Abstract: Provided is a gas barrier film including a layer of a resin composition (C) on at least one side of a substrate (D), wherein the resin composition (C) contains a water soluble or water dispersible polymer (A) and a swellable inorganic layered silicate (B), where the swellable inorganic layered silicate (B) satisfying expressions (1) and (2) below is used. 11.0?D?2.0 ?m (1), ??1.8 ?m (2), wherein D and a are a logarithmic average particle diameter of the swellable inorganic layered silicate (B) measured by laser diffraction and standard deviation of a particle size distribution thereof, respectively. This provides a gas barrier film including a resin composition layer, with a swellable inorganic layered silicate dispersed therein, having an extremely excellent gas barrier property and a method of producing a multilayer barrier film having the resin composition layer with extremely less irregularities on a surface thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for materials using compounds, polymeric compounds, and compositions used to prepare semiconductor and optoelectronic materials and devices including thin film and band gap materials. This invention provides a range of compounds, polymeric compounds, compositions, materials and methods directed ultimately toward photovoltaic applications, transparent conductive materials, as well as devices and systems for energy conversion, including solar cells. This invention further relates to thin film AIGS, AIS, and AGS materials made by a process of providing one or more polymeric precursor compounds or inks thereof, providing a substrate, depositing the compounds or inks onto the substrate; and heating the substrate at a temperature of from about 20° C. to about 650° C.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a lightweight board with two thin-walled top layers and at least one core layer located between the top layers and connected to these, and a process to manufacture this. The process to manufacture the invented lightweight board is characterised by a first process stage in which a groove is made in at least one longitudinal side of the lightweight board, a profile strip is inserted in a second process stage into the groove in the lightweight board and a further profile strip is attached in a third stage on the previously attached profile strip.

Abstract: The present invention is a contoured press molded article comprising: a soy-based resin and a plant-based sheet, wherein the article is manufactured from the process comprising the steps of: impregnating the sheet with soy-based resin; precuring the sheet to remove water to form a premolded article wherein at least one region of a premolded article is reinforced with at least one additional layer of impregnated soy-based resin; pressing the premolded article into a contoured molded article, wherein the contoured molded article has a flexural strength that is greater than 20 MPas.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process which produces crack-free, non-camber, distortion-free, zero-shrink, LTCC bodies, composites, modules or packages from precursor green (unfired) laminates of multilayer structure with one or more different dielectric tape chemistries that are patterned with co-fireable thick film circuitry materials such as conductor, via fill, capacitor, inductor, or resistor for each tape layer including both top and bottom surface tape layers in direct contact with the sacrificial release tape.

Abstract: An article of manufacture that has at least three layers of heat sealable material. There is at least one first heat seal between at least two of the layers in a first area effected at a first temperature. There is also at least one second heat seal between at least two more layers, where at least one of these two layers is distinct from the at least two layers joined by the first heat seal, in a second area effected at a second temperature, where the second temperature is different than the first temperature, thereby allowing for heat sealing of discrete areas of the article in discrete steps.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a single-curved glass sheet with little difference between the radius of curvature of a front end portion and the radius of curvature of a rear end portion of the glass sheet. The apparatus includes a heating furnace and a cooling device. The cooling device is provided with a plurality of upper nozzles for spraying cooling air onto an upper surface of heated/molded curved glass sheet. The upper nozzles are moved by movement means parallel to a path of travel of the glass sheet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a decoration technique for providing iridescent color effects or glittering luster effects to a resin casing by attaching a polarizing film in contact with a resin casing, and for finishing a cut-off edge portion of the polarizing film smooth. After forming the polarizing film on a mold having a prescribed shape, a thermoplastic resin is injected into the mold to produce a thermoplastic resin casing to which the polarizing film is firmly attached. When cutting off an excess portion of the polarizing film by using a cutting die, a heater built into the cutting die is energized, and the cut-off edge portion of the polarizing film is fused by the heating of the cutting die, thus fixing the edge portion to the thermoplastic resin.

