Abstract: The present application relates to a multifunctional filter medium and a method of manufacturing the same. The multifunctional filter medium of the present application is capable of significantly reducing fine dust, harmful microorganisms, and toxic gases and reducing a pressure decrease during filtration due to exclusion of high-density nanofiber, thereby minimizing energy required for filtration and exhibiting sufficient filtration performance as a single filter medium.

Abstract: A device for coating one or more yarns by a vapor deposition method, the device including a treatment chamber extending along a longitudinal axis and having a treatment zone between an internal and an external circumferential wall, and within which at least one yarn is to be coated by performing a vapor deposition method; a conveyor system to transport the at least one yarn through the treatment zone; an injector device to inject a treatment gas phase into the treatment zone through an inlet orifice present in the internal or external circumferential wall; and a removal device to remove the residual gas phase from the treatment zone through an outlet orifice present in the internal or external circumferential wall, the inlet and the outlet orifice being situated in a common plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the chamber and being offset around the circumferential direction of the chamber.

Abstract: Methods of making carbon nanostructures are disclosed with including examples having heat treatment of a mixture having a fibrous organic reagent and a catalyst in the presence of a reducing agent for a time sufficient to produce a quantity of carbon nanostructures which may be nanotubes or other related structures. The reducing agent may be hydrogen, nitrogen or ammonia.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for hydrophobization of a fabric surface comprising providing a stream of a substantially anhydrous gas, passing said gas over or through a substantially anhydrous liquid of an alkylsilane, preferably a fluorinated alkylsilane to provide an alkylsilane, preferably a fluorinated alkylsilane vapor and bringing said vapor in contact with the fabric surface, thereby allowing the optionally fluorinated alkylsilane to bind covalently to the fabric surfaced. The present invention further relates to a fabric comprising a superhydrophobic surface finish prepared by a method of the invention and to a device for carrying out the method of the invention.

Abstract: A thermal management device including a first face configured to be in contact with a hot source and a second face opposite the first face configured to be in contact with a cold source, and at least one network of cells filled with a solid/liquid phase-change material located in a cavity between the first and second faces, wherein the cells include walls formed of carbon nanotubes, wherein the nanotubes extend roughly from the first to the second face, thermally connecting the first face to the second face.

Abstract: Processes for growing carbon nanotubes on carbon fiber substrates are described herein. The processes can include depositing a catalyst precursor on a carbon fiber substrate, optionally depositing a non-catalytic material on the carbon fiber substrate, and after depositing the catalyst precursor and the optional non-catalytic material, exposing the carbon fiber substrate to carbon nanotube growth conditions so as to grow carbon nanotubes thereon. The carbon nanotube growth conditions can convert the catalyst precursor into a catalyst that is operable for growing carbon nanotubes. The carbon fiber substrate can remain stationary or be transported while the carbon nanotubes are being grown. Optionally, the carbon fiber substrates can include a barrier coating and/or be free of a sizing agent. Carbon fiber substrates having carbon nanotubes grown thereon are also described.

Abstract: Methods for growing carbon nanotubes on glass substrates, particularly glass fiber substrates, are described herein. The methods can include depositing a catalytic material or a catalyst precursor on a glass substrate; depositing a non-catalytic material on the glass substrate prior to, after, or concurrently with the catalytic material or catalyst precursor; and exposing the glass substrate to carbon nanotube growth conditions so as to grow carbon nanotubes thereon. The glass substrate, particularly a glass fiber substrate, can be transported while the carbon nanotubes are being grown thereon. Catalyst precursors can be converted into a catalyst when exposed to carbon nanotube growth conditions. The catalytic material or catalyst precursor and the non-catalytic material can be deposited from a solution containing water as a solvent. Illustrative deposition techniques include, for example, spray coating and dip coating.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a scaled method for producing substantially aligned carbon nanotubes by depositing onto a continuously moving substrate, (1) a catalyst to initiate and maintain the growth of carbon nanotubes, and (2) a carbon-bearing precursor. Products made from the disclosed method, such as monolayers of substantially aligned carbon nanotubes, and methods of using them are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for fabricating composite carbon nanotube structure is presented. A carbon nanotube array is provided. A first carbon nanotube structure is drawn from the carbon nanotube array. The first carbon nanotube structure is located on the substrate. A second carbon nanotube structure is grown on a surface of the first carbon nanotube structure to form a composite carbon nanotube structure. A composite carbon nanotube structure is also presented.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide methodologies for generating structures of filamentous carbon (or carbon filaments) with controlled geometries. In one exemplary embodiment of forming the carbon filament structure, a metal template can be exposed to a fuel rich gaseous mixture to form a carbon filament structure at an appropriate gas flow and/or at an appropriate temperature on the metal template. The metal template can have one or more metal surfaces with controlled geometries. Carbon filament structures can then be grown on the metal surfaces having corresponding geometries (or shapes) in the growth direction. The carbon filament structure can be two or three dimensional and can have high density. In various embodiments, the metal template can be removed to leave a self-supporting carbon filament structure.

