Abstract: A display device and a method of manufacturing the display device that is capable of easily bending the display device, simplifying manufacturing processes, and reducing manufacturing costs are provided. The display device includes a substrate including a bending area; a display element disposed on an upper surface of the substrate; and a protective layer disposed on a lower surface of the substrate. A portion of the protective layer that is disposed in the bending area has a material stiffness lower than a material stiffness of another portion of the protective layer.

Abstract: Provided are a structure and a method of forming a structure that includes a core made, at least in part, of a rice hull composition. The rice hull composition including a combination of separate, unground rice hulls; ground rice hulls; and a rice hull powder, that each have a different particle size. A polymeric binder, such as a recycled plastic polymeric binder binds the separated unground rice hulls, the ground rice hulls and the rice hull powder together.

Abstract: Provided is a production method which can attain exfoliating treatment of graphite and a process of grafting a polymer onto exfoliated graphite simultaneously and thus makes it possible to easily obtain an exfoliated graphite-polymer composite material in a short time. A method for producing an exfoliated graphite-polymer composite material includes a step of mixing graphite or primary exfoliated graphite, a depolymerizable monomer of which the polymer is decomposed by heating to generate radicals and also to form a monomer or an oligomer, or the polymer A of the monomer, or a polymer B which forms radicals at a temperature close to its decomposition temperature to obtain a mixture; and a heating step of putting the mixture in a non-open container to heat the mixture to a first temperature range from the ceiling temperature or higher to the onset decomposition temperature or lower, or to a temperature higher than the first temperature range.

Abstract: An environmentally friendly composite material for use in the manufacture of professional grade skateboard decks and other high quality equipment and sporting gear. In the one embodiment, a skateboard deck is manufactured from a composition of recycled hard rock maple wood fibers, a polyvinyl acetate adhesive, a cross-link catalyst and water. The malleable nature of the composite material prior to curing, allows the skateboard deck to attain virtually any desired shape. Differing composites and adhesives may be employed to achieve the a similar product when properly cured. Once cured, the composite material is light weight, strong, durable, and requires no lacquers or other sealers.

Abstract: A spiral fastener is provided. In another aspect, a spiral fastener, is made of layers of material and/or a light curable material. Another aspect uses a three-dimensional printing machine to emit material from an ink jet printing head to build up a fastener having a spiral formation.

Abstract: An adhesive bonding film comprises at least one layer of thermally curable resin. The thermally curable resin includes embedded metal particles adapted to be excited to produce heat for curing the resin.

Abstract: A component, in particular an engine component, which has at least one mark with a predetermined three-dimensional shape for determining a stress in the component and where the component is constructed by a generative manufacturing method, is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for making oxidation resistant medical devices that comprise polymeric materials, for example, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). The invention also provides methods of making antioxidant-doped medical implants, for example, doping of medical devices containing cross-linked UHMWPE with vitamin E by diffusion, post-doping annealing, and materials used therein.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing products by applying material at least partially in layers to form a structure, in particular by selective laser melting (SLM), said method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a base plate, (b) applying a layer of a curable material, (c) selectively curing predetermined zones of the applied layer on the basis of geometrical data of the product, (d) repeating steps (b) and (c) until the geometry of a first partial volume of the product has been created in the form of a cured material and (e) removing the uncured material. According to the invention, a reference mark is provided, the unit formed by the base plate and the first volume zones is clamped into a specific position by means of the reference mark and the respective second partial volume of the respective product is cut from the base plate, preferably by machining, in particular CNC milling.

Abstract: The invention relates to a self-hardening material for layerwise construction of three-dimensional components, whereby the material comprises at least one particulate material and a separately applied bonding agent for bonding the particulate material, and has a setting time which is at least several times as long as the application time of a particulate layer.

