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.

Abstract: A method and system for inspecting a structure. The method may comprise sending a pulsed wave signal into the structure from a transmitter array. The method may detect a response signal in response to sending the pulsed wave signal into the structure at a group of receivers in a receiver array. The method may identify a group of time delays between sending the pulsed wave signal and may detect the response signal generated in response to the pulsed wave signal at the group of receivers. The method may identify a group of intensities for the response signal detected at the group of receivers. The method may determine a distance to a reflector within the structure using the group of time delays and the group of intensities.

Abstract: An aerial deployed radio antenna system includes a primary aerial vehicle and a plurality of secondary aerial vehicles coupled to the primary aerial vehicle with a primary tether, wherein the plurality of secondary aerial vehicles are coupled to each other with a plurality of secondary tethers. The system also includes a radar-reflective sheet suspended between and supported by a plurality of cables coupled to the plurality of secondary aerial vehicles, wherein the radar-reflective sheet forms a parabolic reflector shape when deployed and towed by the primary aerial vehicle. A radar transmitter/receiver is positioned relative to the radar-reflective sheet to transmit radar signals toward the radar-reflective sheet and receive radar signals focused by the radar-reflective sheet, and a plurality of solar cells is positioned on the radar-reflective sheet.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for interweaving carbon nanotubes. One embodiment comprises a layer of carbon nanotubes. The layer includes carbon nanotubes oriented in a first direction, as well as carbon nanotubes oriented in a second direction that crosses the first direction. The carbon nanotubes oriented in the second direction are interwoven through the carbon nanotubes oriented in the first direction.

Abstract: A paint-applied digital imaging system may include a plurality of small pixel devices each including a photodiode, a battery, and an antenna. The plurality of pixel devices may be suspended in a liquid dispersion medium, such as a transparent paint, and brushed or rolled onto an extended surface, such as a wall. Each photodiode collects light, charging its battery, which powers the antenna. The antenna transmits a signal indicating the intensity of light incident on the photodiode to a base station. The signals sent by the plurality of pixel devices are received by the base station and converted into a digital image.

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 fabrication of enhanced carbon fiber laminates that utilize encapsulated catalyst. One embodiment is a method that includes acquiring a batch of dry fibers, and acquiring a batch of catalyst capsules that each comprise catalyst that accelerates polymerization of monomers of a resin, and a shell that encapsulates the catalyst and liquefies at a curing temperature. The method further includes interspersing the catalyst capsules among the dry fibers, and impregnating the fibers with the resin after interspersing the catalyst capsules with the fibers.

Abstract: A carbon nanotube yarn is coated with polyacrylonitrile to form a coated carbon nanotube yarn. The polyacrylonitrile is converted to crystalline carbon to form a layered carbon fiber with a sheath of the crystalline carbon and a core of the carbon nanotube yarn.

Abstract: Systems are disclosed for curing composite parts within a container, wherein a pressurized environment may be created via a body of water. Disclosed systems may include the container, a heating system, and a mechanism for raising and/or lowering the container within the body of water. The container may include one or more rigid walls, one or more non-rigid walls, and/or one or more port holes extending through one or more of the rigid walls and/or non-rigid walls. Methods of curing composite parts using such systems are also disclosed. Methods may include providing a container having a cavity configured to receive a composite part, thermally coupling a heating system to the container, inserting the composite part into the cavity, submerging the container under a depth of external liquid, flowing a volume of fluid into the cavity, heating the volume of fluid, thereby curing the composite part.

Abstract: An aerial deployed radio antenna system includes a primary aerial vehicle and a plurality of secondary aerial vehicles coupled to the primary aerial vehicle with a primary tether, wherein the plurality of secondary aerial vehicles are coupled to each other with a plurality of secondary tethers. The system also includes a radar-reflective sheet suspended between and supported by a plurality of cables coupled to the plurality of secondary aerial vehicles, wherein the radar-reflective sheet forms a parabolic reflector shape when deployed and towed by the primary aerial vehicle. A radar transmitter/receiver is positioned relative to the radar-reflective sheet to transmit radar signals toward the radar-reflective sheet and receive radar signals focused by the radar-reflective sheet, and a plurality of solar cells is positioned on the radar-reflective sheet.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for fabrication of enhanced carbon fiber laminates that utilize encapsulated catalyst. One embodiment is a method that includes acquiring a batch of dry fibers, and acquiring a batch of catalyst capsules that each comprise catalyst that accelerates polymerization of monomers of a resin, and a shell that encapsulates the catalyst and liquefies at a curing temperature. The method further includes interspersing the catalyst capsules among the dry fibers, and impregnating the fibers with the resin after interspersing the catalyst capsules with the fibers.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a composite material may include providing one or more layers of reinforcement material penetrated with viscous matrix material that is doped with electrically conductive particles. The method may further include applying a magnetic field to arrange the particles into one or more electrically conductive pathways, and curing the matrix material to secure the pathways in position relative to the reinforcement material.

