Abstract: A throttle body for an engine or fuel cell of a vehicle is provided. The throttle body comprises a cylindrical housing comprising a first open end extending to a second open end defining an inner wall having an inner surface. The throttle body further comprises a moveable blade valve movably disposed on the inner wall and arranged to regulate air to the engine during operation of the vehicle. The moveable blade valve has an outer surface. The throttle body further comprises a dual-phase thermal composite coating (TCC) disposed on one of the inner surface of the inner wall and outer surface of the moveable blade valve for enhanced thermal conductivity and reduced deposit accumulation on the inner surface and the outer surface. The dual-phase TCC comprises a first material comprising between 10 wt % and 90 wt %, and a second material comprising between 10 wt % and 90 wt % of the dual-phase TCC. The dual phase TCC has a contact angle of between 100° and 160° and a thermal conductivity of at least 0.3 W/mK.

Abstract: A throttle body for an engine or fuel cell of a vehicle is provided. The throttle body comprises a cylindrical housing comprising a first open end extending to a second open end defining an inner wall having an inner surface. The throttle body further comprises a moveable blade valve movably disposed on the inner wall and arranged to regulate air to the engine during operation of the vehicle. The moveable blade valve has an outer surface. The throttle body further comprises a dual-phase thermal composite coating (TCC) disposed on one of the inner surface of the inner wall and outer surface of the moveable blade valve for enhanced thermal conductivity and reduced deposit accumulation on the inner surface and the outer surface. The dual-phase TCC comprises a first material comprising between 10 wt % and 90 wt %, and a second material comprising between 10 wt % and 90 wt % of the dual-phase TCC. The dual phase TCC has a contact angle of between 100° and 160° and a thermal conductivity of at least 0.3 W/mK.

Abstract: A composite resonator, such as for use in a vehicle air intake system, includes a fiber reinforced contacting a semi-crystalline polymer substrate. The fiber reinforced composite includes a plurality of fibers in a polymer matrix. The composite resonator further includes a particle coating contacting the fiber reinforced composite. The particle coating includes a plurality of particles deposited onto the fiber reinforced composite. In a vehicle air intake system, the composite resonator is connected to the air intake pathway. The vehicle air intake system also includes a turbocharger compressor connected to the air intake pathway.

Abstract: A power control system for an electric vehicle includes a power inverter comprising a switch module including a plurality of power switches, a controller board, and a gate driver board in communication with the controller board and configured to drive gates of the plurality of switches. A first housing is made of polymer composite, encloses the power inverter, defines a first cooling cavity in thermal communication with a first surface of the switch module, and encapsulates a portion of at least one of the switch module, the controller board and the gate driver board.

Abstract: A core assembly for a plate-and-fin heat exchanger includes a pair of core plates and a heat-absorbing member disposed within the passageway that secures the pair of core plates together. The heat-absorbing member defines a plurality of fins that each include one or more bending points, and each bending point creates two points of contact between a core plate and the heat-absorbing member.

Abstract: An electromagnetic interference shielding composite. The electromagnetic interference shielding composite includes a polymer substrate formed into a shape of a packaging component. The composite further includes an electromagnetic interference layer contacting the polymer substrate and a conductive coating contacting the electromagnetic interference layer. An integrated power electronic module includes packaging including the electromagnetic interference shielding composite. A method of forming the electromagnetic interference shielding composite for an integrated power electronic module includes molding a polymer substrate into a shape of a packaging component, forming an electromagnetic interference layer on the polymer substrate, and forming a conductive coating on the electromagnetic interference layer.

Abstract: A method of creating an interface includes: a) adding organometallic compounds to a polymeric material to create an interfacial layer; b) placing the polymeric material having the interfacial layer in a mold; c) heating a deposit material until the deposit material has a predetermined-minimized volumetric density; and d) depositing the deposit material on the interfacial layer. The latent heat of the molten metallic material transfers to the interfacial layer to create chemical bonds and physical interlocks between the interfacial layer and the metallic material. The deposit material cools to form solidified layer on the interfacial layer.

