Abstract: An ordered, 3-dimensional, micro-scale, open-cellular truss structure including interconnected hollow polymer tubes. The hollow micro-truss structure separates two fluid volumes which can be independently pressurized or depressurized to control flow, or materials properties, or both. Applications for this invention include deployable structures, inflatable structures, flow control, and vented padding.

Abstract: A system for forming a micro-truss structure including a reservoir having walls and a flat bottom configured to hold a volume of a liquid photomonomer configured to form a photopolymer when exposed to light, a partially transparent mask secured to, or being, the bottom of the reservoir, a release layer on the mask configured to resist adhesion by the photopolymer, and a blocker positioned a first distance below the mask. The system also includes a light source positioned below the blocker configured to produce collimated light suitable for causing conversion of the photomonomer into the photopolymer, and to which the blocker is opaque, and a first mirror, oblique to the blocker, configured to reflect the light from the light source around the blocker and through the mask and into the reservoir. The blocker is positioned to block a straight path of light from the light source to the mask.

Abstract: An ordered, 3-dimensional, micro-scale, open-cellular truss structure including interconnected hollow polymer tubes. The hollow micro-truss structure separates two fluid volumes which can be independently pressurized or depressurized to control flow, or materials properties, or both. Applications for this invention include deployable structures, inflatable structures, flow control, and vented padding.

Abstract: Ventilated aero-structures include a micro-lattice structure operatively coupled to a honeycomb core. The interface between the honeycomb core and the micro-lattice structure is configured to permit air flow to and from the honeycomb core via the micro-lattice structure. Aircraft include a ventilated aero-structure and a ventilation system configured to circulate air through the ventilated aero-structure. Some methods include coupling a micro-lattice structure to a honeycomb core. Some methods include utilizing a ventilated aero-structure to assemble an aircraft.

Abstract: A system for forming a micro-truss structure including a reservoir having walls and a flat bottom configured to hold a volume of a liquid photomonomer configured to form a photopolymer when exposed to light, a partially transparent mask secured to, or being, the bottom of the reservoir, a release layer on the mask configured to resist adhesion by the photopolymer, and a blocker positioned a first distance below the mask. The system also includes a light source positioned below the blocker configured to produce collimated light suitable for causing conversion of the photomonomer into the photopolymer, and to which the blocker is opaque, and a first mirror, oblique to the blocker, configured to reflect the light from the light source around the blocker and through the mask and into the reservoir. The blocker is positioned to block a straight path of light from the light source to the mask.

Abstract: A system for fabricating micro-truss structures. A reservoir holds a volume of a liquid photomonomer configured to polymerize to form a photopolymer when exposed to suitable light such as ultraviolet light. A mask at the bottom of the reservoir includes a plurality of apertures. Light enters the reservoir through each aperture from several directions, forming a plurality of self-guided photopolymer waveguides within the reservoir. The light is supplied by one or more sources of collimated light. A plurality of mirrors may reflect the light from a single source of collimated light to form a plurality of collimated beams, that illuminate the photomonomer in the reservoir, through the mask, from a corresponding plurality of directions, to form a micro-truss structure including a plurality of self-guided waveguide members.

Abstract: A system for fabricating micro-truss structures. A reservoir holds a volume of a liquid photomonomer configured to polymerize to form a photopolymer when exposed to suitable light such as ultraviolet light. A mask at the bottom of the reservoir includes a plurality of apertures. Light enters the reservoir through each aperture from several directions, forming a plurality of self-guided photopolymer waveguides within the reservoir. The light is supplied by one or more sources of collimated light. A plurality of mirrors may reflect the light from a single source of collimated light to form a plurality of collimated beams, that illuminate the photomonomer in the reservoir, through the mask, from a corresponding plurality of directions, to form a micro-truss structure including a plurality of self-guided waveguide members.

Abstract: An ordered, 3-dimensional, micro-scale, open-cellular truss structure including interconnected hollow polymer tubes. The hollow micro-truss structure separates two fluid volumes which can be independently pressurized or depressurized to control flow, or materials properties, or both. Applications for this invention include deployable structures, inflatable structures, flow control, and vented padding.

Abstract: A nanowire structure that includes indium tin oxide and has a hollow core.

Abstract: Ventilated aero-structures include a micro-lattice structure operatively coupled to a honeycomb core. The interface between the honeycomb core and the micro-lattice structure is configured to permit air flow to and from the honeycomb core via the micro-lattice structure. Aircraft include a ventilated aero-structure and a ventilation system configured to circulate air through the ventilated aero-structure. Some methods include coupling a micro-lattice structure to a honeycomb core. Some methods include utilizing a ventilated aero-structure to assemble an aircraft.

