Abstract: A nanostructured apparatus may include a mesoporous template having an array of regularly-spaced pores. One or more layers of material may conformally coat the walls to a substantially uniform thickness. Such an apparatus can be used in a variety of devices including optoelectronic devices, e.g., light emitting devices (such as LEDs, and lasers) and photovoltaic devices (such as solar cells) optical devices (luminescent, electro-optic, and magnetooptic waveguides, optical filters, optical switches, amplifies, laser diodes, multiplexers, optical couplers, and the like), sensors, chemical devices (such as catalysts) and mechanical devices (such as filters for filtering gases or liquids).

Abstract: An optical component or an analytical platform includes a substrate, an array of microstructures on the substrate and microchannels formed by side walls of adjacent microstructures, a width of the microchannels varies as a function of distance to the substrate, the width continuously decreasing with increasing distance from the substrate within at least one distance-interval. In a method for producing such a component or such a platform a substrate with an array of surface microstructures is coated in a vapor treatment in such a way that shadowing effects of the coating mechanism narrow at least partially a width of the upper parts of side walls of the microstructures thereby forming at least partially embedded microchannels.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a belt and a belt for use in the production of bulk tissue and towel, and of nonwoven articles and fabrics, requires the application of a sacrificial material onto a base substrate in a predetermined pattern which is to be imparted onto products manufactured with the belt. The sacrificial material is deposited in droplets in a controlled manner so as to control the x, y, z dimension of the material deposited and preferably has having an average diameter of 10? (10 microns) or more. A polymeric resin material is then deposited on the base substrate in all areas except those on which the sacrificial material has previously been applied. The polymeric resin material is then set by means appropriate to its composition, and the sacrificial material removed. Optionally, the polymeric resin material may then be abraded to provide the belt with a uniform thickness, and a smooth, macroscopically monoplanar surface.

Abstract: The invention provides an optical filter comprising: a. an organic, solar blind filter dye; and b. a UV-transparent, non-scattering and chemically stable substrate. The substrate may be a UV-transparent nanoporous silica glass solid having pores that are substantially filled with a UV-transparent solvent, which has been selected to dissolve said dye and also to match the refractive index of the nanoporous silica glass solid. Alternatively, the substrate may be a UV-transparent inorganic salt compressed to form a solid body. The invention also provides for methods of making these embodiments and an optical device comprising such an optical filter. The filter provides an efficient solar blind filter that is chemically and dimensionally stable.

Abstract: A composition, a medical implant constructed from the composition, and a method of making the composition are described. The composition is a composite material, comprising a porous, reticulated, open cell network having at least part of its surface coated with blue-black or black oxidized zirconium.

Abstract: Open-celled membranes from thermoplastic polymers are prepared from foamed polymer melts by extrusion through a die and particulary suitable for filtration.

Abstract: Surface coverings and surface covering components that include a textured transparent or translucent wear layer and a design layer, where the design layer is printed with an ink that includes collapsible microspheres, are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of manufacturing such surface coverings and surface covering components. In one embodiment, a pattern is printed on a substrate to be coated with a wear layer. In another embodiment, a clear transparent or translucent layer underlies the design layer. The ink includes collapsible microspheres, and can also include foaming inhibitors. A number of surface covering substrates and surface coverings can be prepared using the methods described herein. The surface coverings include a substrate, for example, a foamable substrate, a design layer printed with an ink composition that includes collapsible microspheres, and a wear layer.

Abstract: Buckyrock is a three-dimensional, solid block material comprising an entangled network of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNT), wherein the block comprises greater than 75 wt % SWNT. SWNT buckyrock is mechanically strong, tough and impact resistant. The single-wall carbon nanotubes in buckyrock form are present in a random network of individual single-wall carbon nanotubes, SWNT “ropes” and combinations thereof. The random network of the SWNT or SWNT ropes can be held in place by non-covalent “cross-links” between the nanotubes at nanotube contact points. In one embodiment, SWNT buckyrock is made by forming a SWNT-water slurry, slowly removing water from the slurry which results in a SWNT-water paste, and allowing the paste to dry very slowly, such that the SWNT network of the SWNT-water paste is preserved during solvent evaporation. Buckyrock can be used in applications, such as ballistic protection systems, involving light-weight material with mechanical strength, toughness and impact resistance.

