Abstract: A method for flexible functionally tailorable slicing for additive manufacturing includes the steps of receiving and parsing an input model of an object to be additively manufactured; reconstructing a domain boundary of the object; computing individual layer boundaries of the object; constructing, for each layer, layer domains from respective enclosing boundaries; computing, for each layer, a perimeter shell and a volumetric infill by finding level sets of a field function selected by a user; collecting and arranging into a coherent sequence each perimeter shell and volumetric infill; and formatting the coherent sequence as motion commands for an additive manufacturing system.

Abstract: A method for flexible functionally tailorable slicing for additive manufacturing includes the steps of receiving and parsing an input model of an object to be additively manufactured; reconstructing a domain boundary of the object; computing individual layer boundaries of the object; constructing, for each layer, layer domains from respective enclosing boundaries; computing, for each layer, a perimeter shell and a volumetric infill by finding level sets of a field function selected by a user; collecting and arranging into a coherent sequence each perimeter shell and volumetric infill; and formatting the coherent sequence as motion commands for an additive manufacturing system.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for directly determining parameters defining a Weierstrass-Mandelbrot (W-M) analytical representation of a rough surface scalar field with fractal character, embedded in a three dimensional space, utilizing pre-existing measured elevation data of a rough surface in the form of a discrete collection of data describing a scalar field at distinct spatial coordinates, is carried out by applying an inverse algorithm to the elevation data to thereby determine the parameters that define the analytical and continuous W-M representation of the rough surface. The invention provides a comprehensive approach for identifying all parameters of the W-M function including the phases and the density of the frequencies that must greater than 1. This enables the infinite-resolution analytical representation of any surface or density array through the W-M fractal function.

Abstract: A method of: introducing hydrogen and a feed gas containing at least 50 vol % carbon dioxide into a reactor containing a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst; and heating the hydrogen and carbon dioxide to a temperature of at least about 190° C. to produce hydrocarbons in the reactor. An apparatus having: a reaction vessel for containing a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst, capable of heating gases to at least about 190° C.; a hydrogen delivery system feeding into the reaction vessel; a carbon dioxide delivery system for delivering a feed gas containing at least 50 vol % carbon dioxide feeding into the reaction vessel; and a trap for collecting hydrocarbons generated in the reaction vessel.