Abstract: A family of functionalized polymers is provided capable of forming membranes having exceptional OH? ionic conductivity as well as advantageous mechanical properties, which may be applied to membranes including such polymers for use in, e.g., AEMFC/HEMFC fuel cells. Preferred functional groups include a quaternary phosphonium, and the polymer may specifically be (tris(2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl) phosphine)3 functionalized phosphonium polysulfone hydroxide, ECL-PVBC-QPOH, or QPOH based on any of the commercial polumers including polycarbonate (PC), poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (PPO), polyetherimine (PEI), poly(ether sulfone) (PES), poly(phenylene sulfoxide) PPS, poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK), or polybenzimidazole (PBI), polyvinyl chloride (PVC). An ionomer membrane may include polysulfone based TPQPOH, ECL-PVBC-QPOH, and/or PPO.

Abstract: New methods and systems for manufacturing a three-dimensional form, comprising steps of providing a plurality of particulates; contacting the particulates with an activation agent; contacting particulates having the activation agent with a binder material that is activatable by the activation agent; at least partially hardening the binder for forming a layer of the three-dimensional form; and repeating these steps to form the remainder of the three-dimensional form. Following sequential application of all required layers and binder material to make the form, the unbound particles are appropriately removed (and optionally re-used), to result in the desired three-dimensional form. The invention also contemplates a novel method for preparing a form, where unbound particulates free of binder material are re-claimed.

Abstract: Method of manufacturing a three-dimensional object according to which the object is built layer-wise by solidification of a building material, wherein a test specimen is built which is excited to oscillate after being built and wherein natural frequencies of the oscillations are determined.

Abstract: A method of building a three dimensional (3D) structure includes micro-dispensing a layer comprising a material using a syringe-based micro-dispensing tool, curing the layer, and repeating the steps of micro-dispensing and curing a plurality of times in order to build the three-dimensional structure. The material may be loaded with nano to micron sized particles, tubes, or strings.

Abstract: A method of forming a component from solid freeform fabrication comprising the step of building an integral support around the component during manufacture thereof. The stiffness the support provides to the component is selected to minimize deformation of the component either during the manufacture of the component or during a subsequent heat treatment process.

Abstract: A molding, produced by a layer-by-layer process in which regions of respective polymer pulverulent layers are selectively melted via introduction of electromagnetic energy, where the process employs a powder which comprises at least one homopolyamide prepared via polycondensation of diamines and dicarboxylic acids, wherein the homopolyamide has an enthalpy of fusion of at least 125 J/g and a recrystallization temperature of at least 148° C.

Abstract: A shaping slurry that forms a shaped product with a granule includes: a water-based solvent; a hydrophobic granule that forms the shaped product; and an amphiphatic solid polymer that forms the shaped product, and is dissolved in the water-based solvent.

Abstract: A process for producing a thermoplastic resin molded product, comprising: a placement step of placing a thermoplastic resin particle composition 6A into a cavity 22 of a rubber die 2 made of a rubber material; a particle heating step of irradiating the thermoplastic resin particle composition 6A in the cavity 22 with electromagnetic waves having wavelengths ranging from 0.78 to 2 ?m through the rubber die 2, thereby heating to melt the thermoplastic resin particle composition 6A; a filling step of filling a thermoplastic resin 6 in a molten state into a space 220 left in the cavity 22; and a cooling step of cooling a thermoplastic resin 6 in the cavity 22 thereby obtaining a thermoplastic resin molded product.

Abstract: There is described a method for producing a fuser sleeve. The method includes electrospinning polymeric fibers on a conductive surface to form a non-woven fiber layer. A mixture of a fluoropolymer and a solvent is coated on the non-woven fiber layer. The mixture is heated to remove the solvent and then heated to a temperature above a melting temperature of the fluoropolymer thereby having the fluoropolymer penetrate the non-woven fiber layer and form a fuser sleeve. The sleeve is detached from the conductive surface. There is also provided a fuser sleeve comprising a fluoropolymer dispersed in a plurality of non-woven polymer fibers.

