Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and computer program product for manufacturing an unconsolidated composite material. Sensor data is received from a sensor system for a composite material manufacturing system, wherein the sensor data is received during manufacturing of the unconsolidated composite material by the composite material manufacturing system. A set of predicted properties is determined for a number of portions of the unconsolidated composite material as completed from manufacturing by the composite material manufacturing system using the sensor data. A quality level for the number of portions of the unconsolidated composite material is identified based on the set of predicted properties for the number of portions of the unconsolidated composite material.

Abstract: This invention provides methods for fabricating a hard or soft magnet with tailorable magnetic and crystallographic orientations. Methods are disclosed to individually tailor three-dimensional voxels for selected crystallographic orientations and, independently, selected magnetic orientations with location specificity throughout a magnet.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an elastomer mixture formed from an ionic liquid epoxy (ILE) and a curing agent, such as T-403 polyetheramine, where the cured elastomer mixture remains tough yet rubbery and is compatible with use in cryogenic temperatures. As such, the cured elastomer is provided as one or more layer of a composite linerless storage structure for use in cryogenic environments and for storage of cryogenic fuels. The low glass transition temperature and low thermal expansion coefficient of the cured elastomer allow for resistance to micro-cracking in such conditions. Thus, the linerless composite storage structure is leak resistant. Additionally, the cured elastomer may be used as a sealant in cryogenic conditions.

Abstract: Some variations provide a permanent-magnet structure comprising: a region having a plurality of magnetic domains and a region-average magnetic axis, wherein each of the magnetic domains has a domain magnetic axis that is substantially aligned with the region-average magnetic axis, and wherein the plurality of magnetic domains is characterized by an average magnetic domain size. Within the region, there is a plurality of metal-containing grains characterized by an average grain size, and each of the magnetic domains has a domain easy axis that is dictated by a crystallographic texture of the metal-containing grains. The region has a region-average easy axis based on the average value of the domain easy axis within that region. The region-average magnetic axis and the region-average easy axis form a region-average alignment angle that has a standard deviation less than 30° within the plurality of magnetic domains. Many permanent-magnet structures are disclosed herein.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and computer program product for manufacturing an unconsolidated composite material. Sensor data is received from a sensor system for a composite material manufacturing system, wherein the sensor data is received during manufacturing of the unconsolidated composite material by the composite material manufacturing system. A set of predicted properties is determined for a number of portions of the unconsolidated composite material as completed from manufacturing by the composite material manufacturing system using the sensor data. A quality level for the number of portions of the unconsolidated composite material is identified based on the set of predicted properties for the number of portions of the unconsolidated composite material.

Abstract: Some variations provide a permanent-magnet structure comprising: a region having a plurality of magnetic domains and a region-average magnetic axis, wherein each of the magnetic domains has a domain magnetic axis that is substantially aligned with the region-average magnetic axis, and wherein the plurality of magnetic domains is characterized by an average magnetic domain size. Within the region, there is a plurality of metal-containing grains characterized by an average grain size, and each of the magnetic domains has a domain easy axis that is dictated by a crystallographic texture of the metal-containing grains. The region has a region-average easy axis based on the average value of the domain easy axis within that region. The region-average magnetic axis and the region-average easy axis form a region-average alignment angle that has a standard deviation less than 30° within the plurality of magnetic domains. Many permanent-magnet structures are disclosed herein.

Abstract: This invention provides methods for fabricating a hard or soft magnet with tailorable magnetic and crystallographic orientations. Methods are disclosed to individually tailor three-dimensional voxels for selected crystallographic orientations and, independently, selected magnetic orientations with location specificity throughout a magnet.

Abstract: The disclosed technology provides a cladded permanent magnet comprising: a core magnet region containing a core magnetic material; and a magnet cladding containing a shell magnetic material comprising (i) a magnetic compound that is chemically the same as the core magnetic material, (ii) one or more rare earth elements, and (iii) metal-containing inoculant nanoparticles, wherein the magnet cladding is disposed on the core magnet region, wherein the magnet cladding has at least 10% higher ambient-temperature magnetic coercivity compared to the core magnet region. The cladded permanent magnet is made via high-throughput laser-based additive manufacturing to optimize the architecture of NdFeB or other magnets, generating site-specific, demagnetization-resistant microstructures. This disclosure teaches a rapid, single-step laser-based process to tailor the easy axis alignment, grain size, and microstructure of a permanent magnet at corners and edges to resist demagnetization.

