Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for internally heated concentrated solar power (CSP) thermal absorbers. The system and method involve an energy-generating device having at least one heating unit. At least one heating unit preheats the energy-generating device in order to expedite the startup time of the energy-generating device, thereby allowing for an increase in efficiency for the production of energy. In some embodiments, the energy-generating device is a CSP thermal absorber. The CSP thermal absorber comprises a housing, a thermal barrier, a light-transparent reservoir containing a liquid alkali metal, at least one alkali metal thermal-to-electric converter (AMTEC) cell, an artery return channel, and at least one heating unit. Each heating unit comprises a heating device and a metal fin. The metal fin is submerged into the liquid alkali metal, thereby allowing the heating device to heat the liquid alkali metal via the fin.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for an electrical earthing or grounding system to protect electrical systems and structures. Such systems and structures are efficient at dissipating broadband energy. An earthing mix system in contact with a grounding electrode is separated into functional components; a conductive earthing mix which is in contact with an electrical conductor and an impedance transitioning earthing composition which is in contact with the conductivity earthing mix. The conductive earthing mix absorbs, radiates, conducts, and dissipates electrical energy. The impedance transitioning earthing mix acts as a lossy impedance matching media to reduce reflections and improve energy transfer. A conductive slurry mix fills in voids and aids in contact between the other elements.

Abstract: An electrical grounding system can include an electrically conductive column configured for communication with a fault current source, wherein the electrically conductive column can include an open-ended copper tube, and carbon fiber fabric assembled onto at least a portion of the electrically conductive column, the carbon fiber fabric having a conductive relationship with at least a portion of the electrically conductive column.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for an electrical earthing or grounding system to protect electrical systems and structures. Such systems and structures are efficient at dissipating broadband energy. An earthing mix system in contact with a grounding electrode is separated into functional components; a conductive earthing mix which is in contact with an electrical conductor and an impedance transitioning earthing composition which is in contact with the conductivity earthing mix. The conductive earthing mix absorbs, radiates, conducts, and dissipates electrical energy. The impedance transitioning earthing mix acts as a lossy impedance matching media to reduce reflections and improve energy transfer. A conductive slurry mix fills in voids and aids in contact between the other elements.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for internally heated concentrated solar power (CSP) thermal absorbers. The system and method involve an energy-generating device having at least one heating unit. At least one heating unit preheats the energy-generating device in order to expedite the startup time of the energy-generating device, thereby allowing for an increase in efficiency for the production of energy. In some embodiments, the energy-generating device is a CSP thermal absorber. The CSP thermal absorber comprises a housing, a thermal barrier, a light-transparent reservoir containing a liquid alkali metal, at least one alkali metal thermal-to-electric converter (AMTEC) cell, an artery return channel, and at least one heating unit. Each heating unit comprises a heating device and a metal fin. The metal fin is submerged into the liquid alkali metal, thereby allowing the heating device to heat the liquid alkali metal via the fin.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for an electrical earthing or grounding system to protect electrical systems and structures. Such systems and structures are efficient at dissipating broadband energy. An earthing mix system in contact with a grounding electrode is separated into functional components; a conductive earthing mix which is in contact with an electrical conductor and an impedance transitioning earthing composition which is in contact with the conductivity earthing mix. The conductive earthing mix absorbs, radiates, conducts, and dissipates electrical energy. The impedance transitioning earthing mix acts as a lossy impedance matching media to reduce reflections and improve energy transfer. A conductive slurry mix fills in voids and aids in contact between the other elements.

Abstract: A non-destructive examination (NDE) system for use on a structural element comprises nano-energetic actuators configured for creating a controlled combustion in response to thermal energy, thereby inducing vibrations in a surface of the structural element. The NDE system further comprises sensors configured for measuring the vibrations induced in the surface of the structural element and generating vibration data. An applique comprises a planar substrate, nano-energetic actuators affixed to the planar substrate, each configured for creating controlled combustions in response to thermal energy, and an adhesive affixed to the planar substrate, such that the applique can be adhered to a structural element.

Abstract: A carbon nanomaterial composite sheet and a method for making a carbon nanomaterial composite sheet may include a layer of a carbon nanomaterial structure being bonded to a carrier layer, the carrier layer being fabricated from a porous metalized nonwoven material.

Abstract: A method for making a conductive pre-impregnated composite sheet includes the steps of joining a nanomaterial composite sheet, a fiber-reinforcing sheet and a resin system to form a combined sheet, heating the combined sheet, compacting the combined sheet, and cooling the combined sheet to form conductive pre-impregnated composite sheet including the fiber-reinforcing sheet, and the nanomaterial composite sheet coupled to the fiber-reinforcing sheet, wherein the fiber-reinforcing sheet and the nanomaterial composite sheet are embedded in the resin system.

