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: Systems and methods are provided for enhanced vacuum bags. One embodiment is a method that includes placing a laminate comprising uncured fiber reinforced polymer onto a mandrel, laying up a vacuum bag, which includes integral ultrasonic transducers within a gas-impermeable layer, atop the laminate, and sealing the vacuum bag to the mandrel. The method also includes drawing a vacuum on the laminate via the vacuum bag, removing gas between the integral ultrasonic transducers and the laminate, and interrogating the laminate with the integral ultrasonic transducers.

Abstract: A method of making a prepreg composite sheet comprising contoured charges includes receiving, at a computer-numerically-controlled (CNC) device, a mapping, corresponding to shapes of layers of a laminated precursor article to be formed from the contoured charges. The method also includes forming, by the CNC device using the mapping, precursor outline regions in a resin film layer, wherein the precursor outline regions have the shapes of the layers of the laminated precursor article, and wherein the resin film layer has a viscosity. The method further includes impregnating a fiber reinforcement having fibers with the resin film layer to form non-impregnated outline regions that define the contoured charges in the prepreg composite sheet, wherein the non-impregnated outline regions correspond to the precursor outline regions in the resin film layer.

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: Composite materials having carbon reinforcement fibers impregnated with a matrix material are augmented with functionalized graphene nanoplatelets having amine groups formed on a surface of the graphene nanoplatelets and epoxide groups formed on at least one edge of the graphene nanoplatelets as a supplement to or a replacement for resin matrix material to increase strength of the composite materials. Related methods of increasing strength of composite materials include mixing the functionalized graphene nanoplatelets into the matrix material prior to impregnating the carbon reinforcement fibers, depositing the functionalized graphene nanoplatelets onto the matrix material to form an interlayer, and depositing the functionalized graphene nanoplatelets onto a bed of carbon reinforcement fibers with no resin matrix material. The composite materials and related methods for increasing strength of composite materials may include graphene nanoplatelets having holes formed through the graphene nanoplatelets.

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.

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: A vial adaptor and needle assembly are disclosed for use with a vial containing a medication, such as insulin. The vial adaptor may include a needle opening configured to receive a needle of a geometrically corresponding needle assembly to withdraw the medication from the vial in a secured manner. The vial adaptor may also include a cleaning passageway configured to receive a cleaning device to clean the vial.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for operating an autoclave. One embodiment includes a baffle located in an autoclave during a run cycle of the autoclave. A release mechanism secures the baffle in a retracted position during the run cycle, and automatically releases the baffle to a deployed position during the run cycle, when a temperature inside of the autoclave reaches a target temperature, to alter airflow within the autoclave.

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 dimmable window apparatus is provided. The dimmable window apparatus includes a window including a first linear polarizing film and a second linear polarizing film, the first linear polarizing film and the second linear polarizing film having respectively a first axis of polarization and a second axis of polarization, the second axis of polarization being electronically-controllable. The apparatus further includes a processor coupled to the second linear polarizing film, and configured to control the second axis of polarization to thereby control the opacity of the window that is defined by the first axis of polarization and the second axis of polarization relative to one another.

Abstract: A reductant delivery system for an engine system. The engine system includes an engine having an exhaust conduit and a turbocharger with a compressor. The reductant delivery system having an injector, a storage system, a sensor and a controller. The injector is configured to inject a reductant into the exhaust conduit. The storage system stores the reductant and is configured to receive pressurized air from the compressor. The sensor is configured to determine a pressure of the pressurized air in the storage system. The controller is in communication with the sensor and is configured to increase a power output of the engine in response to the pressure being below a desired pressure.

Abstract: A method of forming a composite part may include positioning composite layers onto a part-supporting surface of a support tool. The composite layers combine to form the composite part. The method may also include covering the composite part on the support tool with a vacuum bag, and forming a heat transfer assembly on the vacuum bag in relation to a portion of the composite part. The method may include forming the heat transfer assembly on the vacuum bag by depositing a fluid layer of material onto the vacuum bag, inserting heat transfer promoters into the fluid, and cooling the fluid to form a solid heat transfer assembly.

Abstract: Composite materials having carbon reinforcement fibers impregnated with a matrix material are augmented with functionalized graphene nanoplatelets having amine groups formed on a surface of the graphene nanoplatelets and epoxide groups formed on at least one edge of the graphene nanoplatelets as a supplement to or a replacement for resin matrix material to increase strength of the composite materials. Related methods of increasing strength of composite materials include mixing the functionalized graphene nanoplatelets into the matrix material prior to impregnating the carbon reinforcement fibers, depositing the functionalized graphene nanoplatelets onto the matrix material to form an interlayer, and depositing the functionalized graphene nanoplatelets onto a bed of carbon reinforcement fibers with no resin matrix material. The composite materials and related methods for increasing strength of composite materials may include graphene nanoplatelets having holes formed through the graphene nanoplatelets.

Abstract: Composite laminate parts are made using a gradient cured subset of fiber reinforced thermoset resin plies. A portion of the subset is cured to rigidity to thereby maintain the shape of a part layup, while other plies in the subset are actively cooled to prevent them from curing. Additional plies are laid up on the uncured plies of the subset to complete the layup. The completed layup is then fully cured.

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: 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 that combines the first ultrasound image with the second ultrasound image.

Abstract: An adhesive system for attachment to a contact surface of an object comprises a backing, carbon nanotubes, charged nanoparticles, and an electrical source. The carbon nanotubes each have a first end region and a second end region, opposite the first end region. Each of the charged nanoparticles is coupled to the second end region of at least one of the carbon nanotubes. The electrical source is configured to selectively electrically charge the backing to cause an electrical repulsion force between the backing and the charged nanoparticles. The first end region of each of the carbon nanotubes is coupled to the backing. The second end region of each of a number of the carbon nanotubes is coupled to none of the charged nanoparticles.

Abstract: An adhesive system (100) for attachment to a contact surface (122) of an object (120) comprises a backing (110), carbon nanotubes (130), charged nanoparticles (150), and an electrical source (160). The carbon nanotubes (130) each have a first end region (132) and a second end region (134), opposite the first end region (132). Each of the charged nanoparticles (150) is coupled to the second end region (134) of at least one of the carbon nanotubes (130). The electrical source (160) is configured to selectively electrically charge the backing (110) to cause an electrical repulsion force between the backing (110) and the charged nanoparticles (150). The first end region (132) of each of the carbon nanotubes (130) is coupled to the backing (110). The second end region (134) of each of a number of the carbon nanotubes (130) is coupled to none of the charged nanoparticles (150).

Abstract: A method of forming a thinned prepreg sheet is disclosed. The method comprises providing a first precursor sheet comprising reinforcement fibers impregnated with a matrix resin in a first state. The method also comprises forming a second precursor sheet having a first thickness by cooling the first precursor sheet until the matrix resin is transformed from the first state to a second state. The method further comprises forming a crushed sheet comprising interstices having an average size by crushing the second precursor sheet, where the crushed sheet has a second thickness. The method also comprises forming the thinned prepreg sheet by heating the crushed sheet until the matrix resin is transformed from the second state to a third state. The thinned prepreg sheet has a third thickness less than the first thickness of the second precursor sheet.