Abstract: A process for producing a thermoplastic resin molded product, comprising: a placement step of placing a thermoplastic resin particle composition 6A into a cavity 22 of a rubber die 2 made of a rubber material; a particle heating step of irradiating the thermoplastic resin particle composition 6A in the cavity 22 with electromagnetic waves having wavelengths ranging from 0.78 to 2 ?m through the rubber die 2, thereby heating to melt the thermoplastic resin particle composition 6A; a filling step of filling a thermoplastic resin 6 in a molten state into a space 220 left in the cavity 22; and a cooling step of cooling a thermoplastic resin 6 in the cavity 22 thereby obtaining a thermoplastic resin molded product.

Abstract: Described herein is a method of forming an intermediate transfer member suitable for use in an image forming system. The method includes providing a mixture of an ultra violet (UV) curable polymer, a conductive component and a photoinitiator. The mixture is centrifugally molded onto an inner surface of a rotating cylindrical mandrel. The UV polymer is cured with ultra violet energy and removed from the cylindrical rotatable mold.

Abstract: A materials system and methods are provided to enable the formation of articles by Three Dimensional Printing. The materials system includes a transition metal catalyst that facilitates the reaction of an acrylate-containing binder with a particulate material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a conductive flooring material containing a conductive deformation-preventing layer containing conductive fibers comprising glass fibers and carbon fibers, and to a production method therefor. The present invention can provide a conductive material which is useful not only in the form of tiles but also in the form of long sheets because the conductive fibers comprise glass fiber and carbon fiber impart not only outstanding electrical conductivity but also stable deformation-preventing properties.

Abstract: A device and a method for applying powder onto an application surface has a powder container (35) and a voltage source (32) for applying a voltage between the powder container and the application surface, wherein the powder container (35) at least partially consists of a conductive material and the powder container (35) has an opening (35a) or is completely open at its side facing the application surface when the voltage is applied.

Abstract: A method of forming a reconstituted wood block can include providing a recovered wood having a high aspect ratio along wood grains of the recovered wood. The recovered wood can be radially crushed or obtained as strips of recovered veneer. The recovered wood can be pretreated to increase resin absorption to form a degreased wood. The degreased wood can then be dried sufficient to reduce a moisture content to produce a dried wood. The dried wood can be soaked in a resin solution to form a resin impregnated wood. The resin impregnated wood can be dried to reduce the moisture content without substantially curing the resin to form a dried resin impregnated wood. The dried resin impregnated wood can then be molded having wood fibers oriented in a non-random predetermined pattern substantially common direction and compacted to form an uncured molded wood. The pattern can be oriented along a substantially common direction or portions may be oriented transverse to others to obtain a knotted appearance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymer powder which comprises polyamide, and to the use of this powder for shaping processes, and also to moldings produced from this polymer powder. The shaping processes are layer-by-layer processes which use powders, where regions of the respective layer are selectively melted via introduction of electromagnetic energy. The selectivity may—with no intention of restricting the invention thereto—be achieved via masks, application of inhibitors, of absorbers, or of susceptors, or via focusing of the energy introduced. After cooling, the regions then solidified can be removed in the form of moldings from the powder bed.

Abstract: A three-dimensional object forming apparatus forms a three-dimensional object by binding powder particles with a curable liquid. The apparatus includes a powder layer forming unit that spreads a powder to a uniform thickness to form a powder layer. A curable liquid ejection head ejects the curable liquid to the powder layer through an ejection nozzle. A sectional data producing device produces sectional data at each of a plurality of cross sections of a desired three-dimensional object according to shape data of the desired three-dimensional object. A cross-sectional member forming section is also included by which cross-sectional members are formed by ejecting the curable liquid to the powder layer from the curable liquid ejection head according to the sectional data and thus binding the powder layer. The cross-sectional member forming section includes a permeation rate controller controlling the permeation rate of the curable liquid to the powder layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to suspension of primary particles of oxide-ceramic material, wherein the primary particles have an average particle size in the range from 10 to 1000 nm and are coated with a chromophoric component, a process for their preparation and their use in particular in the preparation of ceramic mouldings and dental restorations. The invention further relates to a process for the preparation of ceramic mouldings.

