Abstract: A component is disclosed which includes a rechargeable battery, and a method is also disclosed of producing such a component. The component can use lithium ion chemistry and the battery can have 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 can each be formed from a composite material which includes electrically conductive fibres and electrochemically active material in a binder matrix, and the battery can be formed to be structurally inseparable from the rest of the component.

Abstract: An electrostatic capacitor device is disclosed including first and second spaced apart electrode structures separated by a dielectric structure in which the first and second electrode structures are each formed from a composite material which includes electrically conductive fibres in a binder matrix.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery is disclosed having electrode and separator structures which are made up of fibre-reinforced composite material, thereby allowing the battery itself to serve as an integral structural component. The utilisation or efficiency of the rechargeable battery is considerably enhanced by rendering at least part of the matrix material of the electrodes and the separator porous, thereby to facilitate improved access to active sites on the electrodes, with the porosity in the separator allowing improved ion transport, both of which enhance cell operation. The porous structure also provides improved electrolyte containment and retention in the event of damage.

Abstract: A detector for detecting ionising 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 fibre that can be incorporated into a flexible mat or into a fibre-reinforced structure, so that the detector is integrated therewith.

Abstract: A detector for detecting ionising 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 fibre that can be incorporated into a flexible mat or into a fibre-reinforced structure, so that the detector is integrated therewith.

Abstract: A method for electroless metal deposition on a surface in a finely dimensioned space (e.g. the bore of a hollow fibre) 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 invention relates to the use of fibre composites and specifically to the use of adhesive compositions within hollow fibres of the composites to provide a repair function within the composite in the event of damage to of the fibres. The invention relates to the manner in which one-part adhesive compositions can be delivered to a point of fracture. The invention is more specifically concerned with the use of pressure to deliver adhesive composition to the point of damage.

Abstract: Composite structural components are disclosed that include electrically conducting fibres providing multiple signal or paths to electrical components disposed on or adjacent the material. The signal paths may therefore be embedded in the structural component as an intrinsic reinforcing element. Also disclosed are materials for making up the structure and fabrics and methods for the production thereof.

Abstract: Composite structural components are disclosed that include electrically conducting fibres providing signal power paths to electrical components disposed on or adjacent the material. The signal paths may therefore be embedded in the structural component. Also disclosed is a flexible or drapable fabric containing electrically conducting fibres for similar purposes, and materials for making up said structure and fabrics and methods for the production thereof.

Abstract: An electro-optic window is made of a material substantially transparent to infra-red radiation and is treated to have reduced RF transmission characteristics by the provision of carbon nanotubes within the window or on at least one, surface thereof.

Abstract: A structural health monitoring arrangement includes a component formed of fibre reinforced composite material with a plurality of electrical conducting fibres intrinsic to the composite defining electrical paths that run through the composite. The paths act as sensing paths running through the material and a detector watches for changes in electrical property indicative of a structural event. The paths may be configured as an open or a closed node grid whose electrical continuity is monitored directly or indirectly. Alternatively they may be fibres having a piezoresistive property and the changes in resistance may be monitored.

Abstract: An electrical power source including at least one hollow fibre incorporated in a material structure, wherein the at least one hollow fibre forms part of an electric circuit capable of storing or generating electrical power. In this way power sources may be provided as an integral part of a fibre composite structure or fabric.

Abstract: A bulk dielectric material can include a solid composite material having a solid matrix material and a plurality of filler elements distributed within the matrix material. The bulk dielectric material can have, at a frequency of greater than 1 MHz, (i) a permittivity with a real part of magnitude greater than 10 and an imaginary part of magnitude less than 3, and (ii) an electrical breakdown strength greater than 5 kV/mm and can have a minimum dimension greater than 2 mm.

Abstract: An electro-optic window is made of a material substantially transparent to infra-red radiation and is treated to have reduced RF transmission characteristics by the provision of carbon nanotubes within the window or on at least one, surface thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to a structure which comprises hollow and solid fibre material embedded in a resin matrix where a repair facility is provided for repairing fractures in the fibres and in the resin matrix by the use of curable two-part adhesive compositions in some of the fibres of the structure. Dedicated hollow fibres carry separate parts of the adhesive compositions under pressure so that in the event of fracture of any fibres, the component parts of the adhesive composition can combine and cure in situ to fill and “heal” the fracture. The invention has particular but not exclusive application to in “flight” repair of aircraft components which are formed by such structures, and can also be used in the manufacture of fabric materials.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with means for detecting potential fracturing, such as stress fractures, or damage to, a fibre based structure, by incorporating either hollow fibres containing coloured fluids, or solid fibres, or hollow fibres containing coloured fluids or fluids, which are capable of changing their visual appearance when exposed to external forces, and/or by incorporating fibres within the structure which can change a property such as electrical resistance, capacitance or inductance so that there is an indication whenever and wherever and the extent when a fracture occurs. Where coloured fluids are used, detection is by leakage of the fluid around the fracture. Where colour changing fluids are employed, detection is by observation of change of colour of the fluid. Different fluids can be used for different levels in the strata of tubes in the structure and where these are embedded within the structure, they can be observed where the fibres emanate from the body of the structure.

Abstract: A detector for detecting ionising 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 fibre that can be incorporated into a flexible mat or into a fibre-reinforced structure, so that the detector is integrated therewith.

Abstract: A method of calibrating pressure sensitive paint is provided comprising the steps of: illuminating the paint under a range of pressures and temperatures; measuring the intensity of light emitted by the paint following each illumination thereby measuring decay curves; and performing a curve fit of the decay curves to determine characteristic constants. These constants can then be used to generate a model of decay curves and a polynomial relating pressures and temperatures for ratios of intensities over gated areas of the model decay curves can be calculated. Pressure determination at the calibrated paint can then be performed by illuminating the paint, measuring the intensity of light emitted by the paint over two of the gated areas, determining the ratio of the gated area intensities and finally determining the pressure and/or temperature from the polynomial using the determined ratio of the gated area intensities.

Abstract: A filled hollow fibre composite material is made by laying up a plurality of prepreg plies (1) of hollow fibre composite material and non-stick film material (2) one on top of another with the non-stick film material (2) interleaving successive plies (1) at selected areas thereof. The laid up interleaved plies are treated to resin bond the ply areas (3) not interleaved with the non-stick film material and leave the interleaved areas (4) unbonded. The so formed laminate is treated at edge regions to expose open unfilled hollow fibre ends (5, 6) and the plies in the unbonded interleaved areas (4) are separated at the non-stick film material (2) to provide access to the open hollow fibre ends (7) in each ply for the introduction of a film material into the hollow fibres through the open hollow fibre ends (7) in one or more of the separated plies (1) to form a filled hollow fibre composite material.