Abstract: A process for protecting an article from thermal damage includes anodizing a metallic surface of the article to form an anodic layer containing a metal oxide; annealing the anodic layer; introducing a phase change material to pores defined by the anodic layer; and applying a seal layer to seal the phase change material within the pores.

Abstract: A composite material with enhanced electrical conductivity. The composite material includes two distinct phases. The first distinct phase is an excluded volume phase that includes an electrical insulator. The second distinct phase, a conductor phase, is a composite including an electrically insulating matrix and an embedded conductor phase that has sufficient concentration to exceed a percolation threshold within the conductor phase.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polymeric composite. The polymeric composite includes a polymeric matrix that further includes a thermoset polymer and a phase change material that has been mixed with the polymeric matrix using a thickening agent. In some cases, the polymeric composite is at least 10% by weight of the phase change material.

Abstract: A composite material with enhanced electrical conductivity. The composite material includes two distinct phases. The first distinct phase is an excluded volume phase that includes an electrical insulator. The second distinct phase, a conductor phase, is a composite including an electrically insulating matrix and an embedded conductor phase that has sufficient concentration to exceed a percolation threshold within the conductor phase.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide materials and methods for forming graphene-based exfoliated products with low oxygen contents by a reductive-expansion reaction from a physical mixture containing graphite-based precursor(s) and a chemical agent. Exemplary embodiments also provide materials and methods for forming graphene-based exfoliated products with controllable amounts of nitrogen and/or other impurities incorporated in the material structure as a result of a reductive-expansion reaction from a physical mixture containing graphite-based precursor(s) and a chemical agent.

Abstract: Provided is a method for making a supported metal catalyst. The method includes forming a mixture comprising a high surface area support, a reducing agent precursor that decomposes to produce reducing gases below about 1200° C., and a metal catalyst precursor. The mixture is heated to a temperature sufficient to decompose the reducing agent precursor to produce a reducing agent, and then cooled to form the supported metal catalyst.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide methods of forming metallic particles or carbon/graphite coated metallic particles with zero-valence from metal precursor compounds by a reductive/expansion synthesis method using nitrogen-hydrogen containing molecules.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide methodologies for generating structures of filamentous carbon (or carbon filaments) with controlled geometries. In one exemplary embodiment of forming the carbon filament structure, a metal template can be exposed to a fuel rich gaseous mixture to form a carbon filament structure at an appropriate gas flow and/or at an appropriate temperature on the metal template. The metal template can have one or more metal surfaces with controlled geometries. Carbon filament structures can then be grown on the metal surfaces having corresponding geometries (or shapes) in the growth direction. The carbon filament structure can be two or three dimensional and can have high density. In various embodiments, the metal template can be removed to leave a self-supporting carbon filament structure.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide methodologies for generating structures of filamentous carbon (or carbon filaments) with controlled geometries. In one exemplary embodiment of forming the carbon filament structure, a metal template can be exposed to a fuel rich gaseous mixture to form a carbon filament structure at an appropriate gas flow and/or at an appropriate temperature on the metal template. The metal template can have one or more metal surfaces with controlled geometries. Carbon filament structures can then be grown on the metal surfaces having corresponding geometries (or shapes) in the growth direction. The carbon filament structure can be two or three dimensional and can have high density. In various embodiments, the metal template can be removed to leave a self-supporting carbon filament structure.

Abstract: Compositions of multi-layer nanoparticies and methods for making the multi-layer nanoparticles are provided. The multi-layer nanoparticle can include a core-shell structure including a core material covered by a multi-layer shell. The multi-layer shelled nanoparticles can be produced using template particles. In one embodiment, the template particle can be provided including a shell layer formed over a core material. One or more other shell layers can then be formed on the template particle and thereby forming a core-shell structured nanoparticle with a diameter of about 1 ?m or less.