Abstract: Catalyst comprising an Ir layer having an outer layer with a layer comprising Pt directly thereon, wherein the Ir layer has an average thickness in a range from 0.04 to 30 nanometers, wherein the layer comprising Pt has an average thickness in a range from 0.04 to 50 nanometers, and wherein the Pt and Ir are present in an atomic ratio in a range from 0.01:1 to 10:1. Catalysts described herein are useful, for example, in fuel cell membrane electrode assemblies.

Abstract: A reflective polarizing imaging lens includes at least one optical film having an active area that is curved in two orthogonal directions. Edges of the optical film are arranged to form seams between segments of the optical film in the active area of the reflective polarizing imaging lens.

Abstract: A nose support for a pair of eyeglasses is disclosed. The nose support comprises an elongate main body comprising a flexing section which is reversibly deflectable between an unflexed state and a flexed state at a proximal end of the main body, a contact section at a distal end of the main body and a soft resilient organic polymeric shell which encases the main body.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for joining two tubular elements (14, 22) at a joint using an adhesive that is non-flowable at ambient temperatures but flowable at an elevated temperature. A ring (12) of uncured, non-flowable adhesive is placed around the male end of a male (14)/female (22) pipe interface. Upon exposure to elevated temperatures, the ring (12) melts and flows down into the interface, and cures.

Abstract: In general, a monitoring system includes one or more nodes that are capacitively coupled to a cable of a multiphase electric power line. In some examples, a node includes a coupling layer disposed over a jacket layer of the cable and capacitively coupled to a shield layer of the cable. In some examples, a node may include a first coupling layer capacitively coupled to a first cable, and a second coupling layer capacitively coupled to a second cable, such that the node is differentially coupled to the cable pair to generate a differential data signal and to perform at least one of: sensing a native signal within the cable pair; injecting an intentional signal into the cable pair; receiving an intentional signal from within the cable pair; or providing a channel characterization.

Abstract: Hollow fiber membranes, membrane contactors, and related production and use methods. The membranes include a substrate having a multiplicity of pores and a skin layer overlaying the porous substrate. The porous substrate includes a first semi-crystalline thermoplastic polyolefin (co)polymer resin and a nucleating agent in an amount effective to achieve nucleation. The skin layer includes a second semi-crystalline thermoplastic polyolefin (co)polymer resin derived by polymerizing at most 98 wt. % of 4-methyl-1-pentene monomer with at least 2 wt. % of linear or branched alpha olefin monomers. Preferably, the first thermoplastic polyolefin (co)polymer is different from the second thermoplastic polyolefin (co)polymer. The skin layer is less porous than the porous substrate and forms an outer surface of the hollow fiber with the porous substrate forming an inner surface. The hollow fibers are formed by co-extruding the porous substrate resin and the skin layer resin through an annular die.

Abstract: Nanocomposite blends include metal oxide nanoparticles and at least two (meth)acrylic acid polymers where the nanoparticles are surface modified with a carboxylic acid silane and where the (meth)acrylic acid polymers are at least partially neutralized. The compositions are transparent, with high transmission and low haze up to very high nanoparticle loading. The compositions also exhibit improved mechanical properties of impact resistance and tensile modulus.

Abstract: An article is described comprising a first film layer comprising polylactic acid polymer (semicrystalline polylactic acid polymer; amorphous polylactic acid polymer; or a mixture thereof); a second (e.g. polyvinyl acetate) polymer having a Tg of at least 25° C.; plasticizer. In some embodiment, the film layer further comprises inorganic pigment and/or hydrolysis stabilizer. In other embodiments, the film has a net melting endotherm, ?Hnm1, of less than 10 J/g. Also described are methods of making a graphic film.

Abstract: A coated abrasive article comprises a backing having first and second opposed major surfaces. A make layer is bonded to the first major surface. Agglomerate grinding aid particles are directly bonded to the make layer. At least a portion of the agglomerate grinding aid particles comprise grinding aid particles retained in a binder, and are arranged according to an open predetermined pattern. Abrasive particles are directly bonded to the make layer in spaces between the agglomerate grinding aid particles. A size layer is directly bonded to the make layer, agglomerate grinding aid particles, and abrasive particles. A method of making a coated abrasive article, in which the agglomerate grinding aid particles are deposited onto a curable make layer precursor prior to depositing abrasive particles onto the curable make layer precursor in spaces between the agglomerate grinding aid particles is also disclosed.