Abstract: A method of decoupling an adhesive system from a contact surface of an object is disclosed. The adhesive system has a full adhesive strength in a de-energized state. The adhesive system comprises a backing, carbon nanotubes, each having a first end region, coupled to the backing, and a second end region, opposite the first end region, and charged nanoparticles, each coupled to the second end region of at least one of the carbon nanotubes. The method comprises steps of electrically charging the backing and disengaging the adhesive system from the contact surface. Electrically charging the backing creates an electrical repulsion force between the backing and the charged nanoparticles, so that the full adhesive strength of the adhesive system is decreased to a reduced adhesive strength. Disengaging the adhesive system from the contact surface comprises applying a disengagement force to the adhesive system sufficient to overcome the reduced adhesive strength.

Abstract: A carbon nanotube yarn is coated with polyacrylonitrile to form a coated carbon nanotube yarn. The polyacrylonitrile is converted to crystalline carbon to form a layered carbon fiber with a sheath of the crystalline carbon and a core of the carbon nanotube yarn.

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 layered composite assembly may include a plurality of composite fiber layers stacked onto one another. Each of the plurality of composite fiber layers may include a main body including a plurality of composite fibers. The main body may be pre-impregnated with at least one resin. Each composite fiber layer also includes a plurality of layer-securing pins secured to the main body. The layer-securing pins are configured to mechanically connect the main body to an adjacent composite fiber layer.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to provide magnetic carbon nanotube clusters configured to form electrically conductive coatings. A magnetic carbon nanotube cluster is formed by receiving a magnetic particle, forming a plurality of carbon nanotube catalyst nanoparticles on an outer surface of the magnetic particle, and forming a plurality of carbon nanotubes extending from the catalyst nanoparticles while the magnetic particle is levitated within a nanotube growth chamber to form the magnetic carbon nanotube cluster. A plurality of magnetic carbon nanotube clusters are suspended in a carrier fluid, the carrier fluid is flowed over a surface of an object, and a magnetic field is applied to the carrier fluid while it is flowing over the surface to cause the plurality of magnetic carbon nanotube clusters to form a coating on the surface of the object.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for fabricating composite parts. One embodiment is a method of forming a composite part. The method includes laying up opposing composite facesheets, placing a viscous material between the facesheets, increasing a distance between the facesheets, and solidifying the facesheets and the viscous material into an integral composite part.

Abstract: A paint-applied digital imaging system may include a plurality of small pixel devices each including a photodiode, a battery, and an antenna. The plurality of pixel devices may be suspended in a liquid dispersion medium, such as a transparent paint, and brushed or rolled onto an extended surface, such as a wall. Each photodiode collects light, charging its battery, which powers the antenna. The antenna transmits a signal indicating the intensity of light incident on the photodiode to a base station. The signals sent by the plurality of pixel devices are received by the base station and converted into a digital image.

Abstract: A chemical vapor deposition method comprises flowing a carrier liquid through a reactor. A fluid comprising one or more reactants is introduced into the carrier liquid. The fluid is at a first temperature and first pressure and is sufficiently immiscible in the carrier liquid so as to form a plurality of microreactors suspended in the carrier liquid. Each of the microreactors comprise a discrete volume of the fluid and have a surface boundary defined by an interface of the fluid with the carrier liquid. The fluid is heated and optionally pressurized to a second temperature and second pressure at which a chemical vapor deposition reaction occurs within the microreactors to form a plurality of chemical vapor deposition products. The plurality of chemical vapor deposition products are separated from the carrier liquid. A system for carrying out the method of the present disclosure is also taught.