Abstract: A metal carbide ceramic fiber having improved mechanical properties and characteristics and improved processes and chemical routes for manufacturing metal carbide ceramic fiber. Metal carbide ceramic fibers may be formed via reaction bonding of a metal-based material (e.g. boron) with the inherent carbon of a carrier medium. One embodiment includes a method of making a metal carbide ceramic fiber using VSSP to produce high yield boron carbide fiber. Embodiments of the improved method allow high volume production of high density boron carbide fiber. The chemical routes may include a direct production of boron carbide fiber from boron carbide powder (B4C) and precursor (e.g. rayon fiber) having a carbon component to form a B4C/rayon fiber that may be processed at high temperature to form boron carbide fiber, and that may be subsequently undergo a hot isostatic pressing to improve fiber purity. Another route may include a carbothermal method comprising combining boron powder (B) with a precursor (e.g.

Abstract: A metal carbide ceramic fiber having improved mechanical properties and characteristics and improved processes and chemical routes for manufacturing metal carbide ceramic fiber. Metal carbide ceramic fibers may be formed via reaction bonding of a metal-based material (e.g. boron) with the inherent carbon of a carrier medium. One embodiment includes a method of making a metal carbide ceramic fiber using VSSP to produce high yield boron carbide fiber. Embodiments of the improved method allow high volume production of high density boron carbide fiber. The chemical routes may include a direct production of boron carbide fiber from boron carbide powder (B4C) and precursor (e.g. rayon fiber) having a carbon component to form a B4C/rayon fiber that may be processed at high temperature to form boron carbide fiber, and that may be subsequently undergo a hot isostatic pressing to improve fiber purity. Another route may include a carbothermal method comprising combining boron powder (B) with a precursor (e.g.

Abstract: Energy harvesting systems and methods that use multiple piezoelectric generators connected to the same energy harvesting circuit with minimal or no energy loss. The piezoelectric energy harvesting system may include individual diode bridge circuits electrically connected to the outgoing wires from each piezoelectric generator. The piezoelectric energy harvesting system may include multiple subsystems each having one or more individual diode bridges electrically connected to the outgoing wires from multiple piezoelectric generators. Multiple subsystems, each having multiple piezoelectric generators and a diode bridge, may be electrically connected to the same energy harvesting circuit. The use of multiple piezoelectric generators connected to the same energy harvesting circuit results in improved energy harvesting capabilities, and a simplified and low cost energy harvesting system.

Abstract: A lure for attracting sea life, the lure comprising: a housing; an energy-harvesting transducer contained within the housing and operatively connectable to an external deformation source for deforming the energy-harvesting transducer, the energy-harvesting transducer being configured to generate an electrical signal in response to being deformed; transducer-driving circuitry contained within the housing and electrically connected to the energy-harvesting device, the transducer-driving circuitry configured to receive the electrical signal and to output a driving signal suitable for powering at least one transmitting transducer; and at least one transmitting transducer electrically connected to the transducer driving circuitry, the transmitting transducer deforming in response to the driving signal to generate a sonar signal.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a fiber assembly, the method comprising: (a) providing a plurality of layers, each layer comprising sintered fibers of piezoelectric material aligned substantially parallel; (b) laminating the plurality of layers; and (c) applying a matrix material to the laminated layers to affix the layers and form a fiber assembly.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a fiber assembly, the method comprising: (a) providing a plurality of layers, each layer comprising sintered fibers of piezoelectric material aligned substantially parallel; (b) laminating the plurality of layers; and (c) applying a matrix material to the laminated layers to affix the layers and form a fiber assembly.

Abstract: A process of producing at least one filament of refractory material comprising: (a) preparing a spin mix of a solution of cellulose and particles of refractory material; (b) wet spinning the spin mix to form at least one filament of regenerated cellulose having at least a portion of the particles dispersed therein; and (c) heating the filament of regenerated cellulose to remove substantially all of the regenerated cellulose and to sinter the portion of the particles dispersed therein to form a filament of the refractory material.

Abstract: A filament produced from a wet-spinning process. The process comprising (a) preparing a dispersion of particles of refractory material; (b)preparing a spin mix by mixing said dispersion with a carrier solution comprising a salt of cellulose xanthate, wherein the weight ratio of said particles to cellulose of said cellulose xanthate in said spin mix is greater than about 1:4; (c) wet spinning said spin mix to form at least one filament of cellulose having at least a portion of said particles dispersed therein; and (d) optionally heating said at least one filament to sufficient temperatures and over sufficient durations to remove substantially all of said regenerated cellulose and to sinter said refractory particles to thereby form said at least one filament of refractory material is disclosed for producing fibers of refractory material.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a fiber assembly, the method comprising: (a) providing a plurality of layers, each layer comprising sintered fibers of piezoelectric material aligned substantially parallel; (b) laminating the plurality of layers; and (c) applying a matrix material to the laminated layers to affix the layers and form a fiber assembly.

Abstract: A process for producing fibers of refractory material. In one embodiment, a dispersion of particles of refractory material is prepared first. The dispersion then is mixed with a carrier solution of a salt of cellulose xanthate to form a spin mix. Using general wet spinning techniques, a filament of regenerated cellulose is formed from the spin mix. The filament has the particles dispersed therein. At this point, the filament can be utilized as a mixture of cellulose and refractory material, or it can be heat treated. If heated, the filament is raised to sufficient temperatures and over sufficient durations to remove substantially all of the regenerated cellulose and to sinter the particles of refractory material to form a filament.

Abstract: A process for producing a ceramic material which is electrically conductive by reacting titanium dioxide with intercalated graphite under conditions which effect the reduction of the titanium dioxide, said product comprising an electrically conductive, corrosion-resistant, substoichiometric titanium dioxide combined chemically with an intercalant or residue thereof, for example, a metal such as copper or nickel, and the use thereof in thermal, electrical and electro-chemical applications.

Abstract: A process for producing a ceramic material which is electrically conductive by reacting titanium dioxide with intercalated graphite under conditions which effect the reduction of the titanium dioxide, said product comprising an electrically conductive, corrosion-resistant, substoichiometric titanium dioxide combined chemically with an intercalant or residue thereof, for example, a metal such as copper or nickel, and the use thereof in thermal, electrical and electro-chemical applications.

Abstract: A process for fabricating superconducting composite wire by the steps of placing a superconductive precursor admixture capable of undergoing a self propagating combustion in stoichiometric amounts sufficient to form a superconductive product within a metal tube, sealing one end of said tube, igniting said superconductive precursor admixture whereby said superconductive precursor admixture endburns along the length of the admixture, and cross-section reducing said tube at a rate substantially equal to the rate of burning of said superconductive precursor admixture and at a point substantially planar with the burnfront of the superconductive precursor mixture, whereby a clad superconductive product is formed in situ, the product characterized as superconductive without a subsequent sintering stage, is disclosed.

Abstract: A process for producing a ceramic material which is electrically conductive by reacting titanium dioxide with intercalated graphite under conditions which effect the reduction of the titanium dioxide, said product comprising an electrically conductive, corrosion-resistant, substoichiometric titanium dioxide combined chemically with an intercalant or residue thereof, for example, a metal such as copper or nickel, and the use thereof in thermal, electrical and electro-chemical applications.