Abstract: Methods for varying seal force in active seal assemblies for doors employ active materials that can be controlled and remotely changed to alter the seal effectiveness, wherein the active materials actively change modulus properties such as stiffness, or a combination of modulus and shape in response to an activation signal. In this manner, in seal applications such as a vehicle door application, door opening and closing efforts can be minimized yet seal effectiveness can be maximized.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an actuator assembly is provided which includes actuators, having a storage material, a volume changing material comprising a metal capable of changing volume in response to species insertion and removal, an ion transport material between the storage material and the volume changing material, and electrodes connected so as to be capable of providing an actuation voltage to the plurality of actuators. The actuators are configured such that the actuator assembly provides substantially anisotropic movement. In some embodiments, the actuator assembly includes actuators arranged in a stacked configuration. In some embodiments, the volume changing material includes spaced apart elongated structures which may be recessed within the storage material.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a solid state actuator is provided which includes a pair of electrodes and a solid state storage material having a plating material. A solid state ion transport material is adjacent the solid state storage material such that the solid state storage material is located between an anode of the pair of electrodes and the solid state ion transport material. The pair of electrodes are connected so as to be capable of providing an actuation voltage across the solid state storage material to provide transport of plating material cations through the solid state ion transport material between the solid state storage material and a cathode electrode of the pair of electrodes.

Abstract: An airflow control device comprises a body and an active material in operative communication with the body. The active material, such as shape memory material, is operative to change at least one attribute in response to an activation signal. The active material can change its shape, dimensions and/or stiffness producing a change in at least one feature of the airflow control device such as shape, dimension, location, orientation, and/or stiffness to control vehicle airflow to better suit changes in driving conditions such as weather, ground clearance and speed, while reducing maintenance and the level of failure modes. As such, the device reduces vehicle damage due to inadequate ground clearance, while increasing vehicle stability and fuel economy. An activation device, controller and sensors may be employed to further control the change in at least one feature of the airflow control device such as shape, dimension, location, orientation, and/or stiffness of the device.

Abstract: Door closure assist assemblies that assist in providing a final closing motion generally includes an extender portion comprised of an active material adapted to linearly expand in response to an activation signal and a releasable fastener having one component in movable communication with the extender portion and a second component attached to the other selected one of the door and doorframe. During operation, the door closure assist assembly provides the final closing action.

Abstract: Door closure assist assemblies that assist in providing a final closing motion generally includes an extender portion comprised of an active material adapted to linearly expand in response to an activation signal and a releasable fastener having one component in movable communication with the extender portion and a second component attached to the other selected one of the door and doorframe. During operation, the door closure assist assembly provides the final closing action.

Abstract: An airflow control device comprises a body and an active material in operative communication with the body. The active material, such as shape memory material, is operative to change at least one attribute in response to an activation signal. The active material can change its shape, dimensions and/or stiffness producing a change in at least one feature of the airflow control device such as shape, dimension, location, orientation, and/or stiffness to control vehicle airflow to better suit changes in driving conditions such as weather, ground clearance and speed, while reducing maintenance and the level of failure modes. As such, the device reduces vehicle damage due to inadequate ground clearance, while increasing vehicle stability and fuel economy. An activation device, controller and sensors may be employed to further control the change in at least one feature of the airflow control device such as shape, dimension, location, orientation, and/or stiffness of the device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a morphing cellular structure. The morphing cellular structure comprises a group of unit cells with each unit cell configured to have a cellular geometry. The group unit cells are formed of an active material, where the active material has both a first state and a second state. The active material is responsive to an actuation signal such that when the actuation signal is actuated, the active material is deformed from the first state to the second state, thereby changing the volume of each unit cell affected by the actuation of the actuation signal and morphing the cellular structure. Furthermore, both a passive material and at least one additional active material can be attached with the active material, allowing a user to selectively change the shape of the cellular structure.

Abstract: An airflow control device comprises a body and an active material in operative communication with the body. The active material, such as shape memory material, is operative to change at least one attribute in response to an activation signal. The active material can change its shape, dimensions and/or stiffness producing a change in at least one feature of the airflow control device such as shape, dimension, location, orientation, and/or stiffness to control vehicle airflow to better suit changes in driving conditions such as weather, ground clearance and speed, while reducing maintenance and the level of failure modes. As such, the device reduces vehicle damage due to inadequate ground clearance, while increasing vehicle stability and fuel economy. An activation device, controller and sensors may be employed to further control the change in at least one feature of the airflow control device such as shape, dimension, location, orientation, and/or stiffness of the device.

Abstract: An airflow control device comprises a body and an active material in operative communication with the body. The active material, such as shape memory material, is operative to change at least one attribute in response to an activation signal. The active material can change its shape, dimensions and/or stiffness producing a change in at least one feature of the airflow control device such as shape, dimension, location, orientation, and/or stiffness to control vehicle airflow to better suit changes in driving conditions such as weather, ground clearance and speed, while reducing maintenance and the level of failure modes. As such, the device reduces vehicle damage due to inadequate ground clearance, while increasing vehicle stability and fuel economy. An activation device, controller and sensors may be employed to further control the change in at least one feature of the airflow control device such as shape, dimension, location, orientation, and/or stiffness of the device.