Abstract: A device for manufacturing a three-dimensional object by a layer-wise solidification of a building material in powder form at positions in the respective layers corresponding to the object is disclosed. The device comprises: a container (25) arranged in the device; a support device (26), which can be vertically moved in the container, wherein the upper side of the support device (26) forms a building platform (78), on which the three-dimensional object is generated layer-wise; an application device (27) for applying building material in powder form onto the building platform and a previously solidified layer, respectively; and an energy source (6) that provides a beam (9) for solidifying the building material in powder form. In a region below the container (25) in the device (1) outlets (90) are provided, wherein from each of the outlets (90) a directed flow of a fluid medium escapes in a directed manner to peripheral regions of the container (25).

Abstract: A method of surface treating particulate materials with electromagnetic radiation that is carried out with a so-called roll reactor comprising a rotating roll and an irradiation source. Radical former molecules can be applied on the surface of superabsorbent polymer particles, which are fed onto the surface of the roll and irradiated while moved with the rotating roll. The irradiation source is provided such that the radiation is able to reach at least part of the particulate material that has been fed onto the surface of the roll.

Abstract: A three-dimensional object forming apparatus forms a three-dimensional object by binding powder particles with a curable liquid. The apparatus includes a powder layer forming unit that spreads a powder to a uniform thickness to form a powder layer. A curable liquid ejection head ejects the curable liquid to the powder layer through an ejection nozzle. A sectional data producing device produces sectional data at each of a plurality of cross sections of a desired three-dimensional object according to shape data of the desired three-dimensional object. A cross-sectional member forming section is also included by which cross-sectional members are formed by ejecting the curable liquid to the powder layer from the curable liquid ejection head according to the sectional data and thus binding the powder layer. The cross-sectional member forming section includes a permeation rate controller controlling the permeation rate of the curable liquid to the powder layer.

Abstract: A method for making a flexible fibrous continuous tape containing 60 to 98 wt % fiber based on the weight of the tape, from multifilament yarn selected from aramid, glass, aromatic polyester, and rigid rod polymer, comprising the steps: a1) spreading the filaments of the yarn to obtain a filament layer having a cross sectional aspect ratio (w/h) of 2 to 2000; and b1) treating the spread filaments with a curable resin, or a liquid thermoplastic resin or wax; or a2) treating the yarn with the curable resin, or the liquid thermoplastic resin or wax; and b2) spreading the filaments of the yarn to obtain a filament layer having a cross sectional aspect ratio (w/h) of 2 to 2000; followed by c) fixating the filaments by curing or solidifying the resin to obtain the tape, wherein steps a1-b1, respectively a2-b2, and c are performed in-line.

Abstract: A process for forming a three-dimensional article in sequential layers in accordance with a digital model of the article. The process comprises the steps of defining a layer of powder material, applying a liquid reagent to the powder layer in a pattern corresponding to the digital model, and repeating these steps to form successive layers. The powder comprises a first reactive component and the liquid includes a second active component capable of reacting with the first reactive component so that the article is built up in layers.

Abstract: In a method for synthesizing polymeric microstructures, a monomer stream is flowed, at a selected flow rate, through a fluidic channel. At least one shaped pulse of illumination is projected to the monomer stream, defining in the monomer stream a shape of at least one microstructure corresponding to the illumination pulse shape while polymerizing that microstructure shape in the monomer stream by the illumination pulse.

