Abstract: An electrocaloric fiber includes an electrocaloric material surrounding a centrally located electrode. The electrocaloric fiber may further include an outer electrode surrounding the electrocaloric material. The electrocaloric fiber may be used to form an electrocaloric fabric.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides improved additive manufacturing methods and systems. More particularly, the present disclosure provides advantageous additive manufacturing methods and systems for the production of hierarchical design optimized components (e.g., composite or composite-like materials). The present disclosure provides a methodology to produce hierarchical design optimized additively manufactured parts/materials that include an inhomogeneous structure with variable local mechanical properties across the entire volume. Hierarchical inhomogeneous structure/composite materials can be produced through a laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) process. A novel LPBF method can be used to obtain location-specific properties through in-situ controlling of the local cooling rate during the additive manufacturing process.

Abstract: A method for forming an ultra-high temperature (UHT) composite structure includes dispensing a first polymeric precursor with a spinneret; forming a first plurality of nanofibers from the first polymeric precursor; depositing the first plurality of nanofibers with a collector; and applying a fluid, with a nozzle, onto the first plurality of nanofibers disposed on the collector. The fluid includes a second polymeric precursor.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in a coating process includes a chamber, a crucible configured to hold a coating material in the chamber, an energy source operable to heat the interior of the chamber, a coating envelope situated with respect to the crucible, and at least one gas manifold located near the coating envelope. The at least one gas manifold is configured to provide a gas screen between the coating envelope and the crucible.

Abstract: A method for forming an ultra-high temperature (UHT) composite structure includes dispensing a first polymeric precursor with a spinneret; forming a first plurality of nanofibers from the first polymeric precursor; depositing the first plurality of nanofibers with a collector; and applying a fluid, with a nozzle, onto the first plurality of nanofibers disposed on the collector. The fluid includes a second polymeric precursor.

Abstract: Examples described herein provide a method that includes receiving weld data about a weld. The method further includes analyzing, using a physics-based model, the weld data to predict a formation of a defect in the weld. The method further includes providing feedback to enable process optimization during a design stage or active control during welding to control a welding machine to correct for and eliminate the formation of the defect in the weld.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a suspension plasma spray process that comprises suspending metal oxide particles in a carrier fluid to produce a suspension. The suspension is ejected onto a substrate via a plasma flame. The particles are evaporated in the plasma flame to form a gaseous ceramic during their travel to the substrate. The gaseous ceramic is deposited on the substrate to form columnar grains.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides advantageous probabilistic models and applications for component (e.g., titanium component) design optimization, and related methods of use. More particularly, the present disclosure provides advantageous probabilistic models, systems and applications for component design optimization and related methods of use, and where the probabilistic models, systems and applications can accurately predict the life/failure of components (e.g., titanium components) based on material microstructure statistics and/or product mission specifics and/or variations. Disclosed are probabilistic systems and methods for predicting dwell fatigue behavior of a component (e.g., titanium component). The present disclosure advantageously provides an analytical modeling framework that captures the various physics-based mechanisms for dwell fatigue damage accumulation, crack nucleation, crack propagation and fracture in components or materials (e.g., anisotropic components/materials).

Abstract: A method of additively manufacturing includes determining a track for manufacturing a layer of a component with a powder blend; traversing the track with a conditioning energy beam to cause sintering of powder particles along a denuded region within the powder blend; and traversing the track with a melting energy beam subsequent to the conditioning energy beam to from the layer of the component. An additive manufacturing system includes a build chamber that contains a powder blend; a controller operable to determine a track for manufacturing a layer of a component with the powder blend in the build chamber; a conditioning energy beam directed along the track by the controller to cause sintering of powder particles along a denuded region within the powder blend; and a melting energy beam directed along the track by the controller subsequent to the conditioning energy beam to form the layer of the component.

Abstract: A method for forming an ultra-high temperature (UHT) composite structure includes dispensing a first polymeric precursor with a spinneret; forming a first plurality of nanofibers from the first polymeric precursor; depositing the first plurality of nanofibers with a collector; and applying a fluid, with a nozzle, onto the first plurality of nanofibers disposed on the collector. The fluid includes a second polymeric precursor.

Abstract: An electrocaloric element for a heat transfer system includes an electrocaloric material of a copolymer of (i) vinylidene fluoride, and (ii) an addition polymerization monomer that is larger than vinylidene fluoride and includes a substituent more electronegative than chlorine. Electrodes are disposed on opposite surfaces of the electrocaloric material, and an electric power source is configured to provide voltage to the electrodes. The system also includes a first thermal flow path between the electrocaloric material and a heat sink, and a second thermal flow path between the electrocaloric material and a heat source.