Abstract: A method is provided which includes forming a metal layer and converting at least a portion of the metal layer to a hydrated metal oxide layer. Another method is provided which includes selectively depositing a dielectric layer upon another dielectric layer and selectively depositing a metal layer adjacent to the dielectric layer. Consequently, a microelectronic topography is formed which includes a metal feature and an adjacent dielectric portion comprising lower and upper layers of hydrophilic and hydrophobic material, respectively. A topography including a metal feature having a single layer with at least four elements lining a lower surface and sidewalls of the metal feature is also provided herein. The fluid/s used to form such a single layer may be analyzed by test equipment configured to measure the concentration of all four elements. In some cases, the composition of the fluid/s may be adjusted based upon the analysis.

Abstract: A multilayer papery material comprising at least one first sheet of three-dimensional structure and at least one second sheet fixedly coupled to the first sheet and defining empty spaces therein, wherein at least said second sheet is made of a papery material having a degree of extensibility of not less than 5% in all directions.

Abstract: The present invention aims at providing a novel oxide fluorescent material. The novel oxide fluorescent material is a fluorescent material including: as constituent elements, at least one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr and Ba; at least one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Si and Ge; at least one or more elements selected from the group consisting of rare earth elements; and oxygen, wherein the crystal structure is a pseudowollastonite crystal structure. The fluorescent substance includes a layer 54 comprised of the fluorescent material and a layer 52 including at least one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Si and Ge, the layers stacked on a substrate 51. The fluorescent substance includes an adjacent layer that includes at least one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Si and Ge and is in contact with the portion constituted by the fluorescent material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a strip and a tubular article formed from said strip which may, for example, be used in the oil and gas industry for transporting fluids which may be volatile fluids or corrosive fluids and which may be at elevated temperatures and/or pressure. The strip includes a plurality of combined step (joggle) and rib arrangements. In the finished assembled article, the strip is wound in helically self-overlapping relationship such as to allow corresponding step portions to sit one within the other. The step effectively provides the dual function of a joggle and a rib as known in the art and does so in a manner that reduces the forming stresses in the material and increases the strength of the final article.

Abstract: A photovoltaic module having a fluoride-containing covering, substrate or superstrate glass is disclosed. The weight ratio X of the iron content to the fluorine content is preferably from 0.001 to 0.6. The glass to which fluoride has been added can be any glass suitable for photovoltaic modules, for example a soda-lime glass, a borosilicate glass or an aluminosilicate glass.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns the use of staple length nano polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) crystallites obtained by liquid shearing PTFE dispersion particles that are wet by a liquid with a surface tension below 30 dynes/cm this liquid will spread on PTFE resin surfaces and has a contact angle of zero (0) degrees with a PTFE surface. Staple length PTFE resin micro-fibers will form rapidly under high liquid shearing force at 125° C. when diluted 1 part PTFE resin to 20 parts liquid. The subject invention also includes the application of products that are multi-directional planar oriented and isotropic as sheet, membranes and structures useful for high performance filtering, fuel and solar cells and related energy applications. It also concerns products made from formulations as coatings and product for forming, shaping and molding sheet and structures of the subject invention and methods of adhering, bond and laminating components of these structures without adhesives.

Abstract: A method for bending radiation shielding glass which has a heavy metal oxide content of at least 50% by weight is provided, wherein first a mold is provided, a glass plate comprising a radiation shielding glass is then provided, the mold is preheated to a temperature of 300 to 400° C., the glass plate is placed on the mold, the glass plate and the mold are heated in a furnace to a temperature of 370 to 430° C., then heated together to a temperature of 400° C. to 500° C., preferably to 440 to 500° C., the total heating time being at least 30 minutes, preferably at least 60 minutes, the glass plate is then molded and finally the molded glass is cooled by means of a cooling program over a period of at least 60 minutes. For thermal prestressing, the glass body is supported at least at its outer periphery at a number of support points, introduced into a preheated furnace, heated to 400 to 500° C.

Abstract: A single-layer plastic composite panel (10) includes a single plastic panel (11), an injection molding plastic element (12) whose periphery is bonded or welded with that of panel (11), and a strengthener injection molding plastic element (12), by ultrasonic welding or gluing. Said plastic composite panel (10) could be used as table board, chair board and backrest, partition wall of furniture and so on.

