Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a liquid container for a motor vehicle, having the method steps: providing a wall, which is provided in order to delimit an interior chamber of the liquid container for receiving a liquid; providing a structure, which is provided in order to be arranged in order to reduce sloshing noises in the interior chamber of the liquid container, wherein the structure comprises a random arrangement of threads cross-linked with each other and wherein a plurality of the threads of the structure are integrally joined, at least in sections, to at least one or more additional threads of the structure, such that a substantially monolithic structure is formed; connecting the structure to the wall.

Abstract: Using SWNT-CA as scaffolds to fabricate stiff, highly conductive polymer (PDMS) composites. The SWNT-CA is immersing in a polymer resin to produce a SWNT-CA infiltrated with a polymer resin. The SWNT-CA infiltrated with a polymer resin is cured to produce the stiff and electrically conductive composite of carbon nanotube aerogel and polymer.

Abstract: Applicant discloses a sensing element for sensing an organic chemical analyte, comprising a first electrode and a second electrode, and a microporous, hydrophobic, analyte-responsive dielectric material disposed at least in proximity to the first and second electrodes. The analyte-responsive dielectric material may be an amorphous random covalent network comprising a mean pore size of less than about 10 nm and a porosity of at least about 20%. An electrical property of the sensing element, such as capacitance, can be monitored in order to sense an organic chemical analyte.

Abstract: Presented is a variety of products and apparatuses employing a conductive nonwoven web. Products and apparatuses include an RFID system, a radiofrequency shielding system, a flexible electronic circuit component, a heating element, an antenna, an electromagnetic energy shield, a membrane switch, a keypad, and a packaging system. In one embodiment, the conductive nonwoven web contains conductive carbon fibers in combination with pulp fibers and/or synthetic fibers. Electric pathways are formed into the conductive material using ultrasonic energy. The electric pathways can be used to produce various electronic devices.

Abstract: A nonwoven fabric which contains pitch-based carbon fibers having a high elongation and a high elastic modulus which are not attained in the prior art and is obtained by improving the tensile elongation of carbon fibers derived from mesophase pitch, a felt obtained from the nonwoven fabric, and production processes therefore. The nonwoven fabric contains pitch-based carbon fibers, wherein the pitch-based carbon fibers have (i) an average fiber diameter (D1) measured by an optical microscope of more than 2 ?m and 20 ?m or less, (ii) a percentage of the degree of fiber diameter distribution (S1) to average fiber diameter (D1) measured by an optical microscope of 3 to 20%, (iii) a tensile elastic modulus of 80 to 300 GPa and (iv) a tensile elongation of 1.4 to 2.5%.

Abstract: A microporous carbon material includes a porous carbon skeleton having an average pore size from 0.1 to 10 nanometers and being substantially free of pores greater than 1 micrometer. Methods of forming the microporous carbon material are also disclosed.

Abstract: An electret filter media that includes a thermoplastic resin and a compound of the formula Y2-A(R1)n—Y1, where A is benzene, naphthalene or anthracene, Y1 and Y2 are each independently R2-R3, R2 is an ester linking group or an amide linking group, R3 is an alkyl group having from 10 to 22 carbon atoms, R1 is R2-R3 where R2 and R3 are each independently as defined above, and when A is benzene, n is from 0 to 4, when A is naphthalene, n is from 0 to 6, and when A is anthracene, n is from 0 to 8.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of making single-wall carbon nanotubes by laser vaporizing a mixture of carbon and one or more Group VIII transition metals. Single-wall carbon nanotubes preferentially form in the vapor and the one or more Group VIII transition metals catalyzed growth of the single-wall carbon nanotubes. In one embodiment of the invention, one or more single-wall carbon nanotubes are fixed in a high temperature zone so that the one or more Group VIII transition metals catalyze further growth of the single-wall carbon nanotube that is maintained in the high temperature zone. In another embodiment, two separate laser pulses are utilized with the second pulse timed to be absorbed by the vapor created by the first pulse.

