Methods for microwave melting of fiber mixtures to form composite materials include placing the fiber mixture in a receptacle located in a microwave oven. The methods further include microwave heating the mixture, causing a heat activated compression mechanism to automatically increase compressive force on the mixture, thereby eliminating air and void volumes. The heat activated compression mechanism can include a shape memory alloy wire connecting first and second compression brackets, or one or more ceramic blocks configured to increase in volume and thereby increase compression on the mixture.

A method of anchoring a connector in a first object, wherein the first object is a lightweight building element having a first outer building layer and an interlining layer, and wherein the connector includes thermoplastic material in a solid state. The method includes: bringing a coupling surface portion of the connector into contact with an attachment location of the first outer building layer; displacing a portion of the first outer building layer at the attachment location with respect to the interlining layer by applying a first pressing force to the first outer building layer and thereby piercing the first outer building layer; applying a second pressing force to the connector and transferring energy to the connector until a flow portion of the thermoplastic material has liquefied and flown to interpenetrate structures of the interlining layer; and stopping the energy transfer and allowing the flow portion to re-solidify.

A composite frame for vehicles formed with a honeycomb or similar core laminated on the top and bottom sides with a layer of material joined by an adhesive layer. One or more structural beams or stringer are interposed between the top and bottom layer of the composite frame running part or all of the length or width of the composite frame. Each of these structural members may also be joined to the top and bottom material as well as the adjacent honeycomb or by a layer of adhesive or by other means. One embodiment of the frame may be perfectly flat along a horizontal axis. A second embodiment may conform to any curvature, angle or combination specified.

Methods for microwave melting of fiber mixtures to form composite materials include placing the fiber mixture in a receptacle located in a microwave oven. The methods further include microwave heating the mixture, causing a heat activated compression mechanism to automatically increase compressive force on the mixture, thereby eliminating air and void volumes. The heat activated compression mechanism can include a shape memory alloy wire connecting first and second compression brackets, or one or more ceramic blocks configured to increase in volume and thereby increase compression on the mixture.

A method for manufacturing a fuel cell assembly includes: arranging an end face of a gas diffusion layer on a placement jig in a state abutting an end face of a resin frame; melting a part of the frame member and causing to penetrate into the gas diffusion layer by pressurizing the projecting part by way of a heat-transfer member, and heating the projecting part via the heat-transfer member by abutting a heating member against of the heat-transfer member; and solidifying the part of the resin frame having penetrated into the gas diffusion layer, in which an abutting position of the heating member relative to the heat transfer member is set in the melting step so that a central axis of the heating member is positioned more to a side of the gas diffusion layer than the central axis of the projecting part.

Methods for microwave melting of fiber mixtures to form composite materials include placing the fiber mixture in a receptacle located in a microwave oven. The methods further include microwave heating the mixture, causing a heat activated compression mechanism to automatically increase compressive force on the mixture, thereby eliminating air and void volumes. The heat activated compression mechanism can include a shape memory alloy wire connecting first and second compression brackets, or one or more ceramic blocks configured to increase in volume and thereby increase compression on the mixture.

A high-performance optical absorber includes: a texturized base layer, the base layer comprising one or more of a polymer film and a polymer coating; and a surface layer located above and immediately adjacent to the base layer, the surface layer joined to the base layer, the surface layer comprising a plasma-functionalized, non-woven carbon nanotube (CNT) sheet. A method using capillary force lamination (CFL) for manufacturing a high-performance optical absorber, includes: texturizing a base layer of the high-performance optical absorber, the base layer comprising one or more of a polymer film and a polymer coating; joining a surface layer of the high-performance optical absorber to the base layer, the surface layer comprising a non-woven carbon nanotube (CNT) sheet; wetting the joined surface layer and base layer with a solvent; drying the joined surface layer and base layer; and treating the resulting base layer with plasma, creating the high-performance optical absorber.

An induction cooking system includes a first container that receives first contents and a second container sized to fit within the first container. The second container is composed of a ferromagnetic material such that the second container is heated in response to received electromagnetic radiation. An exterior surface of the second container is in contact with the first contents of the first container, and an interior surface of the second container is in contact with second contents placed within the second container.

A high-performance optical absorber, having a texturized base layer, the base layer comprising one or more of a polymer film and a polymer coating; and a surface layer located above and immediately adjacent to the base layer. The surface layer is joined to the base layer and the surface layer has a plasma-functionalized, non-woven carbon nanotube (CNT) sheet, wherein the base layer texturization comprises one or more of substantially rectangular ridges, substantially triangular ridges, substantially pyramidal ridges, and truncated, substantially pyramidal ridges.

A high-performance optical absorber, having a texturized base layer, the base layer comprising one or more of a polymer film and a polymer coating; and a surface layer located above and immediately adjacent to the base layer. The surface layer is joined to the base layer and the surface layer has a plasma-functionalized, non-woven carbon nanotube (CNT) sheet, wherein the base layer texturization comprises one or more of substantially rectangular ridges, substantially triangular ridges, substantially pyramidal ridges, and truncated, substantially pyramidal ridges.