Abstract: This invention provides electrically conductive electret, electret-based direct-current power source and structural electret, with applications including the self-sensing of damage, stress and strain (including structural self-sensing) and electric powering (including structural self-powering). The electret is an electrically conductive material comprising mobile charge carriers (electrons, holes or ions), which exhibit a gradient in the carrier concertation along a line connecting the positive charge center and negative charge center in the electret. The carriers create an electric dipole. The material is electrically continuous along this line, which is along the path of least electrical resistance. The material exhibits microstructure comprising microscopic features that are positioned along said line and that interact with said carriers, with the interaction enhancing said dipole. The materials are preferably metals, carbons and their composites.

Abstract: This invention provides electrically conductive electret, electret-based direct-current power source and structural electret, with applications including the self-sensing of damage, stress and strain (including structural self-sensing) and electric powering (including structural self-powering). The electret is an electrically conductive material comprising mobile charge carriers (electrons, holes or ions), which exhibit a gradient in the carrier concertation along a line connecting the positive charge center and negative charge center in the electret. The carriers create an electric dipole. The material is electrically continuous along this line, which is along the path of least electrical resistance. The material exhibits microstructure comprising microscopic features that are positioned along said line and that interact with said carriers, with the interaction enhancing said dipole. The materials are preferably metals, carbons and their composites.

Abstract: This invention provides liquid-metal-based thixotropic fluids that, upon solidification with or without a mold, provide metal-matrix composite materials. The fluid is a liquid metal with dispersed solid particles, which can move substantially relative to one another. The liquid is essentially continuous; the solid is substantially discontinuous. The liquid substantially occupies the separation among the solid particles and essentially occupies a portion of the separation. The portion consists of a plurality of regions. Each region is in contact with the surface of a particle. This invention also provides a laminate consisting of metal-matrix composite layers that are essentially parallel and bonded to one another. This invention further provides a method of making a metal-based structure in the absence of a mold, with relevance to three-dimensional metal printing.

Abstract: This invention provides liquid-metal-based thixotropic fluids that, upon solidification with or without a mold, provide metal-matrix composite materials. The fluid is a liquid metal with dispersed solid particles, which can move substantially relative to one another. The liquid is essentially continuous; the solid is substantially discontinuous. The liquid substantially occupies the separation among the solid particles and essentially occupies a portion of the separation. The portion consists of a plurality of regions. Each region is in contact with the surface of a particle. This invention also provides a laminate consisting of metal-matrix composite layers that are essentially parallel and bonded to one another. This invention further provides a method of making a metal-based structure in the absence of a mold, with relevance to three-dimensional metal printing.

Abstract: This invention provides a hybrid material that exhibits strength, stiffness and ability to resist high temperatures. This hybrid material essentially consists of component A and component B. Component A is selected from the group consisting of inorganic compounds, oxides, carbides, nitrides, borides, and combinations thereof. Component B is selected from the group comprising elemental carbon, inorganic compounds, oxides, carbides, nitrides, borides, and combinations thereof. Component B comprises a plurality of units, each of the units substantially exhibiting a shape, such that this shape substantially exhibits a long dimension and a short dimension, with the short dimension being in a direction that is essentially perpendicular to the direction of the long dimension and the short dimension being in the range from 0.1 nm to 0.5 ?m. Each of the units of component B is substantially in contact with and substantially bonded to at least one of the units of component A.

Abstract: This invention provides a semisolid complex exhibiting (i) the ability to float on water, (ii) the ability to provide liquid oil upon being deformed, and (iii) the ability to function as a fuel, the complex comprising a high proportion of liquid oil, the density of the oil being lower than the density of water, the complex also comprising fibers, the fibers being oriented in a plurality of directions, the fibers forming a framework, the framework being incorporated in the complex, the framework being substantially in the plane of the complex in case that the complex is in the form of a sheet, and the framework extending substantially over the area of the complex in case that the complex is in the form of a sheet, the complex further comprising a low proportion of bentonite, the bentonite being associated with the oil, the associating substantially involving coagulation, the oil and the bentonite being substantially held by the framework.

Abstract: This invention provides a material for vibration damping, said material comprising a composite, said composite comprising a cement matrix, and exfoliated graphite that is distributed in said composite. Said cement is preferably hydraulic cement containing calcium silicate. Said exfoliated graphite exhibits a morphology that enables the physical units of exfoliated graphite to connect mechanically. The proportion of exfoliated graphite in the composite is high enough for the exfoliated graphite to connect mechanically in the presence of cement. The proportion of cement in the composite is high enough for the cement to form a continuous matrix in the composite. This invention also provides a material for vibration damping, said material comprising a composite, said composite comprising a continuous cement matrix and a graphite network, said network being mechanically connected.

Abstract: A conformable, spreadable, electrically nonconductive, thermally conductive, thermally stable and phase separation resistant paste substantially consisting of fumed oxide dispersed in a non-aqueous paste-forming vehicle is disclosed. The fumed oxide is preferably silane-treated. This invention also discloses a thermal contact enhancing interface material comprising the paste, which, upon compression between two solid surfaces, forms a material that enhances the thermal contact between the surfaces. In addition, a method of providing a thermal contact between two solid surfaces is disclosed. This method comprises disposing between and in contact with the surfaces a material comprising the paste and applying a pressure to cause the paste to conform to the topography of said surfaces.

Abstract: Phase change ability and thermal stability enhancement have been attained by use of antioxidants and solid component. The phase change component consists essentially of secondary antioxidant (preferably with a minor proportion of primary antioxidant). Both said secondary antioxidant and said primary antioxidant are not dissolved in a liquid solvent. Thus, phase change materials exhibiting high heat of fusion, high thermal stability of the liquid (phase after melting), good phase change cyclability and melting temperature below about 50° C. are provided. By the combined use of the phase change component and second solid that remains a solid above the melting temperature of said phase change component, a phase change composite is provided. Said composite, wherein said second solid is dispersed in said phase change component, is effective for use as a thermal interface material for enhancing thermal contacts at use temperatures above the melting temperature of said phase change component.

Abstract: A conformable paste comprising porous agglomerates of carbon black dispersed in a paste-forming vehicle is disclosed. The paste is useful as an interface material for improving the thermal contact between two proximate solid surfaces, such as the surfaces of a heat source and a heat sink. Upon compression between the two solid surfaces, the paste forms a material that enhances the thermal contact between said surfaces. This invention also discloses a conformable interface material which, upon compression between two proximate solid surfaces, forms a material that enhances the thermal contact between said surfaces. This interface material comprises (i) a sheet and (ii) a conformable, spreadable and thermally conductive paste on each of the two opposite sides of the sheet, said paste comprising porous agglomerates of carbon black dispersed in a paste-forming vehicle. In addition, a method of providing a thermal contact between two solid surfaces is disclosed.

Abstract: A conformable, spreadable, electrically nonconductive, thermally conductive, thermally stable and phase separation resistant paste substantially consisting of fumed oxide dispersed in a non-aqueous paste-forming vehicle is disclosed. The fumed oxide is preferably silane-treated. This invention also discloses a thermal contact enhancing interface material comprising said paste, which, upon compression between two solid surfaces, forms a material that enhances the thermal contact between said surfaces. In addition, a method of providing a thermal contact between two solid surfaces is disclosed. This method comprises disposing between and in contact with said surfaces a material comprising said paste and applying a pressure to cause said paste to conform to the topography of said surfaces.