Abstract: A method and apparatus for additive manufacturing that includes a nozzle and/or barrel for extruding a plastic material and a supply of polymeric working material provided to the nozzle, wherein the polymeric working material is magnetically susceptible and/or electrically conductive. A magneto-dynamic heater is provided for producing a time varying, high flux, frequency sweeping, alternating magnetic field in the vicinity of the nozzle to penetrate into and couple the working material to heat the material through at least one of an induced transient magnetic domain and an induced, annular current.

Abstract: Systems and methods for synthesizing continuous graphene sheets are provided. The systems and methods include passing a catalyst substrate through a heated chemical vapor deposition chamber and exposing the substrate to a reaction gas mixture of hydrogen and hydrocarbon at a preselected location within the chamber. The reaction gas mixture can include hydrogen having a partial pressure of between about 0 Torr and 20 Torr, hydrocarbon having a partial pressure of between about 20 mTorr and about 10 Torr, and one or more buffer gases. The buffer gases can include argon or other noble gases to maintain atmospheric pressure within the chemical deposition chamber. The resulting graphene can be made with continuous mono and multilayers (up to six layers) and have single crystalline hexagonal grains with a preselected nucleation density and domain size for a range of applications.

Abstract: Provided is a water raceway device comprising a tub and a raceway insert. The tub is adapted to contain water to a functional depth, is open at the top, and is bounded by a set of side walls and a set of end walls. The raceway insert has a pair of dividers each having a first end, and a base. The base is engaged with the first ends of the dividers, has supports adapted for supporting the base on the tub, has a pair of slots elongated to define a forward direction and a rearward direction, each slot having slidably engaged therewith a handle, the handle having a paddle pivotably mounted thereon, and wherein each paddle can be moved in the forward direction or in the rearward direction. The dividers and the side walls define within the tub, wave sluices and a current sluice.

Abstract: A coating steel component with a pattern of an iron based matrix with crystalline particles metallurgically bound to the surface of a steel substrate for use as disc cutters or other components with one or more abrading surfaces that can experience significant abrasive wear, high point loads, and large shear stresses during use. The coated component contains a pattern of features in the shape of freckles or stripes that are laser formed and fused to the steel substrate. The features can display an inner core that is harder than the steel substrate but generally softer than the matrix surrounding the core, providing toughness and wear resistance to the features. The features result from processing an amorphous alloy where the resulting matrix can be amorphous, partially devitrified or fully devitrified.

Abstract: A method of forming a metal-carbon composite, the method comprising subjecting a precursor composition to a curing step followed by a carbonization step, the precursor composition comprising: (i) a phenolic component, (ii) a crosslinkable aldehyde component, (iii) a polymerization catalyst, and (iv) metal-containing particles, wherein said carbonization step comprises heating the precursor composition at a carbonizing temperature of at least 300° C. for sufficient time to convert the precursor composition to said metal-carbon composite. The produced metal-carbon composite, devices incorporating them, and methods of their use (e.g., in capacitive deionization and lithium ion batteries) are also described.

Abstract: A composite stainless steel composition is composed essentially of, in terms of wt. % ranges: 25 to 28 Cr; 11 to 13 Ni; 7 to 8 W; 3.5 to 4 Mo; 3 to 3.5 B; 2 to 2.5 Mn; 1 to 1.5 Si; 0.3 to 1.7 C; up to 2 O; balance Fe. The composition has an austenitic matrix phase and a particulate, crystalline dispersed phase.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for additive manufacturing that includes a nozzle and/or barrel for extruding a plastic material and a supply of polymeric working material provided to the nozzle, wherein the polymeric working material is magnetically susceptible and/or electrically conductive. A magneto-dynamic heater is provided for producing a time varying, high flux, frequency sweeping, alternating magnetic field in the vicinity of the nozzle to penetrate into and couple the working material to heat the material through at least one of an induced transient magnetic domain and an induced, annular current.

Abstract: A robotic, prosthetic or orthotic member includes a body formed of a solidified metallic powder. At least one working fluid cylinder is formed in the body. A piston is provided in the working fluid cylinder for pressurizing a fluid in the cylinder. At least one working fluid conduit receives the pressurized fluid from the cylinder. The body, working fluid cylinder and working fluid conduit have a unitary construction. A method of making a robotic member is also disclosed.

Abstract: A coating steel component with a pattern of an iron based matrix with crystalline particles metallurgically bound to the surface of a steel substrate for use as disc cutters or other components with one or more abrading surfaces that can experience significant abrasive wear, high point loads, and large shear stresses during use. The coated component contains a pattern of features in the shape of freckles or stripes that are laser formed and fused to the steel substrate. The features can display an inner core that is harder than the steel substrate but generally softer than the matrix surrounding the core, providing toughness and wear resistance to the features. The features result from processing an amorphous alloy where the resulting matrix can be amorphous, partially devitrified or fully devitrified.