Abstract: The disclosed technology provides a nanofunctionalized magnetic material feedstock comprising: from 50 wt % to 99.5 wt % of magnetic microparticles having an average microparticle effective diameter from 1 micron to 500 microns; from 0.4 wt % to 40 wt % of one or more rare earth elements; and from 0.1 wt % to 10 wt % of metal-containing inoculant nanoparticles, wherein at least 1 wt % of the inoculant nanoparticles are chemically and/or physically disposed on surfaces of the magnetic microparticles. The nanofunctionalized magnetic material feedstock is processed using high-throughput laser-based additive manufacturing to optimize the architecture of NdFeB or other magnets, generating site-specific, demagnetization-resistant microstructures. This disclosure teaches a rapid, single-step laser-based process to tailor the easy axis alignment, grain size, and microstructure of a permanent magnet at corners and edges to resist demagnetization.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, computer program product, and a method for manufacturing an unconsolidated composite material. Sensor data is received from a sensor system for a composite material manufacturing system. The sensor data is received during manufacturing an unconsolidated composite material by the composite material manufacturing system. A set of predicted properties is determined for a number of portions of the unconsolidated composite material using the sensor data. The set of predicted properties is for the number of portions of the unconsolidated composite material as a completed product. A corrective action is performed based on a quality level for the number of portions of the unconsolidated composite material.

Abstract: This invention provides methods for fabricating a hard or soft magnet with tailorable magnetic and crystallographic orientations. Methods are disclosed to individually tailor three-dimensional voxels for selected crystallographic orientations and, independently, selected magnetic orientations with location specificity throughout a magnet.

Abstract: This invention provides methods for fabricating a hard or soft magnet with tailorable magnetic and crystallographic orientations. Methods are disclosed to individually tailor three-dimensional voxels for selected crystallographic orientations and, independently, selected magnetic orientations with location specificity throughout a magnet.

Abstract: Some variations provide a permanent-magnet structure comprising: a region having a plurality of magnetic domains and a region-average magnetic axis, wherein each of the magnetic domains has a domain magnetic axis that is substantially aligned with the region-average magnetic axis, and wherein the plurality of magnetic domains is characterized by an average magnetic domain size. Within the region, there is a plurality of metal-containing grains characterized by an average grain size, and each of the magnetic domains has a domain easy axis that is dictated by a crystallographic texture of the metal-containing grains. The region has a region-average easy axis based on the average value of the domain easy axis within that region. The region-average magnetic axis and the region-average easy axis form a region-average alignment angle that has a standard deviation less than 30° within the plurality of magnetic domains. Many permanent-magnet structures are disclosed herein.

Abstract: A method of treating a plant against disease resulting from Pseudomonas bacteria or Monilinia fungi, comprising applying to the plant a fatty acid and a silicate.

Abstract: Averting plant diseases is an ongoing battle in the agricultural and horticultural industries. Some diseases are minor; however others such as Xanthomonas present a serious problem, causing significant adverse economic impact. It is an object of the invention to go at least some way towards addressing this or to provide the public with a useful choice. The invention comprises a method of treating a plant against disease resulting from pathogens of Proteobacteria (eg Xanthomonas), comprising applying to the plant fatty acid and silicate.

Abstract: A system and method of gifting one or more physical items to a recipient including the steps of: preparing to gift information relating to a gift which a donor wishes to give to an intended recipient, the gift information including physical item information identifying at least one physical item, donor information identifying the donor, and recipient contact information enabling contact to be made with the intended recipient; obtaining payment from the donor in relation to the gift; providing the at least one physical item to the recipient according to delivery information derived from the intended recipient; wherein the delivery information includes information identifying a delivery address or pick up location; associating a donor transaction identifier with the gift information; associating a recipient transaction identifier with the gift information; the donor transaction identifier is not ascertainable by the recipient; recipient transaction identifier is not ascertainable by the donor; wherein the donor

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: Active seal assemblies employing active materials that can be controlled and remotely changed to alter the seal effectiveness, wherein the active seal assemblies actively change modulus properties such as stiffness, shape orientation, and the like. 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: A process generally includes contacting a surface of at least one workpiece with a reconfigurable pad of a fixture device, wherein the reconfigurable pad comprises a shape memory material configured to conform to the surface of the at least one workpiece, and fixturing the contacted workpiece.

Abstract: A fixture device generally includes a base member, a reconfigurable pad disposed on the base member, wherein the reconfigurable pad comprises a shape memory material configured to selectively conform to a surface contour of a workpiece, and an activation device in operative communication with the shape memory material.