Abstract: A polymer body includes a first thermoplastic polymer, and a second thermoplastic polymer. The first thermoplastic polymer and the second thermoplastic polymer form a continuous solid structure. The first thermoplastic polymer forms an external supporting structure that at least partially envelops the second thermoplastic polymer. A first flow temperature of the first thermoplastic polymer is at least 10° C. higher than a second flow temperature of the second thermoplastic polymer. The first thermoplastic polymer may be removable by exposure to a selective solvent.

Abstract: A polymer body includes a first thermoplastic polymer, and a second thermoplastic polymer. The first thermoplastic polymer and the second thermoplastic polymer form a continuous solid structure. The first thermoplastic polymer forms an external supporting structure that at least partially envelops the second thermoplastic polymer. A first flow temperature of the first thermoplastic polymer is at least 10° C. higher than a second flow temperature of the second thermoplastic polymer. The first thermoplastic polymer may be removable by exposure to a selective solvent.

Abstract: A thermoplastic filament comprising multiple polymers of differing flow temperatures in a geometric arrangement is described. A method for producing such a filament is also described. Because of the difference in flow temperatures, there exists a temperature range at which one polymer is mechanically stable while the other is flowable. This property is extremely useful for creating thermoplastic monofilament feedstock for three-dimensionally printed parts, wherein the mechanically stable polymer enables geometric stability while the flowable polymer can fill gaps and provide strong bonding and homogenization between deposited material lines and layers. These multimaterial filaments can be produced via thermal drawing from a thermoplastic preform, which itself can be three-dimensionally printed. Furthermore, the preform can be printed with precisely controlled and complex geometries, enabling the creation of a filament or fiber with a wide range of applications.

Abstract: A polymer body includes a first thermoplastic polymer, and a second thermoplastic polymer. The first thermoplastic polymer and the second thermoplastic polymer form a continuous solid structure. The first thermoplastic polymer forms an external supporting structure that at least partially envelops the second thermoplastic polymer. A first flow temperature of the first thermoplastic polymer is at least 10° C. higher than a second flow temperature of the second thermoplastic polymer. The first thermoplastic polymer may be removable by exposure to a selective solvent.

Abstract: An air quality monitoring device and system for monitoring multiple streams of air. The present invention includes structural components to separate and/or obtain multiple streams of air and a single optical particle counting (“OPC”) system. The structural components may include a housing for the OPC system and a conduit. The conduit may be a flexible tube or fixed structural channel. The OPC system may include multiple optical detectors and an optical emitter. The optical emitter may be a laser.

Abstract: A portable environment quality monitor having an enclosure to enclose and protect the monitor from an environment and for attaching to a user's clothing or jewelry. The enclosure includes a controlled airflow intake for receiving air from the environment in which the monitor is worn for forming an airflow sampling path and for laminarizing the airflow in the sampling path. A sensor, having a sensing region that directs the laminar airflow into the sensing region. A processor is connected to a light scattering aerosol spectrometer (LSAS) that is configured to receive, process and translate photodiode current peaks into particle counts and sizes detected in the air. The processor is also coupled to a memory for storing data corresponding to the particle counts and sizes detected in the environment. The processor further includes an interface to communicate with a host for allowing a user to monitor and track environment conditions.

Abstract: A portable ambient air quality monitor having an enclosure to enclose and protect the monitor from an ambient environment and an airflow intake for controllably allowing ambient air to enter the monitor. A photodiode is disposed at a location downstream from a fan. The airflow from the fan is laminarized by a mesh or baffle to allow a thin stream of air to flow over the photodiode. A sensing region is defined by an intersection of an airflow sampling path and an optical path. The sensing region is also disposed above the photodiode. The airflow sampling path is configured to receive laminar airflow from the airflow intake and for directing the laminar airflow into the sensing region. A light beam is generated from a laser to reflect the light beam for reducing the required area of the sensing region to detect and measure the particles floating in the ambient air.

Abstract: A portable environment quality monitor having an enclosure to enclose and protect the monitor from an environment and for attaching to a user's clothing or jewelry. The enclosure includes a controlled airflow intake for receiving air from the environment in which the monitor is worn for forming an airflow sampling path and for laminarizing the airflow in the sampling path. A sensor, having a sensing region that directs the laminar airflow into the sensing region. A processor is connected to a light scattering aerosol spectrometer (LSAS) that is configured to receive, process and translate photodiode current peaks into particle counts and sizes detected in the air. The processor is also coupled to a memory for storing data corresponding to the particle counts and sizes detected in the environment. The processor further includes an interface to communicate with a host for allowing a user to monitor and track environment conditions.

Abstract: A portable ambient air quality monitor having an enclosure to enclose and protect the monitor from an ambient environment and an airflow intake for controllably allowing ambient air to enter the monitor. A photodiode is disposed at a location downstream from a fan. The airflow from the fan is laminarized by a mesh or baffle to allow a thin stream of air to flow over the photodiode. A sensing region is defined by an intersection of an airflow sampling path and an optical path. The sensing region is also disposed above the photodiode. The airflow sampling path is configured to receive laminar airflow from the airflow intake and for directing the laminar airflow into the sensing region. A light beam is generated from a laser to reflect the light beam for reducing the required area of the sensing region to detect and measure the particles floating in the ambient air.

Abstract: A self-healing composite system includes a solid polymeric matrix and a woven structure in the matrix. The woven structure includes a plurality of fibers, and a first plurality of microfluidic channels. The microfluidic channels include a first healing agent in the channels. The woven structure also may include a second plurality of microfluidic channels that include a second healing agent in the channels.

Abstract: A self-healing composite system includes a solid polymeric matrix and a woven structure in the matrix. The woven structure includes a plurality of fibers, and a first plurality of microfluidic channels. The microfluidic channels include a first healing agent in the channels. The woven structure also may include a second plurality of microfluidic channels that include a second healing agent in the channels.

Abstract: An antifouling marine paint having an antibotic active agent which (1) is toxic to gram negative organisms of the genus Oceanospirillum, (2) is relatively insoluble in seawater to permit a slow leaching into the paint-seawater interface, and (3) is non-photolytic, i.e., is not degraded by exposure to sunlight. Further, when used with a copper base antifouling paint, the antibiotic must not be broken down by the copper in the paint. The antibotic may be selected from the group consisting of chloramphenicol, erythromycin, neomycin, and streptomycin.