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 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 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: 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: 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 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: Apparatus to produce carbon nanotubes (CNTs) of arbitrary length using a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process reactor furnace is described, where the CNTs are grown axially along a portion of the length of the furnace. The apparatus includes a spindle and a mechanism for rotating the spindle. The spindle located within a constant temperature region of the furnace and operable to collect the CNT around the rotating spindle as the CNT is grown within the furnace.

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 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 fabricated substrate has at least one plurality of posts. The plurality is fabricated such that the two posts are located at a predetermined distance from one another. The substrate is exposed to a fluid matrix containing functionalized carbon nanotubes. The functionalized carbon nanotubes preferentially adhere to the plurality of posts rather than the remainder of the substrate. A connection between posts of the at least one plurality of posts is induced by adhering one end of the functionalized nanotube to one post and a second end of the functionalized carbon nanotube to a second post.

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 forming a lightning protection system for use with an aircraft is provided. The method includes selecting a configuration of at least one layer of electrically conductive material to be applied to a component of the aircraft, wherein the configuration is selected as a function of an amount of lightning protection to be provided thereto. The method also includes applying the at least one layer of electrically conductive material to the component via an additive manufacturing technique.

Abstract: A system for use in producing a nanotube mesh structure is provided. The system includes a first nanotube collection apparatus including a first substrate configured to collect a plurality of nanotubes substantially aligned in a first orientation on an attachment surface thereof, and a second nanotube collection apparatus including a second substrate configured to collect a plurality of nanotubes substantially aligned in a second orientation on an attachment surface thereof. The first and second nanotube collection apparatuses are configured to combine the pluralities of nanotubes at an interface. The system also includes a first energy source configured to direct energy towards the interface between the pluralities of nanotubes, wherein the energy is configured to join the pluralities of nanotubes to form the nanotube mesh structure.

Abstract: A fabricated substrate has at least one plurality of posts. The plurality is fabricated such that the two posts are located at a predetermined distance from one another. The substrate is exposed to a fluid matrix containing functionalized carbon nanotubes. The functionalized carbon nanotubes preferentially adhere to the plurality of posts rather than the remainder of the substrate. A connection between posts of the at least one plurality of posts is induced by adhering one end of the functionalized nanotube to one post and a second end of the functionalized carbon nanotube to a second post.

Abstract: A fabricated substrate has at least one plurality of posts. The plurality is fabricated such that the two posts are located at a predetermined distance from one another. The substrate is exposed to a fluid matrix containing functionalized carbon nanotubes. The functionalized carbon nanotubes preferentially adhere to the plurality of posts rather than the remainder of the substrate. A connection between posts of the at least one plurality of posts is induced by adhering one end of the functionalized nanotube to one post and a second end of the functionalized carbon nanotube to a second post.

Abstract: Apparatus to produce carbon nanotubes (CNTs) of arbitrary length using a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process reactor furnace is described, where the CNTs are grown axially along a portion of the length of the furnace. The apparatus includes a spindle and a mechanism for rotating the spindle. The spindle located within a constant temperature region of the furnace and operable to collect the CNT around the rotating spindle as the CNT is grown within the furnace.

Abstract: Apparatus to produce carbon nanotubes (CNTs) of arbitrary length using a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process reactor furnace is described, where the CNTs are grown axially along a portion of the length of the furnace. The apparatus includes a spindle and a mechanism for rotating the spindle. The spindle located within a constant temperature region of the furnace and operable to collect the CNT around the rotating spindle as the CNT is grown within the furnace.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the disclosure, there is provided a method to reduce porosity in a composite structure. The method adds an additive to a resin material to form an additive-resin mixture. The method combines the additive-resin mixture with reinforcement fibers to form a composite prepreg material, and in turn, a composite structure. The method heat cures the composite structure in a heating apparatus under a vacuum device at the resin cure temperature, heats the composite structure to an increased temperature above the additive phase transition temperature, and maintains the increased temperature for a time period sufficient. The method reduces the increased temperature back down to the resin cure temperature to allow the additive gas to undergo a phase transition to a condense phase, resulting in a substantially reduced vacuum pressure, resulting in a reduction in a porosity of the composite structure.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the disclosure, there is provided a method to reduce porosity in a composite structure. The method adds an additive to a resin material to form an additive-resin mixture. The method combines the additive-resin mixture with reinforcement fibers to form a composite prepreg material, and in turn, a composite structure. The method heat cures the composite structure in a heating apparatus under a vacuum device at the resin cure temperature, heats the composite structure to an increased temperature above the additive phase transition temperature, and maintains the increased temperature for a time period sufficient. The method reduces the increased temperature back down to the resin cure temperature to allow the additive gas to undergo a phase transition to a condense phase, resulting in a substantially reduced vacuum pressure, resulting in a reduction in a porosity of the composite structure.

Abstract: A fabricated substrate has at least one plurality of posts. The plurality is fabricated such that the two posts are located at a predetermined distance from one another. The substrate is exposed to a fluid matrix containing functionalized carbon nanotubes. The functionalized carbon nanotubes preferentially adhere to the plurality of posts rather than the remainder of the substrate. A connection between posts of the at least one plurality of posts is induced by adhering one end of the functionalized nanotube to one post and a second end of the functionalized carbon nanotube to a second post.