Abstract: A microfluidic component comprises at least one channel (2) delineated by a top wall (6) and a bottom wall (3) and two opposite side walls (4, 5). The distance (P) between the top wall (6) and the bottom wall (3) of the channel (2) is greater than or equal to 25 micrometers and first and second sets of nanotubes (9a, 9b) are respectively borne by the two opposite side walls (4, 5) for the component to present a particularly high ratio between the contact surface and the available volume and a limited overall surface size. In addition, the distance between the two opposite side walls (4, 5) is about a few micrometers and preferably comprised between 3 and 5 micrometers.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing a carbon structure including exposing a carbon fiber substrate to oxygen at a first predetermined temperature and activating the carbon fiber substrate by exposure to oxygen at a second predetermined temperature. A catalyst including palladium is deposited on the activated carbon fiber substrate. The deposited catalyst on the carbon fiber structure is exposed to a hydrocarbon at a third predetermined temperature to grow carbon structures thereon. The carbon structures grown can be multimodal in nature with structures that are nano-scale and/or submicron-scale.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel cellulose electrode having high performance, which is capable of substituting for carbon paper used as a conventional fuel cell electrode. A method of manufacturing the cellulose electrode includes cutting cellulose fibers to a predetermined length and binding the fibers, or directly weaving the fibers, thus producing a cellulose sheet, directly growing carbon nanotubes on the cellulose sheet, and supporting a platinum nano-catalyst on the surface of the carbon nanotubes using chemical vapor deposition. An electrode including the cellulose fibers and use of cellulose fibers as fuel cell electrodes are also provided. As a novel functional material for fuel cell electrodes, porous cellulose fibers having micropores are used, thereby reducing electrode manufacturing costs and improving electrode performance.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a composite material part having carbon fiber reinforcement densified by a matrix, including making a coherent fiber preform of carbon fibers presenting holes formed from at least a first face of the preform, and densifying the preform by depositing therein a material constituting a matrix by means of a chemical vapor infiltration type process. The holes are formed by causing a plurality of non-rotary elongate tools to penetrate simultaneously, the tools being substantially mutually parallel and presenting on their surfaces roughnesses or portions in relief suitable for breaking and/or transferring fibers they encounter, the tools being caused to penetrate simultaneously by moving a support carrying the tools, and the tools being selected to have a cross-section that makes it possible to obtain in the carbon fiber preform holes that present a cross-section with a mean dimension lying in the range 50 ?m to 500 ?m.

Abstract: A composition includes a substrate and a carbon filament where the carbon filament has a first end in contact with the substrate and a second end that is distal to the substrate. The carbon filament may be a carbon nanofiber or carbon nanocoil. The substrate may be a glass fiber and the carbon filament may be radially attached to the glass fiber.

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 method and apparatus for the continuous production of carbon nanostructures so as to improve their quality and quantity. Such structures have potential application as hydrogen storage means in new energy sources. The carbon nanostructures (20) are grown in a continuous or semi-continuous manner on a continuous, elongate, heated substrate (15) to form a coated substrate the process involving movement of the substrate through one or more deposition chambers (2,3). The substrate may be an electrically heated wire (15).

Abstract: A method of fabricating a thermostructural composite material part includes making a fiber preform formed of yarns or tows and impregnated by a consolidating composition containing a carbon- or ceramic-precursor, transforming the carbon- or ceramic-precursor by pyrolysis, and then densifying the preform by chemical vapor infiltration. A consolidating composition is used that additionally contains refractory solid fillers in the powder form presenting mean grain size less than 200 nanometers and leaving, after pyrolysis, a consolidated solid phase in which the carbon or the ceramic derived from the precursor occupies a volume representing 3% to 10% of the apparent volume of the preform, and the solid fillers occupy a volume representing 0.5% to 5% of the apparent volume of the preform.

