A device for positioning in the body of an animal, the device comprising a first portion and a second portion that may be positioned in contact with one other, the first portion and the second portion each comprising a biocompatible conductive thermoplastic material, such that when the device is positioned in the body of an animal and electric current flows from the first portion to the second portion, heat is generated by electrical resistance at the point of contact between the first portion and the second portion so as to melt regions of the first portion and the second portion, and when the electric current is thereafter terminated, the melted regions of the first portion and the second portion re-solidify so that a weld is formed between the first portion and the second portion.

This disclosure is directed to methods directly adhering epoxy-based, and other thermosetting surfacing films to solid thermoplastic surfaces and the structures derived or derivable from these methods. In some embodiments, the disclosure is also directed to composite structures comprising a thermoplastic substrate directly bonded to a thermoset(ting) surfacing film; wherein the direct bonding defines an interface between a thermoplastic surface of the thermoplastic substrate and a first surface of the thermoset(ting) surfacing film.

A robot includes a power bus assembly configured to receive a voltage and a continuous dock. The robot also includes a microcontroller in communication with the power bus assembly and the continuous dock. The microcontroller is configured to determine that the continuous dock is in contact with a surface that results in a voltage differential between the continuous dock and the surface. The microcontroller is also configured to activate a motor to apply a force that presses the continuous dock against the surface. The voltage causes a current to flow from the continuous dock to the surface such that a portion of the continuous dock melts and forms a bond to the surface.

A method for fabricating an electrochemical sensor material includes positioning sheets of molded graphene nanoplatelets on each side of a proton exchange membrane and integrating graphene nanoplatelets into regions of the proton exchange membrane adjacent its surfaces by applying heat to increase the temperature of the proton exchange membrane to its glass transition temperature and applying compressive pressure to press a portion of each sheet of molded graphene nanoplatelets into the softened polymeric material of the proton exchange membrane. Following application of heat and pressure, the proton exchange membrane is cooled and excess graphene material is exfoliated. Electrochemical sensor components are cut from the material and electrochemical devices and systems are constructed therefrom.

Conductively coated fastening systems are disclosed herein. An apparatus includes a fastening system and a structural assembly. The structural assembly comprises a first structural element made of an electrically conductive fiber reinforced plastic and a second structural element. The first structural element comprises a first hole and the second structural element comprises a second hole. The first and second holes are separately pre-formed prior to assembly of the structural assembly. The structural assembly further comprises an electrically conductive gap filler applied to a first structural element sidewall of the first hole of the first structural element. The fastening system comprises a fastener comprising a head and a shank extending from the head. The shank is configured to be inserted into the first hole and the second hole.

A device for positioning in the body of an animal, the device comprising a first portion and a second portion that may be positioned in contact with one other, the first portion and the second portion each comprising a biocompatible conductive thermoplastic material, such that when the device is positioned in the body of an animal and electric current flows from the first portion to the second portion, heat is generated by electrical resistance at the point of contact between the first portion and the second portion so as to melt regions of the first portion and the second portion, and when the electric current is thereafter terminated, the melted regions of the first portion and the second portion re-solidify so that a weld is formed between the first portion and the second portion.

A method for bonding a contact surface of a first substrate to a contact surface of a second substrate comprising of the steps of: positioning the first substrate on a first receiving surface of a first receiving apparatus and positioning the second substrate on a second receiving surface of a second receiving apparatus; establishing contact of the contact surfaces at a bond initiation site; and bonding the first substrate to the second substrate along a bonding wave which is travelling from the bond initiation site to the side edges of the substrates, wherein the first substrate and/or the second substrate is/are deformed for alignment of the contact surfaces.

A method for bonding a contact surface of a first substrate to a contact surface of a second substrate comprising of the steps of: positioning the first substrate on a first receiving surface of a first receiving apparatus and positioning the second substrate on a second receiving surface of a second receiving apparatus; establishing contact of the contact surfaces at a bond initiation site; and bonding the first substrate to the second substrate along a bonding wave which is travelling from the bond initiation site to the side edges of the substrates, wherein the first substrate and/or the second substrate is/are deformed for alignment of the contact surfaces.

A robot includes a power bus assembly configured to receive a voltage and a continuous dock. The robot also includes a microcontroller in communication with the power bus assembly and the continuous dock. The microcontroller is configured to determine that the continuous dock is in contact with a surface that results in a voltage differential between the continuous dock and the surface. The microcontroller is also configured to activate a motor to apply a force that presses the continuous dock against the surface. The voltage causes a current to flow from the continuous dock to the surface such that a portion of the continuous dock melts and forms a bond to the surface.

A method for bonding a contact surface of a first substrate to a contact surface of a second substrate comprising of the steps of: positioning the first substrate on a first receiving surface of a first receiving apparatus and positioning the second substrate on a second receiving surface of a second receiving apparatus; establishing contact of the contact surfaces at a bond initiation site; and bonding the first substrate to the second substrate along a bonding wave which is travelling from the bond initiation site to the side edges of the substrates, wherein the first substrate and/or the second substrate is/are deformed for alignment of the contact surfaces.