Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for enhancement of vacuum bagging processes for a composite part. One system includes dispensers configured to dispense materials onto a forming tool for a composite part, and a controller. The controller is able to identify a selected location for placing the composite part on the tool, to direct the dispensers to apply a mold release agent onto the tool based on the selected location, to apply a sealant onto the tool proximate to the selected location, to lay up a ply of constituent material for the composite part atop the mold release agent at the selected location, to apply a pressure pad material atop the constituent material, to apply a breather material atop the pressure pad, and to apply vacuum bag material atop the ply proximate to the selected location to cover the ply as well as the sealant.

Abstract: A composite structure forming system configured to form a contoured elongate composite structure in a continuous process is presented. The composite structure forming system comprises a plurality of charge forming stations and a plurality of conveyor systems. The plurality of charge forming stations is configured to operate in parallel, each charge forming station of the plurality of charge forming stations is configured to form a respective composite charge of the contoured elongate composite structure. Each conveyor system of the plurality of conveyor systems is configured to transport a respective composite charge through a respective charge forming station.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for enhancement of vacuum bagging processes for a composite part. One system includes dispensers configured to dispense materials onto a forming tool for a composite part, and a controller. The controller is able to identify a location for placing the composite part on the tool, and to direct the dispensers to lay up a laminate of constituent material for the composite part at the location. The controller is also able to direct the dispensers to spray vacuum bag material atop the laminate to form a vacuum bag that covers the laminate.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for fabricating composite parts that include both chopped fiber and continuous fiber components. One embodiment is a method that includes laying up a laminate comprising at least one ply of continuous fiber-reinforced polymer onto a first surface of a mold, filling a cavity of the mold with chopped fibers and resin that contact the laminate, curing the chopped fibers and the laminate together into an integral composite part, and separating the integral composite part from the mold.

Abstract: A curved beam replicator includes a body having a first surface and a second surface. The second surface defines at least a portion of a cavity. The first surface is configured to cause light entering the body from another medium to be refracted at a first angle such that the light strikes the second surface at a second angle. The second surface is configured to cause a first portion of the light striking the second surface to pass through the second surface and be refracted into a medium in the cavity and to cause a second portion of the light striking the second surface to be reflected toward the first surface at a third angle. The third angle such that the second portion of the light is totally internally reflected by the first surface.

Abstract: Graphene fibers made from a graphene film formed into an elongated fiber-like shape and composite materials made from the graphene fibers. The graphene film has amine groups formed on at least an outer surface of the graphene film and epoxide groups formed on at least one edge of the graphene film. The amine groups are formed in a functionalized area on the outer surface of the graphene film that is within about 10 microns from the at least one edge of the graphene film, or the functionalized area may extend the entire width of the graphene film. The graphene film may also have holes formed through the graphene film. The elongated fiber-like shapes may be the graphene film in a rolled spiral orientation or the graphene film in a twisted formation.

Abstract: Autonomous craft capable of extended duration operations as lighter-than-air craft, having the ability to alight on the surface of a body of water and generate hydrogen gas for lift via electrolysis using power derived from a photovoltaic system, as well as methods of launching an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) having a deployable envelope from a surface of a body of water.

Abstract: A gradient tool for forming a part, the gradient tool comprising a first tool component comprising a first surface and a second surface. The first surface comprising a first material having a first coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), and the second surface comprising a second material having a second CTE. The first CTE of the first material is different than the second CTE of the second material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a carbon fiber. Pressure is applied to a filament to change a cross-sectional shape of the filament and create a plurality of distinct surfaces on the filament. The filament is converted into a graphitic carbon fiber having the plurality of distinct surfaces. A plurality of sizings is applied to the plurality of distinct surfaces of the graphitic carbon fiber in which the plurality of sizings includes at least two different sizings.

