Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrochemical cell, comprising: an anode in contact with an anode current collector, a cathode in contact with a cathode current collector, a separator disposed between the anode and the cathode, wherein the anode is disposed between the separator and the anode current collector and wherein the cathode is disposed between the separator and the cathode current collector, wherein the anode current collector and the cathode current collector form an encapsulating housing for the assembly of anode, cathode and separator.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell, including: a first current collector including a first collecting section in contact with a first electrode and including a first connecting section; a second current collector overlapping with the first current collector and including a second collecting section in contact with a second electrode and including a second connecting section; wherein the first and second current collectors are mutually connected via their first and second connecting sections and a distance between the first and second connecting sections is equal to or smaller than 50% of the distance between the first and the second collecting sections.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a photovoltaic element, comprising a photovoltaic laminate; a structural substrate; wherein the photovoltaic element further comprises a plurality of hairs which are arranged to improve adhesion between said photovoltaic laminate and said structural substrate. There is also provided an intermediate product which is used in the manufacture of such a photovoltaic element and a method of manufacturing such a photovoltaic element.

Abstract: A barrier film for packaging food or beverage comprises a polymer base film, and a barrier layer comprising an inorganic oxide applied onto the base film by vapor deposition. The inorganic oxide layer is further coated with a healing layer of a crosslinked organopolysiloxane which is covalently bound to the inorganic layer. Other aspects disclosed here involve a multilayer packaging laminate comprised of the barrier film, and a method of manufacturing the barrier film and packaging containers manufactured from the film.

Abstract: The piezoelectric and barrier liner for a high-pressure storage vessel is made out of PVDF-TrFE copolymer and the amount of crystallinity in the liner material is over 30%, preferably 35% at least.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell, including: a first current collector including a first collecting section in contact with a first electrode and including a first connecting section; a second current collector overlapping with the first current collector and including a second collecting section in contact with a second electrode and including a second connecting section; wherein the first and second current collectors are mutually connected via their first and second connecting sections and a distance between the first and second connecting sections is equal to or smaller than 50% of the distance between the first and the second collecting sections.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrochemical cell, comprising: an anode in contact with an anode current collector, a cathode in contact with a cathode current collector, a separator disposed between the anode and the cathode, wherein the anode is disposed between the separator and the anode current collector and wherein the cathode is disposed between the separator and the cathode current collector, wherein the anode current collector and the cathode current collector form an encapsulating housing for the assembly of anode, cathode and separator.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a photovoltaic element, comprising a photovoltaic laminate; a structural substrate; wherein the photovoltaic element further comprises a plurality of hairs which are arranged to improve adhesion between said photovoltaic laminate and said structural substrate. There is also provided an intermediate product which is used in the manufacture of such a photovoltaic element and a method of manufacturing such a photovoltaic element.

Abstract: Disclosed is a plastic composite bumper beam for a vehicle, which can achieve a reduction in weight and cost and has improved mechanical properties, structural strength, and crash performance, load introduction, load distribution to the fixation points, thus reducing the thickness of the bumper, compared to conventional plastic composite bumper beams. Therefore, it is possible to improve the degree of freedom in design and the marketability due to the reduction in thickness of the bumper. More specifically, the plastic composite bumper beam for a vehicle includes a bumper beam body having the shape of a bumper beam and formed of a fiber-reinforced plastic composite material; and an insert reinforcing member inserted into the bumper beam body, the insert reinforcing member having a loop shape and disposed in the longitudinal direction of the bumper beam body.

Abstract: Disclosed is a plastic composite bumper beam for a vehicle, which can achieve a reduction in weight and cost and has improved mechanical properties, structural strength, and crash performance, load introduction, load distribution to the fixation points, thus reducing the thickness of the bumper, compared to conventional plastic composite bumper beams. Therefore, it is possible to improve the degree of freedom in design and the marketability due to the reduction in thickness of the bumper. More specifically, the plastic composite bumper beam for a vehicle includes a bumper beam body having the shape of a bumper beam and formed of a fiber-reinforced plastic composite material; and an insert reinforcing member inserted into the bumper beam body, the insert reinforcing member having a loop shape and disposed in the longitudinal direction of the bumper beam body.

