Abstract: A composition includes a carbon nanotube (CNT)-infused carbon fiber material that includes a carbon fiber material of spoolable dimensions and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) infused to the carbon fiber material. The infused CNTs are uniform in length and uniform in distribution. The CNT infused carbon fiber material also includes a barrier coating conformally disposed about the carbon fiber material, while the CNTs are substantially free of the barrier coating. A continuous CNT infusion process includes: (a) functionalizing a carbon fiber material; (b) disposing a barrier coating on the functionalized carbon fiber material (c) disposing a carbon nanotube (CNT)-forming catalyst on the functionalized carbon fiber material; and (d) synthesizing carbon nanotubes, thereby forming a carbon nanotube-infused carbon fiber material.

Abstract: A composition includes a carbon nanotube (CNT)-infused metal fiber material which includes a metal fiber material of spoolable dimensions, a barrier coating conformally disposed about the metal fiber material, and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) infused to the metal fiber material. A continuous CNT infusion process includes: (a) disposing a barrier coating and a carbon nanotube (CNT)-forming catalyst on a surface of a metal fiber material of spoolable dimensions; and (b) synthesizing carbon nanotubes on the metal fiber material, thereby forming a carbon nanotube-infused metal fiber material.

Abstract: A composition includes a carbon nanotube (CNT)-infused metal fiber material which includes a metal fiber material of spoolable dimensions, a barrier coating conformally disposed about the metal fiber material, and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) infused to the metal fiber material. A continuous CNT infusion process includes: (a) disposing a barrier coating and a carbon nanotube (CNT)-forming catalyst on a surface of a metal fiber material of spoolable dimensions; and (b) synthesizing carbon nanotubes on the metal fiber material, thereby forming a carbon nanotube-infused metal fiber material.

Abstract: A composition includes a carbon nanotube (CNT)-infused carbon fiber material that includes a carbon fiber material of spoolable dimensions and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) infused to the carbon fiber material. The infused CNTs are uniform in length and uniform in distribution. The CNT infused carbon fiber material also includes a barrier coating conformally disposed about the carbon fiber material, while the CNTs are substantially free of the barrier coating. A continuous CNT infusion process includes: (a) functionalizing a carbon fiber material; (b) disposing a barrier coating on the functionalized carbon fiber material (c) disposing a carbon nanotube (CNT)-forming catalyst on the functionalized carbon fiber material; and (d) synthesizing carbon nanotubes, thereby forming a carbon nanotube-infused carbon fiber material.

Abstract: A composition includes a carbon nanotube (CNT)-infused metal fiber material which includes a metal fiber material of spoolable dimensions, a barrier coating conformally disposed about the metal fiber material, and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) infused to the metal fiber material. A continuous CNT infusion process includes: (a) disposing a barrier coating and a carbon nanotube (CNT)-forming catalyst on a surface of a metal fiber material of spoolable dimensions; and (b) synthesizing carbon nanotubes on the metal fiber material, thereby forming a carbon nanotube-infused metal fiber material.

Abstract: A composition includes a carbon nanotube (CNT)-infused metal fiber material which includes a metal fiber material of spoolable dimensions, a barrier coating conformally disposed about the metal fiber material, and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) infused to the metal fiber material. A continuous CNT infusion process includes: (a) disposing a barrier coating and a carbon nanotube (CNT)-forming catalyst on a surface of a metal fiber material of spoolable dimensions; and (b) synthesizing carbon nanotubes on the metal fiber material, thereby forming a carbon nanotube-infused metal fiber material.

Abstract: A composition includes a carbon nanotube (CNT)-infused carbon fiber material that includes a carbon fiber material of spoolable dimensions and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) infused to the carbon fiber material. The infused CNTs are uniform in length and uniform in distribution. The CNT infused carbon fiber material also includes a barrier coating conformally disposed about the carbon fiber material, while the CNTs are substantially free of the barrier coating. A continuous CNT infusion process includes: (a) functionalizing a carbon fiber material; (b) disposing a barrier coating on the functionalized carbon fiber material (c) disposing a carbon nanotube (CNT)-forming catalyst on the functionalized carbon fiber material; and (d) synthesizing carbon nanotubes, thereby forming a carbon nanotube-infused carbon fiber material.

Abstract: A composition includes a carbon nanotube (CNT)-infused ceramic fiber material, wherein the CNT-infused ceramic fiber material includes: a ceramic fiber material of spoolable dimensions; and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) bonded to the ceramic fiber material. The CNTs are uniform in length and uniform in distribution. A continuous CNT infusion process includes (a) disposing a carbon-nanotube forming catalyst on a surface of a ceramic fiber material of spoolable dimensions; and (b) synthesizing carbon nanotubes on the ceramic fiber material, thereby forming a carbon nanotube-infused ceramic fiber material.

Abstract: Ring-shaped shape memory alloys put disk-shaped ceramic materials in a state of compression. The rings are radially deformed to introduce plastic strain into the rings. The rings are sized to closely receive the disk-shaped ceramic strike plates. When the assembly is heated, the rings attempt to regain their original shape and thereby put the ceramic strike plates into uniform, two-dimensional compression.

