A threadlike metallic or metallized reinforcer, for example a thread, film, tape or cord made of carbon steel, at the periphery of which is positioned a layer of metal referred to as surface metal chosen from copper, nickel and copper/nickel alloys, is characterized in that this surface metal layer is itself coated, at least in part, with at least one layer of graphene; preferably, there is grafted, to this graphene, at least one functional group which can crosslink to a polymer matrix. This reinforcer of the invention is effectively protected from corrosion by virtue of the graphene present at the surface; advantageously, it can be adhesively bonded directly, without adhesion primer or addition of metal salt, to an unsaturated rubber matrix, such as natural rubber, by virtue of the possible functionalization of this graphene.

A cable includes a core with a plurality of first wires made of carbon steel and a plurality of strands surrounding the core. Each strand includes a plurality of second wires made of stainless steel. The cable has a maximum cross-sectional dimension less than 2 millimeters.

A cable includes a core with a plurality of first wires made of carbon steel and a plurality of strands surrounding the core. Each strand includes a plurality of second wires made of stainless steel. The cable has a maximum cross-sectional dimension less than 2 millimeters.

A process for depositing, with forward progression, graphene on the surface of a metallic or metallized continuous reinforcer, at the periphery of which is positioned a layer of surface metal chosen from copper, nickel and copper/nickel alloys, comprises at least one stage of flame spray pyrolysis (FSP), under a reducing atmosphere, of a carbon precursor which generates, in the flame, at least one carbon-based gas such as carbon monoxide which is sprayed onto the surface of the reinforcer in forward progression, and is decomposed thereon to form one or more graphene layers at the surface of the surface metal; an additional stage of graphene functionalization makes it possible to adhere the reinforcer to a polymer matrix such as rubber.

A process for depositing, with forward progression, graphene on the surface of a metallic or metallized continuous reinforcer, at the periphery of which is positioned a layer of surface metal chosen from copper, nickel and copper/nickel alloys, comprises at least one stage of flame spray pyrolysis (FSP), under a reducing atmosphere, of a carbon precursor which generates, in the flame, at least one carbon-based gas such as carbon monoxide which is sprayed onto the surface of the reinforcer in forward progression, and is decomposed thereon to form one or more graphene layers at the surface of the surface metal; an additional stage of graphene functionalization makes it possible to adhere the reinforcer to a polymer matrix such as rubber.

The present invention relates to a structural element known in the technical field as tensairity, which introduces as distinctive elements with respect to the known art: (i) ropes in the shape-memory alloy (SMA) with superelastic (SE) and shape memory (ME) behavior; (ii) mechanical tensioners for the adjustment of the initial tension in the ropes; (iii) optionally a control apparatus (processor) is connected to electric circuits that induce flow of intensity variable current through the SMA wire ropes; (iv) optionally devices for real-time monitoring of the temperature and the level of tension in the SMA ropes; (v) optionally devices for real-time monitoring of the tensairity oscillations; (vi) optionally new structural geometries capable of sustaining static actions and multidirectional dynamics.

The present invention relates to a structural element known in the technical field as tensairity, which introduces as distinctive elements with respect to the known art: (i) ropes in the shape-memory alloy (SMA) with superelastic (SE) and shape memory (ME) behavior; (ii) mechanical tensioners for the adjustment of the initial tension in the ropes; (iii) optionally a control apparatus (processor) is connected to electric circuits that induce flow of intensity variable current through the SMA wire ropes; (iv) optionally devices for real-time monitoring of the temperature and the level of tension in the SMA ropes; (v) optionally devices for real-time monitoring of the tensairity oscillations; (vi) optionally new structural geometries capable of sustaining static actions and multidirectional dynamics.

The present invention relates to a cable using cold-drawn shape memory alloy wires, which facilitates concrete prestressing or other operations, and has excellent adhesion to concrete and manufacturability. The cable using cold-drawn shape memory alloy wires includes: a core wire configured by a cold-drawn shape memory alloy deformed by cold drawing to have an increased length; and a plurality of peripheral wires configured by cold-drawn shape memory alloy wires which are deformed by cold drawing to have an increased length and are couple to the core wire while being wound in a same direction along the circumference of the core wire.

A plurality of wire elements for use in an energy recovery device comprising Shape Memory Alloy or other Negative Thermal Expansion (NTE) material, wherein at least one wire element is fixed at one end and free to move at a second end, such that the wire elements are arranged adjacently and are in friction or interference contact with each other and are secured at the outer perimeter of wires utilising a securing means. In such arrangement, during the operation of the bundle arrangement in a heat engine system, the plate elements act to transmit the aggregated force generation of the wire grouping and thus usefully recover and transmit power.

A plurality of wire elements for use in an energy recovery device comprising Shape Memory Alloy or other Negative Thermal Expansion (NTE) material, wherein at least one wire element is fixed at one end and free to move at a second end, such that the wire elements are arranged adjacently and are in friction or interference contact with each other and are secured at the outer perimeter of wires utilising a securing means. In such arrangement, during the operation of the bundle arrangement in a heat engine system, the plate elements act to transmit the aggregated force generation of the wire grouping and thus usefully recover and transmit power.