Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey

Other

Alliedsignal Inc.

Stratasys, Inc.

Stephen C Danforth

Ahmad Safari

Amit Bandyopadhyay

Mukesh Agarwala

Rajesh K Panda

Victor F Janas

Vikram Ramesh Jamalabad

Remco Van Weeren

Noshir Langrana

Amit Bandyopadghyay

William R Priedeman, Jr

John Ballato

Philip J Whalen

John P Pollinger

Thomas McNulty

Scott Allen Heimermann

A system and methods are described for providing a fully automated, requisition-driven, 'Just-In-Time' supply-based, centralized e-procurement system, suitable for governments or entities with similar procurement needs. A Web site-based reverse-auction among competing authorized suppliers is employed for purchase of all goods and services, except those that must be procured by other means. Automated methods are provided for: requisition handling and pooling; order formulation; processing and tracking; consolidated, distributed and other shipping arrangements; procurement accounting and payment authorization; supplier-relations administration; centralized e-procurement catalog management; procurement data analysis, and report and alert generation; procurement-needs analysis; and inventory management. A structure of internal and external modules is created for security. To the extent possible, all communication from and to and within the system is performed digitally.

Centralized, requisition-driven, order formulating, e-procurement method using reverse auction

This invention relates to a new class of piezoelectric composites with a radial design. More particularly, the radial design of these new ceramic/polymer composites show a higher sensitivity in the radial direction than conventional tube structured devices. Devices made utilizing this novel design will therefore show significantly enhanced performance in many applications.

Radial ceramic piezoelectric composites

A process for making ceramic composites includes the steps of: a) forming a polymer composition into a three-dimensional mold; b) filling said three-dimensional mold with one or more ceramic containing compositions; c) heating said filled mold to dry and sinter the ceramic; d) removing at least a portion of said three-dimensional mold thereby forming voids; and e) filling the voids with a second composition which has a piezoelectric coefficient which is substantially different from the piezoelectric coefficient of said ceramic structure. Steps a through e yield a controlled, non-random piezoelectric ceramic composite having 2-3, 3-2 or 3--3 connectivity with respect to the sintered ceramic and the second composition throughout the composite.

Methods for producing novel ceramic composites

Solid freeform fabrication techniques are used in direct methods to form photonic bandgap structures, and in indirect methods to form molds for photonic bandgap structures. In the direct methods, solid particulate materials are mixed with a binder and, through a computer-controlled process, are built layer by layer to form the structure. In the indirect methods, unfilled polymeric materials are built layer by layer to form a negative mold for the photonic bandgap structure. The cavities within the mold may then be filled with a slurry incorporating solid particulate materials. Subsequent processing may include mold removal, binder removal, densification and secondary infiltration steps to form a photonic bandgap structure having the desired properties.

Processes for forming photonic bandgap structures

A fused deposition process is used to form three-dimensional solid objects from a mixture including a particulate composition dispersed in a binder. The article is formed by depositing the mixture in repeated layers of predefined thickness, with each layer solidifying before the next adjacent layer is dispensed. Following formation and a binder removal step, the article may be at least partially densified to achieve preselected properties. The process permits three-dimensional articles to be formed relatively quickly and inexpensively, without the need for molds or other tooling.

Solid freeform fabrication methods

A ceramic component is manufactured rapidly using a mold made directly from a solid freeform manufacturing process. Solid freeform fabrication, or rapid prototyping, procedures are used to generate molds of materials that are soluble or otherwise fugitive. A gel casting suspension containing ceramic and emulsifying agents is poured into the cavity of the mold and caused to set. The mold is then removed by dissolution or heat treatment, leaving intact the gelcast part. Conventional procedures are then utilized to densify the gelcast component to the required final component. Time consuming and expensive machine tooling procedures are virtually eliminated. Ceramic components are generated rapidly in a cost effective manner.

Gel cast molding with fugitive molds

A process for forming novel ceramic composites is described. The disclosed process allows for novel composite designs, including composites with regions containing different materials. Moreover, the disclosed process allows for the manufacture of composites with volume fraction gradients of different types of material. Composites with fine-scale microstructures may be formed.

Ceramic composites and methods for producing same

This invention relates to novel oriented piezoelectric ceramic and ceramic/polymer composites. More particularly, it provides a novel piezoelectric composite design wherein the ceramic piezoelectric phase is oriented at an angle with respect to the direction of applied stress, thus giving improved electromechanical properties.

Growing community of inventors

Belle Mead, NJ, United States of America

Stephen C Danforth