Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure include variable transmittance laminates having an embedded thermally conductive multi-layer for auto-shading applications. An exemplary vehicle includes a lighting system having a light source and a housing for the light source. A variable transmittance laminate is positioned such that light emitted from the housing passes through the variable transmittance laminate. The variable transmittance laminate includes a thermally conductive multi-layer and an auto-shading film on the thermally conductive multi-layer. The auto-shading film includes discrete substructures which vary in alignment in response to an electric field. A wire is embedded in the auto-shading film and a controller is electrically coupled to the wire. The controller switchably causes the wire to deliver the electric field to the discrete substructures. The variable transmittance laminate has a first transmittance when a switch is in a first state and a second transmittance when the switch in in a second state.

Abstract: Laminated vehicle glass structures included printed piezoelectric actuators for sound generation. Ring-shaped piezoelectric actuators are printed on an inner surface of a selected one of the exterior glass panel or interior glass panel. The printed piezoelectric actuators are offset relative to a centerline longitudinally extending between the opposing glass panels. Also disclosed are processes for forming the laminated glass structures including at least one printed piezoelectric actuator. The laminated glass structures can be utilized about the vehicle anywhere sound generation is desired, e.g., passenger windows, sunroofs, front windshield, rear windshield, and the like. The printed ring-shaped piezoelectric actuators act as a diaphragm to produce sound upon excitation.

Abstract: A structural component comprises a body structure defining an interface surface. A composite panel comprises a plurality of reinforcing fibers encapsulated in a resin. An adhesive affixes the composite panel to the interface surface of the body structure. The adhesive has a stiffness in a range from 50 MPa to 2 GPa.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing at least one of fibers and yarn from natural fibers includes providing at least one of technical fibers, elementary fibers, meso fibrils, and micro fibrils. Greater than or equal to 80% of the at least one of the technical fibers, the elementary fibers, the meso fibrils, and the micro fibrils are short natural fibers having a length that is less than or equal to 12.7 mm. The method includes creating at least one of a dispersion, a gel, a solution, a paste, and a dough including the at least one of the technical fibers, the elementary fibers, the meso fibrils and the micro fibrils; and spinning filaments of the at least one of fibers and yarn using the at least one of the dispersion, the gel, the solution, the paste, and the dough.

Abstract: Laminated vehicle glass structures included embedded piezoelectric exciters for sound generation. The piezoelectric exciters are embedded at least partially within the laminating materials and are offset relative to a centerline longitudinally extending between the opposing glass panels. Also disclosed are processes for forming the laminated glass structures. The laminated glass structures can be utilized about the vehicle anywhere sound generation is desired, e.g., passenger windows, fixed or sliding roofing systems, front windshield, rear windshield, side windows, rear quarter glasses, and the like. The piezoelectric exciters act as a diaphragm to produce sound upon vibration.

Abstract: A microLED lighting module is disclosed. The microLED lighting module includes a micromodule having one or more transparent polymer layers thereon. Additionally, the one or more transparent polymer lavers are configured to maintain a temperature of the microLED lighting module below approximately 220° C.

Abstract: A method for creating a fiber includes obtaining constituent natural fiber components by breaking down at least one of fresh natural fibers, fibers extracted after post-industrial use, fibers extracted after post-consumer use, and combinations thereof. The constituent natural fiber components comprise at least one material selected from a group consisting of cellulose, pectin, hemicellulose, lignin, and wax. The method includes separating the constituent natural fiber components into N natural fiber precursors, where N is an integer greater than one; creating a mixture of the N natural fiber precursors using a predetermined ratio of the N natural fiber precursors; and creating at least one of fiber and yarn using the mixture.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a composite panel includes arranging a continuous reinforcing fiber on a surface in a predetermined pattern to form a structural insert; encapsulating the structural insert in a first resin to form a composite panel; and at least one of painting an exterior surface of the composite panel; applying a film to the exterior surface of the composite panel; and using a transparent resin for the first resin to allow light to transmit through at least a portion of the composite panel.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a hybrid transparent composite structure includes providing a metallic insert and a transparent composite preform including reinforcing fibers and transparent resin; heating the transparent composite preform; and arranging the metallic insert and the transparent composite preform in a mold and applying at least one of heat and pressure to form the hybrid transparent composite structure. At least a portion of the transparent composite preform is not obscured by the metallic insert and allows viewing through the hybrid transparent composite structure.

