Abstract: A heater panel includes a core and a heater/dielectric layer including a positive thermal coefficient (PTC) heater layer between a pair of dielectric layers. A structural facing is included, wherein the heater/dielectric layer is bonded directly between the core and the structural facing. A second structural facing can be bonded to the core opposite the heater/dielectric layer. An impact layer can be bonded to the structural facing, e.g., the first structural facing described above, opposite the heater/dielectric layer.

Abstract: A heater panel includes a core. A heater/dielectric layer including a positive thermal coefficient (PTC) heater layer between a pair of dielectric layers is bonded to the core in a stack. An impact layer is bonded to the stack, wherein the impact layer includes a first sub-layer for impact absorption that is bonded to the stack and a second sub-layer for cut resistance bonded to the first sub-layer. The second sub-layer has a higher material hardness than that of the first-sub layer.

Abstract: A heater panel includes a core and a heater/dielectric layer including a positive thermal coefficient (PTC) heater layer between a pair of dielectric layers. A structural facing is included, wherein the heater/dielectric layer is bonded directly between the core and the structural facing. A second structural facing can be bonded to the core opposite the heater/dielectric layer. An impact layer can be bonded to the structural facing, e.g., the first structural facing described above, opposite the heater/dielectric layer. The heater layer can be formed by direct writing a heating element pattern onto a dielectric layer bonded to the core.

Abstract: A method for reducing the resistivity of a thermoplastic film containing carbon nanotubes includes connecting an electric power supply to the thermoplastic film containing carbon nanotubes and passing electric current through the thermoplastic film containing carbon nanotubes to heat the thermoplastic film to an elevated temperature and align carbon nanotubes within the thermoplastic film. The thermoplastic film is solid at room temperature.

Abstract: An ice protection assembly includes a pneumatic de-icer attached to an aircraft surface by a vertically aligned carbon nanotube loaded adhesive. The adhesive can be a pressure sensitive adhesive or a chemical adhesive loaded with vertically aligned carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: A heating element includes a bottom layer, a web consisting of a carbon nanotube (CNT) yarn wherein the web is affixed to a first side of the bottom layer, and an encapsulating layer positioned on the web and the first side of the bottom layer. A method for making a heating element includes providing a bottom layer, inserting a plurality of pegs into the bottom layer such that a portion of each peg protrudes from the bottom layer, weaving a CNT yarn around the protruding portions of the plurality of pegs to form a CNT web, affixing the CNT web to the bottom layer, and encapsulating the CNT web and the bottom layer to form the heating element.

Abstract: A water filter media includes a pathogen-killing ply made of an electrospun high temperature thermoplastic elastomer impregnated with biocides on a structural scrim layer, and a pathogen-catching ply made of pathogen-catching materials. The pathogen-killing ply and the pathogen-catching ply are thermally bonded to each other in the media.

Abstract: A pleated double layer media is used in a water purifier. Each layer of the pleated double sheet includes a ply made of a material that catches pathogens and a ply made of material that kills pathogens. The layers are pleated together and joined with a cap to form the water purifier, resulting in a better sealed, stronger water purifier capable of catching and killing pathogens.

Abstract: A composite sandwich structure for heating an environment includes a first core layer made from a first cellular material and having a first thickness, and a second core layer made from a second cellular material and having a second thickness less than the first thickness. The structure further includes a heating layer having a thermoelectric heating element and disposed between the first and second core layers. The first core layer is positioned between the heating layer and the environment.

Abstract: A pneumatic de-icer includes an externally facing weathering surface that includes a low-friction additive in the rubber mixture. The low-friction additive has a coefficient of friction of 0.10 or less, and promotes ice shedding because the additive has low ice adhesion compared to typical rubber materials used for pneumatic de-icer assemblies.

Abstract: An ice protection heater element includes a carbon allotrope heater with micro-perforations across up to about sixty percent of the carbon allotrope heater's surface. The micro-perforations allow uniform heating across the heating element and tailored electrical resistances for ice protection.

Abstract: A conformable tank includes a body with a plurality of walls defining a cavity in the body, and an internal support structure connected to an internal surface of one of the plurality of walls and protruding into the cavity of the body. The plurality of walls are formed of a first 3D woven composite material. The internal support structure is formed of a second composite material.

Abstract: A conformable tank includes a body with a plurality of composite walls formed around a cavity, and an internal support connected to one of the plurality of composite walls and positioned in the cavity. The plurality of composite walls includes a flat side wall disposed opposite a curved side wall. A first section of one of the plurality of composite walls includes an exterior facing, an interior facing, and a core positioned between the exterior facing and the interior facing.

Abstract: A conformable tank includes a body with a plurality of walls defining a cavity in the body, and an internal support connected to an internal surface of one of the plurality of wall of the body and protruding into the cavity of the body. The body and the internal support are an additively manufactured integral structure formed by a fiber filament reinforced composite material.

Abstract: Pre-fabric, flexible and thermally stable plastic sheets are loaded with carbon additives such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphene, nano carbon fibers, graphite powders, or other carbon allotropes to adjust the resistivity of the sheets as desired for ice protection. These sheets are both conformable to desired surfaces and prevent the carbon debris migration issues in traditional CNT heaters.

Abstract: A heating element includes an electrode array having first and second interdigitated electrodes. The first electrode is configured to have a first polarity, and the second electrode is configured to have a second polarity. The electrode array substantially encloses a plurality of regions. The heating element further includes a heating surface including a layer of a carbon allotrope material having a first electrical resistance. The electrode array is in electrical communication with the carbon allotrope material.

Abstract: A method for reducing the resistivity of a thermoplastic film containing carbon nanotubes includes connecting an electric power supply to the thermoplastic film containing carbon nanotubes and passing electric current through the thermoplastic film containing carbon nanotubes to heat the thermoplastic film to an elevated temperature and align carbon nanotubes within the thermoplastic film. The thermoplastic film is solid at room temperature.

Abstract: A method for reducing the resistivity of a carbon nanotube nonwoven sheet includes providing a carbon nanotube nonwoven sheet comprising a plurality of carbon nanotubes and applying pressure to the carbon nanotube nonwoven sheet to reduce air voids between carbon nanotubes within the carbon nanotube nonwoven sheet.

Abstract: A heating element includes a bottom layer, a web consisting of a carbon nanotube (CNT) yarn wherein the web is affixed to a first side of the bottom layer, and an encapsulating layer positioned on the web and the first side of the bottom layer.