Abstract: An additive manufacturing powdered composite material includes metal particles coated with a coating of ceramic particles. The metal particles may include a ternary NiCoCr alloy, with select additions of minor amounts of other elements. The ceramic particles may include yttrium oxide or other oxides. The composite material is suitable for additive manufacturing (AM) into a component for high temperature (>1000° C.) applications. The AM component includes a metal matrix formed from the alloy, with the ceramic particles dispersed in the matrix.

Abstract: An autonomous airborne carbon dioxide capturing assembly for carbon dioxide sequestration includes a plurality of airships each including a propulsion and navigation system, a sensor, and a carbon dioxide (CO2) capture and liquefaction module. The sensor measures CO2 concentrations. A computer is operationally engaged to the propulsion and navigation system, the sensor, the CO2 capture and liquefaction module, a positioning transceiver, and a communications transceiver. The computer automates decision-making and selectively actuates the propulsion and navigation system for controlled flight to a target area, to selectively actuate the CO2 capture and liquefaction module to capture and to liquefy CO2 from air at the target area, and to selectively actuate the propulsion and navigation system for controlled flight to a CO2 storage facility for offloading of the CO2.

Abstract: A local phase transformation strengthened nickel-base superalloy includes at least 8.0 wt % eta phase formers; at least 7.0 wt % of chi phase formers; less than 12 wt % chromium; at least 18 wt % cobalt; and aluminum. A ratio of eta phase formers:aluminum is (3.2-3.4):1. The eta phase formers can include titanium, tantalum, hafnium, and niobium. The chi phase formers include tungsten and molybdenum. When the superalloy is subjected to elevated temperatures, these levels of components promote eta and chi phase formation along superlattice stacking faults, thereby resulting in a local phase transformation at the stacking faults, which strengthens the superalloy and inhibits creep deformation.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing powdered composite material includes metal particles coated with a coating of ceramic particles. The metal particles may include a ternary NiCoCr alloy, with select additions of minor amounts of other elements. The ceramic particles may include yttrium oxide or other oxides. The composite material is suitable for additive manufacturing (AM) into a component for high temperature (>1000° C.) applications. The AM component includes a metal matrix formed from the alloy, with the ceramic particles dispersed in the matrix.

Abstract: A gimbaled-shoulder friction stir welding tool includes a pin and first and second annular shoulders coupled to the pin. At least one of the annular shoulders is coupled to the pin for gimbaled motion with respect thereto as the tool is rotated by a friction stir welding apparatus.

Abstract: Provided are methods for detecting expression of nucleic acids encoding mutant fluorescent proteins. In the methods, a nucleic acid encoding a mutant fluorescent protein, or a full complement thereof, is introduced into a cell or organism. The cell or organism is allowed to replicate. Expression of the nucleic acid is detected by emission of fluorescent light. Animals including a nucleic acid encoding a mutant fluorescent protein, or a full complement thereof, are also provided.

Abstract: Provided are four new fluorescent proteins. The proteins were derived from two wild-type fluorescent proteins: a red fluorescent protein (RFP) that was isolated from Actinodiscus or Discosoma sp. 1 and a green fluorescent protein (GFP) isolated from Montastraea cavernosa. Two mutant forms were generated from each wild-type protein. Each of the mutated forms has a higher fluorescence intensity than the respective wild-type form. The mutant forms of the fluorescent proteins allow for more sensitive detection of the fluorescence emitted by the proteins. Additionally, one of the mutant proteins is more resistant to photobleaching than its wild-type protein. The invention also encompasses isolated nucleic acids encoding the mutant forms of the wild-type RFP and GFP.

Abstract: Provided are four new fluorescent proteins. The proteins were derived from two wild-type fluorescent proteins: a red fluorescent protein (RFP) that was isolated from Actinodiscus or Discosoma sp. 1 and a green fluorescent protein (GFP) isolated from Montastraea cavernosa. Two mutant forms were generated from each wild-type protein. Each of the mutated forms has a higher fluorescence intensity than the respective wild-type form. The mutant forms of the fluorescent proteins allow for more sensitive detection of the fluorescence emitted by the proteins. Additionally, one of the mutant proteins is more resistant to photobleaching than its wild-type protein. The invention also encompasses isolated nucleic acids encoding the mutant forms of the wild-type RFP and GFP.

Abstract: A friction stir weld tool sleeve is supported by an underlying support pin. The pin material is preferably selected for toughness and fracture characteristics. The pin sleeve preferably has a geometry which employs the use of an interrupted thread, a plurality of flutes and/or eccentric path to provide greater flow through. Paddles have been found to assist in imparting friction and directing plastic metal during the welding process.

Abstract: A friction stir welding device that is configured to perform convention friction stir welding as well as self-reacting friction stir welding. A pin passes through an upper shoulder and can selectively attach to and detach from a lower shoulder in a preferred embodiment. A controller maintains the discrete position of, and/or force applied by, the upper and lower shoulders during self-reacting friction stir welding, or maintains the pin at a desired depth and/or applied force during conventional friction stir welding.

Abstract: Provided are four new fluorescent proteins. The proteins were derived from two wild-type fluorescent proteins: a red fluorescent protein (RFP) that was isolated from Actinodiscus or Discosoma sp. 1 and a green fluorescent protein (GFP) isolated from Montastraea cavernosa. Two mutant forms were generated from each wild-type protein. Each of the mutated forms has a higher fluorescence intensity than the respective wild-type form. The mutant forms of the fluorescent proteins allow for more sensitive detection of the fluorescence emitted by the proteins. Additionally, one of the mutant proteins is more resistant to photobleaching than its wild-type protein. The invention also encompasses isolated nucleic acids encoding the mutant forms of the wild-type RFP and GFP.

Abstract: This invention is an apparatus for joining the ends of two cylindrical (i.e., pipe-shaped) sections together with a friction stir weld. The apparatus holds the two cylindrical sections together and provides back-side weld support as it makes a friction stir weld around the circumference of the joined ends.

Abstract: A cylinder head assembly for an internal combustion engine includes self-aligning valve guides which are movable radially and coaxially to a variety of locations in which the axes of the valve guide and valve guide bore formed in the cylinder head are all parallel. The final location of the valve guide is determined by the contact relationship between the valve head and its mating valve seat.

Abstract: A sealing gasket of foamed plastic is formed at the edge of a filter element of reticulated foam by placing the filter element on a surface adjacent to an open receptacle contoured as a mold for the desired shape of the gasket, filling the receptacle with a foam-forming liquid and avoiding contact between the liquid and the filter element until the liquid begins to froth. The liquid is then permitted to froth and overflow the receptacle on the side facing the filter element. As the froth contacts the filter element and proceeds to cure, it bonds to the edge of the elements without substantially penetrating its open pore network. The result upon curing is a gasket along the edge of a filter element fully bonded thereto without gaps or bypass, yet leaving substantially all of the surface area of the filter element exposed for use as a filter.

Abstract: A textile composite is provided which comprises a non-woven textile fabric, composed of textile fibers needled together into a network of coherently entangled fibers and having an overall bulk density of between 4 and 20 lbs. per cubic foot, and a knitted textile fabric, having a weight of between 1 and 8 ozs. per square yard, bound to the needled fabric. The binding of the fabrics is such that at least one tensile property of the composite is greater than the sum of that same property of the non-woven and knitted fabrics. That same property is measurable at an extension which is the same or less than the extension at failure of the composite.