Abstract: A polymer-metal sandwich structure includes a first layer made of a polymer and having a first bonding surface, a second layer made of a metal and having a second bonding surface, and a third layer sandwiched between and in contact with the first and second bonding surfaces. The first layer contains or is capable of liberating anions of a first ion type at the first bonding surface, the second layer contains or is capable of liberating cations of a second ion type at the second bonding surface, and the third layer is made of a flame retardant formed of anions of the first ion type and cations of the second ion type. A method of manufacturing the polymer-metal sandwich structure is also provided.

Abstract: A polymer-metal sandwich structure includes a first layer made of a polymer and having a first bonding surface, a second layer made of a metal and having a second bonding surface, and a third layer sandwiched between and in contact with the first and second bonding surfaces. The first layer contains or is capable of liberating anions of a first ion type at the first bonding surface, the second layer contains or is capable of liberating cations of a second ion type at the second bonding surface, and the third layer is made of a flame retardant formed of anions of the first ion type and cations of the second ion type. A method of manufacturing the polymer-metal sandwich structure is also provided.

Abstract: Presented are metal-coated, polymer-encapsulated power semiconductor modules, methods for making/using such power modules, and vehicles with traction power inverters containing such power modules. A power electronics assembly includes one or more power semiconductor modules packaged inside an assembly housing. Each power module includes a substrate, a semiconductor device mounted on the substrate, a polymeric encapsulant encasing therein the substrate and semiconductor device, and an electrical lead connected to the semiconductor device and projecting from the polymeric encapsulant. A metallic or ceramic coating is applied to select sections of the polymeric encapsulant's exposed exterior surface. The metallic/ceramic coating may be a single metallic layer that covers substantially all of the exposed surface area of the polymeric encapsulant's exterior surface. An optional hydrophobic polymer layer, passivated layer, and/or oxidized layer may cover the exterior surface of this metallic layer.

Abstract: A gear assembly includes a first gear having a first hub surrounded by a first plurality of teeth. The first plurality of teeth each define a respective first contact region. The gear assembly includes a second gear having a second hub surrounded by a second plurality of teeth. The second plurality of teeth are adapted to mesh with the first plurality of teeth at the respective first contact region in order to drive a respective load in a first direction. The first hub and the first plurality of teeth include respective zones defining a respective elastic modulus. A three-dimensional distribution of the respective physical size and the respective elastic modulus of the respective zones is optimized such that a fluctuation of mesh stiffness along the respective first contact region is at or below a first predefined threshold.

Abstract: A gear assembly includes a first gear having a first hub surrounded by a first plurality of teeth. The first plurality of teeth each define a respective first contact region. The gear assembly includes a second gear having a second hub surrounded by a second plurality of teeth. The second plurality of teeth are adapted to mesh with the first plurality of teeth at the respective first contact region in order to drive a respective load in a first direction. The first hub and the first plurality of teeth include respective zones defining a respective elastic modulus. A three-dimensional distribution of the respective physical size and the respective elastic modulus of the respective zones is optimized such that a fluctuation of mesh stiffness along the respective first contact region is at or below a first predefined threshold.

Abstract: A linerless engine block includes a polymer matrix composite having an internal surface that defines a bore. The polymer matrix composite has a first thermal conductivity at the internal surface of at least 5 W/m·° C. The linerless engine block also includes a first bond coating disposed on the internal surface within the bore, and a second wear-resistant coating disposed on the first bond coating within the bore such that the second wear-resistant coating is adhered to the polymer matrix composite by the first bond coating. A method of forming the linerless engine block is also described.

Abstract: A composite article configured for mitigating noise, vibration, and harshness includes a substrate having a first stiffness. The composite article includes a structural film formed from a composition and disposed on the substrate in a pattern that is arranged to dampen a sound wave having a first frequency and a first amplitude and propagatable in a first direction to a second frequency that is less than the first frequency and a second amplitude that is less than the first amplitude. The composite article includes a coating layer disposed on the pattern and configured to dampen the sound wave in the first direction and in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction. The composite article has a second stiffness that is greater than the first stiffness. A method of forming the composite article is also described.