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: Method of chemical vapor infiltration of a deposable carbon material into a porous carbon fiber preform in order to densify the carbon fiber preform. The method includes the steps of: situating the porous carbon fiber preform in the reaction zone; providing a linear flow of a reactant gas comprising deposable carbon material in the reaction zone at an initial reaction pressure of at most 50 torr to produce deposition of the deposable carbon material into the preform; and adjusting the pressure of the gas to reaction pressures lower than said initial reaction pressure while deposable carbon material continues to be deposited into the porous carbon fiber preform. This method enables attainment of a target increased density in a carbon fiber preform much more quickly than known processes. A programmed pressure swing throughout the CVI/CVD run may be set in order to provide a linear increase in density.

Abstract: Processes for the simultaneous and selective growth of single walled and multiwalled carbon nanotubes in a single set of experiments are disclosed. The processes may include preparing a graphite electrode rod containing catalyst selected from Fe, Co, Ni, and a mixture thereof, acting as an anode. The process may include preparing another graphite electrode rod, each electrode having a distal and a proximal end. The process may include placing the above said two electrodes parallel to each other and their axis being substantially aligned in a chamber. The process may further include creating a DC-arc discharge inside the chamber by applying a DC-current voltage. The process may further include an cooling assembly having a cooling coil that surrounds the two electrodes. The cooling assembly may be used to maintain a temperature gradient that permits the depositing of single walled and multiwalled carbon nanotubes simultaneously in one experiment.

Abstract: A carrier for an object, preferably a substrate of a semiconductor component such as a wafer, includes a receiving element for the object and gas outlets arranged below the receiving element along the object received. At least sections of the carrier are made of a material which including stabilizing fibers and having a porosity which forms the gas outlets, in order to enable a desired gas to exit from the gas outlets in a dosed and finely distributed manner.

Abstract: Carbon nanotube (CNT) arrays are attractive thermal interface materials with high compliance and conductance that can remain effective over a wide temperature range. Disclosed herein are CNT interface structures in which free CNT ends are bonded using palladium hexadecanethiolate Pd(SC16H35)2 to an opposing substrate (one-sided interface) or opposing CNT array (two-sided interface) to enhance contact conductance while maintaining a compliant joint. The palladium weld is mechanically stable at high temperatures. A transient photoacoustic (PA) method is used to measure the thermal resistance of the palladium bonded CNT interfaces. The interfaces were bonded at moderate pressures and then tested at 34 kPa using the PA technique. At an interface temperature of approximately 250° C., one-sided and two-sided palladium bonded interfaces achieved thermal resistances near 10 mm2 K/W and 5 mm2 K/W, respectively.

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.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a porous catalyst support for maximizing an increase in catalytic reaction activity and a method of preparing a nano-metal-supported catalyst using the same. The method includes splitting cellulose fibers, thus preparing a catalyst support, growing carbon nanotubes on the prepared catalyst support, and supporting a nano-metal catalyst on the catalyst support having the carbon nanotubes grown thereon.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nanoparticle growing mat (30), a method of manufacturing the mat, and a method for the continuous production of organized nanotubes using the mat. The mat (30) comprising a substrate including carbon, on which is deposited in a predetermined pattern of nanosized catalytic particles whose pattern produces nanotubes in a highly ordered form. The mat (30) is activated in the presence of a carrier gas, by passing current through the mat (30) which raises the temperature to the level where, nanotubes are: formed; gathered; withdrawn as nanotube bundles (42); and collected.

Abstract: An integrally woven three-dimensional preform with stiffeners in two or more directions constructed from a woven fabric having a first, second and optional third woven fabric layer. A plurality of yarns are interwoven over a region between the first and second fabric layers such that the first fabric layer is foldable relative to the second fabric layer. An additional plurality of yarns are interwoven over a region between the second and third fabric layers such that the third fabric layer is foldable relative to the second fabric layer. Upon folding of the woven fabric layers, the integrally woven three-dimensional preform with stiffeners in two or more directions is formed.

Abstract: A method of forming a string for use in a string ribbon crystal provides a refractory metal as a core for the string and forms a first layer of material on the core. A method of growing a ribbon crystal provides a pair of strings. Each string has a refractory metal core. The method further passes the strings through a molten material to grow the ribbon crystal between the pair of strings. A ribbon crystal wafer includes a ribbon crystal material and a pair of strings in the ribbon crystal material. Each string defines an outer edge of the wafer, and each string includes a refractory metal core.