Abstract: A cleaning card for use in cleaning internal surfaces of machine components includes a substrate having a central plane between opposed surfaces thereof, a machine direction dimension defined between opposed end edges and a transverse direction dimension defined between opposed side edges. The substrate includes an embossment forming angled, substantially non-collapsible, elongate raised ridges on opposite sides of the cleaning card substrate, with the raised ridges being oriented at an angle to the machine direction for incrementally wiping transversely across the internal surfaces to be cleaned, which can include peripheral surfaces of idler rolls. Preferably the opposed surfaces of the substrate each have a plurality of discrete, raised and collapsible working areas for engaging and cleaning internal surfaces of machine components.

Abstract: Edge stiffened corrugated polymeric sheet material can be utilized as storm panels for mounting about a perimeter surface of an opening so as to protect the opening from wind and impact loads. The panels can include a corrugated sheet material having a corrugated contiguous band horizontally extending at about an end of the top and the bottom, wherein the corrugated contiguous band is complementary and contiguous to the plurality of corrugations of the corrugated sheet panel. The complementary and contiguous corrugated band can be configured to sandwich the sheet material. The panel may also include, individually or in combination, a contiguous band sandwiching the polymeric sheet material at a terminal end of each side and extending vertically from the top to the bottom. The panels provide wind and impact load protection for the opening.

Abstract: An insulating plate/studded plate with moisture absorbing/capillary absorbent properties is described, where the plate comprises a layer of a waterproof material such as a plastic material whereon an absorbing material, such as a felt material is adhered.

Abstract: A stringer comprises a base portion and first and second webs extending outwardly from the base portion. The orientation of at least one of the first and second webs may transition from a first angle to a second angle within an angle transition zone.

Abstract: A self supporting curved laminate product resulting from curving of a planar precursor, wherein the planar precursor is a self supporting laminate of two sheets of an acrylic thermoplastic, or of sheets including an acrylic thermoplastic, spaced by, but attaching to, an interposed thermoset polyester system, and wherein curving has involved heating of the laminate sufficient to allow its curving without any substantial degradation of the lamination or its component layers.

Abstract: An embossed fibrous structure comprising a singly ply is disclosed. The embossments have a contrast ratio of greater than about 1.25 as measured according to the Reflected Light Intensity test method.

Abstract: A wallboard tape having a base layer of paper tape having two parallel outer edges and two strips of paper tape applied to the base layer and parallel to the outer edges with an adhesive material. The strips are separated by a gap.

Abstract: The present invention is intended to provide a sliding member which exhibits an excellent anti-seizure property even under starved lubricant conditions. In the present invention, there is provided a sliding member with a structure, in which a coating layer having a sliding surface is adhered to the surface of the base material, wherein the coating layer does not contain a resin binder but has solid lubricant plate crystal particles laminated therein, wherein these solid lubricant plate crystal particles have a lamellar crystal structure in which (001) planes are stacked in parallel, and at least in the sliding surface, the orientation index of the (001) plane of the solid lubricant plate crystal particles is 90% or more.

Abstract: The subject invention provides an optical film, comprising a transparent substrate and a resin coating having a convex-concave structure on at least one surface of the substrate, wherein said resin coating comprises a plurality of organic particles and a binder, the organic particles being formed from a polyacrylate resin which comprises at least one acrylate monomer type having multiple functional groups as polymerization units, said multi-functional acrylate monomers being in an amount from 30 to 70 wt % based on the total weight of the monomers, and wherein the organic particles have a mean particle size, the particle size distribution of the organic particles ranging within about ±5% of the mean particle size, and wherein the organic particles are in an amount from about 180 to 320 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the solid contents of the binder.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a plastic film-inserted laminated glass comprising an outdoor side glass plate, an interlayer, a plastic film, another interlayer and an indoor side glass plate which are laminated in this order, which is characterized in that the glass plates have a curved shape formed by bending, the plastic film includes an infrared reflecting film formed thereon and at least at one side of the laminated glass, an edge of the plastic film is placed apart from corresponding edges of the glass plates by a distance ranging from 5 mm to 200 m in a direction toward a central portion of the glass plates.

