A polymer matrix composite containing graphene sheets homogeneously dispersed in a polymer matrix wherein the polymer matrix composite exhibits a percolation threshold from 0.0001% to 0.1% by volume of graphene sheets to form a 3D network of interconnected graphene sheets or network of electron-conducting pathways.

A polymer matrix composite containing graphene sheets homogeneously dispersed in a polymer matrix wherein the polymer matrix composite exhibits a percolation threshold from 0.0001% to 0.1% by volume of graphene sheets to form a 3D network of interconnected graphene sheets or network of electron-conducting pathways.

A reconfigurable image suppressing receiver includes a front-end amplifier, a first multi-mode circuit, a second multi-mode circuit, a wideband combining transformer, and a controller. The front-end amplifier is configured to receive a radio frequency (RF) signal from an antenna and adjust a gain of the RF signal. The first multi-mode circuit is configured to mix a first instance of the RF signal with an in-phase local oscillator signal to generate an in-phase intermediate frequency (IF) signal. The second multi-mode circuit is configured to mix a second instance of the RF signal with a quadrature local oscillator signal to generate a quadrature IF signal. The wideband combining transformer is configured to combine the in-phase IF signal and the quadrature IF signal to generate a combined IF signal. The controller is configured to adjust one or more tunable parameters associated with the combined IF signal.

The invention relates to a connector including an electrical contact material which contains a metal base material and a conductive coating layer on a surface of the metal base material, in which the conductive coating layer includes: a matrix phase constituted by a metal other than gold; and a second phase that includes: elongated portions that elongate in a depth direction from a surface of the matrix phase; and enlarged diameter portions that, in the surface of the matrix phase, extend from the elongated portions along the surface, in which the second phase is constituted by gold or a non-metal conductive material that is less oxidizable than the metal constituting the matrix phase.

The invention relates to a connector including an electrical contact material which contains a metal base material and a conductive coating layer on a surface of the metal base material, in which the conductive coating layer includes: a matrix phase constituted by a metal other than gold; and a second phase that includes: elongated portions that elongate in a depth direction from a surface of the matrix phase; and enlarged diameter portions that, in the surface of the matrix phase, extend from the elongated portions along the surface, in which the second phase is constituted by gold or a non-metal conductive material that is less oxidizable than the metal constituting the matrix phase.

An actuator device that includes a conducting material and at least one fuse incorporated into the conducting material is disclosed. The at least one fuse may stop current flow for temperatures above a specific temperature. The actuator device may also include a series of electronics that determine whether the actuating device has blown the at least one fuse.

The present invention provides a bidirectional energy-transfer system comprising: a thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete, disposed in a structural object; a location of energy supply or demand that is physically isolated from, but in thermodynamic and/or electromagnetic communication with, the thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete; and a means of transferring energy between the structural object and the location of energy supply or demand. The system can be a single node in a neural network. The thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete includes a conductive, shock-absorbing material, such as graphite. Preferred compositions are disclosed for the thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete. The bidirectional energy-transfer system may be present in a solar-energy collection system, a grade beam, an indoor radiant flooring system, a structural wall or ceiling, a bridge, a roadway, a driveway, a parking lot, a commercial aviation runway, a military runway, a grain silo, or pavers, for example.

The present invention provides a bidirectional energy-transfer system comprising: a thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete, disposed in a structural object; a location of energy supply or demand that is physically isolated from, but in thermodynamic and/or electromagnetic communication with, the thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete; and a means of transferring energy between the structural object and the location of energy supply or demand. The system can be a single node in a neural network. The thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete includes a conductive, shock-absorbing material, such as graphite. Preferred compositions are disclosed for the thermally and/or electrically conductive concrete. The bidirectional energy-transfer system may be present in a solar-energy collection system, a grade beam, an indoor radiant flooring system, a structural wall or ceiling, a bridge, a roadway, a driveway, a parking lot, a commercial aviation runway, a military runway, a grain silo, or pavers, for example.

Cured cements, cement slurries, and methods of making cured cement and methods of using cement slurries are provided. The cured cement comprises cement, carbon nanotube sponges disposed within the cement, and conductive fibers disposed within the cement, in which the conductive fibers interconnect the carbon nanotube sponges and form a conductive web within the cured cement.

Cured cements, cement slurries, and methods of making cured cement and methods of using cement slurries are provided. The cured cement comprises cement, carbon nanotube sponges disposed within the cement, and conductive fibers disposed within the cement, in which the conductive fibers interconnect the carbon nanotube sponges and form a conductive web within the cured cement.