Abstract: A segmented composite exhaust flue which may be used to shield an area or object from convective, conductive, or radiated heat transfer from hot exhaust combustion gases is described. In certain embodiments, the composite exhaust flue may be used to protect structures from hot exhaust gases and particles such as those produced by cars, trucks, ships, boats, jets, rockets, as well as other vehicles with internal combustion engines, turbines, or rocket motors. In some embodiments, a composite exhaust flue may include an attachment frame removeably holding a plurality of ceramic composite panels where the ceramic composite panels have a ceramic fiber reinforced ceramic composite high temperature face sheet positioned over an insulating layer.

Abstract: A discontinuously reinforced metal matrix composite wherein the reinforcing material is a particulate binary intermetallic compound is described along with methods for preparing the same. The binary intermetallic compound includes the same type of metal as is the principal matrix metal in combination with one other metal. The particle size of the particulate binary intermetallic compound may be less than about 20 ?m and may be between about 1 ?m and about 10 ?m. The intermetallic particles may be present in the discontinuously reinforced metal matrix composites in an amount ranging from about 10% to about 70% by volume. The discontinuous reinforced metal matrix composites of the invention may be used in structures requiring greater strength and stiffness than can be provided by matrix metal alone. The materials of the invention may be used for vehicle parts, structural materials, and the like.

Abstract: A microsystem manipulation apparatus and an associated kit is described that may be used to facilitate the assembly and testing of Microsystems and microsystem components. The microsystem manipulation apparatus may include a scanning electron microscope imaging system, a stage, and at least one manipulator having an associated tool. The microsystem manipulation apparatus may be partially or fully automated to provide for routine microsystem assembly, disasembly, and/or testing. The associated kit may include one or more manipulators and associated tools for retrofitting an existing scanning electron microscope to produce a microsystem manipulation apparatus.

Abstract: A lightweight, high strength structure is described where a core material has a first and second metal matrix composite layer on surfaces of the core material. A sandwich type structure may be formed. The core material may be a solid material, a foam, a honeycomb structure, or may be a channeled material. The metal matrix composite layers may include fiber reinforced metal matrix composites.

Abstract: A method for the fabrication of metal matrix composite structures comprising the continuous joining by brazing, soldering or welding of aluminum matrix tape using a laser to melt the surface of the tape while applying pressure to the tape and simultaneously contacting it with previously applied tape layers on a surface. The apparatus utilized to accomplish this fabrication process may include a variety of pre and post-contact heaters and preferably includes instruments for the continuous monitoring and control of the process.

Abstract: An apparatus for the fabrication of metal matrix composite structures comprising the continuous joining by brazing, soldering or welding of aluminum matrix tape using a laser to melt the surface of the tape while applying pressure to the tape and simultaneously contacting it with previously applied tape layers on a surface. The apparatus utilized to accomplish this fabrication process may include a variety of pre and post-contact heaters and preferably includes instruments for the continuous monitoring and control of the process.

Abstract: A method for the fabrication of large metal matrix composite structures comprising the continuous joining by brazing or welding of aluminum matrix tape using an infrared laser to melt the surface of the tape while applying pressure to the tape and simultaneously contacting it with previously applied tape layers on a rotating mandrel. The apparatus utilized to accomplish this fabrication process may include a variety of pre and post-contact heaters and preferably includes instruments for the continuous monitoring and control of the process.

Abstract: A discontinuously reinforced metal composite, having a metal matrix and a plurality of intermetallic particles comprising at least two different metals, the intermetallic particles having a size ranging from 1 ?m to about 10 ?m and being dispersed within the metal matrix in an amount of at least 20% by volume, wherein the intermetallic particles are particles having at least one same metal as the metal in the metal matrix.

Abstract: Carbonaceous, composite tooling fabricated from pitch-based or coal-based cellular or porous products, “carbonaceous foams” having a density of preferably between about 0.1 g/cm3 and about 0.8 g/cm3 that are produced by: 1) conventional pitch foaming processes or; 2) the controlled beating of coal particulate preferably up to ¼ inch in diameter in a “mold” and under a non-oxidizing atmosphere. According to a specifically preferred embodiment, the starting material coal has a free swell index as determined by ASTM test D720 of between about 3.5 and about 5.0.

