Florida International University

Arvind Agarwal

Cheng Zhang

Benjamin Peter Boesl

Tony Thomas

Ambreen Nisar

Pranjal Nautiyal

Tanaji Paul

Denny John

Kazue Orikasa

Lihua Lou

Sohail Mazher Ali Khan Mohammed

Markondeyaraj Pulugurtha

Brandon A Aguiar

Reshmi Banerjee

Adeyinka Idowu

Jenniffer Bustillos

Abderrachid Hamrani

Darryl Dickerson

Chris Rudolf

Mukesh Roy

Preyojon Dey

Nicole Bacca

Sadegh Behdad

Tyler Dolmetsch

Omar Blandon Cruz

Abhijith Kunneparambil Sukumaran

Ghaleb Saleh Ghaleb Al-Duhni

Luiza Benedetti

Xiaolong Lu

Branon Aguiar

Nanocomposites and fabrication methods thereof are provided. The nanocomposites can include two-dimensional (2D) material and one or more shape memory polymers (SMPs), thereby combining the unique properties of SMPs with the exceptional attributes of 2D materials. The nanocomposites exhibit enhanced mechanical, thermal, electrical, and radiation shielding properties. 2D materials can be integrated into three-dimensional (3D)-printed SMPs, allowing for development of smart and complex-shaped nanocomposites.

Nanocomposites comprising 2D materials and a shape memory polymer and fabrication methods thereof

Materials are provided that can be used for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding, and methods of fabricating the same and methods of using the same are also provided. Polymer-based fiber thin films can have superior electrical conductivity and excellent EMI shielding efficiency while being ultra-flexible and ultra-lightweight. The fiber thin films can be dual polymer thin films and can incorporate quantum dots (QDs) (e.g., magnetic quantum dots) and/or two-dimensional (2D) conductive nanomaterials within a dual polymer matrix comprising a conductive polymer and a nonconductive polymer. The resultant composite thin film can have low density, high porosity, and high electrical conductivity.

Polymer nanocomposite flexible films for electromagnetic interference shielding

Hybrid carbon nanofiber (Cnf) products (e.g., mats, yarns, webs, etc.) and methods of fabricating the same are provided. The hybrid Cnf products are flexible and lightweight and have high thermal conductivity. An electrospinning process can be used to fabricate the hybrid Cnf products and can include preparation of an electrospinning solution, electrospinning, and carbonization (e.g., under a vacuum condition).

Hybrid carbon nanofibers products and methods of fabricating the same

Devices and methods for nanofiber-based membrane fabrication are provided. Portable (e.g., handheld) electrostatic spinning or electrospinning devices can be used for nanofiber-based membrane fabrication (e.g., wound care films or membranes, such as cannabidiol (CBD)-loaded films or membranes) and can be wearable and/or ultralow power. The device can include a needleless spinneret having solution supplied thereto and all powered by a low voltage battery.

Devices and methods for nanofiber-based membrane fabrication

Erosion test rigs are provided for propelling dust and/or particles at high velocity and providing variable temperature ranges, as well as methods of using and fabricating the same. The erosion test rig can propel dust and/or particles at a velocity of up to 400 meters per second (m/s) and generate wide temperature ranges (e.g., from −196° C. to 200° C.) to simulate the harsh erosive conditions of planetary environments (e.g., Mars and Luna).

Erosion test rig for variable speed dust impact at extreme temperatures

Cold-sprayed aluminum capacitors on lead frame metal foils are provided for applications in 3D power package integration. This additive manufacturing process allows pre-patterned low-temperature processing of aluminum electrodes on metal lead frames, insulated metal substrates or even heat-spreaders and cold-plates. Cold-sprayed capacitors can eliminate several process integration and reliability issues that are associated with traditional discrete surface-assembled capacitors.

Systems and methods for patterning valve metals

Methods for large-scale additive manufacturing of high-strength boron nitride nanotubes (BNNT)/aluminum (Al) (e.g., reinforced Al alloy) metal matrix composites (MMCs) (BNNT/Al MMCs), as well as the BNNT/Al MMCs produced by the large-scale additive manufacturing methods, are provided. A combination of ultrasonication and spray drying techniques can produce good BNNT/Al alloy feedstock powders, which can be used in a cold spraying process.

Boron nitride nanotube aluminum composites and methods of manufacturing the same

Provided is a method of repairing structures on the Lunar surface using Lunar regolith containing metallic coatings. An ultra-portable and low-pressure cold spray system is utilized to consolidate coatings. This system can be easily transported to space, reducing the payload. Lunar regolith is added to the metal powder before cold spray deposition. Lunar regolith increases the tampering effect during cold spray deposition, thereby causing severe plastic deformation of the metal powders and providing a coating with high quality and minimum porosity. The presence of Lunar regolith increases the hardness of the coating and improves wear properties. Coatings on a large area can be made rapidly without much surface preparation. These coatings can be rapidly applied to various Lunar structures to repair, reinforce, and restore (RRR) functionality and performance in the Lunar environment.

Cold spray deposition of lunar regolith simulant-containing coatings for space repair applications

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.

Foams of nanomaterials and fabrication methods thereof

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 (WS) 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.

Foams and foam-polymer composites and fabrication methods thereof

High-entropy ultra-high temperature ceramics (HE-UHTC) coatings deposited on substrates, as well methods for depositing the HE-UHTC coatings on the substrates, are provided. An HE-UHTC electrode can be fabricated via spark plasma sintering (SPS) and then a thin coating of the HE-UHTC can be deposited in a precision-controlled manner on a substrate via an electro-spark deposition process.

High-entropy ultra-high temperature ceramic (HE-UHTC) coatings and deposition methods thereof

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.

Growing community of inventors

Miami, FL, United States of America

Arvind Agarwal