Abstract: Door closure assist assemblies that assist in providing a final closing motion generally includes an extender portion comprised of an active material adapted to linearly expand in response to an activation signal and a releasable fastener having one component in movable communication with the extender portion and a second component attached to the other selected one of the door and doorframe. During operation, the door closure assist assembly provides the final closing action.

Abstract: A reversible energy absorbing assembly including a cellular lattice comprising a shape memory material disposed within an expandable interior region of the assembly, wherein the shape memory material is adapted to expand from a first configuration to an expanded configuration in response to fluid communication with a fluid source. Once expanded, the assembly effectively absorbs kinetic energy of an object upon impact with the assembly. The shape memory material can be thermally activated to restore the first configuration of the energy absorbing assembly. Methods of operating the energy absorbing assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: A power-off hold element for operating in cooperation with an actuator is disclosed. The power-off hold element comprises a material having selectively adjustable rigidity wherein a position or shape of said material is adjustable when energy is applied to increase the temperature of the material above a temperature where the material becomes flexible and the material is rigid in a position or shape when the temperature of the material decreases below the temperature where the material becomes flexible. Also disclosed is a process for operating a power-off hold element for operating in cooperation with an actuator.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a solid state actuator is provided having a solid state lithium storage material and a solid state volume changing material having a metal capable of changing volume in response to lithium insertion and removal. A solid state lithium ion transport material is located between the lithium storage material and the volume changing material. A pair of electrodes are connected so as to be capable of providing an actuation voltage across the lithium storage material and the volume changing material. In some embodiments, the volume changing material has active material particles comprised of metal contained in an inactive matrix. The active material particles may be aligned so that when the active material particles expand the volume changing material expands substantially in one direction. In some embodiments the volume changing material is a metal alloy and the lithium transport material is a high stiffness material. In some embodiments, multiple actuators are stacked, interleaved, or pillared.

Abstract: One nanostructured actuator embodiment includes an actuation region between electrical contacts. The actuation region includes an elastic matrix with embedded nanocomposite layered structures, which have inorganic material layers with pillared organic material structures between the inorganic material layers responsive to the surface acidity of the inorganic material layers. The elastic matrix allows transport of species for changing the surface acidity. A separator region is between the electrical contacts. A proton generation region capable of reversible electrochemical production and elimination of protons is provided, which may be a hydrogen storage material located on a side of the separator region opposite the actuation region, which may include metal hydride, or metal hydroxide. Alternatively, it may include an electrolytic solution and conductive particles within the elastic matrix for in situ electrochemical generation of an acid/base.

Abstract: A reversible energy absorbing assembly including a shape memory foam disposed within an interior region, wherein the shape memory foam is adapted to expand to an expanded configuration in response to fluid communication with a fluid source. The shape memory foam is a material selected from the group consisting of shape memory alloys and shape memory polymers. Once expanded, the assembly effectively absorbs kinetic energy of an object upon impact with the assembly. The shape memory foam can be thermally activated to restore the original configuration of the energy absorbing assembly. Methods of operating the energy absorbing assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: A laser metrology system for estimating the deformation of a structure is provided. The system includes a plurality of laser beam position detectors distributed across a surface of the structure. Each laser beam position detector is intersected by a laser beam and is configured to determine the change in location of the intersection point in at least one dimension. By determining the change in location of the intersection point for each laser beam position detector, the laser metrology system can calculate the deformation of the structure that caused these changes in location.

Abstract: An airflow control device comprises a body and an active material in operative communication with the body. The active material, such as shape memory material, is operative to change at least one attribute in response to an activation signal. The active material can change its shape, dimensions and/or stiffness producing a change in at least one feature of the airflow control device such as shape, dimension, location, orientation, and/or stiffness to control vehicle airflow to better suit changes in driving conditions such as weather, ground clearance and speed, while reducing maintenance and the level of failure modes. As such, the device reduces vehicle damage due to inadequate ground clearance, while increasing vehicle stability and fuel economy. An activation device, controller and sensors may be employed to further control the change in at least one feature of the airflow control device such as shape, dimension, location, orientation, and/or stiffness of the device.

Abstract: A metrology system includes a laser, a position sensitive detector array, a first collimator, a second collimator, and a mirror. The position sensitive detector array and the first collimator are positioned at a reference point. The second collimator and the mirror are positioned at a point target at a distance from the reference point. A laser beam is alternately provided to the first collimator and the second collimator by optical fiber. The position sensitive detector array measures position data from a first laser crosshair generated by the first collimator and from a second laser crosshair generated by the second collimator. By alternating the activation of the first collimator and the second collimator it is possible to measure 5 degrees-of-freedom for the point target. A metrology system processing unit provides analog data processing. The metrology system that is suitable for, but not limited to, facilitating active compensation of large spacecraft structures.

Abstract: An airflow control device comprises a body and an active material in operative communication with the body. The active material, such as shape memory material, is operative to change at least one attribute in response to an activation signal. The active material can change its shape, dimensions and/or stiffness producing a change in at least one feature of the airflow control device such as shape, dimension, location, orientation, and/or stiffness to control vehicle airflow to better suit changes in driving conditions such as weather, ground clearance and speed, while reducing maintenance and the level of failure modes. As such, the device reduces vehicle damage due to inadequate ground clearance, while increasing vehicle stability and fuel economy. An activation device, controller and sensors may be employed to further control the change in at least one feature of the airflow control device such as shape, dimension, location, orientation, and/or stiffness of the device.