Abstract: Flexible BMG elements and methods for making the flexible BMG elements. The BMG element contains a main body made from a BMG material and may further contain a flange. The main body may contain at least one opening. The main body may be a thin-walled structure that is compressible, extendable, and/or bendable. A surface of the main body may be corrugated with a series of ridges and furrows.

Abstract: The present invention relates to bulk metallic glass (BMG) structures used for hydrogen applications such as hydrogen infrastructure and vehicle applications. The BMG structure may include a main body with at least one opening, wherein the main body is made from a BMG material. The BMG structure may be configured to receive, store, transport and/or dispense hydrogen fuel in a form of fluid including one of gas, liquid, compressed gas or liquid, cryo-compressed hydrogen, and a combination thereof. The BMG structure may be configured to be under a direct exposure to hydrogen, wherein hydrogen is on the internal surface of the structure and is not on the exterior of the structure during operation.

Abstract: Flexible BMG elements and methods for making the flexible BMG elements. The BMG element contains a main body made from a BMG material and may further contain a flange. The main body may contain at least one opening. The main body may be a thin-walled structure that is compressible, extendable, and/or bendable. A surface of the main body may be corrugated with a series of ridges and furrows.

Abstract: A pressure vessel containing a main body with at least one opening. The pressure vessel is made from a BMG material. The pressure vessel may contain an additional part such as a neck, a liner, a rib, a lattice, a fin, and a diaphragm. The pressure vessel may be free of a welded joint in entirety. The pressure vessel may contain multiple parts in the main body, each of which is free of a welded joint. The pressure vessel may be made through thermoplastic forming.

Abstract: A pressure vessel containing a main body with at least one opening. The pressure vessel is made from a BMG material. The pressure vessel may contain an additional part such as a neck, a liner, a rib, a lattice, a fin, and a diaphragm. The pressure vessel may be free of a welded joint in entirety. The pressure vessel may contain multiple parts in the main body, each of which is free of a welded joint. The pressure vessel may be made through thermoplastic forming.

Abstract: An article comprising a bulk metallic glass skin having one or more functional features integrated therein is described and a method of forming the same is described. The one or more functional features exhibit a variation in stiffness between the one or more functional features and the bulk metallic glass skin that is defined by an applied force over an achieved deformation. The stiffness of each of the one or more functional features is at least 1000 times less than an average stiffness of the bulk metallic glass skin.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention provides a process for thermoplastic forming of a metallic glass. For example, in one embodiment, the invention provides a process for thermoplastic forming of a metallic glass ribbons having a thickness of between about 50 to about 200 microns. Related articles of manufacture and processes for customizing articles in accordance with the process as described herein are also provided.

Abstract: A very low pressure gas or blow forming process for shaping a bulk metallic glass (BMG) in its supercooled liquid state that avoids the frictional stick forces experienced by conventional shaping techniques by engineering the expansion of a pre-shape or parison of BMG material such that substantially all of the lateral strain required to form the final article is accomplished prior to the outer surface of the parison contacting the surface of the shaping apparatus is provided. The capability offered by the inventive shaping process to avoid the frictional forces exerted by the shaping apparatus surface allows for the formation of precision net-shape complex multi-scale parts and components using processing conditions inaccessible by conventional processes.

Abstract: A method of joining a bulk metallic glass to a second similar or dissimilar material in an air environment. The method includes the steps of: a) removing an oxide layer on at least a portion of a surface of a first bulk metallic glass during thermoplastic forming of the first bulk metallic glass in a supercooled liquid region, wherein the removing of the oxide layer on the at least the portion of the surface creates a fresh surface that is at least substantially free of oxides and/or contaminants; and b) joining the fresh surface of the first bulk metallic glass to a second material.

Abstract: A printer fabricates an object from a computerized model using a fused filament fabrication process and a metallic build material. A nozzle cleaning fixture may be provided for the printer that is shaped to physically dislodge solidified build material and other contaminants from the nozzle. A robotic system for the printer can be used to maneuver the nozzle into engagement with the nozzle cleaning fixture for periodic cleaning, or in response to a diagnostic condition or the like indicating a clogged nozzle.

