Provided is a metal matrix nanocomposite comprising: (a) a metal or metal alloy as a matrix material; and (b) multiple graphene sheets that are dispersed in said matrix material, wherein said multiple graphene sheets are substantially aligned to be parallel to one another and are in an amount from 0.1% to 95% by volume based on the total nanocomposite volume; wherein the multiple graphene sheets contain single-layer or few-layer graphene sheets selected from pristine graphene, graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide, graphene fluoride, graphene chloride, graphene bromide, graphene iodide, hydrogenated graphene, nitrogenated graphene, doped graphene, chemically functionalized graphene, or a combination thereof and wherein the chemically functionalized graphene is not graphene oxide. The metal matrix exhibits a combination of exceptional tensile strength, modulus, thermal conductivity, and/or electrical conductivity.

Provided is surface-metalized fiber, yarn, or fabric comprising: (a) a fiber, yarn, or fabric having a surface; (b) a graphene layer having a thickness from 0.34 nm to 20 m and comprising multiple graphene sheets and an optional conducive filler coated on or bonded to the surface, with or without using an adhesive resin, to form a graphene-coated fiber, yarn, or fabric; and (c) a metal layer comprising a plated metal deposited on the graphene-coated fiber, yarn, or fabric; wherein the graphene sheets contain single-layer or few-layer graphene sheets selected from a pristine graphene, graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide, graphene fluoride, graphene chloride, graphene bromide, graphene iodide, hydrogenated graphene, nitrogenated graphene, doped graphene, chemically functionalized graphene, or a combination thereof. This film exhibits a high scratch resistance, strength, hardness, electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, light reflectivity, gloss, etc.

Provided is process for producing a surface-metalized fiber, yarn, or fabric, the process comprising: (a) Feeding a continuous fiber, yarn, or fabric from a feeder roller into a graphene deposition chamber containing therein a graphene dispersion comprising multiple graphene sheets and an optional conducive filler dispersed in a first liquid medium and an optional adhesive resin dissolved in the first liquid medium; (b) Operating the graphene deposition chamber to deposit the graphene sheets and optional conductive filler to a surface of the fiber, yarn, or fabric for forming a graphene-coated fiber, yarn, or fabric; (c) Moving the graphene-coated fiber, yarn, or fabric into a metallization chamber which accommodates a plating solution therein for plating a layer of a desired metal onto the graphene-coated fiber, yarn, or fabric to obtain a surface-metalized fiber, yarn, or fabric; and (d) Operating a winding roller to collect the surface-metalized fiber, yarn, or fabric.

Provided is process for producing a surface-metalized polymer film, the process comprising: (a) preparing a graphene dispersion comprising multiple graphene sheets and an optional conducive filler dispersed in a first liquid medium, which is an adhesive monomer/oligomer or contains a liquid adhesive monomer/oligomer/polymer dissolved in a solvent; (b) feeding a continuous polymer film from a feeder roller into a deposition zone, wherein the graphene dispersion is dispensed to deposit the graphene sheets to a surface of the polymer film; (c) moving the graphene-coated polymer film into a metallization chamber which accommodates a plating solution therein for plating a layer of a desired metal onto the graphene-coated polymer film to obtain a surface-metalized polymer film; and (d) operating a winding roller to collect the surface-metalized polymer film.

Provided is process for producing a surface-metalized polymer film, the process comprising: (a) preparing a graphene dispersion comprising multiple graphene sheets and an optional conducive filler dispersed in a first liquid medium, which is an adhesive monomer/oligomer or contains a liquid adhesive monomer/oligomer/polymer dissolved in a solvent; (b) feeding a continuous polymer film from a feeder roller into a deposition zone, wherein the graphene dispersion is dispensed to deposit the graphene sheets to a surface of the polymer film; (c) moving the graphene-coated polymer film into a metallization chamber which accommodates a plating solution therein for plating a layer of a desired metal onto the graphene-coated polymer film to obtain a surface-metalized polymer film; and (d) operating a winding roller to collect the surface-metalized polymer film.

Provided is a surface-metalized polymer film comprising: (a) a polymer film having a thickness from 10 nm to 5 mm and two primary surfaces; (b) a graphene layer having a thickness from 0.34 nm to 50 m and comprising multiple graphene sheets and an optional conducive filler coated on or bonded to at least one of the two primary surfaces with or without using an adhesive resin; and (c) a metal layer comprising a plated metal deposited on the graphene layer; wherein the graphene sheets contain single-layer or few-layer graphene sheets selected from a pristine graphene, graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide, graphene fluoride, graphene chloride, graphene bromide, graphene iodide, hydrogenated graphene, nitrogenated graphene, doped graphene, chemically functionalized graphene, or a combination thereof. This film exhibits a high scratch resistance, strength, hardness, electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, light reflectivity, gloss, etc.

Provided is a surface-metalized polymer film comprising: (a) a polymer film having a thickness from 10 nm to 5 mm and two primary surfaces; (b) a graphene layer having a thickness from 0.34 nm to 50 m and comprising multiple graphene sheets and an optional conducive filler coated on or bonded to at least one of the two primary surfaces with or without using an adhesive resin; and (c) a metal layer comprising a plated metal deposited on the graphene layer; wherein the graphene sheets contain single-layer or few-layer graphene sheets selected from a pristine graphene, graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide, graphene fluoride, graphene chloride, graphene bromide, graphene iodide, hydrogenated graphene, nitrogenated graphene, doped graphene, chemically functionalized graphene, or a combination thereof. This film exhibits a high scratch resistance, strength, hardness, electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, light reflectivity, gloss, etc.

An apparatus and a method for the metallization of an object including placing the object in an electrolyte, placing an anode in contact with the electrolyte, placing a metallization contact of a cathode in contact with the object, applying an electrical tension between the anode and the cathode, wherein the metallization contact is displaced in relation to the object during the metallization of the object to achieve a complete and continuous metallization of the object's surface.

An apparatus and a method for the metallization of an object including placing the object in an electrolyte, placing an anode in contact with the electrolyte, placing a metallization contact of a cathode in contact with the object, applying an electrical tension between the anode and the cathode, wherein the metallization contact is displaced in relation to the object during the metallization of the object to achieve a complete and continuous metallization of the object's surface.

Non-contact strain measurement systems and their method of use to detect strain on rotating components are disclosed. A non-contact strain measurement system comprises magnetic materials plated onto a rotatable component in addition to appropriate encoders and controller. The magnetic materials are spaced apart a first distance D.sub.1 when the component is not rotating, and a second distance D.sub.2 when the component is rotating. The encoders and controller are utilized to detect strain on the rotating component. A method of using the system to detect strain on a rotating component includes detecting the first distance D.sub.1 then detecting the second distance D.sub.2, and calculating the strain imparted onto the component from a difference between D.sub.1 and D.sub.2.