Abstract: Provided are methods and apparatus for determining a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of at least a portion of a test object. An example provided method includes (i) producing information describing a reference image of the test object portion during low-temperature excitation; (ii) heating the test object portion to a higher temperature; (iii) measuring a change in temperature of the test object portion; (iv) producing information describing an image of thermal change in displacement of the test object portion at the higher temperature; (v) comparing the information describing the image of thermal change in displacement of the test object portion at the higher temperature to the information describing the reference image to produce strain information describing heating-induced changes in strain in the test object portion; and (vi) producing CTE information by correlating the strain information with the change in temperature of the test object portion.

Abstract: Various examples of methods and apparatuses are provided for a hybrid composite gear. The hybrid composite gear includes a continuous fiber thermoplastic composite material co-molded onto a periphery of a neat thermoplastic or discontinuous fiber thermoplastic gear.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a shelter includes an impact-resistant panel having an energy-absorbing core positioned between two outer layers, wherein the energy-absorbing core includes a syntactic foam material that has a plurality of hollow microspheres compounded with a polymeric resin.

Abstract: Various examples of methods and apparatuses are provided for a hybrid composite gear. The hybrid composite gear includes a continuous fiber thermoplastic composite material co-molded onto a periphery of a neat thermoplastic or discontinuous fiber thermoplastic gear.

Abstract: Aeroshells and methods for manufacturing aeroshells are provided. In this regard, a representative aeroshell for a missile formed of a long fiber thermoplastic composite exhibits a wall thickness of no greater than approximately 0.070?.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a protective helmet for disaster situation includes a rigid outer shell and an electronic system integrated into the helmet that includes an electronic location system configured to transmit electromagnetic signals that can be used to locate the wearer of the helmet.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a protective helmet includes an outer shell including a sun visor, the outer shell comprising an outer surface having a plurality of non-parallel facets.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include helmet liners, helmets, helmets with deflective structures, helmets with thermochromic features, and methods of making helmet liners, helmets, helmets with deflective structures, and helmets with thermochromic features.

Abstract: Aeroshells and methods for manufacturing aeroshells are provided. In this regard, a representative aeroshell for a missile formed of a long fiber thermoplastic composite exhibits a wall thickness of no greater than approximately 0.070?.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a shelter includes an impact-resistant panel having an energy-absorbing core positioned between two outer layers, wherein the energy-absorbing core includes a syntactic foam material that has a plurality of hollow microspheres compounded with a polymeric resin.

Abstract: Aeroshells and methods for manufacturing aeroshells are provided. In this regard, a representative aeroshell for a missile formed of a long fiber thermoplastic composite exhibits a wall thickness of no greater than approximately 0.070?.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system for attenuating rotation acceleration of the head includes a protective helmet adapted to be worn on the head of a user, the helmet including an outer shell having an inner surface, an inner liner provided within the shell, the liner comprising one or more pads, and means for enabling the shell to rotate relative to the user's head, the means excluding cell-based foam.

Abstract: Baseplates and methods of manufacture are provided. In this regard, a representative baseplate is operative to mount a missile aeroshell, the baseplate being formed of a long fiber thermoplastic composite and exhibiting a wall thickness of no greater than approximately 0.070?.

Abstract: Composite structures and methods of fabrication thereof are disclosed. An embodiment of a composite structure, among others, includes: a backing substrate; a layer of structures distributed over the backing substrate; and a thermoplastic disposed onto the structures and the backing substrate, wherein the thermoplastic substantially binds the backing substrate and layer of structures together.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include helmet liners, helmets, helmets with deflective structures, helmets with thermochromic features, and methods of making helmet liners, helmets, helmets with deflective structures, and helmets with thermochromic features.

Abstract: Composite structures and methods of fabrication thereof are disclosed. An embodiment of a composite structure, among others, includes: a backing substrate; a layer of structures distributed over the backing substrate; and a thermoplastic disposed onto the structures and the backing substrate, wherein the thermoplastic substantially binds the backing substrate and layer of structures together.