Abstract: A damping cover for an integrated power electronics module (IPEM), the damping cover generally defined by a top side and a bottom side, wherein the bottom side is configured to mate adjacent with or contiguous to a power inverter module (PIM) of the IPEM. The damping cover can include an aluminum foam core including a top surface generally corresponding to the top side of the damping cover and a bottom surface generally corresponding to the bottom side of the damping cover and a polymeric over-molding or non-porous aluminum outer layer covering the top surface and/or a polymeric over-molding or non-porous aluminum outer layer covering the bottom surface. The bottom side of the damping cover can mate adjacent with or contiguous to the PIM. The polymeric material over-molding can completely impregnate the aluminum foam core. The aluminum foam core can have a density of about 0.15 g/cm3 to about 1.0 g/cm3.

Abstract: A method of creating an interface includes: a) adding organometallic compounds to a polymeric material to create an interfacial layer; b) placing the polymeric material having the interfacial layer in a mold; c) heating a deposit material until the deposit material has a predetermined-minimized volumetric density; and d) depositing the deposit material on the interfacial layer. The latent heat of the molten metallic material transfers to the interfacial layer to create chemical bonds and physical interlocks between the interfacial layer and the metallic material. The deposit material cools to form solidified layer on the interfacial layer.

Abstract: An integrated power electronics component configured for mitigating noise, vibration, and harshness includes a case formed from metal and configured to dampen a sound wave having a first frequency and a first amplitude and propagatable in a first direction. The case has a first surface and a second surface spaced apart from the first surface, a first stiffness, and a first strength, and the first and second surfaces include a structure defining a plurality of recessions therein. The component includes a cured polymer formed from a composition disposed on at least one of the first and second surfaces in each of the recessions to thereby dampen the sound wave in the first direction and in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction to a second frequency that is less than the first frequency and a second amplitude that is less than the first amplitude.

Abstract: A linerless engine block includes a polymer matrix composite having an internal surface that defines a bore. The polymer matrix composite has a first thermal conductivity at the internal surface of at least 5 W/m·° C. The linerless engine block also includes a first bond coating disposed on the internal surface within the bore, and a second wear-resistant coating disposed on the first bond coating within the bore such that the second wear-resistant coating is adhered to the polymer matrix composite by the first bond coating. A method of forming the linerless engine block is also described.

Abstract: A damping cover for an integrated power electronics module (IPEM), the damping cover generally defined by a top side and a bottom side, wherein the bottom side is configured to mate adjacent with or contiguous to a power inverter module (PIM) of the IPEM. The damping cover can include an aluminum foam core including a top surface generally corresponding to the top side of the damping cover and a bottom surface generally corresponding to the bottom side of the damping cover and a polymeric over-molding or non-porous aluminum outer layer covering the top surface and/or a polymeric over-molding or non-porous aluminum outer layer covering the bottom surface. The bottom side of the damping cover can mate adjacent with or contiguous to the PIM. The polymeric material over-molding can completely impregnate the aluminum foam core. The aluminum foam core can have a density of about 0.15 g/cm3 to about 1.0 g/cm3.

Abstract: Motor housings with controlled radial thermal expansion include a cylindrical body with at least one circumferential groove extending inward from an outer surface of the cylindrical body, and a fiber composite band disposed within each groove. The grooves can be dovetail shaped and extend inward from the outer surface of the cylindrical body to a groove bottom, wherein each groove has a first width at the outer surface and a second width at the groove bottom that is greater than the first width. Methods for controlling radial thermal expansion of motor housings include providing a motor housing including a cylindrical aluminum body with a plurality of circumferential grooves extending inward from an outer surface of the cylindrical body, disposing a plurality of continuous fibers within the grooves, applying a matrix to the continuous fibers, and curing the matrix to form a fiber composite band within the grooves.