Abstract: Carbonaceous, composite tooling fabricated from pitch-based or coal-based cellular or porous products, “carbonaceous foams” having a density of preferably between about 0.1 g/cm3 and about 0.8 g/cm3 that are produced by: 1) conventional pitch foaming processes or; 2) the controlled heating of coal particulate preferably up to ¼ inch in diameter in a “mold” and under a non-oxidizing atmosphere. According to a specifically preferred embodiment, the starting material coal has a free swell index as determined by ASTM test D720 of between about 3.5 and about 5.0.

Abstract: A thermal protection system (TPS) that combines a structural thermal insulator (carbon foam) with a high specific strength metal matrix composite. According to a specifically preferred embodiment, the structural thermal insulator is overcoated with a protective antioxidant layer or incorporates an antioxidant compound therein.

Abstract: A thermal protection system (TPS) that combines a structural thermal insulator (carbon foam) with a high specific strength metal matrix composite. According to a specifically preferred embodiment, the structural thermal insulator is overcoated with a protective antioxidant layer or incorporates an antioxidant compound therein.

Abstract: A novel MEMS assembly and testing system that utilizes a scanning electron microscope (SEM) having 5 axes of freedom as the imaging instrument. Microgrippers or other tools mounted at the end of a linear motion feed through device having a motion resolution of about 10 nanometers are used as the manipulator. All of the assembly features are located inside of a vacuum chamber to permit operation of the SEM imaging system. A variety of other auxiliary devices that support the MEMS assembly and testing system are also included to enhance the capabilities thereof.

Abstract: A discontinuously reinforced metal composite, having a metal matrix and a plurality of intermetallic particles comprising at least two different metals, the intermetallic particles having a size ranging from 1 &mgr;m to about 10 &mgr;m and being dispersed within the metal matrix in an amount of at least 20% by volume, wherein the intermetallic particles are particles having at least one same metal as the metal in the metal matrix.

Abstract: A novel MEMS assembly and testing system that utilizes a scanning electron microscope (SEM) typically having 5 axes of freedom as the imaging instrument. Microgrippers or other tools mounted at the end of a linear motion feed through device having a motion resolution of about 10 nanometers are used as the manipulator. All of the assembly features are located inside of a vacuum or operating chamber to permit operation of the SEM imaging system. A variety of other auxiliary devices that support the MEMS assembly and testing system are also included to enhance the capabilities thereof.

Abstract: A method for the fabrication of large metal matrix composite structures comprising the continuous brazing of aluminum matrix braze-clad tape using an infrared laser to melt the braze clad on the tape while applying pressure to the tape and simultaneously contacting it with previously applied tape layers on a rotating mandrel. The apparatus utilized to accomplish this fabrication process may include a variety of pre and post-contact heaters and preferably includes instruments for the continuous monitoring and control of the process.

Abstract: A method for the fabrication of large metal matrix composite structures comprising the continuous brazing of aluminum matrix braze-clad tape using an infrared laser to melt the braze clad on the tape while applying pressure to the tape and simultaneously contacting it with previously applied tape layers on a rotating mandrel. The apparatus utilized to accomplish this fabrication process may include a variety of pre and post-contact heaters and preferably includes instruments for the continuous monitoring and control of the process.

Abstract: A composite material made of continuous aluminum oxide fibers reinforcing an aluminum matrix to form a strand where the strands are formed into a structure and brazed together in a vacuum using an aluminum brazing alloy. The brazing alloy is preferably an aluminum silicon alloy.In winding filament wound vessels, an electric current may be used to heat the strands to cause a coating of the aluminum brazing alloy to melt.

Abstract: The application discloses an apparatus for measuring interfacial properties of a fiber-matrix composite material, such as a ceramic-matrix, metal-matrix or continuous fiber metal-matrix composite; or a support material, such as a fiber-optic fiber support medium. The apparatus includes a linear motion feedthrough having an indentor for pushing a fiber end, a load cell for sensing debonding and frictional sliding loads, and a scanning electron microscope (SEM) for magnifying the material in order to align the indentor with the fiber end. The feedthrough may push the fiber at a predetermined velocity with up to about a 20 pound load force. The SEM may include a vacuum chamber for housing the material, the indentor, the load cell, and a hot stage module. The hot stage module may increase the temperature of the material to about 1500.degree. C.