Abstract: Foams and methods of fabricating and using the same are provided. The foams can be three-dimensional (3D), free-standing, and/or rigid and can be used as, for example, nanofiller networks. The shape and size of the foam pore interconnected network can be tailorable/tailored. The foams can be, for example, hybrid one-dimensional (1D)/two-dimensional (2D) foams of 1D and 2D materials (e.g., hybrid boron nitride nanotube (BNNT)/boron nitride nanoplatelet (BNNP) foams). A freeze-drying-based method can be used to fabricate bulk porous foam, which can be used for, e.g., nanofiller for polymer nanocomposites.

Abstract: Foams and methods of fabricating and using the same are provided. The foams can be free-standing and rigid and can be used as, for example, nanofiller networks. The shape and size of the foam pore interconnected network can be tailorable/tailored. The foams can be, for example, transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) foams with a layered structure (e.g., tungsten sulfide (WS2) foams). A freeze-drying-based method can be used to fabricate bulk porous foam, which can be used for, e.g., polymer nanocomposites. A vacuum-assisted infiltration procedure can be used to fabricate a foam-polymer nanocomposite.

Abstract: Ultra-high temperature carbide (UHTC) foams and methods of fabricating and using the same are provided. The UHTC foams are produced in a three-step process, including UHTC slurry preparation, freeze-drying, and spark plasma sintering (SPS). The fabrication methods allow for the production of any kind of single- or multi-component UHTC foam, while also providing flexibility in the shape and size of the UHTC foams to produce near-net-shape components.

Abstract: The subject invention provides compositions, systems, and methods for additive manufacturing (AM), including three dimensional printing (3DP) using Digital Light Processing (DLP), of Lunar regolith and Lunar regolith simulants including Greenland Anorthosite Lunar Regolith (GALR) with a photocurable thermosetting polymer. Certain embodiments provide a high solid content of regolith, for example, about 60 wt. % GALR; together with a lower content of additives, for example, about 40 wt. % of a photocurable thermosetting polymer. Embodiments of the provided recipe and processing method can produce parts with low shrinkage, high strength, and favorable thermal properties. Parts have been produced with less than about 6% shrinkage in multiple directions of measurement.

Abstract: Ultra-high temperature carbide (UHTC) foams and methods of fabricating and using the same are provided. The UHTC foams are produced in a three-step process, including UHTC slurry preparation, freeze-drying, and spark plasma sintering (SPS). The fabrication methods allow for the production of any kind of single- or multi-component UHTC foam, while also providing flexibility in the shape and size of the UHTC foams to produce near-net-shape components.

Abstract: Ultra-high temperature carbide (UHTC) foams and methods of fabricating and using the same are provided. The UHTC foams are produced in a three-step process, including UHTC slurry preparation, freeze-drying, and spark plasma sintering (SPS). The fabrication methods allow for the production of any kind of single- or multi-component UHTC foam, while also providing flexibility in the shape and size of the UHTC foams to produce near-net-shape components.

Abstract: A graphene foam ceramic composite (GrF-CC) comprises an open cell graphene foam (GrF) surrounded by and infiltrated with a sintered low temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) matrix. The GrF-CC can be prepared by infiltrating an open cell GrF with an LTCC slurry, removing the solvent from the slurry with solidification to a ceramic-GrF green body, and sintering the ceramic-GrF green body to form the GrF-CC. Sintering by spark plasma sintering (SPS) allows an LTCC GrF-CC that has a density of at least 90%.

Abstract: Shape memory polymer (SMP) epoxies and composites, and methods of manufacturing the same, are provided. A three-dimensional (3D) printing technique can be used to fabricate a pure thermoset SMP epoxy. A cryogenic sprayer assisted extrusion type 3D printing method can be used to print SMP epoxies and composites of an SMP epoxy and a nanomaterial additive, such as graphene nanoplatelets (GNP).

Abstract: A graphene foam ceramic composite (GrF-CC) comprises an open cell graphene foam (GrF) surrounded by and infiltrated with a sintered low temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) matrix. The GrF-CC can be prepared by infiltrating an open cell GrF with an LTCC slurry, removing the solvent from the slurry with solidification to a ceramic-GrF green body, and sintering the ceramic-GrF green body to form the GrF-CC. Sintering by spark plasma sintering (SPS) allows an LTCC GrF-CC that has a density of at least 90%.

Abstract: A graphene foam ceramic composite (GrF-CC) comprises an open cell graphene foam (GrF) surrounded by and infiltrated with a sintered low temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) matrix. The GrF-CC can be prepared by infiltrating an open cell GrF with an LTCC slurry, removing the solvent from the slurry with solidification to a ceramic-GrF green body, and sintering the ceramic-GrF green body to form the GrF-CC. Sintering by spark plasma sintering (SPS) allows an LTCC GrF-CC that has a density of at least 90%.

