Abstract: Force diversion apparatus, methods and devices including the same result in rotational motion being imparted to an impacting object. The apparatus, methods and devices may include, or may involve the use of, a force conversion portion, secured to the outer surface of a bumper, and a force spreading portion.

Abstract: Vibration damping apparatus, systems, objects including such apparatus and systems, and vibration damping methods. The vibration damping involves amplifying a vibration-induced displacement and damping the amplified displacement.

Abstract: Force diversion apparatus, methods and devices including the same result in rotational motion being imparted to an impacting object.

Abstract: Vibration damping apparatus, systems, objects including such apparatus and systems, and vibration damping methods. The vibration damping involves amplifying a vibration-induced displacement and damping the amplified displacement.

Abstract: Force diversion apparatus, methods and devices including the same result in rotational motion being imparted to an impacting object.

Abstract: Force diversion apparatus, methods and devices including the same result in rotational motion being imparted to an impacting object.

Abstract: A fixed sized bell rocket nozzle is lined with a layer of combustible material that is ignited during launch ignition and burns to outgas into the rocket exhaust for spatially variably confining the exhaust and perfecting an effective variably sized altitude compensating exhaust nozzle that maximizes lift during the launch of a spacecraft into orbit.

Abstract: A sports implement in accordance with at least one exemplary implementation includes a golf club head and a force diversion apparatus on the golf club head. The force diversion apparatus may include a force conversion portion configured to redirect at least a portion of a force associated with an object impacting the force diversion apparatus and a strike plate.

Abstract: An electromechanical actuator includes a cylinder and piston for driving a load and defining a chamber in which is disposed a buffer gas, such as nitrogen, and a solid or water-based electrolyte, and electrodes for generating hydrogen and oxygen by electrolysis that mixes with the buffer gas serving to control the combustion pressure profile, and into which chamber, above the electrolyte, is inserted an igniter for combusting the hydrogen and oxygen for creating high pressures in the chamber to move the piston and create efficient mechanical work.

Abstract: A sound suppression method includes using a passive noise suppression technology to destructively interfere with a sound wave propagating through a structure at portions of the structure that are positioned apart less than half of a wavelength of the sound wave.

Abstract: A fixed sized bell rocket nozzle is lined with a layer of combustible material that is ignited during launch ignition and burns to outgas into the rocket exhaust for spatially variably confining the exhaust and perfecting an effective variably sized altitude compensating exhaust nozzle that maximizes lift during the launch of a spacecraft into orbit.

Abstract: Force diversion apparatus, methods and devices including the same result in rotational motion being imparted to an impacting object.

Abstract: Force diversion apparatus, methods and devices including the same result in rotational motion being imparted to an impacting object.

Abstract: Force diversion apparatus, methods and devices including the same result in rotational motion being imparted to an impacting object.

Abstract: A composite material is provided that includes a matrix material, and a plurality of deflectable elements or “machines” disposed in the matrix material, the machines acting to modify one or more physical properties of the composite material in response to forces acting upon the composite material. Preferably, the machines have an elongate shape defining a longitudinal axis, which are disposed within the matrix material in a predetermined array. The elongate members have an asymmetrical cross-section which is deflectable between first and second shapes, and consequently the composite material exhibits different physical properties because the elongate members deflect between the first and second shapes. The machines may include a variety of asymmetrical cross-sections, such as a generally “Z” shape, an hourglass shape, a cantilever shape or a leaf spring shape.

Abstract: A composite material is provided that includes an array of machine elements disposed within a matrix material. Each machine element includes a cross-section defining an internal space that is filled with a viscous fluid. Preferably, the machine elements are provided in complementary pairs of tubular members, with the internal spaces of the tubular members communicating with one another. When subjected to a predetermined force, the cross-sections of the tubular members change shape, changing the volume of the internal spaces, and causing fluid to flow into or out of the internal spaces. Preferably, under the predetermined force, one tubular member increases in volume and the other tubular member simultaneously decreases in volume, thereby causing fluid to flow between the tubular elements to dissipate energy from the predetermined force.

Abstract: A micromachine is embedded into an adhesive film for increasing the shear strength of the adhesive used to form a bonding joint. The micromachine has an irregular shaped cross section, such as a trapezoid, so that when the micromachine tends to rotate between two bonded adherents, a surface portion of the micromachine tends to penetrate into and compress the adhesive towards a bonding interface with the constrained adherent for increasing the shear strength of the bonding joint.

Abstract: A micromachine is embedded into an adhesive film for increasing the shear strength of the adhesive used to form a bonding joint. The micromachine has an irregular shaped cross section, such as a trapezoid, so that when the micromachine tends to rotate between two bonded adherents, a surface portion of the micromachine tends to penetrate into and compress the adhesive towards a bonding interface with the constrained adherent for increasing the shear strength of the bonding joint.

Abstract: A glass transition temperature Tg measurement system includes a probe point penetrating into a sample under test that has been heated by a heater to a temperature where the sample undergoes a phase change from a solid to a semisolid. A thermocouple is used to measure the temperature while a motion transducer is used to measure the amount of penetration. The penetration amount sharply increases at the glass transition temperature. A portable unit can be used in the field to test the Tg properties of various composite materials used, for example, in structures including buildings and bridges.

Abstract: A composite material is provided that includes an array of machine elements disposed within a matrix material. Each machine element includes a cross-section defining an internal space that is filled with a viscous fluid. Preferably, the machine elements are provided in complementary pairs of tubular members, with the internal spaces of the tubular members communicating with one another. When subjected to a predetermined force, the cross-sections of the tubular members change shape, changing the volume of the internal spaces, and causing fluid to flow into or out of the internal spaces. Preferably, under the predetermined force, one tubular member increases in volume and the other tubular member simultaneously decreases in volume, thereby causing fluid to flow between the tubular elements to dissipate energy from the predetermined force.