Abstract: A windshield and roof system of a vehicle includes: a windshield that includes glass and that is transparent; a front cross-member that extends laterally between A-pillars of the vehicle, that is disposed rearward of the windshield, and that has a thickness in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle of less than 50 millimeters (mm); and a roof portion that is transparent, that is located rearward of the windshield, where the windshield and the roof portion are joined with the front cross-member.

Abstract: A composite panel includes a polymer matrix and a plurality of reinforcing fibers encapsulated in the polymer matrix. The plurality of reinforcing fibers includes bast fibers having a predetermined bending length greater than 80 ?m and less than 2 mm.

Abstract: An energy absorbing system includes a structural member and a composite energy absorber including a first member arranged within the structural member. The first member has a first repeating geometric pattern extending in a first direction along a first length, a first width in a second direction transverse to the first direction, and a first height in a third direction transverse to the first and second directions. The first member is made of a composite material including first reinforcing fibers and a first polymer matrix.

Abstract: A rotor for an electric machine includes a magnetic core configured for arrangement on a shaft. An end ring is arranged on opposite axial ends of the magnetic core. A composite sleeve includes an annular body including an inner surface and an outer surface, and a polymer matrix encapsulating circumferentially oriented fibers. The composite sleeve includes a first tapered portion on the inner surface arranged adjacent to an axial end thereof and configured to facilitate press-fitting of the composite sleeve onto the rotor.

Abstract: A micro-LED encapsulated structure comprising a plurality of micro-LEDs and interconnections arranged on a supporting layer. A first polymer layer includes a first polymer matrix encapsulating the plurality of micro-LEDs, the interconnections, and the supporting layer. A second polymer layer includes a second polymer matrix encapsulating at least one side of the first polymer layer.

Abstract: A method for processing bast fibers includes orienting the bast fibers substantially parallel to one another; and feeding the bast fibers into a roller system to at least one of bend and break stems of the bast fibers. The roller system includes a first roller including a first plurality of teeth and a second roller including a second plurality of teeth having a span distance. The first roller and the second roller are arranged such that each of the first plurality of teeth passes between adjacent pairs of the second plurality of teeth. The first plurality of teeth of the first roller and the second plurality of teeth of the second roller are configured to load the stems of the bast fibers in a shear mode to at least one of bend and break the stems.

Abstract: A composite panel includes a backing substrate and a first plurality of fiber tows. The first plurality of fiber tows is stitched to a first surface of the backing substrate in a predetermined pattern to form a fiber reinforced insert. A first polymer layer encapsulates the first surface of the backing substrate and the first plurality of fiber tows.

Abstract: A composite panel includes a backing substrate and a first plurality of fiber tows. The first plurality of fiber tows is stitched to a first surface of the backing substrate in a predetermined pattern to form a fiber reinforced insert. A first polymer layer encapsulates the first surface of the backing substrate and the first plurality of fiber tows.

Abstract: A painted component including micro light emitting diodes (microLEDs) comprises a transparent layer including a first side and a second side. A plurality of microLEDs are at least one of attached to or embedded in the transparent layer adjacent to the first side of the transparent layer and plurality of interconnects are made to the plurality of microLEDs. An encapsulating material encapsulates the transparent layer, the plurality of microLEDs, and the plurality of interconnections. A painted layer on the second side of the transparent layer includes at least one of etched portions and masked portions arranged over the plurality of microLEDs.

Abstract: A windshield and roof system of a vehicle includes: a windshield that includes glass and that is transparent; a front cross-member that extends laterally between A-pillars of the vehicle, that is disposed rearward of the windshield, and that has a thickness in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle of less than 50 millimeters (mm); and a roof portion that is transparent, that is located rearward of the windshield, where the windshield and the roof portion are joined with the front cross-member.

Abstract: In various aspects, the present disclosure provides a component. The vehicle component includes a polymer matrix, a plurality of fibers in the polymer matrix, and a heating element embedded in the polymer matrix. The heating element may be (i) a discrete heating element, (ii) at least a portion of the plurality of fibers, or both (i) and (ii). The heating element is configured to be coupled to an external circuit to generate heat. In one aspect, the vehicle component is a vehicle header including an elongated body extending between a first side and a second side.