A laminate assembly includes a matrix layer and elongated, continuous strips of a conductive alloy. The matrix layer has opposite first and second sides connected by opposite first and second edges. Each of the first and second edges extends from the first side of the matrix layer to the opposite second side of the matrix layer. The elongated, continuous strips of the conductive alloy are disposed in the matrix layer between the first and second sides of the matrix layer. The elongated continuous strips continuously extend through the matrix layer from the first edge to the opposite second edge.

The invention concerns a method for producing a hybrid-structure part of a motor vehicle, comprising shaping of a sheet of metallic material, the provision of a sheet of composite material, application of a layer of connecting material on a face of said metallic material sheet or on a face of said composite material sheet, the shaping of a hybrid element by shaping said composite material sheet to the shape of said metallic material sheet and joining the composite material sheet to the metallic material sheet by means of said connecting material layer, and the production of ngidification elements by overmoulding using a polymer material.

A fiber-reinforced composite laminate for use in electromagnetic welding of molded parts of said laminates. The laminate has a plurality of structural layers, each formed of electrically conductive fibers embedded in a thermoplastic matrix. Eddy currents may be induced in the electrically conductive fibers by an electrical conductor that generates an electromagnetic field. The structural layers include a first, a second and, optionally, a third pair of two adjacently positioned structural layers. The first pair has an intermediate layer which allows eddy currents to flow between the two structural layers of the first pair. The second pair has an intermediate layer which prevents eddy currents from flowing between the two structural layers of the second pair. The optional third pair does not have an intermediate layer. The laminate shows efficient heating by an electromagnetic field.

A method for manufacturing optical and microwave reflectors includes: placing an assembly comprising a resin-infiltrated tendrillar mat structure on a mandrel; placing a pre-impregnated carbon fiber (CF) lamina on top of the tendrillar mat structure; placing the assembly in a vacuum device so as to squeeze out excess resin; and placing the assembly in a heating device so as to cure the tendrillar mat structure together with the CF lamina, forming the CF laminae into a laminate that combines with the tendrillar mat structure to create a cured assembly. A reflector suitable for one or more of optical and microwave applications includes: a mandrel; a resin-infiltrated tendrillar mat structure placed on the mandrel; and a pre-impregnated carbon fiber (CF) lamina placed on top of the tendrillar mat structure.

Fiber-reinforced composites is provided. The composites include a plurality of prepreg layers, each comprising a polymeric resin and a plurality of fibers disposed therein; and at least one electrically-conductive layer at least partially embedded in the plurality of prepreg layers. These fiber-reinforced composites can save weight relative to externally provided wires and can be provided in forms suitable for use in automated fiber placement and automated tape layup machines. Advantageous applications include uses in lightning strike protection, energy storage, signal transmission, and power distribution.

The application discloses a conformable support structure for use in fiber composite precursor; a resin impregnated conformable fiber composite precursor, which may surround the support structure, for being manually manipulated and plastically deformed into a desired shape before being cured into a final product having the desired shape; the corresponding final product, which may be an orthosis or other product; and methods of making the final product or orthosis. The support structure is typically plastically deformable by hand to form the desired shape, may be substantially planar and may have various voids to promote controlled plastic deformation of the frame in one or more desired directions. The core may comprise a wire or tube and may include packing or filler material. The precursor includes a fiber layer impregnated with a thermoset resin and includes a compressor around the fiber layer. The fiber layer is supported internally or externally by the conformable support member. The precursor may be custom fitted to match the shape of an object and then thermally cured into a strong rigid product. The cured precursor can then be used to make a custom finished product.

A method for manufacturing an outer skin of a rotor blade includes forming an outer skin layer of the outer skin from a first combination of at least one of one or more resins or fiber materials. The method also includes forming an inner skin layer of the outer skin from a second combination of at least one of one or more resins or fiber materials. More specifically, the first and second combinations are different. Further, the method includes arranging the outer and inner skin layers together in a stacked configuration. In addition, the method includes joining the outer and inner skin layers together to form the outer skin.

A structural component, in particular for an aircraft, spacecraft or rocket, has a ply of fiber reinforced polymer; a first carbon nanotube mat; and a metallic layer, wherein the carbon nanotube mat and the metallic layer are arranged on the ply of fiber reinforced polymer to form a hybrid lightning strike protection layer. A component for manufacturing such a structural component, a method for manufacturing a component of this type, a method for manufacturing a structural component and an aircraft or spacecraft with such a structural component are described.

A manufacturing method of a three-dimensional stretchable electronic device includes: preparing an aluminum mold for producing a substrate having one or more protrusions on an upper side and a lower side thereof; forming a path for a connection line for connecting the protrusions of the substrate using a wire; introducing a first polymer for forming the protrusions of the substrate into a predetermined portion of the aluminum mold; removing the wire and the three-dimensional stretchable substrate from the aluminum mold; injecting a liquid metal into the path for a connection line from which the wire was removed, thus manufacturing a three-dimensional stretchable substrate having a connection line; and transferring elements to the protrusions of the three-dimensional stretchable substrate having the connection line and connecting the elements to the connection line, thus connecting the elements to each other.

Exemplary methods for manufacturing a wire and resultant wires are disclosed herein. The method includes extruding a receptor cross-linkable polymer that is substantially free of curing agent about a conductive core and extruding a donor polymer in association with a curing agent. The method includes disposing the donor polymer about the receptor polymer and conductive core to create a multi-layer wire pre-product. The method also includes heat curing a multi-layer wire pre-product to form a wire.