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 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.

Abstract: A method and structure for an electrical device and a plurality of electrical circuits including a plurality of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The method can include forming a first CNT catalyst layer including a plurality of first CNT catalyst plugs, a plurality of electrical circuits electrically coupled to the first CNT catalyst layer, and a second CNT catalyst layer including a plurality of second CNT catalyst plugs electrically coupled to the second CNT catalyst layer. CNTs may be simultaneously formed on the plurality of first and second CNT catalyst plugs within a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) furnace.

Abstract: Composite materials are augmented with functionalized graphene having added amine groups, benzoxazine groups, imide groups, or a combination of amine groups and imide groups on a surface of the graphene, epoxide groups formed on at least one edge of the graphene and/or holes formed through the graphene. The functionalized graphene is integrated into a composite material as a supplement to or as a replacement for either the carbon reinforcement material or the resin matrix material to increase strength of the composite materials, and may be in the form of a functionalized graphene nanoplatelet, a flat graphene sheet or film, or a rolled or twisted graphene sheet or film.

Abstract: Methods and compositions, and components comprising the compositions, are disclosed relating to improved resin-based adhesives comprising encapsulating at least a catalyst compound. Further methods and compositions are disclosed relating to encapsulated catalysts in uncured resin-based adhesives, said encapsulated catalysts configured to release the catalyst compound and cure the uncured resin-based adhesive on-demand.

Abstract: A deployable airborne sensor array system and method of use are provided herein. The system includes a tether configured to be coupled to and deployed from an aircraft and a plurality of airborne vehicles coupled to the tether. Each of the plurality of airborne vehicles includes different lift characteristics to form a three-dimensional (3D) array of airborne vehicles. Each airborne vehicle includes a sensing device configured to generate sensor data associated with a target. The system also include a computing device configured to process the sensor data received from each of said plurality of airborne vehicles and generate an image of the target based on the sensor data.

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: A method and structure for an electrical device and a plurality of electrical circuits including a plurality of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The method can include forming a first CNT catalyst layer including a plurality of first CNT catalyst plugs, a plurality of electrical circuits electrically coupled to the first CNT catalyst layer, and a second CNT catalyst layer including a plurality of second CNT catalyst plugs electrically coupled to the second CNT catalyst layer. CNTs may be simultaneously formed on the plurality of first and second CNT catalyst plugs within a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) furnace.

Abstract: Composite materials are augmented with functionalized graphene having added amine groups, benzoxazine groups, imide groups, or a combination of amine groups and imide groups on a surface of the graphene, epoxide groups formed on at least one edge of the graphene and/or holes formed through the graphene. The functionalized graphene is integrated into a composite material as a supplement to or as a replacement for either the carbon reinforcement material or the resin matrix material to increase strength of the composite materials, and may be in the form of a functionalized graphene nanoplatelet, a flat graphene sheet or film, or a rolled or twisted graphene sheet or film.

Abstract: A motor vehicle storage compartment includes a housing defining an interior storage space and a top having a cutout defining a rear lip for supporting at least a portion of an item. A pivoting front support is provided, configured to bias between an open position and a closed position. A retainer is provided to keep the front support in the closed position. When biased to the closed position, the front support defines a lip for supporting an opposed portion of the item. When biased the front support the open position, the item falls into the storage compartment interior storage space for retrieval.

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: Disclosed herein is an assembly for selectively aerating a liquid including a base member a reservoir adapted to receive the liquid. The assembly also includes a support member non-rotatably coupled to the base member and a diverter member coupled to the support member and rotatable between a first diverter position and a second diverter position. The diverter member has at least one primary aperture and at least one secondary aperture. The assembly additionally includes an aerator member non-rotatably secured to the diverter member, the aerator member having an aeration aperture. In the first diverter position, a portion of the liquid in the reservoir flows through the primary aperture. In the second diverter position, a portion of the liquid in the reservoir flows through the secondary aperture, and though the aeration aperture.

Abstract: A method of making an indexed prepreg composite sheet is disclosed. The method comprises forming discrete regions in a resin film layer. The discrete regions are arranged in an indexing pattern. The method also includes forming a precursor prepreg composite sheet by impregnating a fiber reinforcement with the resin film layer having a viscosity. The discrete regions of the resin film layer form non-impregnated regions of the precursor prepreg composite sheet. The method additionally includes replacing the non-impregnated regions of the precursor prepreg composite sheet with indexing openings.

Abstract: Composite materials with graphene-augmented carbon reinforcement fibers having a graphene film wrapped about one or more carbon fiber filaments. The graphene film is wrapped about the carbon fiber filaments in a spiral orientation and has amine groups formed on 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. The graphene film may also have holes formed through the graphene film. The graphene film may be wrapped around a single carbon fiber filament, a substantially cylindrical bundle of about 19 carbon fiber filaments, or a substantially rectangular bed of carbon fiber filaments formed from a plurality of carbon fiber tows.

Abstract: A golf swing training device attached to the top end of a golf club grip to help a golfer improve his swing. The device includes, among other things, a curved arm and a locking device for retaining the curved arm in a fixed position. The locking device is also operative for attaching the locking device to the top end of a golf club grip. When the locking device is attached to the golf club grip, the arm extends away from the golf club grip for a first distance and then curves toward the golfer for a second distance.

Abstract: A system (100) for making a prepreg composite sheet (300) comprising contoured charges (308) comprises first means (102) for forming precursor outline regions (206) in a resin film layer (200). The system (100) also comprises second means (106) for impregnating a fiber reinforcement (220), comprising fibers (222), with the resin film layer (200), comprising the precursor outline regions (206), to form the prepreg composite sheet (300). The prepreg composite sheet (300), as so formed, comprises non-impregnated outline regions (310) that define the contoured charges (308). The non-impregnated outline regions (310) in the prepreg composite sheet (300) correspond to the precursor outline regions (206) in the resin film layer (200). The system (100) further comprises third means (104) for guiding the fiber reinforcement (220) and the resin film layer (200) to the second means (106). The resin film layer (200) comprises the precursor outline regions (206) formed by first means (102).

Abstract: Composite prepreg materials made from a plurality of layers of graphene film having a size that spans an entire width and an entire length of the composite prepreg material, each of the layers of graphene film being functionalized with holes formed through the graphene film, amine groups formed on both an upper and a lower surface of the graphene film, epoxide groups formed on at least one edge of the graphene film, amine monomers and/or epoxy monomers. The plurality of layers may be formed by stacking a plurality of layers of graphene film to form a stacked composite prepreg material or by folding a graphene film to form a crumpled composite prepreg material.

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: Composite prepreg materials made from a plurality of layers of graphene film having a size that spans an entire width and an entire length of the composite prepreg material, each of the layers of graphene film being functionalized with holes formed through the graphene film, amine groups formed on both an upper and a lower surface of the graphene film, epoxide groups formed on at least one edge of the graphene film, amine monomers and/or epoxy monomers. The plurality of layers may be formed by stacking a plurality of layers of graphene film to form a stacked composite prepreg material or by folding a graphene film to form a crumpled composite prepreg material.

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.