Abstract: A method of evaluating an additive manufacturing process includes receiving a set of additive manufacturing parameters and an additive manufacturing part design at an analysis module, receiving a set of random values at the analysis module, determining a probability distribution of stochastic flaws within a resultant additively manufactured article using at least one multidimensional space physics model, and categorizing the additive manufacturing part design as defect free when the probability distribution is below a predefined threshold. Each value in the set of random values corresponds to a distinct variable in a set of variables. Each variable in the set of variables at least partially defines at least one of an uncontrolled additive manufacturing parameter and an uncontrollable additive manufacturing parameter.

Abstract: An electrocaloric fiber includes an electrocaloric material surrounding a centrally located electrode. The electrocaloric fiber may further include an outer electrode surrounding the electrocaloric material. The electrocaloric fiber may be used to form an electrocaloric fabric.

Abstract: A heat transfer system is disclosed in which, an electrocaloric material includes a copolymer of a monomer mixture including (i) vinylidene fluoride, (ii) an addition polymerization monomer selected from tetrafluoroethylene, trifluoroethylene, or a monomer smaller than trifluoroethylene, and (iii) a halogenated addition polymerization monomer different than (ii) that is larger than vinylidene fluoride. The electrocaloric material also includes an additive selected from a nucleating agent having a polar surface charge, electrocalorically active solid particles, or a combination thereof. Electrodes are disposed on opposite surfaces of the electrocaloric material, and an electric power source is configured to provide voltage to the electrodes. The system also includes a first thermal flow path between the electrocaloric material and a heat sink, and a second thermal flow path between the electrocaloric material and a heat source.

Abstract: An electrocaloric element for a heat transfer system includes an electrocaloric material of a copolymer of (i) vinylidene fluoride, (ii) an addition polymerization monomer selected from tetrafluoroethylene, trifluoroethylene, vinyl fluoride, or combinations thereof, and (iii) a halogenated addition polymerization monomer larger than vinylidene fluoride. It is also provided that: (a) the monomer (ii) includes an addition polymerization monomer smaller than trifluoroethylene, (b) at least one of the addition polymerization monomers (ii) or (iii) is a chiral monomer, and the copolymer includes syndiotactic ordered segments of chiral monomer units, and/or (c) at least one of the addition polymerization monomers (ii) or (iii) comprises chlorine, and the copolymer includes an ordered distribution of monomer units comprising chlorine along the copolymer polymer backbone.

Abstract: A multilayer abradable coating includes at least one first abradable layer; and at least one second abradable layer, wherein the first abradable layer and the second abradable layer have different properties related to erosion resistance.

Abstract: A method of evaluating an additive manufacturing process includes receiving a set of additive manufacturing parameters and an additive manufacturing part design at an analysis module, receiving a set of random values at the analysis module, determining a probability distribution of stochastic flaws within a resultant additively manufactured article using at least one multidimensional space physics model, and categorizing the additive manufacturing part design as defect free when the probability distribution is below a predefined threshold. Each value in the set of random values corresponds to a distinct variable in a set of variables. Each variable in the set of variables at least partially defines at least one of an uncontrolled additive manufacturing parameter and an uncontrollable additive manufacturing parameter.

Abstract: An electrocaloric element for a heat transfer system includes an electrocaloric material of a copolymer of (i) vinylidene fluoride, and (ii) an addition polymerization monomer that is larger than vinylidene fluoride and includes a substituent more electronegative than chlorine. Electrodes are disposed on opposite surfaces of the electrocaloric material, and an electric power source is configured to provide voltage to the electrodes. The system also includes a first thermal flow path between the electrocaloric material and a heat sink, and a second thermal flow path between the electrocaloric material and a heat source.

Abstract: Provided are techniques that include operating a spiral contactor. The techniques include receiving, by a spiral contactor, a first fluid, and receiving a second fluid, wherein the first fluid is different than the second fluid. The techniques also include exchanging the first fluid and the second fluid using the spiral contactor, and outputting a deoxygenated fluid from the spiral contactor, wherein the deoxygenated fluid has a lower oxygen concentration than the first fluid.

Abstract: An article includes a MAX phase solid and a high temperature melting point metallic material interdispersed with the MAX phase material.