Abstract: A method for forming interphase layers in ceramic matrix composites. The method forms interphase layers in ceramic matrix composites thereby enabling higher matrix densities to be achieved without sacrificing crack deflection and/or toughness. The methods of the present invention involve the use fugitive material-coated fibers. These fibers are then infiltrated with a ceramic matrix slurry. Then, the fugitive material is removed and the resulting material is reinfiltrated with an interphase layer material. The ceramic matrix composite is then fired. Additional steps may be included to densify the ceramic matrix or to increase the strength of the interphase layer. The method is useful for the formation of three dimensional fiber-reinforced ceramic matrix composites envisioned for use in gas turbine components.

Abstract: Disclosed are a porous catalyst support for maximizing an increase in catalytic reaction activity and a method of preparing a nano-metal-supported catalyst using the same. The method includes splitting cellulose fibers, thus preparing a catalyst support, growing carbon nanotubes on the prepared catalyst support, and supporting a nano-metal catalyst on the catalyst support having the carbon nanotubes grown thereon. A nano-metal-supported catalyst including the cellulose catalyst support and the use of cellulose fibers as the catalyst support for supporting the nano-metal catalyst are also provided. When porous cellulose fibers having a plurality of micropores are used as material for the catalyst support for supporting a nano-metal catalyst, the preparation cost of the catalyst is reduced and the increase in catalytic reaction activity is maximized even with the use of a small amount thereof in various catalytic reactions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for manufacturing carbon fibrous structures each of which comprises a three dimensional network of carbon fibers, which is characterized in that, in the procedure of carbon fiber vapor phase deposition utilizing decomposition of organic carbon compound, at least two kinds of organic carbon compounds as carbon sources are in existence at least at predetermined thermal decomposition reaction temperature range in a reaction furnace and partial pressures of gases of these compounds are regulated so that these compounds are decomposed at mutually different decomposition temperatures, and/or a raw material gas supplied into the reaction furnace is forced to form a turbulent flow. It is possible to obtain efficiently the carbon fibrous structures each of which comprises a three dimensional network of carbon fibers and which are suitable as additives to be added to solid materials, such as resin, ceramics, metal, etc.

Abstract: This invention provides an aligned single-layer carbon nanotube bulk structure, which comprises an assembly of a plurality of aligned single-layer carbon nanotube and has a height of not less than 10 ?m, and an aligned single-layer carbon nanotube bulk structure which comprises an assembly of a plurality of aligned single-layer carbon nanotubes and has been patterned in a predetermined form. This structure is produced by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of carbon nanotubes in the presence of a metal catalyst in a reaction atmosphere with an oxidizing agent, preferably water, added thereto. An aligned single-layer carbon nanotube bulk structure, which has realized high purify and significantly large scaled length or height, its production process and apparatus, and its applied products are provided.

Abstract: Methods for producing reinforced carbon nanotubes having a plurality of microparticulate carbide or oxide materials formed substantially on the surface of such reinforced carbon nanotubes composite materials are disclosed. In particular, the present invention provides reinforced carbon nanotubes (CNTs) having a plurality of boron carbide nanolumps formed substantially on a surface of the reinforced CNTs that provide a reinforcing effect on CNTs, enabling their use as effective reinforcing fillers for matrix materials to give high-strength composites. The present invention also provides methods for producing such carbide reinforced CNTs.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semi-continuous vapor grown carbon fiber, comprising: (a) providing a substrate which has a catalyst on its surface; (b) placing said substrate in a furnace; (c) loading said furnace with hydrogen, ammonia, or combinations thereof; (d) adjusting a temperature of said furnace to 400° C. to 900° C. to proceed heat treatment for 10 minutes to 2 hours; (e) adding a carbon-containing compound into said furnace; (f) adjusting the ratio of said carbon-containing compound and said hydrogen, ammonia, or combinations thereof; (g) adjusting the temperature of said furnace to 500° C. to 1200° C. to crack said carbon-containing compound, and thereby form a carbon fiber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a chemical vapor deposition process for the continuous growth of a carbon single-wall nanotube where a carbon-containing gas composition is contacted with a porous membrane and decomposed in the presence of a catalyst to grow single-wall carbon nanotube material. A pressure differential exists across the porous membrane such that the pressure on one side of the membrane is less than that on the other side of the membrane. The single-wall carbon nanotube growth may occur predominately on the low-pressure side of the membrane or, in a different embodiment of the invention, may occur predominately in between the catalyst and the membrane. The invention also relates to an apparatus used with the carbon vapor deposition process.