Abstract: Ring-shaped shape memory alloys put disk-shaped ceramic materials in a state of compression. The rings are radially deformed to introduce plastic strain into the rings. The rings are sized to closely receive the disk-shaped ceramic strike plates. When the assembly is heated, the rings attempt to regain their original shape and thereby put the ceramic strike plates into uniform, two-dimensional compression.

Abstract: A carbon nanotube-infused fiber and a method for its production are disclosed. Nanotubes are synthesized directly on a parent fiber by first applying a catalyst to the fiber. The properties of the carbon nanotube-infused fiber will be a combination of those of the parent fiber as well as those of the infused carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: A carbon nanotube-infused fiber and a method for its production are disclosed. Nanotubes are synthesized directly on a parent fiber by first applying a catalyst to the fiber. The properties of the carbon nanotube-infused fiber will be a combination of those of the parent fiber as well as those of the infused carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: The present invention provides fabrics that have unique mechanical, chemical, electrical, and thermal properties. The fabrics comprise layers of woven, knit or felted fibers, yarns or tow. Interstitially synthesized nanotubes, such as single-walled or multi-walled carbon nanotubes, enhance the fabric's antiballistic properties. These nanotubes may also insulate, semi-conduct or super-conduct electrical charges, or provide enhanced thermal properties of these fabrics which can be layered to form unique garments or structures.

Abstract: A composition includes a carbon nanotube (CNT)-infused aramid fiber material that includes an aramid fiber material of spoolable dimensions, a barrier coating conformally disposed about the aramid fiber material, and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) infused to the aramid fiber material. The infused CNTs are uniform in length and uniform in density. A continuous CNT infusion process includes:(a) disposing a barrier coating and a carbon nanotube (CNT)-forming catalyst on a surface of an aramid fiber material of spoolable dimensions; and (b) synthesizing carbon nanotubes on the aramid fiber material, thereby forming a carbon nanotube-infused aramid fiber material.

Abstract: A composition includes a carbon nanotube (CNT)-infused ceramic fiber material, wherein the CNT-infused ceramic fiber material includes: a ceramic fiber material of spoolable dimensions; and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) bonded to the ceramic fiber material. The CNTs are uniform in length and uniform in distribution. A continuous CNT infusion process includes (a) disposing a carbon-nanotube forming catalyst on a surface of a ceramic fiber material of spoolable dimensions; and (b) synthesizing carbon nanotubes on the ceramic fiber material, thereby forming a carbon nanotube-infused ceramic fiber material.

Abstract: A composition includes a carbon nanotube (CNT)-infused carbon fiber material that includes a carbon fiber material of spoolable dimensions and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) infused to the carbon fiber material. The infused CNTs are uniform in length and uniform in distribution. The CNT infused carbon fiber material also includes a barrier coating conformally disposed about the carbon fiber material, while the CNTs are substantially free of the barrier coating. A continuous CNT infusion process includes: (a) functionalizing a carbon fiber material; (b) disposing a barrier coating on the functionalized carbon fiber material (c) disposing a carbon nanotube (CNT)-forming catalyst on the functionalized carbon fiber material; and (d) synthesizing carbon nanotubes, thereby forming a carbon nanotube-infused carbon fiber material.

Abstract: An open cell or highly porous woven composite truss utilizes fibers of carbon, glass, ceramic, or the like that are woven together in a loom. The warps or tow are woven with the wefts, while the fibers are impregnated with resin. The resin impregnation step may be performed before or after the weaving step. The truss is then cured on the loom and later may be machined as needed. A rigid foam material may be used to stabilize the shape of the truss prior to curing and while machining. The foam may be later chemically dissolved or otherwise disposed of.

Abstract: A ballistic armor uses shape memory alloys and novel joining techniques to form a solution from a combination of shape memory metallic alloys (SMA) and ceramic materials. The SMA allows a high amount of strain to be recovered through a low temperature heat treatment. The amount of strain recoverable is much higher than that available through conventional thermal expansion mismatch solutions. Solid state or low temperature bonding methods are used to join the dissimilar materials. This joining technique avoids introducing excessive heat that would cause the SMA to transform before the armor system is assembled.

Abstract: A carbon nanotube-infused fiber and a method for its production are disclosed. Nanotubes are synthesized directly on a parent fiber by first applying a catalyst to the fiber. The properties of the carbon nanotube-infused fiber will be a combination of those of the parent fiber as well as those of the infused carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: A composition includes a carbon nanotube (CNT)-infused glass fiber material, which includes a glass fiber material of spoolable dimensions and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) bonded to it. The CNTs are uniform in length and distribution. A continuous CNT infusion process includes: (a) disposing a carbon-nanotube forming catalyst on a surface of a glass fiber material of spoolable dimensions; and (b) synthesizing carbon nanotubes on the glass fiber material, thereby forming a carbon nanotube-infused glass fiber material. The continuous CNT infusion process optionally includes extruding a glass fiber material from a glass melt or removing sizing material from a pre-fabricated glass fiber material.