Abstract: Charged polymeric webs, such as electret webs, include a thermoplastic resin and a charge-enhancing additive. The additives are substituted heterocyclic thiols. The heterocyclic thiol has 2 nitrogen groups and a third group that may be an NH, N—NH2, O, or S group. The substituent group is an aromatic or heterocyclic aromatic group. The electret webs may be a non-woven fibrous web or a film. The electret webs are suitable for use as filter media.

Abstract: Silicone pressure-sensitive adhesives is the reaction product of a composition including a silanol end group-containing linear organopolysiloxane; a non-functional linear organopolysiloxane; and a silicate resin; wherein the dynamic viscosity of the non-functional linear organopolysiloxane at 25° C. is 100,000 mm2/sec or greater. The silicone pressure-sensitive adhesive has enhanced adhesion while minimizing skin damage and pain during removal of the adhesive.

Abstract: At least some embodiments of the present disclosure direct to an electrostatic sheet jamming device formed by a sheet having a conductive layer and a dielectric layer. The jamming device includes a first section of the sheet, the first section being separated from the sheet, and a second section of the sheet, the second section being separated from the sheet. The sheet is non-extensible and flexible. The first section and the second section are slidable relative to each other in a first state. The first section and the second section are jammed with each other in a second state when a voltage is applied between a conductive layer of the first section and a conductive layer of the second section.

Abstract: Method for active data storage management to optimize use of an electronic memory. The method includes providing signal injections for data storage. The signal injections can include various types of data and sizes of data files. Response signals corresponding with the signal injections are received, and a utility of those signals is measured. Based upon the utility of the response signals, parameters relating to storage of the data is modified to optimize use of long-term high latency passive data storage and short-term low latency active data storage.

Abstract: A thermally conductive electromagnetically absorbing material includes a plurality of particles dispersed in a binder. The plurality of particles can have a particle size distribution having at least three peaks, where at least a majority of particles within a half width at half maximum of one, but not the other ones, of the at least three peaks are at least partially coated with an electromagnetically absorbing coating. The plurality of particles can include pluralities of first and second particles where a total number of the first particles is at most 1% of a total number of the first and second particles and where the first particles are more electromagnetically absorbing than the second particles. Films, molded articles and systems including the thermally conductive electromagnetically absorbing material are described.

Abstract: Articles comprising first and second coextruded polymeric nettings are described. The articles comprise a plurality of pairs of first segments comprising a first material. Adjacent first segments are joined together via a second segments comprising second material, wherein the second segments extend past the first major surface of each first adjacent segments. The articles further include an adhesive on at least one of the first or second major surfaces of the first segment. The first segments, second segments, and third material each extend continuously for at least 5 mm in the machine direction, and the first and second materials of adjacent pairs are periodically bonded together in the machine direction. A portion of some of the first segments of the first coextruded polymeric netting are engaged between some of the adjacent first segments of the second coextruded polymeric netting.

Abstract: At least some embodiments of the present disclosure direct to an electrostatic sheet jamming apparatus comprising a first sheet comprising a first conductive layer, the first sheet comprising a set of first features, a first dielectric layer, and a second sheet comprising a second conductive layer and disposed proximate to the first dielectric layer, the second sheet comprising a set of second features. The first dielectric layer is disposed between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer. The first sheet and the second sheet are non-extensible and flexible. The first sheet and the second sheet are movable relative to each other in a first state. The first sheet and the second sheet are jammed with each other in a second state when a voltage is applied between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer.

Abstract: Arrays having a support structure and a plurality of connecting elements are described. Each connecting element is associated with at least one holding arm integrally linking the connecting element to at least one of (a) the support structure and (b) one or more of the other connecting elements. The connecting element of these arrays include a metal substrate having joining surfaces on opposite sides, where each joining surface has hard particles fixed on the metal substrate by a binder layer. Processes for producing such arrays and using the connecting elements are also described.

Abstract: An optical connector assembly includes first and second optical ferrules. Each of the first and second optical ferrules includes a front portion extending forwardly from a rear portion. The rear portion includes a top side and a bottom side. The bottom side of the rear portion defines a recessed portion. The first and second optical ferrules mate with each other such that the front portion of each of the first and second ferrules is disposed in the recessed portion of the other one of the first and second ferrules. Discrete retainers are assembled to opposite ends of the mated first and second ferrules. Each of the retainers defines a resilient portion resiliently forcing the front portion of one of the first and second mated ferrules against the other one of the first and second optical ferrules.