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 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 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 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 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: The present disclosure relates to monitoring, evaluating and interrogating material surfaces using second-order nonlinear optical ellipsometry for surface monitoring and characterization.

Abstract: A system for measuring strain includes an optical fiber having a central portion secured between two fixed points. A first light source outputs light at a first frequency and a second light source outputs light at a second different frequency. The two light sources are both coupled to a first end of the optical fiber. A back scatter detector is also coupled to the first end to receive a return light signal from the optical fiber and outputs a signal based thereon. A forward scatter detector is coupled to a second end of the optical fiber to receive a forward light signal from the optical fiber and outputs a signal based thereon. A processor receives the signals from the back scatter detector and the forward scatter detector and generates an output signal proportional to the strain between the two fixed points based on the received signals.

Abstract: A method for reducing wear between two surfaces in sliding contact with one another includes introducing nanoparticles between the two surfaces in an amount and having a composition that results in shear lines being generated within at least one agglomerated wear particle that is generated between the two surfaces as a result of the sliding contact, and subjecting the agglomerated wear particles to at least one load, using at least one of the two surfaces, such that the agglomerated wear particles disassemble along the shear lines into multiple smaller wear particles.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatuses are disclosed for interrogating characteristics of a substrate material surface and sub-surface by evaluating Terahertz output signals generated by non-Terahertz, optical source inputs.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatuses are disclosed for interrogating characteristics of a substrate material surface and sub-surface by evaluating: 1) sum frequency output beams produced by combining an optical source input and a Terahertz source input, and 2) Terahertz second harmonic frequency output from a Terahertz source input.

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 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: Methods, systems and apparatuses are disclosed for interrogating characteristics of a substrate material surface and sub-surface by evaluating Terahertz output signals generated by non-Terahertz, optical source inputs.

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.

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 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: Methods, systems and apparatuses are disclosed for interrogating characteristics of a substrate material surface and sub-surface by evaluating Terahertz output signals generated by non-Terahertz, optical source inputs.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatuses are disclosed for interrogating characteristics of a substrate material surface and sub-surface by evaluating: 1) sum frequency output beams produced by combining an optical source input and a Terahertz source input, and 2) Terahertz second harmonic frequency output from a Terahertz source input.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to monitoring, evaluating and interrogating material surfaces using second-order nonlinear optical ellipsometry for surface monitoring and characterization.