Abstract: Additive manufacturing processes, systems and three-dimensional articles include the formation of voxels and/or portions of three-dimensional articles with different properties relative to other voxels and/or portions. The processes generally include changing one or more laser beam parameters including power level, exposure time, hatch spacing, point distance, velocity, and energy density during the formation of selected voxels and/or portions of the three-dimensional articles. Also disclosed are processes that include an additive manufacturing process that provides localized secondary heat treatment of certain voxels and/or regions at a temperature below the melting point of the three-dimensional article but high enough to effect a localized property change.

Abstract: A nanofiber comprising a polyamide including at least one substituted phenyl group is provided. The nanofiber includes an average diameter from about 50 to about 1000 nm. A fibrous mat including a plurality of the nanofibers is also provided. A composite including a plurality of the nanofibers and a continuous matrix resin is also provided. A method of forming the nanofibers is also provided.

Abstract: Additive manufacturing processes, systems and three-dimensional articles include the formation of voxels and/or portions of three-dimensional articles with different properties relative to other voxels and/or portions. The processes generally include changing one or more laser beam parameters including power level, exposure time, hatch spacing, point distance, velocity, and energy density during the formation of selected voxels and/or portions of the three-dimensional articles. Also disclosed are processes that include an additive manufacturing process that provides localized secondary heat treatment of certain voxels and/or regions at a temperature below the melting point of the three-dimensional article but high enough to effect a localized property change.

Abstract: A blunt force sensor array for application to a non-planar surface includes a flexible thin-film substrate, a plurality of force sensors secured to the flexible thin-film substrate proximate to a center measurement point, a strain gauge secured on the flexible thin-film substrate proximate to the center measurement point, and a sensor interface configured to connect to external measurement and control circuitry. The sensor interface may be electrically connected to each of the force sensors and the strain gauge via traces disposed on the flexible thin-film substrate. The flexibility and shape of the flexible thin-film substrate may permit the blunt force sensor array to be applied to the non-planar surface to detect forces and strains experienced by the non-planar surface in response to a blunt force event on the non-planar surface.

Abstract: A system provided herein may be configured to evaluate helmet performance. The system may include an impact assembly that includes a stationary post operably coupled to one or more stationary load cells and a plurality of modular headforms. Each modular headform may include a first side and a second side configured to lock together around the impact assembly and receive a helmet. The modular headform may determine a position of the helmet relative to the one or more stationary load cells. Furthermore, the one or more stationary load cells may be configured to measure impact force at a position where one of the plurality of the modular headforms are operably coupled to the impact assembly. Additionally, each of the plurality of modular headforms correspond to a position in relation to the impact assembly to measure the impact force to the one or more load cells at a predefined number of impact locations on the helmet to evaluate the performance of the helmet.

Abstract: A system provided herein may be configured to evaluate helmet performance. The system may include an impact assembly that includes a stationary post operably coupled to one or more stationary load cells and a plurality of modular headforms. Each modular headform may include a first side and a second side configured to lock together around the impact assembly and receive a helmet. The modular headform may determine a position of the helmet relative to the one or more stationary load cells. Furthermore, the one or more stationary load cells may be configured to measure impact force at a position where one of the plurality of the modular headforms are operably coupled to the impact assembly. Additionally, each of the plurality of modular headforms correspond to a position in relation to the impact assembly to measure the impact force to the one or more load cells at a predefined number of impact locations on the helmet to evaluate the performance of the helmet.

Abstract: Additive manufacturing processes, systems and three-dimensional articles include the formation of voxels and/or portions of three-dimensional articles with different properties relative to other voxels and/or portions. The processes generally include changing one or more laser beam parameters including power level, exposure time, hatch spacing, point distance, velocity, and energy density during the formation of selected voxels and/or portions of the three-dimensional articles. Also disclosed are processes that include an additive manufacturing process that provides localized secondary heat treatment of certain voxels and/or regions at a temperature below the melting point of the three-dimensional article but high enough to effect a localized property change.

Abstract: Example methods and articles of manufacture related to electrospun aramid nanofibers are provided. One example method may include forming a resultant solution by reacting a solution of aramids dissolved in a solvent with an electrophile. In this regard, the electrophile may perform a side chain substitution on the dissolved aramids. The example method may further include electrospinning the resultant solution to form an aramid nanofiber.

Abstract: A nanofiber comprising a polyamide including at least one substituted phenyl group is provided. The nanofiber includes an average diameter from about 50 to about 1000 nm. A fibrous mat including a plurality of the nanofibers is also provided. A composite including a plurality of the nanofibers and a continuous matrix resin is also provided. A method of forming the nanofibers is also provided.

Abstract: Implantable pressure-actuated systems to deliver a drug and/or other substance in response to a pressure difference between a system cavity and an exterior environment, and methods of fabrication and use. A pressure-rupturable membrane diaphragm may be tuned to rupture at a desired rupture threshold, rupture site, with a desired rupture pattern, and/or within a desired rupture time. Tuning may include material selection, thickness control, surface patterning, substrate support patterning. The cavity may be pressurized above or evacuated below the rupture threshold, and a diaphragm-protective layer may be provided to prevent premature rupture in an ambient environment and to dissipate within an implant environment. A drug delivery system may be implemented within a stent to release a substance upon a decrease in blood pressure. The cavity may include a thrombolytic drug to or other substance to treat a blood clot.