Abstract: A process for producing a three-dimensional model is provided. The process includes (a) a layer formation step of forming a layer of a powder material having a refractive index n1 above a support, (b) a shape formation step of bonding the powder material layer into a predetermined shape by a binder that gives a refractive index n2, and (c) sequentially repeating the above steps. The absolute value of the difference between the refractive index n1 of the powder material and the refractive index n2 given by the binder is 0.1 or less, and the binder includes two or more types of binders selected from the group consisting of at least one type of colored binder, a white binder, and a colorless transparent binder.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a plastic contact cell comprising a contact element (2) that is provided with an insulation piercing connecting device and is used for attaching one end of an electric cable in at least one contact chamber within the contact cell (1). According to the invention, the contact cell (1) is produced in a generative process in such a way that the contact cell (1) is constructed layer by layer from an amorphous starting material by irradiating the same with light. Also disclosed is a contact cell which is produced according to said method.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a three-dimensional object by selectively solidifying layers of a powdery material (3a) at the locations corresponding to the cross-section of the object (3) in the respective layers by impact of electromagnetic radiation (7a) is provided, wherein a plastic powder, preferably polyamide, is used as powder, wherein the non-solidified powder (3a?) is subjected to a treatment by water or water vapour at increased temperatures after manufacturing the object, subsequently dried and thereafter used again to build-up a new object.

Abstract: A process for forming a three-dimensional article in sequential layers in accordance with a digital model of the article. The process comprises the steps of defining a layer of powder or liquid material, applying a liquid reagent to the layer in a pattern corresponding to the digital model, and repeating these steps to form successive layers. The powder or liquid material comprises a first reactive component and the applied liquid includes a second active component capable of reacting with the first reactive component so that the article is built up in layers. The characteristics of the layers vary across those layers and/or the properties vary from layer to layer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of forming a structured sintered article including providing a mixture comprising a sinterable particulate material and a binder, the binder comprising, as a function of total resin content of the binder, at least 50% by weight of a thermoplastic binder material and at least 5% by weight of a radiation-curable binder material; shaping the mixture with a mold to form a structure; setting the structure by cooling the structure or by allowing the structure to cool; separating the structure from the mold; irradiating the structure so as to at least partially cure the radiation-curable binder material, and debinding and sintering the structure so as to form a structured sintered article. Shaping may include forming a structure having one or more open channels, and sintering may include sintering in together in contact with at least one additional structure so as to cover or enclose the channels.

Abstract: Chemically cross-linked polymeric particles are formed using mechanical rather than chemical processes, facilitating production of small-diameter particles in a manner largely independent of the viscosity or density of the polymer. For example, an uncross-linked resin may be provided in particulate form, agglomerated, and compressed into a mass of a desired shape with a desired diameter, and subsequently cross-linked.

Abstract: A medical device (10) includes a catheter shaft (11) including inner and outer catheter shafts (12 and 14), and an expandable balloon (18) carried by the catheter shaft (11). The balloon (18) is made from an irradiation cross-linked mixture of a polyamide elastomer and at least one additional cross-linking reactant. The polyamide elastomer can be a polyester amide, a polyether ester amide or a polyether amide, and is preferably a nylon block copolymer. The cross-linking reactant can be: (a) a difunctional material, (b) a trifunctional material, (c) a tetrafunctional material, or (d) an aromatic molecule containing at least two ring substituents, each of the ring substituents having labile hydrogens at a benzylic site therein. The cross-linking reactant can also be diallyl phthalate or meta-phenylene dimaleimide. Irradiation is carried out by exposure to an electron beam or to ultraviolet, X- or gamma radiation, preferably at a total fluence of about 0.5 to about 20 megarads.

Abstract: A process for forming a three-dimensional article in sequential layers in accordance with a digital model of the article. The process comprises the steps of defining a layer of powder material, applying a liquid reagent to the powder layer in a pattern corresponding to the digital model, and repeating these steps to form successive layers. The powder comprises a first reactive component and the liquid includes a second active component capable of reacting with the first reactive component so that the article is built up in layers.

Abstract: A method for solid free-form fabrication of a three-dimensional object includes depositing a particulate blend in a defined region, the particulate blend including radical source particulates, polyacid particulates, multivalent cation particulates, and a calcium phosphate source particulates, ink-jetting a liquid phase binder onto a predetermined area of the particulate blend to form hydrated cement in the predetermined area, wherein the liquid phase binder is acidic and includes reactive monomers, and hardening the hydrated cement.

