Abstract: Embodiments herein describe a high-speed communication channel in a PCB that includes a dielectric waveguide sandwiched between two ground layers. The dielectric waveguide includes a core and a cladding where the material of the core has a higher dielectric constant than the material of the cladding. Thus, electromagnetic signals propagating in the core are internally reflected at the interface between the core and cladding such that the electromagnetic signals are primary contained in the core.

Abstract: A tamper resistant device comprises an internal component, such as an electronic device, and a latent battery that is connected to the internal component. An activator material is separated from the latent battery by a rupturable barrier that is adapted to rupture, shatter, or otherwise degrade in response to a stimulus associated with a physical tampering event. The activator material is a material that causes the latent battery to output electrical power when in contact with the latent battery. In some examples, the electrical power provided when the activator material contacts the latent battery is used to trigger a security response which can include transmission of an alarm signal and/or erasure of data stored by the internal component.

Abstract: A flame-retardant polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) material having a phosphate-terminated side-chain is disclosed.

Abstract: A process for treating metal oxide catalysts includes activating one or more lasers to produce laser light. The process also includes exposing at least a portion of the metal oxide catalyst to the laser light to increase hydrophobicity of the metal oxide catalyst. The metal oxide catalyst may include a plurality of metal oxide particles or a metal oxide film.

Abstract: Embodiments herein describe a high-speed communication channel in a PCB that includes a dielectric waveguide coupled at respective ends to coaxial vias. The dielectric waveguide includes a core and a cladding where the material of the core has a higher dielectric constant than the material of the cladding. Thus, electromagnetic signals propagating in the core are internally reflected at the interface between the core and cladding such that the electromagnetic signals are primary contained in the core. The coaxial vias include a center conductor and an outer conductor (or shield) which extend through one or more layers of the PCB. One of the coaxial vias radiates electromagnetic signals into the dielectric waveguide at a first end of the core while the other coaxial via receives the radiated signals at a second end of the core.

Abstract: In an example, a method of repairing a pipeline includes isolating a section of a pipeline that includes a leak site. The method includes flooding the section of the pipeline with a plug formulation that includes artificial platelets and an ultraviolet (UV) photoinitiator. The section may be pressurized to induce migration of the artificial platelets to the leak site. The method also includes draining excess plug formulation from the section of the pipeline. The method further includes exposing the UV photoinitiator to UV light to form a gas impermeable seal at the leak site.

Abstract: A process of in-situ detection of hollow fiber formation includes immersing a plurality of individual glass fibers in an index-matching material. The index-matching material has a first refractive index that substantially matches a second refractive index of the glass fibers. The process also includes exposing the individual glass fibers to a light source during immersion in the index-matching material. The process further includes utilizing one or more optical components to collect optical data for the individual glass fibers during immersion in the index-matching material. The process also includes determining, based on the optical data, that a particular glass fiber of the plurality of individual glass fibers includes a hollow fiber.

Abstract: A process of in-situ detection of hollow fiber formation includes immersing a plurality of individual glass fibers in an index-matching material. The index-matching material has a first refractive index that substantially matches a second refractive index of the glass fibers. The process also includes exposing the individual glass fibers to a light source during immersion in the index-matching material. The process further includes utilizing one or more optical components to collect optical data for the individual glass fibers during immersion in the index-matching material. The process also includes determining, based on the optical data, that a particular glass fiber of the plurality of individual glass fibers includes a hollow fiber.

Abstract: A material comprises a carbon nanotube and a methyl methacrylate group covalently bonded to a surface of the carbon nanotube. In some examples, the material can further comprise a polymeric chain appended to the surface of the carbon nanotube via the methyl methacrylate group. In some examples, the polymeric chain can include styrene monomer repeating units and butadiene monomer repeating units. In some examples, the polymeric chain can include a flame retardant moiety appended thereon and/or flame retardant monomer repeating units. In some examples, the carbon nanotube can be incorporated or combined with a resin material to provide a composite component. A method to produce a carbon nanotube having a polymeric chain appended thereto is also described.

Abstract: A polymer network for 3D printing has a first polymer and a second polymer. The first polymer and the second polymer are crosslinked by a photo-crosslink. The first polymer and the second polymer are independently selected from polylactic acid, poly(acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), polystyrene, nylon, high density polyethylene, polycarbonate, polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene terephthalate, and thermoplastic polymers.

Abstract: An ink composition includes a fluid and a plurality of microcapsules suspended in the fluid. The fluid includes a first chemical compound that exhibits a first color characteristic in a first pH range and exhibits a second color characteristic in a second pH range, where the first color characteristic is visually distinct from the second color characteristic. A second chemical compound is contained within the microcapsules, such that rupturing at least a subset of the plurality of microcapsules releases the second chemical compound. Releasing the second chemical compound shifts a pH of the fluid from a first pH in the first pH range to a second pH in the second pH range.

