Abstract: A photovoltaic assembly comprising: (a) at least two photovoltaic components that are adjacent to each other, each photovoltaic component comprising: (i) a partial connector channel in communication with a partial connector channel in an adjacent photovoltaic component and (ii) one or more connector receptors; (b) a connector located at least partially in the partial connector channel of the photovoltaic component and at least partially in the partial connector channel of the adjacent photovoltaic component so that the connector connects the photovoltaic component to the adjacent photovoltaic component, the connector comprising: a housing having: (1) a top housing and (2) a bottom housing, wherein the top housing and the bottom housing each include a first end and a second end; one or more flexible electrical conductors that extend from the first end to the second end; wherein the top housing and the bottom housing each include one or more mechanical flexing regions that allow the housing to mechanically flex

Abstract: A microvascular system includes a solid polymeric matrix and a woven structure in the matrix. The woven structure includes a plurality of fibers, and a plurality of microfluidic channels, where at least a portion of the microfluidic channels are interconnected. The microvascular system may be made by forming a composite that includes a solid polymeric matrix and a plurality of sacrificial fibers in the matrix, heating the composite to a temperature of from 100 to 250° C., maintaining the composite at a temperature of from 100 to 250° C. for a time sufficient to form degradants from the sacrificial fibers, and removing the degradants from the composite. The sacrificial fibers may include a polymeric fiber matrix including a poly(hydroxyalkanoate) and a metal selected from the group consisting of an alkali earth metal and a transition metal, in the fiber matrix, where the concentration of the metal in the fiber matrix is at least 0.1 wt %.

Abstract: A thermally degradable polymeric sheet, comprising: a poly(hydroxyalkanoate); and a metal selected from the group consisting of an alkali earth metal and a transition metal; where the volume fraction of the metal in the sheet is at least 0.1 vol %.

Abstract: A thermally degradable polymeric sheet, comprising: a poly(hydroxyalkanoate); and a metal selected from the group consisting of an alkali earth metal and a transition metal; where the volume fraction of the metal in the sheet is at least 0.1 vol %.

Abstract: A microvascular system includes a solid polymeric matrix and a woven structure in the matrix. The woven structure includes a plurality of fibers, and a plurality of microfluidic channels, where at least a portion of the microfluidic channels are interconnected. The microvascular system may be made by forming a composite that includes a solid polymeric matrix and a plurality of sacrificial fibers in the matrix, heating the composite to a temperature of from 100 to 250° C., maintaining the composite at a temperature of from 100 to 250° C. for a time sufficient to form degradants from the sacrificial fibers, and removing the degradants from the composite. The sacrificial fibers may include a polymeric fiber matrix including a poly(hydroxyalkanoate) and a metal selected from the group consisting of an alkali earth metal and a transition metal, in the fiber matrix, where the concentration of the metal in the fiber matrix is at least 0.1 wt %.

Abstract: A microvascular system comprising a polymeric matrix and a planar structure, where the planar structure comprises a plurality of branched microfluidic channels in the matrix. At least a portion of the microfluidic channels are interconnected, and the interconnections between the channels are located in a plane defined by a longitudinal section of the planar structure.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a packaging article. In an embodiment, the packaging article includes a body having a geometric shape, the body composed of a three-dimensional random loop material (3DRLM). The 3DRLM is composed of an olefin-based polymer. The packaging article includes a sleeve having opposing ends on respective opposing surfaces of the body. The sleeve extends through an interior portion of the body. The sleeve has an opening at each respective end. Each opening has a closed width. The packaging article includes a product having an insert shape. The insert shape has an insert width that is greater than or equal to the closed width of the sleeve opening. A portion of the 3DRLM moves from a neutral state to a stretched state when the product is inserted into the sleeve.

Abstract: A thermally degradable polymeric fiber comprising a polymeric fiber matrix including a poly(hydroxyalkanoate) and a metal in the form of a compound selected from the group consisting of an alkaline earth metal oxide, a tin salt of a mono- or di-carboxylic acid, and scandium triflate (Sc(0Tf)3), where the concentration of the metal in the fiber matrix is at least 0.1 wt %.

Abstract: A photovoltaic assembly comprising: (a) at least two photovoltaic components that are adjacent to each other, each photovoltaic component comprising: (i) a partial connector channel in communication with a partial connector channel in an adjacent photovoltaic component and (ii) one or more connector receptors; (b) a connector located at least partially in the partial connector channel of the photovoltaic component and at least partially in the partial connector channel of the adjacent photovoltaic component so that the connector connects the photovoltaic component to the adjacent photovoltaic component, the connector comprising: a housing having: (1) a top housing and (2) a bottom housing, wherein the top housing and the bottom housing each include a first end and a second end; one or more flexible electrical conductors that extend from the first end to the second end; wherein the top housing and the bottom housing each include one or more mechanical flexing regions that allow the housing to mechanically flex

Abstract: A microvascular system includes a solid polymeric matrix and a woven structure in the matrix. The woven structure includes a plurality of fibers, and a plurality of microfluidic channels, where at least a portion of the microfluidic channels are interconnected. The microvascular system may be made by forming a composite that includes a solid polymeric matrix and a plurality of sacrificial fibers in the matrix, heating the composite to a temperature of from 100 to 250° C., maintaining the composite at a temperature of from 100 to 250° C. for a time sufficient to form degradants from the sacrificial fibers, and removing the degradants from the composite. The sacrificial fibers may include a polymeric fiber matrix including a poly(hydroxyalkanoate) and a metal selected from the group consisting of an alkali earth metal and a transition metal, in the fiber matrix, where the concentration of the metal in the fiber matrix is at least 0.1 wt %.

Abstract: A thermally degradable polymeric sheet, comprising: a poly(hydroxyalkanoate); and a metal selected from the group consisting of an alkali earth metal and a transition metal; where the volume fraction of the metal in the sheet is at least 0.1 vol %.

Abstract: A microvascular system includes a solid polymeric matrix and a woven structure in the matrix. The woven structure includes a plurality of fibers, and a plurality of microfluidic channels, where at least a portion of the microfluidic channels are interconnected. The microvascular system may be made by forming a composite that includes a solid polymeric matrix and a plurality of sacrificial fibers in the matrix, heating the composite to a temperature of from 100 to 250° C., maintaining the composite at a temperature of from 100 to 250° C. for a time sufficient to form degradants from the sacrificial fibers, and removing the degradants from the composite. The sacrificial fibers may include a polymeric fiber matrix including a poly(hydroxyalkanoate) and a metal selected from the group consisting of an alkali earth metal and a transition metal, in the fiber matrix, where the concentration of the metal in the fiber matrix is at least 0.1 wt %.