Abstract: Elements formed from magnetic materials and their methods of manufacture are presented. Magnetic materials include a magnetic alloy material, such as, for example, an Fe-Co alloy material (e.g., the Fe-Co-V alloy Hiperco-50(R)). The magnetic alloy materials may comprise a powdered material suitable for use in additive manufacturing techniques, such as, for example direct energy deposition or laser powder bed fusion. Manufacturing techniques include the use of variable deposition time and energy to control the magnetic and structural properties of the materials by altering the microstructure and residual stresses within the material. Manufacturing techniques also include post deposition processing, such as, for example, machining and heat treating. Heat treating may include a multi-step process during which the material is heated, held and then cooled in a series of controlled steps such that a specific history of stored internal energy is created within the material.

Abstract: Systems and methods of additively manufacturing multi-material electromagnetic shields are described. Additive manufacturing processes use co-deposition to incorporate multiple materials and/or microstructures selected to achieve specified shield magnetic properties. Geometrically complex shields can be manufactured with alternating shielding materials optimized for the end use application. The microstructures of the printed shields can be tuned by optimizing the print parameters.

Abstract: A monolithic electrode structure for use in electrochemical flow cells is presented. The monolithic electrode structure includes a dense region with embedded flow channels that provides functionality of a flow field layer and a porous region that provides combined functionalities of gas diffusion and catalyst layers. The monolithic electrode structure is additively fabricated to include regions of different porosities/densities. A material of the monolithic electrode structure is a pure metal that is a catalyst for a targeted electrochemical reaction, or an alloy that contains such pure metal. Porosity of the porous region is adjusted to allow flow of liquid, such as water, towards or away from an active surface of the electrode. According to one aspect, porosity is adjusted by adjusting the pore size that make the porous region. According to another aspect, the dense region contains cooling channels for cooling of the electrode.

Abstract: A cutting tool with a cutting region and a connecting support region where the support region is designed to connect to an external motor assembly. The cutting tool is also has a porous region that is integrated within a portion of the tool such that as the tool cuts material the porous region can allow samples of the cut material to permeate into an internal chamber of the tool. Once in the internal chamber material samples can be analyzed in-situ for direct composition analysis.

Abstract: Elements formed from magnetic materials and their methods of manufacture are presented. Magnetic materials include a magnetic alloy material, such as, for example, an Fe-Co alloy material (e.g., the Fe-Co-V alloy Hiperco-50(R)). The magnetic alloy materials may comprise a powdered material suitable for use in additive manufacturing techniques, such as, for example direct energy deposition or laser powder bed fusion. Manufacturing techniques include the use of variable deposition time and energy to control the magnetic and structural properties of the materials by altering the microstructure and residual stresses within the material. Manufacturing techniques also include post deposition processing, such as, for example, machining and heat treating. Heat treating may include a multi-step process during which the material is heated, held and then cooled in a series of controlled steps such that a specific history of stored internal energy is created within the material.

Abstract: A cutting tool with a plurality of cutting elements connected to a support structure wherein a portion of the support structure is configured to flex or bend based on the rotational frequency of the cutting tool. The rotational frequency of the cutting tool is a product of the design and composition of the tool.

Abstract: Systems and methods of additively manufacturing multi-material electromagnetic shields are described. Additive manufacturing processes use co-deposition to incorporate multiple materials and/or microstructures selected to achieve specified shield magnetic properties. Geometrically complex shields can be manufactured with alternating shielding materials optimized for the end use application. The microstructures of the printed shields can be tuned by optimizing the print parameters.

Abstract: Elements formed from magnetic materials and their methods of manufacture are presented. Magnetic materials include a magnetic alloy material, such as, for example, an Fe—Co alloy material (e.g., the Fe—Co—V alloy Hiperco-50®). The magnetic alloy materials may comprise a powdered material suitable for use in additive manufacturing techniques, such as, for example direct energy deposition or laser powder bed fusion. Manufacturing techniques include the use of variable deposition time and energy to control the magnetic and structural properties of the materials by altering the microstructure and residual stresses within the material. Manufacturing techniques also include post deposition processing, such as, for example, machining and heat treating. Heat treating may include a multi-step process during which the material is heated, held and then cooled in a series of controlled steps such that a specific history of stored internal energy is created within the material.

Abstract: A cutting tool with a cutting region and a connecting support region where the support region is designed to connect to an external motor assembly. The cutting tool is also has a porous region that is integrated within a portion of the tool such that as the tool cuts material the porous region can allow samples of the cut material to permeate into an internal chamber of the tool. Once in the internal chamber material samples can be analyzed in-situ for direct composition analysis.

Abstract: A cutting tool with a plurality of cutting elements connected to a support structure wherein a portion of the support structure is configured to flex or bend based on the rotational frequency of the cutting tool. The rotational frequency of the cutting tool is a product of the design and composition of the tool.

