Abstract: A lithium-ion battery electrolyte is disclosed that enables reversible lithiation and delithiation from +50° C. down to ?80° C. The electrolyte is a dual-solvent system of 1,3-dioxolane and butyronitrile formulated to balance donor strength and desolvation energy, creating a solvent-separated-ion-pair-rich solvation shell with very low Li+ transport activation energy. This tailored solvation promotes formation of a thin, mechanically elastic solid-electrolyte/inter-electrolyte interphase containing LiF, Li3N, and polymeric ether domains derived from the solvents and additive salts. The resulting interphase provides high ionic conductivity and chemical robustness while minimizing impedance growth. Electrochemical testing demonstrates stable cycling for over 50 cycles at temperatures from ?80° C. to +50° C. with high coulombic efficiency.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are MXene-aromatic thermosetting copolyester nanocomposites. In one aspect, the nanocomposites can be used to fabricate and/or coat artificial bone implants. In another aspect, the nanocomposites are biocompatible and/or nontoxic. Implants and coatings formed from the nanocomposites possess excellent compressive strength, hardness, and wear resistance in synovial fluid when compared to current implant coatings and materials.

Abstract: In an embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to a supercapacitor composed of a cathode material, a gel electrolyte, and a zinc foil anode. In some embodiments, the cathode material, the gel electrolyte, and the zinc foil anode are in a multilayered configuration. In some embodiments, the cathode and anode materials provide load-bearing capability. In an additional embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to a method of making a supercapacitor. In general, the method includes fabricating a cathode material, preparing a gel electrolyte, coating a zinc foil electrode with the gel electrolyte, and sandwiching the zinc foil electrode with the cathode material. In some embodiments, the sandwiching forms a multilayered configuration composed of the cathode material, the gel electrolyte, and the zinc foil anode.

Abstract: A tribometer includes a main chamber to conduct testing under controlled environmental conditions, such as different chamber pressures and different temperatures. A shaft extends through the main chamber to initiate component movement inside the main chamber. A secondary fluid seal chamber is formed in a wall of the main chamber around each shaft. A first seal is formed around the shaft on a first side of the secondary chamber. A second seal is formed around the shaft on a second side of the secondary chamber.

Abstract: A cryogenic testing apparatus includes a housing in which a cryogenic chamber is positioned. An upper channel is arranged around the cryogenic chamber and is configured to receive a cryogen. A lower channel is arranged below the upper channel and is configured to receive cryogen from the upper channel. As the cryogen flows through the cryogenic testing apparatus, the cryogen contacts an exterior of the cryogenic chamber. The cryogenic chamber is unsealed and is configured to receive a gas to create positive pressure within the cryogenic chamber.

Abstract: In an embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to a supercapacitor composed of a cathode material, a gel electrolyte, and a zinc foil anode. In some embodiments, the cathode material, the gel electrolyte, and the zinc foil anode are in a multilayered configuration. In some embodiments, the cathode and anode materials provide load-bearing capability. In an additional embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to a method of making a supercapacitor. In general, the method includes fabricating a cathode material, preparing a gel electrolyte, coating a zinc foil electrode with the gel electrolyte, and sandwiching the zinc foil electrode with the cathode material. In some embodiments, the sandwiching forms a multilayered configuration composed of the cathode material, the gel electrolyte, and the zinc foil anode.

Abstract: A novel technology to create 3D-printed objects that are extremely temperature resistant, mechanically robust, ultra-low-wear, and exhibit self-healing behavior. The material can be manufactured in a wide variety of process conditions and even used as a high-strength adhesive, enabling hybrid fabrication strategies. The gel precursor for this material is formed from two solids that react to create a high-performance polymer when heated. Unlike similar materials, these are solid at room temperature and form a printable gel when dissolved in a solvent. Addition of a secondary solvent to this gel modifies the solubility and creates a super-saturated fluid with tunable rheology. Once the gel material has been printed, it is allowed to dry via forced convection. This removes the solvent and leaves only the uncured polymer precursors. After the majority of the solvent has been removed, the material is heated to its cure temperature, at which point it melts, cures, and re-hardens.

Abstract: Phase change material compositions and methods for using the compositions to prepare substrate coatings or bulk blended polymers that advantageously lower friction between interacting substrate surfaces and lower substrate surface wear.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are MXene-aromatic thermosetting copolyester nanocomposites. In one aspect, the nanocomposites can be used to fabricate and/or coat artificial bone implants. In another aspect, the nanocomposites are biocompatible and/or nontoxic. Implants and coatings formed from the nanocomposites possess excellent compressive strength, hardness, and wear resistance in synovial fluid when compared to current implant coatings and materials.