Abstract: Graphene fibers made from a graphene film formed into an elongated fiber-like shape and composite materials made from the graphene fibers. The elongated fiber-like shape may be the graphene film in a rolled spiral orientation or the graphene film in a twisted formation. The graphene film has imide groups formed on at least an outer surface of the graphene film. Methods of increasing strength of a composite material include combining a resin matrix with a plurality of the graphene fibers to form a prepreg material and curing the prepreg material to form the composite material.

Abstract: A radio-frequency identification (“RFID”) device includes a substrate and a load formed in the substrate, where the load includes at least one microchannel and at least one body of fusible metal contained within the at least one microchannel. The RFID device also includes an antenna electrically connected to the load, and a protective layer covering at least a portion of the substrate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a carbon fiber. Pressure is applied to a filament to change a cross-sectional shape of the filament and create a plurality of distinct surfaces on the filament. The filament is converted into a graphitic carbon fiber having the plurality of distinct surfaces. A plurality of sizings is applied to the plurality of distinct surfaces of the graphitic carbon fiber in which the plurality of sizings includes at least two different sizings.

Abstract: A fastener includes a head that is configured to be engaged by a tool, and a shaft extending from the head. The shaft includes a distal end that is opposite from the head. At least one optical component is coupled to one or both of the head or the shaft. The optical component(s) is configured to allow light to pass through the fastener. A window system includes a panel that includes an exterior surface and an interior surface, and the fastener extending between the exterior surface and the interior surface of the panel. A screen is coupled to the interior surface. The screen receives light from the optical component(s) of the fastener.

Abstract: A fastener includes a head that is configured to be engaged by a tool, and a shaft extending from the head. The shaft includes a distal end that is opposite from the head. At least one optical component is coupled to one or both of the head or the shaft. The optical component(s) is configured to allow light to pass through the fastener. A window system includes a panel that includes an exterior surface and an interior surface, and the fastener extending between the exterior surface and the interior surface of the panel. A screen is coupled to the interior surface. The screen receives light from the optical component(s) of the fastener.

Abstract: A fastener includes a head that is configured to be engaged by a tool, and a shaft extending from the head. The shaft includes a distal end that is opposite from the head. At least one optical component is coupled to one or both of the head or the shaft. The optical component(s) is configured to allow light to pass through the fastener. A window system includes a panel that includes an exterior surface and an interior surface, and the fastener extending between the exterior surface and the interior surface of the panel. A screen is coupled to the interior surface. The screen receives light from the optical component(s) of the fastener.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses are disclosed for the selective and controlled removal of debris from specific areas of a substrate outer surface without adversely impacting the substrate outer surface, including substrate outer surface coatings, and returning an actual substrate outer surface profile containing affixed debris to a predetermined substrate outer surface profile by comparing a library of predetermined profiles to an actual substrate outer surface profile in real time.

Abstract: Tracking the process of a client activity via an electronic system involves the provision of user interfaces by which data are communicated to user. Optimizing the generation of these user interfaces in a cloud-based system reduces processing resources required by the cloud-based portion, improves the user experience on the local portions, and improves the data collected by users. Using, as described herein, historical data known to the cloud-based portion related to both the user and the client, the user interfaces are updated to show progress of the activity and to organize the tasks for the given user in an optimal arrangement. Reports may also be generated regarding the efficacy of the users in shepherding the activity to completion in a more efficient manner. Various user interface elements are integrated into the cloud-based system for quick provision of activity and task statuses to the user.

Abstract: A radio-frequency identification (“RFID”) device includes a substrate and a load formed in the substrate, where the load includes at least one microchannel and at least one body of fusible metal contained within the at least one microchannel. The RFID device also includes an antenna electrically connected to the load, and a protective layer covering at least a portion of the substrate.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for ultrasonic image generation. One embodiment is a method that includes capturing a first ultrasound image that represents a first volume within a part, and capturing a second ultrasound image that represents a second volume that partially overlaps the first volume. The method also includes identifying a first constellation comprising at least three inconsistencies in the part that are depicted in the first ultrasound image, identifying a second constellation, comprising a reoriented version of the first constellation, in the second ultrasound image, and generating an aggregate image that combines the first ultrasound image with the second ultrasound image.