Abstract: The waterproof/breathable moisture transfer liner for a snowboard boot includes an inner liner selected from technically advanced fabrics which are carefully selected. A series of layers are provided outside the inner liner including foam material layers, breathable membranes, a supportive mesh or a moldable foam, and an outer shell fabric. The applicability of the liner to alpine, cross country and hiking boots, along with appropriate variations for each application.

Abstract: A ceramic honeycomb filter comprising a ceramic honeycomb structure having porous partition walls defining a plurality of flow paths for flowing an exhaust gas through the porous partition walls to remove particulates from the exhaust gas, wherein one end of each flow path is provided with a sealer, such that sealers of the flow paths in an inlet and an outlet of the ceramic honeycomb structure in a desired pattern; wherein the partition walls have thickness of 0.1-0.5 mm and a porosity of 50-80%; wherein the porosity of the sealers is larger than that of partition walls; and wherein the depth of the sealers is 3-15 mm.

Abstract: An optical component or an analytical platform includes a substrate, an array of microstructures on the substrate and microchannels formed by side walls of adjacent microstructures, a width of the microchannels varies as a function of distance to the substrate, the width continuously decreasing with increasing distance from the substrate within at least one distance-interval. In a method for producing such a component or such a platform a substrate with an array of surface microstructures is coated in a vapor treatment in such a way that shadowing effects of the coating mechanism narrow at least partially a width of the upper parts of side walls of the microstructures thereby forming at least partially embedded microchannels.

Abstract: The invention concerns a heat-stable ordered mesoporous or mesostructured material comprising a mineral phase wherein are dispersed particles of nanometric dimension at least partly crystaline, the global crystallinity index of said mesostructured or ordered mesoporous material being less than 10% in volume. The invention also concern a method for obtaining such a material.

Abstract: Layered silicate materials and applications are disclosed. In one aspect, the invention features layered silicate materials having pores that run generally perpendicular to the layers. In another aspect, the invention features composite materials including layered framework materials (e.g., layered silicate materials, layered Aluminophosphate materials, layered tin sulfides) having pores or openings that run generally perpendicular to the layers.

Abstract: The invention provides an optical filter comprising: a. an organic, solar blind filter dye; and b. a UV-transparent, non-scattering and chemically stable substrate. The substrate may be a UV-transparent nanoporous silica glass solid having pores that are substantially filled with a UV-transparent solvent, which has been selected to dissolve said dye and also to match the refractive index of the nanoporous silica glass solid. Alternatively, the substrate may be a UV-transparent inorganic salt compressed to form a solid body. The invention also provides for methods of making these embodiments and an optical device comprising such an optical filter. The filter provides an efficient solar blind filter that is chemically and dimensionally stable.

Abstract: A device having an improved thermal barrier coating (46) and a process for manufacturing the same. A support structure (28) for retaining a ceramic insulating material (46) on a substrate (16) is formed by the deposition of a support structure material through a patterned masking material (14). The support structure can define cells into which the ceramic insulating material is deposited following removal of the masking material. The masking material may be patterned by known photolithographic techniques (22,24) or by laser etching (48). The support structure (28) may be a composite metal-ceramic material having either discreet layers (30,34) or a graded composition and may be deposited by an electro-desposition process followed by a heat treatment to form a solid state diffusion bond with the substrate.

Abstract: A metal-ceramic composite material has a ceramic matrix and at least one metallic phase, which are intermingled with one another, together forming a virtually completely dense body, and which are in contact with one another at boundary surfaces. The boundary surfaces are of acicular form, and the metallic phases and the ceramic matrix intermesh by means of the acicular boundary surfaces. Furthermore, tubular passages, which are filled by at least one metallic phase, pass through the composite material.

Abstract: A diamond foam article comprises diamond deposited material on a substrate having an open contiguous structure at least partially filled with a filler material. Methods for forming a diamond foam article comprise providing a foam substrate; preparing the foam substrate for diamond deposition; depositing diamond material on the foam substrate by one of several diamond deposition methods; and at least partially filling the diamond foam article with a filler material. Diamond foam articles are bonded to other components.

Abstract: An absorbent article for personal care use includes a fluid intake layer, a flexible absorbent binder layer and a support layer. The flexible absorbent binder layer is formed between the intake layer and the support layer, and is bound to both layers. The flexible absorbent binder layer is formed from an absorbent binder composition which is applied in a liquid form, and which is capable of spontaneous crosslinking at about 120° C. or less. The absorbent article has a simplified structure and a simplified manufacturing method compared to conventional personal care absorbent articles.