Abstract: A barrier film for packaging food or beverage comprises a polymer base film, and a barrier layer comprising an inorganic oxide applied onto the base film by vapour deposition. The inorganic oxide layer is further coated with a healing layer of a crosslinked organopolysiloxane which is covalently bound to the inorganic layer. Other aspects disclosed here involve a multilayer packaging laminate comprised of the barrier film, and a method of manufacturing the barrier film and packaging containers manufactured from the film.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel polymer-based microstructures, with outstanding shape accuracy and cost-effective processing. The novel polymers are based on hyperbranched macromolecules and enable remarkable property combination such as reduced shrinkage and associated low stress, high shape fidelity and high aspect ratio in patterned microstructures, with additional benefit of fast and low-cost production methods. The invention also relates to methods to produce these microstructures. The polymer-based microstructures are relevant for, but not limited to micro- and nano- technologies applications, including lab-on-a-chip devices, opto-electronic and micro- electromechanical devices, optical detection methods, in fields of use as diverse as automotive, aerospace, information technologies, medical and biotechnologies, and energy systems.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composite article comprising at least one metal reinforcement element embedded in a polymer material. An adhesion promoting layer is interposed between the metal reinforcement element and the polymer material. The adhesion promoting layer comprises an organofunctional silane and a hyperbranched polymer. The invention further relates to a method of manufacturing a composite article and to the use of a composite article as metal reinforced article.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a basically spherical hyperbranched block copolymer having an internal hydrophobic block and an external hydrophilic block. Within the spherical copolymer, the hydrophobic block constitutes a hydrophobic layer, suitable to associate or encapsulate hydrophobic bioactive agents, while the hydrophilic block provides an outer layer, which is suitable to render the copolymer soluble or dispersible in aqueous solutions. Also claimed is a method for preparing the copolymer, which is suitable to encapsulate fragrances, flavours, drugs, agrochemicals, for example.

Abstract: A process for making hollow composite structures or vessels which includes the steps of: A) heating a mixture of thermoplastic matrix and reinforcing fibres wrapped over a rigid or semi-rigid thermoplastic liner or bladder above the melting point of the thermoplastic composite matrix outside of a moulding tool; B) transferring the heated assembly to a mould that is maintained below the melting temperature of the thermoplastic matrix of the composite; C) closure of the mould and application of internal fluid pressure to the liner or bladder to apply pressure to the thermoplastic matrix and reinforcing fibres; D) optionally the use of a special coupling system for rapid connection of the internal pressure; E) cooling of the liner or bladder and thermoplastic matrix and reinforcing fibre assembly in contact with the cold or warm mould while consolidation of the assembly occurs; F) opening of the mould and removal of the finished assembly.

Abstract: Intercalates and exfoliates formed from layered materials and dendritic polymers are disclosed, together with the uses of these materials, e.g. in producing composite materials. The dispersion of layered materials in a dendritic polymer matrix (hyperbranched polymers, star shaped polymers or star branched polymers) or has not been disclosed in the prior art. The high number of end-groups per molecule of dendritic polymer combined with their unique globular architectures leads to large intergallery spacings when intercalated in layered silicates and particularly facile exfoliation in spite of the high molar mass of the dendritic polymer. The excellent processability and potential high reactivity of dendritic polymers makes them extremely promising for thermoset applications, and coatings.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with an integrated process for the manufacture of polymer and/or composite products, comprising the integration of processing operations to achieve a plurality of material conversion steps, such as impregnation, consolidation and bonding, within one single controlled fabrication cycle. The process includes an in-situ final preparation of at least one composite preform at the location of the moulding operation and an integrated moulding operation comprising a step of providing an additional matrix-functioning material into the mould to at least partially enclose the composite preform, the operation of providing the additional matrix-functioning material providing the pressure for an in-situ final consolidation of the composite product.