Abstract: A fiber tow may include a plurality of reinforcing filaments each having a filament cross-sectional width. At least a portion of the polymer nanoparticles may be coupled to at least one of the reinforcing filaments and/or to other polymer nanoparticles. The polymer nanoparticles may have a particle cross-sectional width that is less than the reinforcing filament cross-sectional width. The polymer nanoparticles may provide a local filament spacing between the reinforcing filaments to reduce or avoid direct contact between reinforcing filaments, to allow for resin flow between the filaments, and/or to meet fiber volume fraction requirements.

Abstract: A composite structure includes a resin, a plurality of polymer nanoparticles in the resin to form a resin mixture, and a plurality of reinforcing fibers embedded within the resin mixture. At least some of the polymer nanoparticles are either fully soluble in the resin during curing or solidifying of the resin mixture to form a cured composite structure, or semi-soluble in the resin during curing or solidifying of the resin mixture to form the cured composite structure.

Abstract: A self-sealing liquid bladder having a plurality of layers including a liquid impermeable material layer that is compatible with a liquid held in the bladder and at least one sealing layer that is conformally arranged to span a surface area of the liquid impermeable material layer and that is separated from a liquid held in the bladder by the liquid impermeable layer, the sealing layer including a sealing means that, in response to a penetration of both the liquid impermeable material layer and the sealing layer, substantially seals the penetration.

Abstract: A non-fibrous film has at least one film body that is non-fibrous, and at least one film element that is non-fibrous. The film element is coupled to the film body at an interface that is non-continuous across a film width of the non-fibrous film. The non-fibrous film has at least one of the following characteristics: the interface has at least one mechanical property having a value that is different than the value of the mechanical property of at least one of the film element and the film body, and/or the film element has at least one mechanical property having a value that is different than the value of the mechanical property of the film body.

Abstract: A composition may include a resin and a plurality of polymer nanoparticles in the resin to form a resin mixture. The polymer nanoparticles may be soluble or semi-soluble in the resin. At least partial dissolution of the polymer nanoparticles may result in the alteration of one or more of the properties of the resin.

Abstract: A film for a composite article may include a non-weakened portion and a weakened portion. The weakened portion may have at least one property that may be lower than the property of the non-weakened portion.

Abstract: A self-sealing bladder including a liquid impermeable material layer that is compatible with a liquid held in the bladder and a plurality of flexible sealing flaps extending inwardly from the interior surface of the liquid bladder wherein, in response to a hole formed in the bladder that establishes an unwanted flow of liquid from the bladder, at least one sealing flap responds to the unwanted flow of fluid by bending towards and at least partially covering the hole.

Abstract: A self-sealing liquid bladder having a plurality of layers including a liquid impermeable material layer that is compatible with a liquid held in the bladder and at least one sealing layer that is conformally arranged to span a surface area of the liquid impermeable material layer and that is separated from a liquid held in the bladder by the liquid impermeable layer, the sealing layer including a sealing means that, in response to a penetration of both the liquid impermeable material layer and the sealing layer, substantially seals the penetration.

Abstract: A composite article includes a plurality of fibers at least partially embedded within a matrix. The fibers may be adhered to the matrix at a level of adhesion. The adhesion level between the fibers and the matrix may be varied spatially within the composite article. For example, the adhesion level may vary along a length of one of the fibers. The adhesion level may also vary among the fibers of a given layer. Furthermore, the adhesion level may vary between the layers of the composite article.

Abstract: A macro fiber for a composite article may include a plurality of inner fibers. Each one of the inner fibers may have an inner fiber final cross-sectional size of less than approximately 100 nanometers. The inner fibers may be surrounded by matrix material.

Abstract: A self-sealing liquid bladder having a wall including plurality of connected cells each cell having an elastic wall portion and a stiffened wall portion and at least one source of pressure associated with one or more of the plurality of cells.

Abstract: A structure may comprise a first outer layer and a polymer fiber composite layer mounted on one side of the first outer layer.

Abstract: A bladder having a fluid impermeable material layer that is compatible with a liquid held in the bladder and at least one impact protection layer that is conformally arranged to span a surface area of the liquid impermeable material.

Abstract: A composition includes a thermosetting resin and a plurality of polymer nanoparticles at least partially dissolved in the resin. The resin has a gradient of mechanical properties around each location of the at least partially dissolved polymer nanoparticles. Each gradient extends from a particle center toward the resin surrounding the polymer nanoparticle.

Abstract: A composition may include a thermosetting resin containing a plurality of polymer nanoparticles. At least some of the polymer nanoparticles may release either a catalyst or a hardener during a resin curing process. The catalyst or hardener may alter the reaction rate of the resin.

Abstract: A self-sealing bladder including a liquid impermeable material layer that is compatible with a liquid held in the bladder and a plurality of flexible sealing flaps extending inwardly from the interior surface of the liquid bladder wherein, in response to a hole formed in the bladder that establishes an unwanted flow of liquid from the bladder, at least one sealing flap responds to the unwanted flow of fluid by bending towards and at least partially covering the hole.

Abstract: A self-sealing liquid bladder having a wall including plurality of connected cells each cell having an elastic wall portion and a stiffened wall portion and at least one source of pressure associated with one or more of the plurality of cells.

Abstract: A self-sealing liquid bladder having a plurality of layers including a liquid impermeable material layer that is compatible with a liquid held in the bladder and at least one sealing layer that is conformally arranged to span a surface area of the liquid impermeable material layer and that is separated from a liquid held in the bladder by the liquid impermeable layer, the sealing layer including a sealing means that, in response to a penetration of both the liquid impermeable material layer and the sealing layer, substantially seals the penetration.

Abstract: A self-sealing liquid bladder having a plurality of layers including a liquid impermeable material layer that is compatible with a liquid held in the bladder and at least one sealing layer that is conformally arranged to span a surface area of the liquid impermeable material layer and that is separated from a liquid held in the bladder by the liquid impermeable layer, the sealing layer including a sealing means that, in response to a penetration of both the liquid impermeable material layer and the sealing layer, substantially seals the penetration.

Abstract: A self-sealing liquid bladder having a plurality of layers including a liquid impermeable material layer that is compatible with a liquid held in the bladder and at least one sealing layer that is conformally arranged to span a surface area of the liquid impermeable material layer and that is separated from a liquid held in the bladder by the liquid impermeable layer, the sealing layer including a sealing means that, in response to a penetration of both the liquid impermeable material layer and the sealing layer, substantially seals the penetration.