Abstract:
A concentrated solar energy system includes a photovoltaic cell, an optical concentrator, a heat removal system, and means for providing thermal contact between the photovoltaic cell and the heat removal system. The optical concentrator is configured to direct concentrated solar energy to the photovoltaic cell such that the photovoltaic cell generates electricity and heat. The heat removal system removes heat from the photovoltaic cell. The means for providing thermal contact provides an effective thermal conductivity per unit length between the photovoltaic cell and the heat removal system of greater than about 50 kilowatts per square meter per degree Celsius.
Abstract:
A freeze tolerant fuel cell power plant (10) includes at least one fuel cell (12), a coolant loop (18) including a freeze tolerant accumulator (22) for storing and separating a water immiscible fluid and water coolant, a direct contact heat exchanger (56) for mixing the water immiscible fluid and the water coolant within a mixing region (72) of the heat exchanger (56), a coolant pump (21) for circulating the coolant through the coolant loop (18), a radiator loop (84) for circulating the water immiscible fluid through the heat exchanger (56), and a radiator (86) for removing heat from the coolant. The plant (10) utilizes the water immiscible fluid during steady-state operation to cool the fuel cell and during shut down of the plant to displace water from the fuel cell (12) to the freeze tolerant accumulator (22).
Abstract:
A method for rapidly forming a cast tool adapted for plastic molding includes preparing a uniform mixture of a castable material. A pattern is provided for a desired object to be formed by molding. The castable mixture is applied to the pattern. A continuous structure is cast within the castable material. The castable material is then cured to form a tool.
Abstract:
A composition for manufacturing a composite of a non-oxide ceramic matrix and a refractory phase within the non-oxide ceramic matrix includes a preceramic polymer for forming a non-oxide ceramic matrix and a refractory material dispersed within the preceramic polymer.
Abstract:
A process for manufacturing an article includes the steps of applying a quantity of a refractory metal sufficient to produce a coating on a carbon based felt; processing thermally a refractory metal coated carbon based felt at a temperature and for a period of time sufficient to form a ceramic based felt; and cooling the ceramic based felt under a controlled atmosphere.
Abstract:
A contaminant removal system is disclosed for selectively removing contaminants from a fluid stream. The contaminant removal system has a catalytic reactor of the type that is susceptible to deactivating agents, and is configured to remove contaminants from a fluid stream. The contaminant removal system has a first adsorbent device positioned upstream, with respect to the fluid stream direction, of the catalytic reactor, that is configured to chemically bind with and remove the deactivating agents from the fluid stream. The contaminant removal system can have a second adsorbent device positioned downstream, with respect to the fluid stream direction, of the catalytic reactor. The second adsorbent device is configured to remove undesirable byproducts that may be generated when the catalytic reactor removes contaminants from the fluid stream.
Abstract:
A method of treating a preceramic material includes modifying a moiety Si—O—R of a polycarbosilane material with at least one metal (M), where Si is silicon, O is oxygen and R includes an alkyl or aryl moiety, by reaction to substitute R with M to produce a preceramic polycarbosilane or polycarbosiloxane material that includes a moiety Si—O-M.
Abstract:
A method of manufacturing a composite article includes pyrolyzing a preceramic polymer to form a non-oxide ceramic matrix and a byproduct, and reacting the refractory material with the byproduct to form a refractory phase within the non-oxide ceramic matrix.
Abstract:
A single-source precursor composition includes R3B.NX3, where B is boron, N is nitrogen, and the R groups and the X groups are selected from hydrogen, alkyl groups, and aryl groups. At least one of the R groups is an alkyl group or an aryl group.
Abstract:
A composite article includes a substrate, at least one protective layer on the substrate, and an intermediate layer between the protective layer and the substrate. The intermediate layer includes a first material that occupies a first continuous region and a second material that occupies a second continuous region next to the first continuous region. The first continuous region and the second continuous region are each in contact with the substrate and the protective layer.