Abstract: Carbon nanotubes are incorporated in the fiber structure by growing them on the refractory fibers of the substrate so as to obtain a three-dimensional substrate made of refractory fibers and enriched in carbon nanotubes. The substrate is densified with a matrix to form a part of composite material such as a friction part of C/C composite material.

Abstract: A method of coating a ceramic matrix composite fiber is disclosed. The method includes passing the composite fiber through a reaction zone along a path substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the reaction zone. It also includes passing a flow of a fiber coating reactant through the reaction zone. Further, the method includes disrupting a portion of the flow of the fiber coating reactant from a path substantially parallel to a fiber path to create a mixing flow adjacent the composite fiber.

Abstract: A method for making a ceramic matrix composite turbine engine component, wherein the method includes providing a plurality of biased ceramic plies, wherein each biased ply comprises ceramic fiber tows, the tows being woven in a first warp direction and a second weft direction, the second weft direction lying at a preselected angular orientation with respect to the first warp direction, wherein a greater number of tows are woven in the first warp direction than in the second weft direction. The plurality of biased plies are laid up in a preselected arrangement to form the component, and a preselected number of the plurality of biased plies are oriented such that the orientation of the first warp direction of the plies lie about in the direction of maximum tensile stress during normal engine operation. A coating is applied to the plurality of biased plies. The coated component preform is then densified.

Abstract: A method of making a carbon fiber-carbon matrix reinforced ceramic composite wherein the result is a carbon fiber-carbon matrix reinforcement is embedded within a ceramic matrix. The ceramic matrix does not penetrate into the carbon fiber-carbon matrix reinforcement to any significant degree. The carbide matrix is a formed in situ solid carbide of at least one metal having a melting point above about 1850 degrees centigrade. At least when the composite is intended to operate between approximately 1500 and 2000 degrees centigrade for extended periods of time the solid carbide with the embedded reinforcement is formed first by reaction infiltration. Molten silicon is then diffused into the carbide. The molten silicon diffuses preferentially into the carbide matrix but not to any significant degree into the carbon-carbon reinforcement.

Abstract: A microfluidic sieve having a substrate with a microfluidic channel, and a carbon nanotube mesh. The carbon nanotube mesh is formed from a plurality of intertwined free-standing carbon nanotubes which are fixedly attached within the channel for separating, concentrating, and/or filtering molecules flowed through the channel. In one embodiment, the microfluidic sieve is fabricated by providing a substrate having a microfluidic channel, and growing the intertwined free-standing carbon nanotubes from within the channel to produce the carbon nanotube mesh attached within the channel.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing a high temperature stable fiber composite ceramic by chemical vapor infiltration (CVI) with a silicon carbide precursor in a suitable carrier gas on carbon fiber preforms or silicon carbide fiber preforms. This process is characterized by the use of a process pressure of ?0.6 bar absolute and a process temperature of ?1100° C. Also disclosed are structural component parts, particularly for aircraft and spacecraft engineering, which are commonly exposed to high thermal and mechanical loading and which have been produced by the above process.

Abstract: Annular substrates (20) are stacked in an enclosure where they define an inside volume (24) and an outer volume (26) outside the stack. A gas containing at least one precursor of a matrix material to be deposited within the pores of the substrates is channeled inside the enclosure to a first one (24) of the two volumes, and a residual gas is extracted from the enclosure from the other one (26) of the volumes. One or more leakage passages (22) allow the volumes to communicate with each other, other than through the substrates. The total section of the leakage passages has a value lying between a minimum value for ensuring that a maximum gas pressure in the first volume is not exceeded until the end of densification, and a maximum value such that a pressure difference is indeed established between the two volumes from the beginning of densification.