Abstract: A coin holding apparatus includes a first plate and a second plate. The first and second plates are transparent and each of the first and second plates has a first side and a second side. The first sides of each of the first and second plates has a semi-cylindrical indentation therein and forms a bulbous portion extending outwardly from a plane of associated ones of the second sides. The semi-cylindrical indentation in the first plate is alignable with the semi-cylindrical indentation in the second plate to form a cylinder. A plurality of couplers releasably couples the first sides of the first and second plates together to releasably secure coins within the cylinders. Coins are removably positionable in the cylinders to store and display the coins in collectible condition.

Abstract: A coin holding apparatus includes a first plate and a second plate. The first and second plates are transparent and each of the first and second plates has a first side and a second side. The first sides of each of the first and second plates has a semi-cylindrical indentation therein and forms a bulbous portion extending outwardly from a plane of associated ones of the second sides. The semi-cylindrical indentation in the first plate is alignable with the semi-cylindrical indentation in the second plate to form a cylinder. A plurality of couplers releasably couples the first sides of the first and second plates together to releasably secure coins within the cylinders. Coins are removably positionable in the cylinders to store and display the coins in collectible condition.

Abstract: A coin holding apparatus includes a first plate and a second plate. The first and second plates are transparent and each of the first and second plates has a first side and a second side. The first sides of each of the first and second plates has a semi-cylindrical indentation therein and forms a bulbous portion extending outwardly from a plane of associated ones of the second sides. The semi-cylindrical indentation in the first plate is alignable with the semi-cylindrical indentation in the second plate to form a cylinder. A plurality of couplers releasably couples the first sides of the first and second plates together to releasably secure coins within the cylinders. Coins are removably positionable in the cylinders to store and display the coins in collectible condition.

Abstract: A request from a user of a computer device to gain access to a communication network is routed to a captive web portal running on a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server where the device has a media access control (MAC) address that is not known to the DHCP server, rather than being routed to a DNS server that provides domain name resolution or network resources. The captive web portal prompts a user of the computer device to provide authentication information. If the user is authenticated, the DHCP server provides an actual internet protocol (IP) address that uniquely identifies the computer device on a network supporting TCP/IP and provides access to network resources.

Abstract: A food slicing machine using a linear servo motor to reciprocate a carriage holding food products through a path that includes a slicing blade. The slicing apparatus is a modular apparatus that can be mounted to and removed from slicing machines as a unit without the need for disassembly of the components of the slicing apparatus. An adjustment mechanism for the blade guide uses two shafts that extend from a bearing plate into a finger that is mounted to the blade guide. The lower shaft has a cam nut that displaces the finger about the upper shaft to bend the blade guide. There is also an adjustment mechanism for the idler pulley of the band blade apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for sorting a plurality of green wood veneer sheets into a plurality of subsets of sheets, the subsets including a “driest” subset, a “wettest” subset, and one or more “intermediate” subsets. The system has a light source for transmitting light through a sheet of veneer as it passes along a conveyor system, and a light sensor for sensing the light passing through the sheet. The pattern of light is recorded by an image acquisition and processing subsystem as an image, which is fed to an image analysis subsystem programmed to analyse the light pattern and to produce a mathematical representation of the image. An integrated moisture content value (IMCV) is set for the particular veneer sheet. Based on this value, a controller sends signals to the conveyor system to convey the particular sheet to a location storing sheets having similar IMCV values for drying.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for sorting a plurality of green wood veneer sheets into a plurality of subsets of sheets, the subsets including a “driest” subset, a “wettest” subset, and one or more “intermediate” subsets. The system has a light source for transmitting light through a sheet of veneer as it passes along a conveyor system, and a light sensor for sensing the light passing through the sheet. The pattern of light is recorded by an image acquisition and processing subsystem as an image, which is fed to an image analysis subsystem programmed to analyse the light pattern and to produce a mathematical representation of the image. An integrated moisture content value (IMCV) is set for the particular veneer sheet. Based on this value, a controller sends signals to the conveyor system to convey the particular sheet to a location storing sheets having similar IMCV values for drying.

Abstract: A machine for applying sauce to a pizza crust rapidly and accurately. The crust is placed on a turntable, is centered by stationary platforms having terraced surfaces, and the turntable raises the crust to beneath a plurality of nozzles. The nozzles are mounted to cylinder blocks in which cylindrical cavities are formed. Pistons are slidably mounted in the cavities, and are drivingly linked to a linear prime mover to be displaced upwardly and downwardly to pump sauce into and out of the cavities. Check valves control the flow of sauce from the source of sauce to the crust through the nozzles. The pistons are selectively linked to the linear prime mover for reducing the area onto which the sauce is dispensed, for accommodating smaller and larger pizza crusts.