Abstract: When forming ultra-conductive wire, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are dispersed and de-agglomerated in hot metal. The MWCNTs are dispersed in a precursor matrix via mixing and sintering to form precursor material, which is hot-extruded multiple rounds at a predetermined temperature to form a nano-composite material. The nano-composite material is inserted into a metal bar to form a nano-composite billet (306), which is subjected to multiple rounds of hot extrusion to form an ultra-conductive material. The ultra-conductive material is subjected to one or more rounds of hot wire drawing to form an ultra-conductive wire comprising a nano-composite filament.

Abstract: When forming ultra-conductive wire, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are dispersed and de-agglomerated in hot metal. The MWCNTs are dispersed in a precursor matrix via mixing and sintering to form precursor material, which is hot-extruded multiple rounds at a predetermined temperature to form a nano-composite material. The nano-composite material is inserted into a metal bar to form a nano-composite billet (306), which is subjected to multiple rounds of hot extrusion to form an ultra-conductive material. The ultra-conductive material is subjected to one or more rounds of hot wire drawing to form an ultra-conductive wire comprising a nano-composite filament.

Abstract: Nano-composite structures are formed by pre-loading carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into at least one of a plurality of channels running the length of a cartridge, placing the pre-loaded cartridge in a piston chamber of a die-casting machine, creating a vacuum therein, and filing the piston chamber with molten metal to soak the pre-loaded cartridge and fill empty cartridge channels. Pressure is applied via the piston to eject the carbon nanotubes and molten metal from the cartridge channels and inject the nano-composite mixture into a rod-shaped die cavity. The internal diameter of the cavity is equal to or less than the final diameter of the nozzle. The nano-composite mixture is cooled to form a solid nano-composite rod having the first predetermined diameter, wherein the carbon nanotubes are aligned in a non-random manner. Furthermore, drawing down the nano-composite rod to smaller diameter wire further disperses the nanotubes along the length of the wire.

Abstract: Nano-composite structures are formed by pre-loading carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into at least one of a plurality of channels running the length of a cartridge, placing the pre-loaded cartridge in a piston chamber of a die-casting machine, creating a vacuum therein, and filing the piston chamber with molten metal to soak the pre-loaded cartridge and fill empty cartridge channels. Pressure is applied via the piston to eject the carbon nanotubes and molten metal from the cartridge channels and inject the nano-composite mixture into a rod-shaped die cavity. The internal diameter of the cavity is equal to or less than the final diameter of the nozzle. The nano-composite mixture is cooled to form a solid nano-composite rod having the first predetermined diameter, wherein the carbon nanotubes are aligned in a non-random manner. Furthermore, drawing down the nano-composite rod to smaller diameter wire further disperses the nanotubes along the length of the wire.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that employ high-intensity lasers to set up a thin plasma sheet, also called a waveguide or “hot shell”, in the atmosphere as a function of beam intensity and geometry. A laser beam can be spread and directed with physical optics (e.g., lenses, mirrors, other optical elements, etc.) to generate a thin inverted cone-shaped hot shell waveguide in the atmosphere. The hot shell of the waveguide has a different index of refraction (n) from that of the surrounding air layers and as such serves to internally reflect portions of the entering solar rays entering an aperture in the hot shell, toward the tip of the cone and a solar energy storage component positioned there, thus providing a virtual solar energy concentration system. In another embodiment, the solar energy storage component shuts down or otherwise rejects incoming solar energy when fully charged, to mitigate damage to system components.

Abstract: Composite materials exhibiting very high strength properties and other characteristics are disclosed. The materials comprise one or more nanomaterials dispersed within one or more matrix materials. The nanomaterials can be in a variety of forms, such as for example, carbon nanotubes and/or nanofibers. The matrix material can be glass, fused silicas, or metal. Also disclosed are various processes and operations to readily disperse and uniformly align the nanotubes and/or nanofibers in the flowing matrix material, during production of the composite materials.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that employ high-intensity lasers to set up a thin plasma sheet, also called a waveguide or “hot shell”, in the atmosphere as a function of beam intensity and geometry. A laser beam can be spread and directed with physical optics (e.g., lenses, mirrors, other optical elements, etc.) to generate a thin inverted cone-shaped hot shell waveguide in the atmosphere. The hot shell of the waveguide has a different index of refraction (n) from that of the surrounding air layers and as such serves to internally reflect portions of the entering solar rays entering an aperture in the hot shell, toward the tip of the cone and a solar energy storage component positioned there, thus providing a virtual solar energy concentration system. In another embodiment, the solar energy storage component shuts down or otherwise rejects incoming solar energy when fully charged, to mitigate damage to system components.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that facilitate refueling a vehicle with electrical energy by targeting receiver thereon and pointing a high-intensity laser source at the receiver. Vertical multi-junction (VMJ) photocells receive the laser energy and convert the laser energy into electrical energy. The laser source can operate at a range of output power levels depending on the vehicle's energy needs. The laser source can be pulsed or continuous near-infrared laser source. A heat exchanger can be coupled to the receiver to dissipate laser energy not converted into electrical energy. If the vehicle has a propeller, the heat exchanger can be mounted to the vehicle in the propeller wash path.