Abstract: An adhesive pattern is formed by applying a photocurable and thermosetting adhesive comprising as indispensable ingredients (A) a carboxyl group-containing photosensitive prepolymer having both a carboxyl group and an ethylenically unsaturated bond in its molecule and an acid value in the range of 30 to 160 mg KOH/g, (B) an epoxy resin, and (C) a photopolymerization initiator onto a surface of a substrate as a member to be bonded to form a coating film; selectively exposing the coating film to an active energy ray through a photomask according to a predetermined pattern, thereafter removing an unexposed portion by development with an aqueous alkaline solution. Then, a sheet member as a joining member is pressed onto the adhesive pattern mentioned above, and the adhesive pattern is thermally cured to obtain a laminated structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a curved panel (3200) which is used to construct a tunnel in addition to an arch shaped underground or aboveground structure. The curved panel (3200) has a curved shape corresponding to the arch shape of the tunnel or the structure, thus increasing supporting force, thereby ensuring the structural stability, reducing the construction time, and enhancing the constructability and economic efficiency thereof. Furthermore, the present invention provides a method of manufacturing the curved panel (3200), an apparatus for manufacturing the curved panel (3200), a curved panel lining, and a curved panel construction method.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a protective cover (24) for a component of a vehicle includes assembling multiple layers to form a charge (22). The charge (22) is formed within a mold (50) of the component to form a multi-contoured laminate (58). The protective cover (24) is separated from the multi-contoured laminate (58). A method of forming a down stream part structure or mold (167) for a component includes assembling multiple layers to form a charge (78). The charge (78) is formed within an original mold of the component to form a multi-contoured laminate (76). A splash is separated from the multi-contoured laminate (76). A protective cover, such as the cover (24), is for a vehicle component and includes a contour holding layer (36) and a protective laminate layer (34). The contour holding layer (36) and the protective laminate layer (34) are formed within a mold of the vehicle component to form the protective cover.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment of an anti-intrusion beam for a vehicle door assembly may include a composite material. The composite material includes a fiber reinforcement with multiple fibers. The fibers may be oriented at an angle ranging between about 35 and 55 degrees when measured with respect to a lengthwise dimension of the anti-intrusion beam.

Abstract: A furniture bow beam structure and a manufacturing method thereof. By means of pressing, metal board materials are processed into different assembling members and connecting members. The assembling members and connecting members respectively have curvatures and configurations in conformity with different sections of the beam structure. Each assembling member has an opening that obliquely diverges to one side in width. The connecting member is connected to the opening and mated with the assembling member to form a hollow tubular support. Multiple supports are then connected with each other and rectified to form a complete beam structure with desired curvatures and shapes for connecting with other furniture components.

Abstract: An inflatable article has a first film bonded to a second film so as to provide between the first film and the second film a plurality of inflatable chambers, each of the inflatable chambers containing a plurality of cells. Each of the cells is connected to at least one adjacent cell by an inflatable connecting channel. The first film is bonded to the second film between adjacent inflatable chambers. The first film and the second film each have at least one formed region corresponding with a location of a cell, with the at least one formed region of the second film being nested into the at least one formed region of the first film. Also disclosed are processes of making the inflatable article.

Abstract: A leather decorative plate comprises a leather layer that is provided with a thermoplastic PU layer on its inner surface. The thermoplastic PU layer is bent to form a space. A method for manufacturing the leather decorative plate comprises the steps of attaching a thermoplastic PU layer to the inner surface of a leather layer, placing the two layers into a mold for proceeding with heating and pressing procedures and softening the thermoplastic PU layer to shape simultaneously the leather layer and the thermoplastic PU layer, forming a space defined by the inner surface of the thermoplastic PU layer for covering directly the surface of a 3C product. In practice, the thermoplastic layer and the leather layer can be heated in advance and then are put into the mold to be pressed to form a faceplate.

