Abstract: Ferrite compositions, particularly ferrite coated substrates and more particularly fibre plys coated with ferrites in fibre reinforced polymer composites (FRPC), and composites with a plurality of functionalised fibre layers, include a magnetic ferrite composition for coating a substrate, said composition comprising a resin, and dispersed therein ferrite particulates, wherein said ferrite particulates have an average longest dimension of less than 500 nm. The composition may be used to provide a ferrite composite structure comprising at least one fibre ply, with at least one layer of a magnetic ferrite composition disposed thereon, wherein said ply is substantially encapsulated in a binder matrix to form a fibre reinforced polymer composite.

Abstract: An electro-optic window is provided, together with a method of manufacturing the window. The window (3) is made of a material substantially transparent to at least one of infra-red, visible and UV radiation and treated to have reduced RF/MICROWAVE transmission characteristics by the provision of a grid (1) set into at least one surface (2) thereof. The grid (1) is formed of a material selected to be either reflective or absorptive to RF/MICROWAVE radiation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of electrodepositing a metal on an electrically conductive particulate substrate. There is provided a method of electrodepositing a metal on an electrically conductive particulate substrate comprising the steps of: (i) providing a cathode; (ii) providing an anode formed from the metal to be electrodeposited; (iii) providing the substrate, cathode and anode within an electrodeposition bath comprising an electrolyte; and (iv) providing a voltage between said anode and cathode causing metal ions to flow from the anode to the cathode, wherein a separator is provided between the anode and the cathode.

Abstract: Ferrite compositions, particularly ferrite coated substrates and more particularly fibre plys coated with ferrites in fibre reinforced polymer composites (FRPC), and composites with a plurality of functionalised fibre layers, include a magnetic ferrite composition for coating a substrate, said composition comprising a resin, and dispersed therein ferrite particulates, wherein said ferrite particulates have an average longest dimension of less than 500 nm. The composition may be used to provide a ferrite composite structure comprising at least one fibre ply, with at least one layer of a magnetic ferrite composition disposed thereon, wherein said ply is substantially encapsulated in a binder matrix to form a fibre reinforced polymer composite.

Abstract: According to the invention there is provided a component including a rechargeable battery and a method of producing same. The component uses one of an acid and an alkaline chemistry and the battery has an anode structure, a cathode structure, and a separator structure which separates the anode from the cathode and contains an electrolyte. The anode structure and the cathode structure are each formed from a composite material which includes electrically conductive fibres and electrochemically active material in a binder matrix including less than 50% w/w of an elastomer binder and the battery is formed to be structurally inseparable from the rest of the component.

Abstract: Ferrite compositions, particularly ferrite coated substrates and more particularly fiber plys coated with ferrites in fiber reinforced polymer composites (FRPC), and composites with a plurality of functionalized fiber layers, include a magnetic ferrite composition for coating a substrate, said composition comprising a resin, and dispersed therein ferrite particulates, wherein said ferrite particulates have an average longest dimension of less than 500 nm. The composition may be used to provide a ferrite composite structure comprising at least one fiber ply, with at least one layer of a magnetic ferrite composition deposed thereon, wherein said ply is substantially encapsulated in a binder matrix to form a fiber reinforced polymer composite.

Abstract: According to the invention there is provided a component including a supercapacitor and a method of producing same. The component comprises a first (12) and second (14) electrode and a separator structure (16) which separates the two electrodes and contains a liquid or gel electrolyte. The first and second electrode structures are each formed from a composite material (10) which includes electrically conductive fibers and electrochemically active material in a binder matrix and the supercapacitor is formed to be structurally inseparable from the rest of the component. Further, the component forms a structural capacitor. The obtained structural capacitor could be used in aircraft structure to save weight.

Abstract: This invention relates to the formation of standby structural composite electrical energy storage devices, and a method of producing same. The device may be a standby battery or supercapacitor with first and second electrodes which are separated by a separator structure, wherein the device contains an electrolyte retained in a reservoir. The use of at least one valve allows the addition, removal of electrolyte fluids, and venting of any outgassing by products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of electrodepositing a metal on an electrically conductive particulate substrate. There is provided a method of electrodepositing a metal on an electrically conductive particulate substrate comprising the steps of: (i) providing a cathode; (ii) providing an anode formed from the metal to be electrodeposited; (iii) providing the substrate, cathode and anode within an electrodeposition bath comprising an electrolyte; and (iv) providing a voltage between said anode and cathode causing metal ions to flow from the anode to the cathode, wherein a separator is provided between the anode and the cathode.

Abstract: An electro-optic window is provided, together with a method of manufacturing the window. The window (3) is made of a material substantially transparent to at least one of infra-red, visible and UV radiation and treated to have reduced RF/MI-CROWAVE transmission characteristics by the provision of a grid (1) set into at least one surface (2) thereof. The grid (1) is formed of a material selected to be either reflective or absorptive to RF/MICROWAVE radiation.