Abstract: A non-destructive examination (NDE) system for use on a structural element comprises nano-energetic actuators configured for creating a controlled combustion in response to thermal energy, thereby inducing vibrations in a surface of the structural element. The NDE system further comprises sensors configured for measuring the vibrations induced in the surface of the structural element and generating vibration data. An applique comprises a planar substrate, nano-energetic actuators affixed to the planar substrate, each configured for creating controlled combustions in response to thermal energy, and an adhesive affixed to the planar substrate, such that the applique can be adhered to a structural element.

Abstract: A non-destructive examination (NDE) system for use on a structural element comprises nano-energetic actuators configured for creating a controlled combustion in response to thermal energy, thereby inducing vibrations in a surface of the structural element. The NDE system further comprises sensors configured for measuring the vibrations induced in the surface of the structural element and generating vibration data. An applique comprises a planar substrate, nano-energetic actuators affixed to the planar substrate, each configured for creating controlled combustions in response to thermal energy, and an adhesive affixed to the planar substrate, such that the applique can be adhered to a structural element.

Abstract: A transmission cable may include a conductor core, an insulator layer surrounding the conductor core, and a shielding layer surrounding the insulator layer, wherein the shielding layer includes a carbon nanotube sheet material.

Abstract: A system for providing active real-time characterization of an article under test is disclosed. An infrared light source, a first visible light source and a second visible light source each outputs and directs a beam of coherent light at a particular area on the article under test. A visible light camera and a visible light second harmonic generation camera, an infrared camera and an infrared second harmonic generation camera, a sum frequency camera and a third order camera are each configured to receive a respective predetermined return beam of light from the particular area on the article under test. A processor receives signals from the cameras and calculates in real time respective spectroscopic signals and compares each calculated signal with each other calculated signal and with a predetermined baseline signal to ensure that the article under test conforms to an expected value.

Abstract: A method for making a conductive pre-impregnated composite sheet includes the steps of joining a nanomaterial composite sheet, a fiber-reinforcing sheet and a resin system to form a combined sheet, heating the combined sheet, compacting the combined sheet, and cooling the combined sheet to form conductive pre-impregnated composite sheet including the fiber-reinforcing sheet, and the nanomaterial composite sheet coupled to the fiber-reinforcing sheet, wherein the fiber-reinforcing sheet and the nanomaterial composite sheet are embedded in the resin system.

Abstract: A method for making a conductive pre-impregnated composite sheet includes the steps of joining a nanomaterial composite sheet, a fiber-reinforcing sheet and a resin system to form a combined sheet, heating the combined sheet, compacting the combined sheet, and cooling the combined sheet to form conductive pre-impregnated composite sheet including the fiber-reinforcing sheet, and the nanomaterial composite sheet coupled to the fiber-reinforcing sheet, wherein the fiber-reinforcing sheet and the nanomaterial composite sheet are embedded in the resin system.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for fabrication of a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) material with carbon nanotubes and graphene. One embodiment is a method for forming a ceramic matrix composite structure. The method includes providing a mixture of carbon nanotubes, graphene, and silicon carbon nitride, heating the mixture to bond the carbon nanotubes and the graphene, and sintering the silicon carbon nitride in the mixture.

Abstract: A transmission cable may include a conductor core, an insulator layer surrounding the conductor core, and a shielding layer surrounding the insulator layer, wherein the shielding layer includes a carbon nanotube sheet material.

Abstract: A non-destructive examination (NDE) system for use on a structural element comprises nano-energetic actuators configured for creating a controlled combustion in response to thermal energy, thereby inducing vibrations in a surface of the structural element. The NDE system further comprises sensors configured for measuring the vibrations induced in the surface of the structural element and generating vibration data. An applique comprises a planar substrate, nano-energetic actuators affixed to the planar substrate, each configured for creating controlled combustions in response to thermal energy, and an adhesive affixed to the planar substrate, such that the applique can be adhered to a structural element.

Abstract: A transmission cable may include a conductor core, an insulator layer surrounding the conductor core, and a shielding layer surrounding the insulator layer, wherein the shielding layer includes a carbon nanotube sheet material.

Abstract: A frequency selective electromagnetic apparatus is provided. The apparatus may include at least one nanowire comprising a first end and a second end opposite the first end, at least one 2-dimensional contact disposed adjacent to the first end or the second end and in thermal communication, electrical communication, or both thermal and electrical communication with the at least one nanowire, and at least one nanoscale-sized-diameter thermoelectric junction disposed between the at least one 2-dimensional contact and the at least one nanowire.