Abstract: A channelized sorbent material comprises porous sorbent particles characterized by an average pore diameter. Each sorbent particle has at least one interior channel of an average transverse dimension (i.e. transverse diameter) that is at least ten times larger than the average pore diameter of the porous sorbent particle. The interior channel may constitute a single cylindrical through-bore in the sorbent particle, or alternatively, an array of intersecting or non-intersecting channels. The porous sorbent particles preferably comprise bead activated carbon particles. Such channelized sorbent material is particular useful as sorbent media in an adsorption-desorption apparatus for storage and dispensing of a sorbable fluid.

Abstract: A cation exchange membrane wherein a plain weave reinforced cloth is embedded in a fluorinated polymer having a sulfonic acid group and/or a carboxylic acid group, characterized by possessing therein a tubular path which is formed in a direction of a warp and a weft of the plain weave reinforced cloth and has a cross section flat to a direction of thickness of the membrane.

Abstract: A flexible sandwich panel (100), comprised of a center layer (1) and one or two outer layers (2; 3), where the center layer is made of a polymeric synthetic material, is itself flexible and exhibits a coarse-cell honeycomb structure with open cells (4) in the direction of the upper and lower side of the center layer. The outer layer or layers consist of a hardened mortar that is made flexible with synthetic additives, and that have as their core a web material consisting essentially of fibers, where the exterior side (5) of the hardened outer layer is left unrefined or roughcast in a plaster-like manner. The sandwich panel can be bent without flaking of the outer layers.

Abstract: A highly permeable and water resistant barrier sheet, comprising a porous buffer sheet and a water resistant nonwoven cloth of 100 mmH2O or higher in water resistance connected integrally with each other and combined with a permeable sheet-like absorber to form an absorbing core so as to make an absorber product highly permeable, wherein the porous buffer sheet is a perforated film formed desirably in an irregular structure having funnel-shaped perforated structures with top and bottom parts different in diameter from each other and, when the diameter thereof on the shorter diameter side is 1 mm or shorter when a hole is approximated in a complete round shape and the number of holes is 20/cm2 or more.

Abstract: A gypsum wallboard may have a paper-covered first face with shaped regions formed along side portions near the wallboard edges, and a fibrous mat-covered second face. The fibrous mat material covering the second face extends around the wallboard edges and is overlapped by portions of the paper on the first face. The wallboard can be manufactured by depositing a gypsum slurry onto a moving web of the fibrous mat material, applying a web of the paper to the deposited gypsum slurry, and forming shaped regions in the side portions of the top surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nacreous polymer sheet comprising voided polyester polymer wherein said sheet has voids of a length to height ratio of greater than 9:1, voids of a length of between 10 and 100 micrometer and a number of voids in the vertical direction is greater than 6.

Abstract: The present invention provides, polishing pad with improved polishing properties and longevity. The pad is comprised of a thermoplastic foam substrate having a surface comprised of concave cells. A polishing agent coats an interior surface of the concave cells. The invention includes a method for preparing the polishing pad, and a polishing apparatus comprising the polishing pad.

Abstract: An article of manufacture comprising an expandable sag-resistant nucleus-forming monolithic composite capable of being located within a hollow interior portion of a structural material and being expanded therein. Also, articles of manufacture comprising open-cellular structural material containing within the open-cell or cell thereof, at least one expandable sag-resistant nucleus-forming monolithic composite. The composite is desirably in the shape of a plug that is similar or close to similar to the shape of the hollow interior. In addition, there is described a process that comprises forming a pre-shaped expandable sag-resistant nucleus-forming. monolithic composite for use in reinforcing and stiffening a normally open-cellular structural material.

Abstract: The invention provides an article of manufacture comprising at least three layers, the layers including an inner layer of a compressed expandable material, at least one porous outer layer and at least one outer layer having a surface adapted to receive and retain indicia.

Abstract: A nanoporous polymer comprises hollow structures fabricated from crosslinked polymeric strands. The hollow structures are further coupled to other crosslinked polymeric strands by a covalent bond. Particularly contemplated nanoporous polymers have a Tg of no less than 400° C. and a dielectric constant k of no more than 2.5.