Abstract: Ventilated aero-structures include a micro-lattice structure operatively coupled to a honeycomb core. The interface between the honeycomb core and the micro-lattice structure is configured to permit air flow to and from the honeycomb core via the micro-lattice structure. Aircraft include a ventilated aero-structure and a ventilation system configured to circulate air through the ventilated aero-structure. Some methods include coupling a micro-lattice structure to a honeycomb core. Some methods include utilizing a ventilated aero-structure to assemble an aircraft.

Abstract: An apparatus has a first structure, a second structure, and an activated seal. The second structure has a first position adjacent to the first structure such that the first structure is not in contact with the second structure. The activated seal is attached to at least one of the first structure and the second structure. The activated seal has a variable stiffness that may be changed in response to a stimuli such that the activated seal is capable of being deformed when at least one of the first structure and the second structure are moved relative to each other.

Abstract: A high temperature structural insulation layer is disclosed. A micro-truss structure comprises a porous lattice structure, and a protected substructure comprises at least one hole. At least one fiber non-adhesively couples the micro-truss structure to the protected substructure via the at least one fiber passing through one or more spaces within the porous lattice structure.

Abstract: Ventilated aero-structures include a micro-lattice structure operatively coupled to a honeycomb core. The interface between the honeycomb core and the micro-lattice structure is configured to permit air flow to and from the honeycomb core via the micro-lattice structure. Aircraft include a ventilated aero-structure and a ventilation system configured to circulate air through the ventilated aero-structure. Some methods include coupling a micro-lattice structure to a honeycomb core. Some methods include utilizing a ventilated aero-structure to assemble an aircraft.

Abstract: An apparatus has a first structure, a second structure, and an activated seal. The second structure has a first position adjacent to the first structure such that the first structure is not in contact with the second structure. The activated seal is attached to at least one of the first structure and the second structure. The activated seal has a variable stiffness that may be changed in response to a stimuli such that the activated seal is capable of being deformed when at least one of the first structure and the second structure are moved relative to each other.

Abstract: An apparatus has a first structure, a second structure, and an activated seal. The second structure has a first position adjacent to the first structure such that the first structure is not in contact with the second structure. The activated seal is attached to at least one of the first structure and the second structure. The activated seal has a variable stiffness that may be changed in response to a stimuli such that the activated seal is capable of being deformed when at least one of the first structure and the second structure are moved relative to each other.

Abstract: A system for forming a plurality of polymer waveguides includes at least one collimated light source adapted to produce a plurality of collimated light beams; a channel having an exposure area for the collimated light beams to pass through and for holding a photo-monomer adapted to polymerize when exposed to the collimated light beams, the photo-monomer moving with respect to the plurality of collimated light beams; and a mask disposed between the at least one collimated light source and the photo-monomer. A method for forming a plurality of polymer waveguides includes moving a mask across an exposure area of a channel containing a photo-monomer; exposing the photo-monomer to collimated light through the exposure area of the channel; growing the plurality of polymer waveguides from the exposure area into the photo-monomer to form an interconnected ordered three-dimensional polymer micro-truss structure; and removing the ordered 3D polymer micro-truss structure from the channel.

Abstract: A diffusion medium layer for a fuel cell, including an electrically conductive microtruss structure disposed between a pair of electrically conductive grids is provided. At least one of the microtruss structure and the grids is formed from a radiation-sensitive material. A fuel cell having the diffusion medium layer and a method for fabricating the diffusion medium layer is also provided.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling a three(3)-dimensional distribution of structural reinforcement elements in a polymer-matrix composite. One embodiment of the invention provides a method that includes adding and curing a shape memory polymer in a plurality of flexible preforms attached with each other after preforming each of the flexible preforms to form a spatially controlled preform and variable stiffness material composite laminate. Here, in this embodiment, at least one of the preforms includes a flexible support formed from a patterned supporting material on a first surface of a stiff-structural sheet and the stiff-structural sheet that has been patterned on the support.

Abstract: A diffusion medium layer for a fuel cell, including an electrically conductive microtruss structure disposed between a pair of electrically conductive grids is provided. At least one of the microtruss structure and the grids is formed from a radiation-sensitive material. A fuel cell having the diffusion medium layer and a method for fabricating the diffusion medium layer is also provided.