Abstract: The disclosed relates to a thermoelectric device for generating electrical currents exploiting the Seebeck effect, more specifically a structural thermoelectric device which can replace a structural component of a body. The structural thermoelectric device can include a first conductor layer, a second conductor layer and located therebetween a polymer thermocouple layer having a reinforcement formed from a structural support, wherein the internal surface of the support includes at least one layer of at least one conducting polymer. The reinforcement can be is porous material with a plurality of voids, wherein the internal surfaces of the voids are coated with a conducting polymer, which is capable of providing the Peltier effect.

Abstract: According to the invention there is provided a Structural integrated wiring loom comprising at least one conductor comprising at least one first conductive fiber ply, wherein said at least one first conductive fiber ply comprises at least two electrical connectors, a separator structure comprising at least one first non-conductive fiber ply, and at least one second non-conductive fiber ply, said separator structure encapsulating said at least one conductor, a screen structure which encapsulates said separator structure, said screen structure comprising at least one second conductive fiber ply and at least one third conductive fiber ply, wherein said device is encapsulated a binder matrix. The device may be used to replace structural panels on a vehicle vessel or craft, to transfer electrical power or RF signals, data transmission around a composite structure.

Abstract: According to the invention there is provided a fluidic port (8-9) for a refillable structural composite electrical energy storage device (1), and a method of producing same. The device may be a battery or supercapacitor with first and second electrodes (2,3) which are separated by a separator structure (6), wherein the device contains an electrolyte (4) which may further contain active electrochemical reagents. The fluidic port allows the addition, removal of electrolyte fluids, and venting of any outgassing by products.

Abstract: A method for electroless metal deposition on a surface in a finely dimensioned space (e.g. the bore of a hollow fiber) includes introducing into the space an electroless plating solution that has a nil or relatively low plating rate at normal room temperature, and thereafter heating the structure to an elevated temperature for a period sufficient to cause metal to plate on the wall surface. The introducing and heating may be repeated as necessary or desired to build up a specified thickness.

Abstract: The following invention relates to high energy capacitors with increased thermal resilience over conventional bulk ceramic capacitors, particularly capacitors that may be formed into a three dimensional shape to fit inside an existing device. The capacitor is provided with first and second electrodes which have a plurality of interlocating protrusions, which increase the relative surface area of the electrodes. The first and second electrodes and interlocating protrusions are provided with through holes. The devices are filled with a flowable dielectric material.

Abstract: A detector for detecting ionizing radiation comprises a scintillator 10 selected to emit light in response to incidence thereon of radiation to be detected, at least one detector 16 for detecting said emitted light, and at least one optical waveguide 12 for transmitting said emitted light to said detector 16. The optical waveguide typically comprises a flexible solid or hollow fiber that can be incorporated into a flexible mat or into a fiber-reinforced structure, so that the detector is integrated therewith.

Abstract: According to the invention there is provided an arrangement of protective material for dissipating the kinetic energy of a moving object including one or more layers of fibrous armour material encased within a sealed encasement, in which the sealed encasement is formed from a textile armour material which is impregnated with a polymeric substance.

Abstract: This invention relates to the formation of standby structural composite electrical energy storage devices, and a method of producing same. The device may be a standby battery or supercapacitor with first and second electrodes which are separated by a separator structure, wherein the device contains an electrolyte retained in a reservoir. The use of at least one valve allows the addition, removal of electrolyte fluids, and venting of any outgassing by products.

Abstract: The invention relates to ferrite compositions, particularly ferrite coated substrates and more particularly fibre plys coated with ferrites in fibre reinforced polymer composites (FRPC), and composites with a plurality of functionalised fibre layers The invention provides a magnetic ferrite composition for coating a substrate, said composition comprising a resin, and dispersed therein ferrite particulates, wherein said ferrite particulates have an average longest dimension of less than 500 nm. The composition may be used to provide a ferrite composite structure comprising at least one fibre ply, with at least one layer of a magnetic ferrite composition deposed thereon, wherein said ply is substantially encapsulated in a binder matrix to form a fibre reinforced polymer composite.

Abstract: The invention relates to ferromagnetic fibre composites, particularly ferromagnetic coated fibre plies in fibre reinforced polymer composites (FRPC), more preferably to a ferromagnetic FRPC, and composites with a plurality of functionalised fibre layers. The composite structure comprising at least one ferromagnetic fibre ply, wherein said ferromagnetic fibre ply is substantially encapsulated in a binder matrix to form a fibre reinforced polymer composite, wherein said at least one ferromagnetic fibre ply comprises a fibre ply and on at least one surface of said ply comprising at least one layer of a ferromagnetic material.