Abstract: New methods and systems for manufacturing a three-dimensional form, comprising steps of providing a plurality of particulates; contacting the particulates with an activation agent; contacting particulates having the activation agent with a binder material that is activatable by the activation agent; at least partially hardening the binder for forming a layer of the three-dimensional form; and repeating these steps to form the remainder of the three-dimensional form. Following sequential application of all required layers and binder material to make the form, the unbound particles are appropriately removed (and optionally re-used), to result in the desired three-dimensional form. The invention also contemplates a novel method for preparing a form, where unbound particulates free of binder material are re-claimed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a product that includes (a) a wood-based product having a pair of outer surfaces; and (b) a silicone-containing material and a compound having a dianion each located on at least a portion of at least one outer surface, and the silicone-containing material at least partially penetrates at least a portion of at least one outer surface of the wood-based product. The invention also includes methods for manufacturing such product.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn toward compositions, methods, and systems for solid free-form fabrication of three-dimensional objects. In one embodiment, a system for solid free-form fabrication of three-dimensional objects can comprise a particulate composition, a substrate configured for supporting at least a layer of the particulate composition in a defined region, and a liquid phase binder configured for being jetted in the defined region to polymerize at least a portion of the particulate composition to form a polymeric cement. Using this system in a layer by layer deposition process, three-dimensional objects can be formed. The particulate composition can include from 70 wt % to 99.9 wt % of polymeric particulates, and from 0.1 wt % to 10 wt % of a polymerization initiator. The liquid phase binder can include from 70 wt % to 90 wt % of polymerizable monomers and from 0.1 wt % to 10 wt % of a polymerization accelerator.

Abstract: Chemically cross-linked polymeric particles are formed using mechanical rather than chemical processes, facilitating production of small-diameter particles in a manner largely independent of the viscosity or density of the polymer. For example, an uncross-linked resin may be provided in particulate form, agglomerated, and compressed into a mass of a desired shape with a desired diameter, and subsequently cross-linked.

Abstract: This application relates to a method for pellerizing and taking intensive measurements of a raw sample. The method includes homogenizing and pelletizing the sample that is to be subjected to compositional or intensive analysis. The raw sample is mixed with several solutions containing epoxies and activators based in carrier solutions or solvents, and ground to a fine powder or gel. The gel is partially dried and conformed to a pellet shape. The pellet is then cured such that the epoxy and activator solutions react and form a binding agent capable of maintaining the structural integrity of the sample pellet during intensive analysis. An intensive analysis instrument, such as LIBS, may then be used to ablate the surface of the pellet. The pellet provides consistent ablation of the sample material for accurate intensive measurements.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sinter powder composed of polyamide which also comprises PMMI, PMMA, or copolymers with PMMI, in particular PMMI-PMMA copolymers, to the use of this sinter powder for laser-sintering, and also to moldings produced from this sinter powder. The moldings made from the powder of the invention have marked advantages over conventional products in their appearance and in their surface quality, especially as far as roughness and dimensional stability during selective laser sintering (SLS) are concerned. In addition, moldings produced from the sinter powder of the invention also have better mechanical properties than moldings based on conventional nylon-12 powders, in particular in terms of modulus of elasticity and tensile strength. These moldings also have a density close to that of injection moldings.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rapid prototyping apparatus for the manufacturing of three dimensional objects by additive treatment of cross sections comprising a wholly or partially light-sensitive material, said apparatus comprising at least one light source for illumination of a cross section of the light-sensitive material by at least one spatial light modulator of individually controllable light modulators, wherein at least one light source is optically coupled with a plurality of light guides arranged with respect to the spatial light modulator arrangement in such a manner that each light guide illuminates a sub-area of the cross section. According to the invention, it is possible to obtain a significant simplification of an RP design system, just as the apparatuses designed are essentially capable of creating prototypes of any size, according to the invention.