Abstract: A binderless glass fiber mat suitable for use as a separator for valve regulated (“recombinant”) lead acid (“VRLA”) batteries is disclosed. The separator is produced by a dry process by collecting the fibers from fiberizing apparatus, without subjecting them to a wet paper making or other post forming process, and selecting portions of the collected fibers which are sufficiently uniform in thickness and grammage for use as battery separators. The fibers can be entwined to produce a superior separator material. Additives can be introduced during the collection process to enhance the properties of the separator. A battery comprises at least one stack of alternating positive and negative plates, with the separator between adjacent plates. Separators according to the invention are significantly more resilient and have longer fibers than otherwise identical separators made from different samples of the same glass fibers, but by a conventional wet paper making process.

Abstract: Aerogel composite materials having a lofty fibrous batting reinforcement preferably in combination with one or both of individual short randomly oriented microfibers and conductive layers exhibit improved performance in one or all of flexibility, drape, durability, resistance to sintering, x-y thermal conductivity, x-y electrical conductivity, RFI-EMI attenuation, and/or burn-through resistance.

Abstract: A novel flexible non-woven carbon fibre gas diffusion substrate comprising a plurality of first carbon fibres orientated in the x-, y- and optionally z-directions, said first fibres being bonded with a thermoplastic polymeric substance, and a carbon based filler material, characterised, in that the flexible non-woven carbon fibre gas diffusion substrate has a total density of greater than 0.35 g/cm3, and a gas diffusion electrode obtained therefrom is disclosed. Also disclosed is a process for the manufacture of the substrate and electrode.

Abstract: A fiber reinforced matrix composite mirror that eliminates the problem of “print through”. A layer of small unbundled fibers in the matrix diffuses and randomize any stresses that are created by the weave pattern of the fiber reinforcement so that the coarse texture is not transferred to the optical quality surface thus eliminating “print through”. The layer can be provided in a variety of embodiments using random fibrils, a continuous fiber mat or a weave of single or finely towed continuous fibers. The fiber reinforced mirror is constructed by adding a mixture of matrix pre-cursor and fibers or fibrils to a common graphite fiber reinforced matrix construction.

Abstract: A fuel cell gas diffusion substrate has primary fibres, secondary fibres and one or more thermoplastic polymers for binding the primary and secondary fibres, characterized in that the secondary fibers are in the form of carbon nanofibers, and a gas diffusion electrode and membrane electrode assembly prepared therefrom are disclosed.

Abstract: A personal respirator has a face mask and is provided with a filter unit comprising a canister housing contiguous layers of novel filter material. The filter material is suitable for both particulate and vapor filtration, and comprises a composite of first and second groups of chopped fibres, the fibres of the first group having a relatively large diameter (about 7×10−6 m) and the second group having a relatively small diameter (about 0.5×10−6 m).

Abstract: A magnetic material-nanomaterial heterostructural nanorod is provided. The magnetic material-nanomaterial heterostructural nanorod includes a nanomaterial template and a magnetic material. As the magnetic material, the film of a mono-compositional magnetic metal, magnetic ceramic, a multi-compositional magnetic metal, or magnetic ceramic alloy can be deposited on the tip of the nanomaterial template.

Abstract: This invention relates to rigid porous carbon structures and to methods of making same. The rigid porous structures have a high surface area which are substantially free of micropores. Methods for improving the rigidity of the carbon structures include causing the nanofibers to form bonds or become glued with other nanofibers at the fiber intersections. The bonding can be induced by chemical modification of the surface of the nanofibers to promote bonding, by adding “gluing” agents and/or by pyrolyzing the nanofibers to cause fusion or bonding at the interconnect points.

Abstract: Fibrous substrates for the production of carbon and/or ceramic (including mixtures of these) fiber reinforced carbon and/or ceramic (including mixtures of these) matrix composites, particularly friction discs, and to methods of manufacture of same. Offcut waste fibrous sheet material may be recycled and reformed into a web useful in the manufacture of such composites.