or plurality thereof) having a geometry that promotes reduced eddy current losses and other performance enhancements. In some embodiments, the fabricated structures are used to make components, such as transformer cores and/or electric motors.

Abstract: Methods of producing a nano-catalyst material including forming a plurality of nano-scale features on a surface of a substrate material. The nano-catalyst material may be used for forming anchored nanostructure materials by heating the nano-catalyst material under a protective atmosphere to a temperature ranging from about 450° C. to about 1500° C. and exposing the heated nano-catalyst to an organic vapor to affix a separate nanostructure to each of the plurality of nano-scale features. The nano-scale features may be formed on the surface of the substrate material by mechanical or thermal processes.

Abstract: An alloy for structural direct-writing additive manufacturing comprising a base element selected from the group consisting of aluminum (Al), nickel (Ni) and a combination thereof, and a rare earth element selected from the group consisting of cerium (Ce), lanthanide (La) and a combination thereof, and a eutectic intermetallic present in said alloy in an amount ranging from about 0.5 wt. % to 7.5 wt. %. The invention is also directed to a method of structural direct-write additive manufacturing using the above-described alloy, as well as 3D objects produced by the method. The invention is also directed to methods of producing the above-described alloy.

Abstract: A battery includes a redox flow anode chamber coupled to an anode current collector, a separator, and an external container in fluid connection with the redox flow anode chamber. The external container has therein a solid phosphorus material. A first redox-active mediator and the second redox-active mediator are circulated through the half-cell electrode chamber and the external container. During a charging cycle the first redox-active mediator is reduced at the current collector electrode and the reduced first mediator reduces the phosphorus material, and wherein during a discharging cycle the second redox-active mediator is oxidized at the anode current collector electrode, and the second redox-active mediator is then reduced by the reduced phosphorus material. A method of operating a battery and a method of making a battery are also discussed.

Abstract: A system for heating a fluid and an electromagnetic acoustic transducer EMAT system is provided. Both systems have a drive circuit. The amount of heat and the amplitude (and acceleration) of the vibrations is respectively controllable by controlling an input to a terminal of a switch. The heating system comprises a porous graphite foam conductor which is exposed to an electromagnetic field generated by an oscillating circuit. When exposed, the foam conductor conducts induced electric current which heats the same and a fluid in contact with the conductor. The EMAT system comprises at least one magnet configured to generate a static magnetic field, an oscillating circuit and a working element. The working element, when exposed to the static magnetic field and the electromagnetic field produced by the oscillating circuit, vibrates against a load. The vibrations dry the load.

Abstract: An object comprising: a blend of (i) a phenol-containing polymer and (ii) a nitrile butadiene rubber; wherein the phenol-containing polymer is present in an amount of at least 5 wt % and up to about 95 wt % by total weight of components (i) and (ii). The object may further contain an electrically conducting component dispersed within the blend or on a surface of the blend. Also described is a method of thermal-activated reversible mechanical deformation of the object by (i) deforming the object at a first temperature, which is at or above the glass transition temperature of the object, and applying a stress on the object; (ii) fixing the deformed state by cooling the object to a second temperature of no more than 0° C. while under stress, and removing the stress; and (iii) recovering the object to the original shape by raising the temperature of the object to the first temperature.

Abstract: A system for sampling a surface includes a sampling probe including a housing with a probe end having a sampling fluid opening, a sampling fluid supply conduit and a sampling fluid exhaust conduit. The sampling fluid supply conduit supplies sampling fluid to the sampling fluid opening. The sampling fluid exhaust conduit includes a wall, a sampling fluid exhaust conduit inlet opening for removing sampling fluid from the sampling fluid opening, and a sampling fluid exhaust conduit outlet opening for removing fluid from the sampling fluid exhaust conduit. A sampling fluid analytic conduit is also provided in the sampling probe and has a sampling fluid analytic conduit inlet opening spaced upstream from the sampling fluid exhaust conduit outlet opening, downstream from the sampling fluid exhaust conduit inlet opening, and from the wall of the sampling fluid exhaust conduit. A wash conduit can also be provided. Methods for sampling are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method with AC coupling that reserves photodiode bandwidth in a biased configuration, allows optimal transimpedance amplifier performance, retains DC signal measurement capability, and does not introduce noise into the balanced detection signal.