Abstract: A label and label attaching device for attaching a label onto a backing sheet. The label has a protruding apex portion, side surfaces defined when the label is folded at the apex and end portions at the outer base ends of the side surfaces. A label sheet is formed by temporarily attaching labels to a backing sheet. Prior to attachment, an intermediate portion of the label protrudes from its back surface to its front surface in a folded chevron shape. Outer end portions of the side surfaces project out from the side surfaces and the outer end portions are temporarily attached to the backing sheet with the folded portion protruding. The attaching device has two divided bodies to which the outer end portions are temporarily attracted. The divided bodies are movable together and apart to define the folded label. Then the label holding unit moves the folded label to an attaching position on the backing sheet which is moving past.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an elongated core which is buried in an elongated trim. The method includes, forming slits to a metal plate, which extend in a second direction, at predetermined intervals in a first direction so as to form core pieces between the adjacent slits; and rolling a portion of the metal plate in which the slits are not formed in the second direction to form a rolled portion extending in the first direction, and expanding the slits in the first direction to form spaces, thereby preparing a primary core in which the core pieces and the spaces are alternately provided in the first direction. Additionally, the method includes, supplying the primary core to between a pair of deformed portion forming rollers engaged with each other such that reinforcing defaulted portions extending in the second direction are repetitively formed in the first direction.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for manufacturing a hygiene paper product includes: providing a continuous paper web, moving the continuous web in the direction of its longitudinal extension, applying a repetitive creative structure relative to the longitudinal extension of the web as a first pattern to the web with a first roll, applying a repetitive functional structure relative to the longitudinal extension of the web as a second pattern to the web with a second roll, while enabling the first pattern to be in register with the second pattern by concurrently controlling the repetitive surface speed of continuous web and the phasing between the first roll and the second roll.

Abstract: A multiply thin paper sheet having a press-to-bond structure is disclosed, including a first thin paper layer having a first stacking surface and at least one second thin paper layer having a second stacking surface. The first and second stacking surfaces are partially overlapped with each other to define a stacking zone provided between the first thin paper layer and the second thin paper layer. After the stacking zone is subjected to a rolling operation by a rolling pressure, a plurality of first pressed sections are formed on the first thin paper layer, having a predetermined height extended according to a given direction, and a plurality of second pressed sections are formed on the second thin paper layer according to the given direction and respectively corresponding to the first pressed sections of the first thin paper layer.

Abstract: A polycrystalline scintillator composition is provided. The polycrystalline scintillator composition is capable of being sintered to form a body having a pulse height resolution that is less than about 20 percent at 662 kilo electron volts. Also, an article formed form the polycrystalline scintillator composition is provided, as well as a radiation detector including the article.

Abstract: An anticorrosion composition is manufactured which contains a water-soluble inorganic acid salt (a) containing at least one of copper and tin, an alkaline component (b), and a binder (c), the equivalent ratio of the water-soluble inorganic acid salt (a) and the alkaline component (b) being 2:0.25 to 2:2. This anticorrosion composition is applied to a fiberboard to manufacture an anticorrosion fiberboard which can absorb reducing sulfur compounds produced from the fiberboard or already present in the atmosphere.

Abstract: A colored web material exhibiting viewing-angle dependent color and comprising a plurality of discrete extended elements. In one embodiment, the colored web material comprises a first web material and a second web material, wherein the first web material comprises a first polymer having first refractive properties and the second web material comprises a second polymer having second refractive properties, wherein said first refractive properties of said first polymer are different than said second refractive properties of said second polymer. In one embodiment, the colored web material comprises an interference pigment incorporated in at least one layer of the colored web material. In one embodiment, the discrete extended elements have a diameter of less than about 500 microns. In one embodiment, the colored web material comprises at least about 95 discrete extended elements per square centimeter. In one embodiment, the discrete extended elements have an aspect ratio of at least about 0.2.

Abstract: A protective film that covers a switch surface of an electronic device. The protective film has a first film with an adhesive surface to cover a surface of the electronic device and a second film superposed thereon to cover a predetermined area of the electronic device and the film may have one or more ribs incorporated into the film. The protective film provides various advantages such as excellent scratch resistance, antifouling and dirt or stain resistance.

Abstract: A structural element used for attenuating aviation turbine noise is provided with pores (1, 2) embodied in the form of cylindrical channels which are open on the first ends inside the turbine housing and closed on the opposite ends thereof, wherein the diameter (D) of each channel ranges approximately from 0.1 to 0.3 mm, each channel is remote at least along one part of the length thereof from the closest neighbours at a minimum distance ranging approximately from 0.02 to 0.3 mm and the ratio between the channel length and diameter thereof is of the order of 102.

Abstract: A plastic member, for example, a hydrocarbon-based transparent polymer molded product is subjected to fluorination processing in a fluorine gas within a reaction device 8 to fluorinate only a surface layer thereof. Thus, a refractive index can be lowered, a surface reflection can be lowered, and light transmittance of a base material can be improved.