Abstract: A control loop for extrusion of a metallic build material such as bulk metallic glass measures a force required to extrude the build material, and uses this sensed parameter to estimate a temperature of the build material. The temperature, or a difference between the estimated temperature and a target temperature, can be used to speed or slow extrusion of the build material to control heat transfer from a heating system along the feedpath. This general control loop may be modified to account for other possible conditions such as nozzle clogging or the onset of crystallization.

Abstract: A printer fabricates an object from a computerized model using a fused filament fabrication process and a metallic build material. A thermally compatible support structure may be formed to support regions of the object using a dissolvable bulk metallic glass.

Abstract: A printer fabricates an object from a computerized model using a fused filament fabrication process and a metallic build material. A plasma depassivation wash is applied during deposition to remove oxidation and improve interlayer bonding between successive layers of the metallic build material. Other techniques such as ultrasonic vibration, formation of energy directors, joule heating, and the like, may be used in combination to form a mechanically robust bond between layers.

Abstract: A printer fabricates an object from a computerized model using a fused filament fabrication process and a metallic build material. The Seebeck effect can be employed to monitor a temperature difference between a build material and a nozzle that is extruding the build material based on voltage. The temperature difference can, in turn, be used to control operation of the printer or to determine an absolute temperature based on direct measurement of a temperature of the nozzle.

Abstract: A printer fabricates an object from a build material based on a computerized model and a fused filament fabrication process. A nozzle for depositing the build material has an interior diameter approaching an outer diameter of build material fed to the nozzle in order to reduce extrusion and resistance forces imposed by the nozzle during deposition, while adequately constraining a planar position of the build material for accurate material deposition in a computer-controlled fabrication process.

Abstract: A printer fabricates an object from a computerized model using a fused filament fabrication process and a build material. One or more energy directors such as ridges are formed in an exposed surface of the deposited build material to provide regions of high, localized contact force that can improve interlayer bonding between successive layers of the build material. An ultrasonic vibrator can also usefully be incorporated into the printer to apply additional energy along these energy directors during deposition of a subsequent layer.

Abstract: Bulk solidifying amorphous alloys exhibiting improved processing and mechanical properties and methods of forming these alloys are provided. The bulk solidifying amorphous alloys are composed to have high Poisson's ratio values. Exemplary Pt-based bulk solidifying amorphous alloys having such high Poisson's ratio values are also described. The Pt-based alloys are based on Pt—Ni—Co—Cu—P alloys, and the mechanical properties of one exemplary alloy having a composition of substantially Pt57.5Cu14.7Ni5.3P22.5 are also described.

Abstract: A mold structure having high-precision multi-dimensional components which includes a first oxide layer superimposed on a top of a first semiconductor substrate; a second oxide layer superimposed on a top of a second semiconductor substrate; integrated designs patterned in at least one of the oxide layers; and the first and second semiconductor substrates bonded to one another into a three dimensional (3D) mold such that the first oxide layer only makes partial contact with the second oxide layer such that a portion of the first oxide layer avoids contact with the second oxide layer, the portion of the first oxide layer directly opposite a surface portion of the second semiconductor substrate that is free of the second oxide, the 3D mold selectively filled with a filling material to form a molded high-precision multi-dimensional component.

Abstract: Compositions for forming Au-based bulk-solidifying amorphous alloys are provided. The Au-based bulk-solidifying amorphous alloys of the current invention are based on ternary Au—Cu—Si alloys, and the extension of this ternary system to higher order alloys by the addition of one or more alloying elements. Additional substitute elements are also provided, which allow for the tailoring of the physical properties of the Au-base bulk-solidifying amorphous alloys of the current invention.

Abstract: The formation of amorphous porous bodies and in particular to a method of manufacturing such bodies from amorphous particulate materials. The method allows for the control of the volume fraction as well as the spatial and size distribution of gas-formed pores by control of the size distribution of the powder particulates. The method allows for the production of precursors of unlimited size, and because the softened state of the amorphous metals used in the method possesses visco-plastic properties, higher plastic deformations can be attained during consolidation as well as during expansion.