Abstract: A coating steel component with a pattern of an iron based matrix with crystalline particles metallurgically bound to the surface of a steel substrate for use as disc cutters or other components with one or more abrading surfaces that can experience significant abrasive wear, high point loads, and large shear stresses during use. The coated component contains a pattern of features in the shape of freckles or stripes that are laser formed and fused to the steel substrate. The features can display an inner core that is harder than the steel substrate but generally softer than the matrix surrounding the core, providing toughness and wear resistance to the features. The features result from processing an amorphous alloy where the resulting matrix can be amorphous, partially devitrified or fully devitrified.

Abstract: A robotic, prosthetic or orthotic member includes a body formed of a solidified metallic powder. At least one working fluid cylinder is formed in the body. A piston is provided in the working fluid cylinder for pressurizing a fluid in the cylinder. At least one working fluid conduit receives the pressurized fluid from the cylinder. The body, working fluid cylinder and working fluid conduit have a unitary construction. A method of making a robotic member is also disclosed.

Abstract: A composite stainless steel composition is composed essentially of, in terms of wt. % ranges: 25 to 28 Cr; 11 to 13 Ni; 7 to 8 W; 3.5 to 4 Mo; 3 to 3.5 B; 2 to 2.5 Mn; 1 to 1.5 Si; 0.3 to 1.7 C; up to 2 0; balance Fe. The composition has an austenitic matrix phase and a particulate, crystalline dispersed phase.

Abstract: A float valve comprising a shut-off lever and a float lever is disclosed. The shut-off lever is supported for pivotal movement about a first axis between a first closed position and a second open position. The float lever is supported for pivotal movement about a second axis between a first closed position and a second open position. The float lever and the shut-off lever include cams which cooperate to transmit closing forces and opening forces between the levers. The valve exhibits a snap closing action whereby seeping is prevented over a substantial range of liquid levels.

Abstract: A method of forming a carbon and titanium containing composite that includes mixing a titanium-containing powder with carbon and forming the mixture of the titanium-containing-powder and carbon into a composite structure at a temperature of less than 1500° C. The forming process provides a net shape having dimensions within 90% or greater than the final shape of the product. The binder of the composite is provided by the titanium, and the dispersed phase of the composite is provided by the carbon. The carbon and titanium containing composite may be employed as in applications including capacitive deionization (CDI), gas separation, chromatography, catalysis and electrode.

Abstract: A float valve comprising a shut-off lever and a float lever is disclosed. The shut-off lever is supported for pivotal movement about a first axis between a first closed position and a second open position. The float lever is supported for pivotal movement about a second axis between a first closed position and a second open position. The float lever and the shut-off lever include cams which cooperate to transmit closing forces and opening forces between the levers. The valve exhibits a snap closing action whereby seeping is prevented over a substantial range of liquid levels.

Abstract: A coating steel component with a pattern of an iron based matrix with crystalline particles metallurgically bound to the surface of a steel substrate for use as disc cutters or other components with one or more abrading surfaces that can experience significant abrasive wear, high point loads, and large shear stresses during use. The coated component contains a pattern of features in the shape of freckles or stripes that are laser formed and fused to the steel substrate. The features can display an inner core that is harder than the steel substrate but generally softer than the matrix surrounding the core, providing toughness and wear resistance to the features. The features result from processing an amorphous alloy where the resulting matrix can be amorphous, partially devitrified or fully devitrified.

Abstract: A coating steel component with a pattern of an iron based matrix with crystalline particles metallurgically bound to the surface of a steel substrate for use as disc cutters or other components with one or more abrading surfaces that can experience significant abrasive wear, high point loads, and large shear stresses during use. The coated component contains a pattern of features in the shape of freckles or stripes that are laser formed and fused to the steel substrate. The features can display an inner core that is harder than the steel substrate but generally softer than the matrix surrounding the core, providing toughness and wear resistance to the features. The features result from processing an amorphous alloy where the resulting matrix can be amorphous, partially devitrified or fully devitrified.

Abstract: A coating steel component with a pattern of an iron based matrix with crystalline particles metallurgically bound to the surface of a steel substrate for use as disc cutters or other components with one or more abrading surfaces that can experience significant abrasive wear, high point loads, and large shear stresses during use. The coated component contains a pattern of features in the shape of freckles or stripes that are laser formed and fused to the steel substrate. The features can display an inner core that is harder than the steel substrate but generally softer than the matrix surrounding the core, providing toughness and wear resistance to the features. The features result from processing an amorphous alloy where the resulting matrix can be amorphous, partially devitrified or fully devitrified.

Abstract: The subject invention is a centered on an improved base structure with detachable container means as used by young children for educational purposes, such container means having a depressed area in the middle portion of such depressed area, with the upper portion of the frame being flanked by a plurality of upwardly extending support arms extending upwardly from the upper outer perimeter of the base member, with the upper portion of the upper support arms having holding means thereon to securely hold upright and additionally support laterally a portion of a basin member such that the basin is held securely within the restricted area of the frame structure.

Abstract: The subject invention is a multipurpose art unit and workplace assembly for young children or adults for play and educational purposes, such assembly comprising a double-sided member having two opposing solid plant members, joined together at their upper edges, in an angular manner, such planar members having on their outer sides work surface upon which on can place a paper or similar materials for rendering art work thereon, with the inner spatial area between the conjoined and opposing planar members having means to hold finished work for drying purposes.