Abstract: A method for the production of elongated profiles or ledges (21) out of solidifying compounds in a mold with at least one lower part and at least one upper part, the molding compound (20) being continuously injected into the mold cavity (4), with the injected molding compound (20) being transported away from the gating point(s) and out of the mold under steady extension of the mold cavity (4) and under steady elongation of the forming profile or ledge (21) by relative movement of mold components and wherein molding compound (20) is injected until the profile or ledge (21) reaches its designated length.

Abstract: The present invention relates to three-dimensional products comprising a structure having a first surface and a z-direction perpendicular to the first surface, the structure further comprising a base, a plurality of raised protrusion areas raised at least about 300 ?m above the base of the structure, and a plurality of connecting elements, each connecting element ending at a raised protrusion and each connecting element raised above the base of the structure in the z-direction and at least partially recessed from the raised protrusions in the z-direction, wherein the connecting elements connect two of the raised protrusions areas; the plurality of raised protrusion areas and plurality of connecting elements together forming a pattern comprising at least a first sub-pattern region and second sub-pattern region; wherein the first sub-pattern region comprises a first set of parallel rows of raised protrusion areas and connecting elements and a second set of parallel rows of raised protrusions and connecting elem

Abstract: The synthesis of nanostructures uses a catalyst that may be in the form of a thin film layer on a substrate. Precursor compounds are selected for low boiling point or already exist in gaseous form. Nanostructures are capable of synthesis with a masked substrate to form patterned nanostructure growth. The techniques further include forming metal nanoparticles with sizes <10 nm and with a narrow size distribution. Metallic nanoparticles have been shown to possess enhanced catalytic properties. The process may include plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition to deposit Ni, Pt, and/or Au nanoparticles onto the surfaces of SiO2, SiC, and GaN nanowires. A nanostructure sample can be coated with metallic nanoparticles in approximately 5-7 minutes. The size of the nanoparticles can be controlled through appropriate control of temperature and pressure during the process. The coated nanowires have application as gas and aqueous sensors and hydrogen storage.

Abstract: There is provided a plastic film-inserted laminated glass prepared by laminating a glass plate, an interlayer film, a plastic film, an interlayer film, and a glass plate in this order. The plastic film-inserted laminated glass is characterized in that an infrared reflective film is formed by stacking dielectric films on the plastic film and that the plastic film having the infrared ray reflective film formed satisfies any one condition of the following (A), (B) and (C), (A) thermal contraction percentage of the infrared ray reflective film-formed plastic film is in a range of 0.5-3% in a temperature range of 90-150° C.; (B) elastic modulus of the plastic film is in a range of 30-2000 MPa in a temperature range of 90-150° C.; and (C) elongation percentage of the plastic film is 0.3% or less when a tension of 10N is added per 1 m width of the plastic film in a temperature range of 90-150° C.

Abstract: A plastic planar structure, comprising: a bearing layer which contains plastic foam; and an upper layer, also containing plastic foam, which adheres on the bearing layer in a material lock, and a method for manufacturing a plastic planar structure, wherein: a foamed or foamable first plastic material of a web-shaped or mat-shaped bearing layer is provided, onto which a foamable second plastic material is applied, and foamed.

Abstract: A composite sheet structure is presented, and includes a core layer and two surface layers. Each surface layer has a plurality of metallic sheets. The metallic sheets bond with one another. The core layer and the surface layers bond with each other, and the core layer is sandwiched between the two surface layers. In comparison to conventional single type/solid piece of building material, the present invention results in a dramatic cost reduction in various building industry. With the up-to-date technology, the strength of metallic composite sheet remains within structural grade parameter and meets related specifications. Manufacturers are benefited from the cheaper metallic sheet in the composition while enjoying the same quality look of the outer layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fabric sail (1) which maintains a minimal surface. An elastic boundary is attached to the edges of an elastic membrane, and the edges (4) are shaped so that the membrane of the sail maintains a minimal surface configuration despite being deformed by the boundary. The sail therefore distributes strain across the sail surface and is thus free of wrinkles and creases. Points on the elastic membrane itself can be displaced but still form a minimal surface as defined by the boundary and the displaced surface connection points. In addition, strain matching allows the boundary and the elastic membrane to optimally share the strain caused by any deformation.