Abstract: In an embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to a metal oxide-coated nanofiber yarn. In some embodiments, the metal oxide-coated nanofiber yarn includes a plurality of twisted carbon nanofibers. In some embodiments, each twisted carbon nanofiber includes a porous hollow fiber. In some embodiments, each twisted carbon nanofiber includes metal oxide nanoparticles coated on a surface thereof. In some embodiments, an outer surface of each twisted carbon nanofiber, an inner surface of each twisted carbon nanofiber, and holes or channels of a main fiber skeleton of the plurality of twisted carbon nanofibers with the possibility of transferring a metal ion are covered by the metal oxide nanoparticles. In a further embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to methods of making the metal oxide-coated nanofiber yarn. In an additional embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to a structural supercapacitor utilizing the metal oxide-coated nanofiber yarn.

Abstract: A tribometer includes a main chamber to conduct testing under controlled environmental conditions, such as different chamber pressures and different temperatures. A shaft extends through the main chamber to initiate component movement inside the main chamber. A secondary fluid seal chamber is formed in a wall of the main chamber around each shaft. A first seal is formed around the shaft on a first side of the secondary chamber. A second seal is formed around the shaft on a second side of the secondary chamber.

Abstract: Phase change material compositions and methods for using the compositions to prepare substrate coatings or bulk blended polymers that advantageously lower friction between interacting substrate surfaces and lower substrate surface wear.

Abstract: Surface micro-texturing has been proven an effective way to reduce friction and wear for tribological applications. There is provided a low cost hot sintering method to apply micro-texturing on an advanced bearing polymer material. First, one face of the mold was micro-textured using a micro-casting method. Second, the cured Aromatic Thermosetting coPolyester (ATSP) powder was filled in the mold. Next, the filled mold was placed in a hot press for a hot sintering process. Finally, the textured bulk ATSP was cooled. The micro-textured ATSP bulk material was machined and compared with plain untextured material. The micro-textured material could effectively reduce friction at speeds lower than 2.46 m/s: 14% reduction in average.

Abstract: Phase change material compositions and methods for using the compositions to prepare substrate coatings or bulk blended polymers that advantageously lower friction between interacting substrate surfaces and lower substrate surface wear.

Abstract: Phase change material compositions and methods for using the compositions to prepare substrate coatings or bulk blended polymers that advantageously lower friction between interacting substrate surfaces and lower substrate surface wear.

Abstract: Surface micro-texturing has been proven an effective way to reduce friction and wear for tribological applications. There is provided a low cost hot sintering method to apply micro-texturing on an advanced bearing polymer material. First, one face of the mold was micro-textured using a micro-casting method. Second, the cured Aromatic Thermosetting coPolyester (ATSP) powder was filled in the mold. Next, the filled mold was placed in a hot press for a hot sintering process. Finally, the textured bulk ATSP was cooled. The micro-textured ATSP bulk material was machined and compared with plain untextured material. The micro-textured material could effectively reduce friction at speeds lower than 2.46 m/s: 14% reduction in average.

Abstract: A novel Aromatic Thermosetting Copolyester (ATSP) can be processed into highly effective wear resistant coatings by blending with polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) and other additives. Surface treatments/coatings are key to improving wear performance and durability in a wide array of applications. The problems associated with use of liquid lubricants, hard/soft coatings are well known but only modest progress has been achieved due to lack of research on new material systems. These coatings were fabricated and tested as highly effective wear resistant coatings by blending ATSP with PTFE and other tribologically beneficial additives. The main advantages of these polymeric-based coatings are their relatively low cost and simple substrate surface conditioning (i.e., no need for expensive surface preparation before coating).

Abstract: A magnetic disc drive system is disclosed. The disc drive system includes at least one substantially flat magnetic disc, at least one read/write head, at least one head stack assembly, at least one head gimbal assembly, and at least one suspension limiter. The suspension limiter is operatively connected to the head stack assembly. The distal end of the suspension limiter is positioned proximate but normally not in contact with the head gimbal assembly for preventing large head slaps in both operational and nonoperational mode.

Abstract: A head disc interface having a fine pitch surface roughness including fine pitch projections having a relatively smooth roughness height and a projection pitch <1.0 &mgr;m for optimizing tribological performance.

Abstract: A disc storage system includes a rotating disc and a transducer. The transducer is carried on a slider which is supported by an armature. The armature is used to move the slider radially across the disc surface whereby information may be read from or written to the disc surface of the transducer. The slider includes an air bearing surface which faces the disc surface. As the disc rotates, the air bearing surface causes the slider to “fly” over the disc surface. Pads are provided on the air bearing surface to improve operational characteristics of the system. For example, the pads may be used to reduce the stiction or improve flying characteristics. Flying instabilities associated with the pads are addressed by a number of characteristics provided to the air bearing surface.