University of Virginia Patent Foundation

Other

University of California

Anthony G Evans

Haydn N G Wadley

Frederick F Lange

Douglas T Queheillalt

Ann Marie Sastry

Bhaskar V Velamakanni

Hossein Haj-Hariri

Yellapu V Murty

George P Peterson

Robert Kurtz

G Douglas Long

Robert Mehrabian

David C Lam

Wen Chang Tu

Methods and apparatuses for passive jet blast deflection or the like. Use of the passive jet blast deflector permits the efficient dispersal of a fast moving local heat source into the environment through passive means while providing a high strength structure. The jet blast deflector system may include a first plate, a second plate, and a cellular core disposed between them adapted to allow cooling ambient air to flow through the cellular core, wherein the first plate, second plate, and core are all seamlessly coupled heat pipes that form a single vapor core to facilitate the spreading and even storing of thermal energy. An ejector plate may be attached to the top of the second plate to create a low pressure zone as the heat source passes over it, thereby pulling the ambient air through the cellular core, facilitating the removal the thermal energy from the system.

Method and apparatus for jet blast deflection

Disclosed herein is a multifunctional battery for supplying power to an electrical circuit, and the related method of making the same. Use of the multifunctional battery permits structural integrity and versatility, while maximizing power output of the cells and minimizing the overall weight of the structure. The multifunctional battery includes an open cell interconnected structure comprised of a plurality of open cells so as to provide a structural electrode. The structural electrode is configured to be a load bearing member. The battery also includes interstitial electrodes that are counter electrodes to the structural electrode. The interstitial electrodes are at least partially received within a predetermined number of the cells of the interconnected structure. Additionally, a separator portion is disposed between the structural electrode and interstitial electrodes to serve as an electrical insulator.

Multifunctional battery and method of making the same

Damage-tolerant, continuous fiber ceramic matrix composites are fabricated to fill the space between the fibers with a powder. The powder particles are heat treated to form a porous framework without shrinkage, which is then strengthened with an inorganic synthesized from a precursor in solution. High particle packing densities is achieved within the fiber preform using a small particle-to-fiber diameter ratio. Filling the interstices with a powder increases the composite density and also limits the size of the crack-like voids within the matrix. The ceramic matrix composite (CMC) has mechanical characteristics similar to those found in wood. It is also affordable and inherently oxidation resistant. The composite is characterized by a heterogeneous distribution of fibers within a porous matrix having a homogeneous, fine porosity. A residual stress from thermal expansion mismatch of the matrix and fibers is created in the composite. The illustrated embodiment uses Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 fibers with either mullite or Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 matrices.

Damage tolerant ceramic matrix composites by a precursor infiltration

The present invention relates to processes to produce ceramic reinforced and ceramic-metal matrix composite articles. More specifically, the invention concerns the use of pressure filtration to infiltrate a reinforcing organic or inorganic network with ceramic particles. Centrifugation is also used to separate the liquid form the slurry. After heating the reinforced ceramic article is produced. Pressure filtration is also used to infiltrate an organic polymer or organic fiber network with ceramic particles. The solvent is removed carefully followed by intermediate heating to remove the organic network without deforming the preform shape. After densification, the preform is heated and contacted with molten metal (optionally) with pressure to infiltrate the open channel network. Upon cooling the ceramic metal matrix composite is obtained. The reinforced matrix articles are useful in high temperature and high stress applications, e.g., combustion chambers, space applications, ceramics for bathroom fixture use, and the like. A significant advantage of this process is its ability to manipulate the architecture as well as the amount of metal reinforcement in the composite as per specifications. Moreover, one can choose different metal-ceramic reinforcements as per the processing needs.

Method to produce ceramic reinforced or ceramic-metal matrix composite

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Santa Barbara, CA, United States of America

Anthony G Evans