Abstract: Elements formed from magnetic materials and their methods of manufacture are presented. Magnetic materials include a magnetic alloy material, such as, for example, an Fe—Co alloy material (e.g., the Fe—Co—V alloy Hiperco-50®). The magnetic alloy materials may comprise a powdered material suitable for use in additive manufacturing techniques, such as, for example direct energy deposition or laser powder bed fusion. Manufacturing techniques include the use of variable deposition time and energy to control the magnetic and structural properties of the materials by altering the microstructure and residual stresses within the material. Manufacturing techniques also include post deposition processing, such as, for example, machining and heat treating. Heat treating may include a multi-step process during which the material is heated, held and then cooled in a series of controlled steps such that a specific history of stored internal energy is created within the material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of preparing a proppant material by heating a reaction mixture comprising a plurality of oxides in a reactive atmosphere to a temperature above the melting point of the reaction mixture to form a melt, and then allowing the melt to solidify in a mold in the form of spherical particles. The present invention also provides a method of preparing a proppant material by heating a reaction mixture comprising a plurality of oxides and one or more additives in a reactive atmosphere to a temperature below the melting point of the reaction mixture to form a powder including one or more reaction products, and then processing the powder to form spherical particles. The present invention also provides a proppant material including spherical particles characterized by a specific gravity of about 1.0 to 3.0 and a crush strength of at least about 10,000 psi.

Abstract: A thermoelectric power generation device is disclosed using one or more mechanically compliant and thermally and electrically conductive layers at the thermoelectric material interfaces to accommodate high temperature differentials and stresses induced thereby. The compliant material may be metal foam or metal graphite composite (e.g. using nickel) and is particularly beneficial in high temperature thermoelectric generators employing Zintl thermoelectric materials. The compliant material may be disposed between the thermoelectric segments of the device or between a thermoelectric segment and the hot or cold side interconnect of the device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composite thermoelectric material. The composite thermoelectric material can include a semiconductor material comprising a rare earth metal. The atomic percent of the rare earth metal in the semiconductor material can be at least about 20%. The composite thermoelectric material can further include a metal forming metallic inclusions distributed throughout the semiconductor material. The present invention also provides a method of forming this composite thermoelectric material.

Abstract: A thermoelectric power generation technique is disclosed using one or more mechanically compliant and thermally and electrically conductive layers at the thermoelectric material interfaces to accommodate high temperature differentials and stresses induced thereby. The compliant material may be metal foam or metal graphite composite (e.g. using nickel) and is particularly beneficial in high temperature thermoelectric generators employing Zintl thermoelectric materials. The compliant material may be disposed between the thermoelectric segments of the device or between a thermoelectric segment and the hot or cold side interconnect of the device.

Abstract: The disclosure herein includes methods of preparing ceramic beads, useful as proppant materials, by mixing ceramic precursors, such as slag, fly ash, or aluminum dross, forming bead precursors from the mixture, and heating the bead precursors to drive a chemical reaction between the ceramic precursors to form the ceramic beads. The resultant ceramic beads may be generally spherical particles that are characterized by diameters of about 0.1 to 2 mm, a diametral strength of at least about 100 MPa, and a specific gravity of about 1.0 to 3.0. A coating process may optionally be used to increase a diametral strength of a proppant material. A sieving process may optionally be used to obtain a smaller range of sizes of proppant materials.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composite thermoelectric material. The composite thermoelectric material can include a semiconductor material comprising a rare earth metal. The atomic percent of the rare earth metal in the semiconductor material can be at least about 20%. The composite thermoelectric material can further include a metal forming metallic inclusions distributed throughout the semiconductor material. The present invention also provides a method of forming this composite thermoelectric material.

Abstract: A thermoelectric power generation device is disclosed using one or more mechanically compliant and thermally and electrically conductive layers at the thermoelectric material interfaces to accommodate high temperature differentials and stresses induced thereby. The compliant material may be metal foam or metal graphite composite (e.g. using nickel) and is particularly beneficial in high temperature thermoelectric generators employing Zintl thermoelectric materials. The compliant material may be disposed between the thermoelectric segments of the device or between a thermoelectric segment and the hot or cold side interconnect of the device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of preparing a proppant material by heating a reaction mixture comprising a plurality of oxides in a reactive atmosphere to a temperature above the melting point of the reaction mixture to form a melt, and then allowing the melt to solidify in a mold in the form of spherical particles. The present invention also provides a method of preparing a proppant material by heating a reaction mixture comprising a plurality of oxides and one or more additives in a reactive atmosphere to a temperature below the melting point of the reaction mixture to form a powder including one or more reaction products, and then processing the powder to form spherical particles. The present invention also provides a proppant material including spherical particles characterized by a specific gravity of about 1.0 to 3.0 and a crush strength of at least about 10,000 psi.

Abstract: A thermoelectric power generation device using molybdenum metallization to a Zintl thermoelectric material in a thermoelectric power generation device operating at high temperature, e.g. at or above 1000° C., is disclosed. The Zintl thermoelectric material may comprise Yb14MnSb11. A thin molybdenum metallization layer of approximately 5 microns or less may be employed. The thin molybdenum layer may be applied in a foil under high pressure, e.g. 1800 psi, at high temperature, e.g. 1000° C. The metallization layer may then be bonded or brazed to other components, such as heat collectors or current carrying electrodes, of the thermoelectric power generation device.