Abstract: Systems and methods for protecting an aerodynamic structure, e.g., a wind turbine blade, rotor blade, aerodynamic aerostructure, etc., are provided. Long fiber reinforced composites having a helicoidal architecture with material aligned with a graded hardness and stiffness are used to develop an efficient and highly tailorable leading edge protection (LEP) solution with longer durability than conventional solutions while yielding lighter, and optionally, more environmentally sustainable solutions. At least a portion of the plurality of plies are helicoidally arranged relative to one another to tailor stress wave propagation speed of the aerodynamic blade and to provide load carrying strength for the aerodynamic blade.

Abstract: Systems and methods for protecting an aerodynamic structure, e.g., a wind turbine blade, rotor blade, aerodynamic aerostructure, etc., are provided. Long fiber reinforced composites having a helicoidal architecture with material aligned with a graded hardness and stiffness are used to develop an efficient and highly tailorable leading edge protection (LEP) solution with longer durability than conventional solutions while yielding lighter, and optionally, more environmentally sustainable solutions. At least a portion of the plurality of plies are helicoidally arranged relative to one another to tailor stress wave propagation speed of the aerodynamic blade and to provide load carrying strength for the aerodynamic blade.

Abstract: Described herein are composite materials that can include a stiff phase and a compliant phase where the stiff phase forms an interpenetrating network within the compliant phase, the interpenetrating network can be described as bi-continuous phase, such as a gyroid phase. Also described are methods of making these materials.

Abstract: Described herein are methods of making the visible light photocatalysts without the use of templates that can comprise: (1) mixing a metal precursor, an alcohol, and a solvent to form a self assembled shapes at a temperature between the freezing point of the solvent and the boiling point of the solvent, (2) strengthening the shapes at a temperature of about 35° C. to about 300° C. for about 30 minutes to about 96 hours, and then (3) annealing the shapes at a temperature of between about 450° C. to about 750° C. for between about 4 hours to about 16 hours in a gaseous atmosphere. Also described are photocatalysts created by the described methods.

Abstract: Described herein are details for designing and manufacturing enhanced shock and impact resistant helicoidal lay-ups by combining nanomaterials, variable pitch and partial spirals, Thin unidirectional fiber plies, hybrid materials, and/or curved fibers within a ply. The helicoidal structures created in the prescribed manners can be tuned and pitched to desired wavelengths to dampen propagating shock waves initiated by ballistics, strike forces or foreign material impacts and can arrest the propagation of fractures including catastrophic fractures. These enhancements open the helicoidal technology up for use in such applications as consumer products, protective armor, sporting equipment, crash protection devices, wind turbine blades, cryogenic tanks, pressure vessels, battery casings, automotive/aerospace components, construction materials, and other composite products.

Abstract: Described herein are details for designing and manufacturing enhanced shock and impact resistant helicoidal lay-ups by combining nanomaterials, variable pitch and partial spirals, Thin unidirectional fiber plies, hybrid materials, and/or curved fibers within a ply. The helicoidal structures created in the prescribed manners can be tuned and pitched to desired wavelengths to dampen propagating shock waves initiated by ballistics, strike forces or foreign material impacts and can arrest the propagation of fractures including catastrophic fractures. These enhancements open the helicoidal technology up for use in such applications as consumer products, protective armor, sporting equipment, crash protection devices, wind turbine blades, cryogenic tanks, pressure vessels, battery casings, automotive/aerospace components, construction materials, and other composite products.

Abstract: A multimodal coating and method of coating a substrate are disclosed. The coating includes a structural framework: and a medium embedded in the structural framework forming an intumescent coating, the intumescent coating configured to undergo intumescent expansion of an outermost coating of the medium upon heating.

Abstract: Described herein are methods of making the visible light photocatalysts without the use of templates that can comprise: (1) mixing a metal precursor, an alcohol, and a solvent to form a self assembled shapes at a temperature between the freezing point of the solvent and the boiling point of the solvent, (2) strengthening the shapes at a temperature of about 35° C. to about 300° C. for about 30 minutes to about 96 hours, and then (3) annealing the shapes at a temperature of between about 450° C. to about 750° C. for between about 4 hours to about 16 hours in a gaseous atmosphere. Also described are photocatalysts created by the described methods.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing carbon fibers with active components such as those for oxygen reduction reactions (ORR). The method includes electrospinning a solution of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and a transition metal into composite fibers; and annealing the composite fibers in an inert/reducing atmosphere.

Abstract: The disclosure provides relates to compositions and methods for water treatment. It also addresses a method for synthesizing TiO2 (and other metal oxides) with or without dopants. This method enables control over size, phase, morphology and porosity and specific surface area of these materials. The disclosure also provides metal oxide composites that can be used in photocatalysts, photovoltaics, and solar hydrogen applications.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a method to produce solid materials displaying structural ordering which can be controlled through a wide range of sizes and shapes. The process involves casting a medium, which solidifies (such as a resin or molten metal) over the surface of a magnet-fluid.

Abstract: A method of forming a three-dimensional (3D) composite structure includes: securing a mask between a collimated light source and a volume of a photo-monomer; directing a collimated light beam from the collimated light source to the mask for a period of exposure time such that a portion of the collimated light beam passes through the mask and is guided by a plurality of apertures into the photo-monomer to form a plurality of waveguides through a portion of the volume of the photo-monomer; removing any uncured photo-monomer to leave behind a three-dimensional ordered open-cellular microstructure to define an open volume and a structure of a first continuous material of the three-dimensional composite material; and placing a second continuous material in the open volume, wherein the second continuous material and the first continuous material share an interface between each other, and wherein the interface is everywhere continuous.

Abstract: The disclosure provides relates to compositions and methods for water treatment. It also addresses a method for synthesizing TiO2 (and other metal oxides) with or without dopants. This method enables control over size, phase, morphology and porosity and specific surface area of these materials. The disclosure also provides metal oxide composites that can be used in photocatalysts, photovoltaics, and solar hydrogen applications.

Abstract: The disclosure provides relates to compositions and methods for water treatment. It also addresses a method for synthesizing TiO2 (and other metal oxides) with or without dopants. This method enables control over size, phase, morphology and porosity and specific surface area of these materials. The disclosure also provides metal oxide composites that can be used in photocatalysts, photovoltaics, and solar hydrogen applications.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a process to synthesize nanostructures of a uniform size distribution and/or morphology, nanostructures resulting therefrom, and the use of the nanostructures in energy storage devices.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a method for conformationally conductively coating materials, the coated materials resulting therefrom, and the use of the coated materials for various applications, including in Li-ion batteries.

Abstract: The disclosure provides relates to compositions and methods for water treatment. It also addresses a method for synthesizing TiO2 (and other metal oxides) with or without dopants. This method enables control over size, phase, morphology and porosity and specific surface area of these materials. The disclosure also provides metal oxide composites that can be used in photocatalysts, photovoltaics, energy storage materials (e.g., Li-ion anodes), and solar hydrogen applications.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a process to synthesize nanostructures of a uniform size distribution and/or morphology, nanostructures resulting therefrom, and the use of the nanostructures in energy storage devices.

Abstract: A heat transport structure is provided having a structural microtruss wick with a thermal transport medium associated with the microtruss wick for thermal energy transport by fluid and vapor transport between a heat source and a heat sink.

Abstract: Material composites are provided that have improved shock and impact resistance.