Abstract: A biomaterial implant may include a collagen membrane. The biomaterial implant may further include a plurality of nanoparticles embedded in the collagen membrane. Furthermore, at least one nanoparticle of the plurality of nanoparticles may include a polymer shell and a bio-active therapeutic agent encapsulated by the polymer shell.

Abstract: A therapeutic agent release system may be provided. The therapeutic agent release system may include a plurality of polymer shells having a diameter of about 50-200 nanometers. The therapeutic agent release system may further include a bio-active therapeutic agent encapsulated by each of the polymer shells and being configured to heal an injury and increase a wound electric signal of the injury thereby increasing a healing rate of the injury. Each of the polymer shells may have a degradation profile configured to control a release of the bio-active therapeutic agent through the polymer shell to the injury over a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: Example methods and articles of manufacture related to electrospun aramid nanofibers are provided. One example method may include forming a resultant solution by reacting a solution of aramids dissolved in a solvent with an electrophile. In this regard, the electrophile may perform a side chain substitution on the dissolved aramids. The example method may further include electrospinning the resultant solution to form an aramid nanofiber.

Abstract: Implantable pressure-actuated systems to deliver a drug and/or other substance in response to a pressure difference between a system cavity and an exterior environment, and methods of fabrication and use. A pressure-rupturable membrane diaphragm may be tuned to rupture at a desired rupture threshold, rupture site, with a desired rupture pattern, and/or within a desired rupture time. Tuning may include material selection, thickness control, surface patterning, substrate support patterning. The cavity may be pressurized above or evacuated below the rupture threshold, and a diaphragm-protective layer may be provided to prevent premature rupture in an ambient environment and to dissipate within an implant environment. A drug delivery system may be implemented within a stent to release a substance upon a decrease in blood pressure. The cavity may include a thrombolytic drug to or other substance to treat a blood clot.

Abstract: Implantable pressure-actuated systems to deliver a drug and/or other substance in response to a pressure difference between a system cavity and an exterior environment, and methods of fabrication and use. A pressure-rupturable membrane diaphragm may be tuned to rupture at a desired rupture threshold, rupture site, with a desired rupture pattern, and/or within a desired rupture time. Tuning may include material selection, thickness control, surface patterning, substrate support patterning. The cavity may be pressurized above or evacuated below the rupture threshold, and a diaphragm-protective layer may be provided to prevent premature rupture in an ambient environment and to dissipate within an implant environment. A drug delivery system may be implemented within a stent to release a substance upon a decrease in blood pressure. The cavity may include a thrombolytic drug to or other substance to treat a blood clot.

Abstract: The present invention provides cellulose hydrogels having one or more of the following properties: high water content, high transparency, high oxygen permeability, high biocompatibility, high tensile strength and desirable thermal stability. The present invention further provides a process for preparing a cellulose hydrogel comprising (i) a step of activating cellulose, in which the activating step comprises contacting the cellulose with a solvent to activate the cellulose for a time duration from about 2 hours to about 30 hours; (ii) substantially dissolving the activated cellulose to form a solution; and (iii) gelling the solution to form a gel, in which the gelling step comprises allowing the solution to gel in an environment comprising a relative humidity from about 30% to about 80% at 35° C.

Abstract: A method for preparing a collagen membrane includes applying an influence of an electric field to a collagen solution positioned between capacitor plates; adding a buffer solution to the acidic collagen solution to form a collagen gel; assembling a plurality of collagen gel layers; and performing a dehydrothermal cross-link on the plurality of collagen gel layers to form a cross-linked collagen membrane.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wound healing composition comprising a biocompatible hydrogel membrane wherein the hydrogel membrane has one or more of the following properties: high water content, high transparency, high permeability, high biocompatibility, high tensile strength and an optimal thickness. The invention further provides methods of treating a wound in a subject in need thereof, comprising contacting the wound with a biocompatible cellulose hydrogel membrane of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wound healing composition comprising a biocompatible hydrogel membrane wherein the hydrogel membrane has one or more of the following properties: high water content, high transparency, high permeability, high biocompatibility, high tensile strength and an optimal thickness. The invention further provides methods of treating a wound in a subject in need thereof, comprising contacting the wound with a biocompatible cellulose hydrogel membrane of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides cellulose hydrogels having one or more of the following properties: high water content, high transparency, high oxygen permeability, high biocompatibility, high tensile strength and desirable thermal stability. The present invention further provides a process for preparing a cellulose hydrogel comprising (i) a step of activating cellulose, in which the activating step comprises contacting the cellulose with a solvent to activate the cellulose for a time duration from about 2 hours to about 30 hours; (ii) substantially dissolving the activated cellulose to form a solution; and (iii) gelling the solution to form a gel, in which the gelling step comprises allowing the solution to gel in an environment comprising a relative humidity from about 30% to about 80% at 35° C.