Abstract: A method for fabricating carbon nanoparticle polymer matrix composites includes the steps of: providing a nanoparticle mixture that includes carbon nanoparticles (CNPs), mixing the nanoparticle mixture and a plastic substrate into a homogenous (CNP)/polymer mixture having an interconnected network of carbon nanoparticles (CNPs); and irradiating the (CNP)/polymer mixture with electromagnetic radiation controlled to form a polymer composite and uniformly consolidate and/or interfacially bond the carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) into the polymer matrix.

Abstract: A method for fabricating carbon nanoparticle polymer matrix composites includes the steps of: providing a nanoparticle mixture that includes carbon nanoparticles (CNPs), mixing the nanoparticle mixture and a plastic substrate into a homogenous (CNP)/polymer mixture having an interconnected network of carbon nanoparticles (CNPs); and irradiating the (CNP)/polymer mixture with electromagnetic radiation controlled to form a polymer composite and uniformly consolidate and/or interfacially bond the carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) into the polymer matrix.

Abstract: A nanostructured material includes carbon nanoparticles (CNPs), such as carbon nanotube particles (CNTs) or carbon nanofiber particles (CNFs), intercalated by intercalation nanoparticles (INPs), such as halloysite nanoparticles (HNPs), in a base material, such as a polymer. A method for making the nanostructured material includes the steps of: providing a mixture of carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) having a selected composition; providing intercalation nanoparticles (INPs) configured to intercalate the carbon nanoparticles (CNPs); intercalating the carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) by mixing the intercalation nanoparticles (INPs) in a selected CNP:HNP ratio to form an intercalated material; and combining the intercalated material in a base material in a selected concentration with the base material providing a matrix for the intercalated material.

Abstract: A method for fabricating carbon nanoparticle polymer matrix composites includes the steps of: providing a nanoparticle mixture that includes carbon nanoparticles (CNPs), mixing the nanoparticle mixture and a plastic substrate into a homogenous (CNP)/polymer mixture having an interconnected network of carbon nanoparticles (CNPs); and irradiating the (CNP)/polymer mixture with electromagnetic radiation controlled to form a polymer composite and uniformly consolidate and/or interfacially bond the carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) into the polymer matrix.

Abstract: A nanostructured material includes carbon nanoparticles (CNPs), such as carbon nanotube particles (CNTs) or carbon nanofiber particles (CNFs), intercalated by intercalation nanoparticles (INPs), such as halloysite nanoparticles (HNPs), in a base material, such as a polymer. A method for making the nanostructured material includes the steps of: providing a mixture of carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) having a selected composition; providing intercalation nanoparticles (INPs) configured to intercalate the carbon nanoparticles (CNPs); intercalating the carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) by mixing the intercalation nanoparticles (INPs) in a selected CNP:HNP ratio to form an intercalated material; and combining the intercalated material in a base material in a selected concentration with the base material providing a matrix for the intercalated material.

Abstract: A method for making a nanostructured material includes the steps of: providing a mixture of carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) having a selected composition; providing intercalation nanoparticles (INPs) configured to intercalate the carbon nanoparticles (CNPs); intercalating the carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) by mixing the intercalation nanoparticles (INPs) in a selected CNP:HNP ratio to form an intercalated material; and combining the intercalated material in a base material in a selected concentration with the base material providing a matrix for the intercalated material.

Abstract: A method for making a nanostructured material includes the steps of: providing a mixture of carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) having a selected composition; providing intercalation nanoparticles (INPs) configured to intercalate the carbon nanoparticles (CNPs); intercalating the carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) by mixing the intercalation nanoparticles (INPs) in a selected CNP:HNP ratio to form an intercalated material; and combining the intercalated material in a base material in a selected concentration with the base material providing a matrix for the intercalated material.

Abstract: A thermo-volumetric motor (10) includes a continuous incompressible fluid path in the form of a hydraulic oil path (12), a continuous compressible fluid path in the form of a refrigerant path (14), and a solar collector (18). The solar collector (18) is adapted to absorb heat from a heat source, in this example, sunlight. The hydraulic oil path (12) includes a pressure transfer mechanism, in this example a pair of hydraulic cylinders (20A, 20B) located in a parallel flow arrangement. The oil path (12) further comprises an actuating device, in this example a hydraulic loader (22), in fluid communication with a first heat exchanger (24). The refrigerant path (14) comprises a pump (28) operatively coupled to the hydraulic motor (22), and a heat transfer device, in this example a second heat exchanger (25). The refrigerant path (14) further comprises a cooling unit, in this example a first accumulator or condenser (32), used for cooling the refrigerant.

Abstract: A sealing devise provided for use in sealing flexible bags. The sealing device has a receiving arm (11) and a locking arm (12) each having generally parallel side walls (16, 26) having elongated, seating shoulders (19, 29) for interlocking engagement. The receiving and locking arms are configured to form a hinge (36) for pivotably movement of the arms relative to each other.

Abstract: An improved battery comprising a battery housing having three spaced positive terminals and three spaced negative terminals, with each of the terminals having a threaded recess adapted to receive, optionally, a threaded terminal post or a threaded terminal plug for optionally selecting a pair to be utilized, and an adapter within the battery energizing the positive terminals commonly and a second adapter energizing the negative terminals.