Abstract: The electron impact surface of an anode/collector is coated with a carbon nanotube coating to reduce the production of secondary electrons and, concomitantly, to suppress the formation of neutral gases and plasma. A carbonizable resin is first applied to the electron impact surface, followed by a coating comprised of carbon nanotubes. The coating is pyro-bonded to the surface by heating the anode/collector to over 700° C. in a non-oxidizing atmosphere. Next, the anode/collector is heated to over 1000° C. while a low-pressure hydrocarbon gas, for example, methane, is flowed over the carbon nanotube coating. The gas decomposes and creates a smooth, non-porous, rigid surface on the carbon nanotube coating. The anode/collector is then heated in a vacuum to evaporate any residual water in the carbon nanotube coating.

Abstract: Annular brake disc preform (15), wherein 40 to 80 layers of reinforcement fibers of at least two different lengths (11, 19) ranging from 10–60 mm are distributed in a planar gradient throughout the body of the preform, with the reinforcement fibers located near the exterior planes of the disc being predominately shorter fibers (11) and with the reinforcement fibers located in the central planes of the disc being predominately longer fibers (19).

Abstract: A gas-phase method for producing high yields of single-wall carbon nanotubes with high purity and homogeneity is disclosed. The method involves using preformed metal catalyst clusters to initiate and grow single-wall carbon nanotubes. In one embodiment, multi-metallic catalyst precursors are used to facilitate the metal catalyst cluster formation. The catalyst clusters are grown to the desired size before mixing with a carbon-containing feedstock at a temperature and pressure sufficient to initiate and form single-wall carbon nanotubes. The method also involves using small fullerenes and preformed sections of single-wall carbon nanotubes, either derivatized or underivatized, as seed molecules for expediting the growth and increasing the yield of single-wall carbon nanotubes. The multi-metallic catalyst precursors and the seed molecules may be introduced into the reactor by means of a supercritical fluid. In addition the seed molecules may be introduced into the reactor via an aerosol or smoke.

Abstract: Woven fabric of continuous, untwisted carbon yarn is impregnated with a modified cyanate ester resin or oligomer, preferably at least about 10% by weight of the combined weight of the cured resin and fabric. The cured fabric may be employed as a wet friction material suitable for use in transmission fluid couplings, and the like. The cured composite sheet can be backed with an adhesive film or liquid bonding paste for ease of bonding to one side of the metal portion of the transmission or clutch. Where thicker material is required, two or more cured composite sheets can be bonded together for applications such as transmissions.

Abstract: A structural dielectrically tailored prepreg panel includes structural materials having desired electrical qualities in one or more desired areas without loss of structural integrity or the addition of parasitic weight. In one method of manufacture an applicator such as a spray nozzle applies a first dielectric material to a first area not covered by a mask. In another method, the dielectric material includes a dry material, which is sprinkled upon a tacky impregnating resin in a controlled volume percentage to provide a dielectric gradient. In yet another embodiment an applicator arrangement includes a plurality of applicators arranged to form a multiple of applicator sets which communicates with a controller to selectively activate a particular applicator and dispense a desired dielectric resin in a desired location.

Abstract: An apparatus for coating a substrate with a diamond like coating or other vacuum depositable material comprises a chamber 11 having, or acting as, an anode, means for supporting a substrate 15 in the chamber, means for establishing a low pressure atmosphere containing a hydrocarbon-based gas in the chamber, and a radio frequency source 12 for establishing a gas plasma in the chamber, the substrate 15 acting as a cathode.

Abstract: The present invention relates to high quality composite materials from fibers such as glass, polyaramid or graphite fibers, where the composite incorporates a polymer matrix embedding individual fibers. The composites are lightweight materials displaying enhanced strength and durability. In one aspect, the polymer matrix is a thermoplastic or other polymer type that cannot easily penetrate gaps between individual fibers by typical methods for thermosets. The invention also relates to methods for forming composite materials, where the fiber is exposed to an emulsion including polymer particles having sufficiently small dimensions to allow impregnation into the fiber gaps. Composite sheets and articles are also described, as well as the formation of new composites for porous articles, e.g., ceramics or wood, where a polymer matrix is embedded within the pores.

Abstract: A method for enabling the formation of a carbonaceous hard film having a high hardness, strong adherence to the substrate, a wide range of substrate compatibility, and structural stability, which can be formed at room temperature and may cover a large area. The method includes vapor depositing a hard film of a carbonaceous material onto a substrate under vacuum by depositing a vaporized, hydrogen free carbonaceous material, which may be ionized or non-ionized, onto the substrate surface while irradiating the carbonaceous material with gas cluster ions, generated by ionizing gas clusters to form the film.