A method for manufacturing a semifinished product or component is disclosed in which a metal support embodied as a split strip is covered with at least one prepreg containing a thermally cross-linkable thermosetting matrix with endless fibers, the thermosetting matrix of the prepreg is pre-cross-linked by means of heating, and the metal support covered with the pre-cross-linked prepreg is formed into a semifinished product or component by means of roll forming. In order to enable plastic deformation in fiber-reinforced regions of the metal support, it is proposed that during the pre-cross-linking of the thermosetting matrix of the prepreg, its matrix is transferred into a viscosity state that is higher than its minimum viscosity and prior to reaching its gel point, the prepreg is formed together with the metal support.

Aspects relate to building Z-graded radiation shielding and covers. In one aspect, the method includes: providing a substrate surface having about medium Z-grade; plasma spraying a first metal having higher Z-grade than the substrate surface; and infusing a polymer layer to form a laminate. In another aspect, the method includes electro/electroless plating a first metal having higher Z-grade than the substrate surface. In other aspects, the invention provides methods of improving an existing electronics enclosure to build a Z-graded radiation shield by applying a temperature controller to at least part of the enclosure and affixing at least one layer of a first metal having higher Z-grade than the enclosure.

Aspects relate to building Z-graded radiation shielding and covers. In one aspect, the method includes: providing a substrate surface having about medium Z-grade; plasma spraying a first metal having higher Z-grade than the substrate surface; and infusing a polymer layer to form a laminate. In another aspect, the method includes electro/electroless plating a first metal having higher Z-grade than the substrate surface. In other aspects, the invention provides methods of improving an existing electronics enclosure to build a Z-graded radiation shield by applying a temperature controller to at least part of the enclosure and affixing at least one layer of a first metal having higher Z-grade than the enclosure.

Composite materials having carbon reinforcement fibers impregnated with a matrix material are augmented with functionalized graphene nanoplatelets having amine groups formed on a surface of the graphene nanoplatelets and epoxide groups formed on at least one edge of the graphene nanoplatelets as a supplement to or a replacement for resin matrix material to increase strength of the composite materials. Related methods of increasing strength of composite materials include mixing the functionalized graphene nanoplatelets into the matrix material prior to impregnating the carbon reinforcement fibers, depositing the functionalized graphene nanoplatelets onto the matrix material to form an interlayer, and depositing the functionalized graphene nanoplatelets onto a bed of carbon reinforcement fibers with no resin matrix material. The composite materials and related methods for increasing strength of composite materials may include graphene nanoplatelets having holes formed through the graphene nanoplatelets.

The present invention relates to a novel method for conferring to thermoplastic, thermostable polymers or elastomers, magnetic, electromagnetic, electrical, X-ray shielding or density properties that allow the detection of said polymers by means of specific equipment that exists in the prior art. The detection of the thermoplastic polymers, thermostable polymers or elastomers in turn facilitates their location, removal or separation. The method is based on the addition of specific iron and silicon alloys with or without surface treatment.

The present invention relates to a novel method for conferring to thermoplastic, thermostable polymers or elastomers, magnetic, electromagnetic, electrical, X-ray shielding or density properties that allow the detection of said polymers by means of specific equipment that exists in the prior art. The detection of the thermoplastic polymers, thermostable polymers or elastomers in turn facilitates their location, removal or separation. The method is based on the addition of specific iron and silicon alloys with or without surface treatment.

The present invention generally relates to fiber-reinforced composites, including carbon-fiber composites. These materials are useful in load-bearing components for mechanical systems, and other applications. Surprisingly, the carbon fibers can be aligned using an applied magnetic field applied directly to the carbon fibers, rather than to magnetic materials that are used to indirectly align the carbon fibers. For example, the carbon fibers may exhibit an anisotropic diamagnetic response in response to a magnetic field, which can be used to align the fibers. In some cases, the carbon fibers may be relatively pure, and/or have a relatively high modulus, which may result in diamagnetic properties. Other embodiments are generally directed to systems and methods for making or using such composites, kits involving such composites, or the like.

The present invention generally relates to fiber-reinforced composites, including carbon-fiber composites. These materials are useful in load-bearing components for mechanical systems, and other applications. Surprisingly, the carbon fibers can be aligned using an applied magnetic field applied directly to the carbon fibers, rather than to magnetic materials that are used to indirectly align the carbon fibers. For example, the carbon fibers may exhibit an anisotropic diamagnetic response in response to a magnetic field, which can be used to align the fibers. In some cases, the carbon fibers may be relatively pure, and/or have a relatively high modulus, which may result in diamagnetic properties. Other embodiments are generally directed to systems and methods for making or using such composites, kits involving such composites, or the like.

A composite material structure that prevents a decrease in strength while interposing insulating resin portions between a conductive reinforced resin and a conductor, is provided. The composite material structure includes a conductive resin portion formed of an electrically conductive reinforced resin in which conductive fibers are contained in an insulating base material, a conductor which is formed of an electrically conductive material and a part of which is embedded in the conductive resin portion, and a plurality of layers of insulating resin portions which is layers of resin portions each including insulating fibers contained in an insulating base material, the plurality of layers of the insulating resin portions being embedded in the conductive resin portion so as to sandwich therebetween the at least the part of the conductor and so as to be interposed between the conductive fibers and the conductor.

Rubber composites with regions doped with conductive material, e.g., carbon nanotubes, and patterned regions doped with both conductive material and semiconductive material, e.g., carbon nanotubes and polycrystalline silicon are created with rubbing-in technology. The composites provide for a deformable and elastic composite which maintains semiconductor operations under stress, and can be used for filtering, determining compressive force, and a variety of other applications.