The Aerospace Corporation

James P Nokes

Rafael J Zaldivar

Gary F Hawkins

Dick J Chang

Francis Hai

Hyun I Kim

Jon Victor Osborn

Dhruv N Patel

Eric C Johnson

John S Williams

Alan R Hopkins

Gary N Harper

Rafael J Zaidivar

Michael A Tockstein

A method and composition wherein carbonaceous nano-scaled filler material is subjected to atmospheric plasma treatment using carbon monoxide as the active gas. The treatment with carbon monoxide plasma has been found to significantly increase the incorporation of oxygen groups on the surface of the filler material without degrading the surface and thus serves to increase wettability and dispersion throughout the matrix. The composite that incorporates the treated filler material has enhanced mechanical and electrical properties.

Carbonaceous nano-scaled materials having highly functionalized surface

A radio-frequency transparent window having internal conduits for the passage of cooling fluid is configured for simulating a highly uniform thermal environment for testing a device intended for use in space. The device to be tested is placed within a chamber in which a vacuum condition is maintained by a radio-frequency transparent pressure window under a pressure seal. Within the chamber, the thermal window is positioned adjacent, but not in contact with, the pressure window. A radio frequency signal is capable of passing directly through both the thermal window and the pressure window to permit communication with the device being tested within the housing. The thermal window is not in contact with the device so there in no conduction of heat from the device. Radiant heat transfer may occur from the device to the thermal window.

Radio frequency transparent thermal window

A system and method for measuring a glass transition temperature of a hydrophobic polymer having a surface tagged with an atmospheric plasma.

System and method for measuring glass transition temperature

A hybrid adhesive incorporating cyanate ester and/or epoxy materials and utilizing atmospheric plasma treatment provides stronger, more reliable joints in structural composite parts.

Hybrid adhesive

A glass transition temperature Tg measurement system includes a probe point penetrating into a sample under test that has been heated by a heater to a temperature where the sample undergoes a phase change from a solid to a semisolid. A thermocouple is used to measure the temperature while a motion transducer is used to measure the amount of penetration. The penetration amount sharply increases at the glass transition temperature. A portable unit can be used in the field to test the Tg properties of various composite materials used, for example, in structures including buildings and bridges.

Glass transition temperature measurement system

A heater preferably having a plurality of equally spaced heating elements, such as heating lamps, provides a uniform heat radiation pattern for quickly and uniformly heating a large surface area using motor controlled wheels for translating the heater at a constant rate of speed across the surface of a structure in a desired pattern. The heater having a handle for operator manipulation for guiding and turning the heater in the desired pattern. The heater, having a wide lateral distance for radiating a wide uniform radiation pattern is suitable for thermographic application for imaging the heated surface and detecting subsurface defects in the structure, such as composite overwrapped concrete bridge and building structures subject where debonding of the composite/concrete interface is a concern.

Wheeled large surface thermographic inspection heating apparatus with uniform heating

A thin film stress sensor measures the maximum compressive stress between two elements that are compressed together. The sensor is formed from a thin RTV film impregnated with microballoons and reinforced with carbon fibers to restrain the lateral deformation of the RTV so that more uniform pressure can be exerted on the microballoons when the sensors are uniaxially compressed.

Microballoon impregnated fiber reinforced RTV film compression stress

A thin film stress sensor measures the maximum compressive stress between two elements that are compressed together. The sensor is formed from a thin RTV film impregnated with microballoons and reinforced with carbon fibers to restrain the lateral deformation of the RTV so that more uniform pressure can be exerted on the microballoons when the sensors are uniaxially compressed. The testing method includes applying a compressive stress up to an maximum compressive stress to rupture a first portion of the microballoons, and then applying an interrogating pressure causing acoustic emissions emitted by a second portion of the microballoons when the interrogating pressure equals the equivalent maximum compressive stress, so as to determine the maximum compressive stress.

Growing community of inventors

Torrance, CA, United States of America

James P Nokes