Abstract: An organic semiconducting donor-acceptor (D-A) small molecule, as well as a semiconductor device that can incorporate the D-A small molecule, are disclosed. The D-A small molecule can have electron deficient substituents and R group substituents that can be C1-C20 linear alkyl chains, C2-C24 branched alkyl chains, hydrogen atoms, etc. The D-A small molecule can be can be synthesized in a reaction between a dithienofuran (DTF) core monomer and an electron deficient monomer. Additionally, the D-A small molecule can be part of an organic semiconducting copolymer. A semiconductor device that can incorporate the D-A small molecule in a photoactive layer is also disclosed herein. Additionally, 3,4-dibrominated furan compound that can, in some embodiments, be a precursor for the D-A small molecule is disclosed. The 3,4-dibrominated furan compound can be synthesized in a reaction involving a furan-2,5-dicarboxylic dimethyl ester (FDME), which can have a bio-renewable precursor.

Abstract: In an example, a process includes polymerizing a mixture that includes an ethylene monomer, a propylene monomer, and a diene monomer to form an ethylene-propylene-diene (EPDM) terpolymer using ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP). The process further includes chemically reacting the EPDM terpolymer with a norbornene-based phosphinate cross-linking material to form a flame-retardant, cross-linked EPDM rubber.

Abstract: A shape memory polymer thermal interface material (SMP TIM) pad may be deformed to a deformed SMP TIM pad. The deformed SMP TIM pad may be mated to a first surface of a computing chip. A heat dissipating structure may be mated to the deformed SMP TIM pad opposite of the first surface of the computing chip. A loading force may be applied to the SMP TIM pad. The deformed SMP TIM pad may be heated to a reformation temperature. The heat dissipating structure may be fastened to the computing chip using one or more fasteners.

Abstract: Disclosed aspects relate to managing a set of devices using a set of acoustic emission data which indicates device-health of the set of devices. The set of devices is coupled with a set of acoustic emission sensors. Based on the set of acoustic emission data, a triggering event related to a first device of the set of devices is detected. Using the set of acoustic emission data, an event response which includes a first modification with respect to operation of the first device is determined. Establishment of the event response which includes the first modification with respect to operation of the first device is initiated.

Abstract: A fuel tank containing a fuel and oil mixture is managed to determine if the fuel and oil mixture contains the correct ratio for a motor. The fuel tank containing a fuel and oil mixture is monitored. A fuel to oil ratio is selected for the motor. A combined viscosity of the fuel and oil mixture is calculated with respect to the fuel to oil ratio, and the temperature of the fuel and oil mixture. The combined viscosity is used to determine a predetermined range of the combined viscosity. The viscosity of the fuel and oil mixture within the fuel tank is measured as a measured viscosity. If the measured viscosity of the fuel and oil mixture does not correspond with the predetermined range, then a user may be alerted that the measured viscosity does not correspond with the predetermined range.

Abstract: Disclosed is a shape memory polymer (SMP) thermal interface material. The shape memory polymer may include a SMP matrix. The SMP matrix may include a liquid crystal elastomer. The SMP material may also include a thermally conductive filler embedded within the SMP matrix. The thermally conductive filler may include one or more substantially aligned subcomponents.

Abstract: In an example, a material includes a cellulosic nanomaterial and multiple polymer chains chemically bonded to the cellulosic nanomaterial. Each polymer chain includes a styrene-butadiene copolymer.

Abstract: A flame retardant filler having brominated silica particles, for example, imparts flame retardancy to manufactured articles such as printed circuit boards (PCBs), connectors, and other articles of manufacture that employ thermosetting plastics or thermoplastics. In this example, brominated silica particles serve both as a filler for rheology control (viscosity, flow, etc.) and a flame retardant. In an exemplary application, a PCB laminate stack-up includes conductive planes separated from each other by a dielectric material that includes a flame retardant filler comprised of brominated silica particles. In an exemplary method of synthesizing the brominated silica particles, a monomer having a brominated aromatic functional group is reacted with functionalized silica particles (e.g., isocyanate, vinyl, amine, or epoxy functionalized silica particles).

Abstract: A fuel tank containing a fuel and oil mixture is managed to determine if the fuel and oil mixture contains the correct ratio for a motor. The fuel tank containing a fuel and oil mixture is monitored. A fuel to oil ratio is selected for the motor. A combined viscosity of the fuel and oil mixture is calculated with respect to the fuel to oil ratio, and the temperature of the fuel and oil mixture. The combined viscosity is used to determine a predetermined range of the combined viscosity. The viscosity of the fuel and oil mixture within the fuel tank is measured as a measured viscosity. If the measured viscosity of the fuel and oil mixture does not correspond with the predetermined range, then a user may be alerted that the measured viscosity does not correspond with the predetermined range.