Abstract: A sulfur-containing water insoluble hydrogel polymer for selectively removing trace amounts of dissolved metal species is produced from a reaction product of nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) and polyethylenimine (PEI) which is then treated in a water-swollen state with carbon disulfide. The polymer has a physical configuration that facilitates formation of a porous stationary bed through which water can pass for treatment.

Abstract: A process for producing a carbon-coated porous silica powder which comprises the step of heating organic-compound particles coated with a silica component in a non-oxidizing atmosphere to thereby carbonize the organic-compound particles and shape the silica component into the form of hollow spheres or the like and, simultaneously therewith, deposit the carbon generated by the carbonization to the surface of the silica component; a porous silica powder the surface of which has been coated with carbon and which is produced by the process; and a conductive resin composition which comprises a resin and the silica incorporated therein.

Abstract: Provided is a porous film which is excellent in a water vapor transmission rate, a tear strength and a weatherability. This porous film can be produced by melt-extruding, for example, by a T-die method, a composition comprising 100 parts by weight of a resin blend (1) comprising 100 parts by weight of {circle around (1)} an ethylene-propylene copolymer, 3 to 40 parts by weight of {circle around (2)} a low density polyethylene and 3 to 40 parts by weight of {circle around (3)} an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer and 100 to 200 parts by weight of calcium carbonate (2), or a composition comprising 100 parts by weight of the above resin blend (1), 100 to 200 parts by weight of calcium carbonate (2), 0.5 to 20 parts by weight of titanium dioxide (3) coated on a surface thereof with silica and/or alumina, 0.2 to 10 parts by weight of a hindered amine light stabilizer (4) having a molecular weight of 1500 to 4500 and 0.

Abstract: A nanoporous polymer comprises hollow structures fabricated from crosslinked polymeric strands. The hollow structures are further coupled to other crosslinked polymeric strands by a covalent bond. Particularly contemplated nanoporous polymers have a Tg of no less than 400° C. and a dielectric constant k of no more than 2.5.

Abstract: A vulcanized rubber comprising a rubber component containing natural rubber, in an amount of 20 to 70 parts by weight, and polybutadiene, in an amount of 30 to 80 parts by weight; a rubber matrix containing 5 to 55 parts by weight of carbon black and 5 to 55 parts by weight of silica per 100 parts per weight of the rubber component; a resin, and resin coated elongated cells having a length (L) to diameter (D) ratio (L/D) of at least 3. The vulcanized rubber can be used in the tread of tires to improve on-ice performance, wet properties and wear resistance in a well balanced manner.

Abstract: A flexible circuit comprising a liquid crystal polymer film having through-holes and related shaped voids formed therein using an etchant composition comprising a solution in water of from about 35 wt. % to about 55 wt. % of an alkali metal salt; and from about 10 wt. % to about 35 wt. % of a solubilizer dissolved in the solution to provide the etchant composition suitable for etching the liquid crystal polymer at a temperature from about 50° C. to about 120° C.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire which is used for a vehicle and obtained after a rubber material is formed by vulcanization. A cap portion (12A), which is an upper layer of a tread and directly contacts the road surface, is a foam rubber which includes innumerable elongated closed cells (24). The outer portion of the elongated closed cell (24) is coated by a resinous protective layer (26). During the vulcanization process of the tire, a resin whose viscosity is lower than that of a rubber matrix and a blowing agent which generates gas are kneaded with a rubber material so as to obtain a rubber composition. The rubber composition is formed in the shape of a band and adhered to a crown portion of a raw tire casing. The resin is melted by the heat of vulcanization and the viscosity of the resin is lower than that of the rubber matrix. The gas generated in the rubber moves toward and concentrates at the inner side of the resin.

Abstract: The present invention provides a foamed sheet showing small dimensional changes resulted with temperature changes, etc., said foamed sheet which made of a thermoplastic resin material, wherein the coefficient of linear expansion of the thermoplastic resin material &agr; (/°C.) and the coefficient of linear expansion of the foamed sheet &agr;f (/°C.

Abstract: A release liner carrier web including a paper layer, a release layer including a polypropylene layer coated onto the substrate and a silicone release agent coated onto the polypropylene coating layer. The liner further including a second coating layer made up of an acrylic resin type material for sealing the paper substrate and preventing curling and contamination of a label or printed film adhesively laminated thereon.