Abstract: A composition is provided comprising: a) a curable epoxy resin; and b) 0.01-30% by weight of a polycarbodiimide according to Formula I: R—{—N?C?N—R—}n—N?C?N—R??(I) wherein n is an integer between 0 and 100, and wherein each R is independently selected from aromatic and aliphatic groups which contain between 1 and 24 carbons and which are optionally substituted, typically comprising 0.1-20% by weight of the polycarbodiimide. In some embodiments the present disclosure provides sheet materials made of such cured, uncured or partially cured materials. In some embodiments these compositions may be useful in making surfacing films for composite parts and may demonstrate good paint stripper resistance and microcrack resistance.

Abstract: In some examples, an article includes a substrate and a plurality of optical element sets embodied on the substrate, wherein each optical element set includes a plurality of optical elements, wherein each respective optical element represents an encoded value in a set of encoded values, wherein the set of encoded values are differentiable based on visual differentiability of the respective optical elements, wherein each respective optical element set represents at least a portion of a message or error correction data to decode the message if one or more of the plurality of optical element sets are visually occluded, and wherein the optical element sets for the message and error correction data are spatially configured at the physical surface in a matrix such that the message is decodable from the substrate without optical elements positioned within at least one complete edge of the matrix that is visually occluded.

Abstract: Method of using a shape-formable apparatus. A shape-formable apparatus can include an envelope defining a chamber, a port positioned to fluidly couple the chamber with ambience, and at least two locking sheets positioned in the chamber in an at least partially overlapping configuration. Each locking sheet can include a major surface, and at least a portion of each locking sheet can be patterned to include solid regions and open regions, the solid regions being movable with respect to one another within the major surface. The method can include providing the shape-formable apparatus in a first state; forming the apparatus into a desired shape; and reducing the pressure in the chamber to change the apparatus from the first state to a second state in which the apparatus is substantially less formable than in the first state.

Abstract: A respirator system is disclosed that includes a foldable head cover assembly including a face seal portion. The respirator assembly further includes a visor assembly attached to the head cover assembly and a head suspension system removably attached to the visor assembly. The visor assembly and the head cover assembly on one hand, and the suspension system on the other, are separable and foldable to enable storing and/or shipping the same separately. A head suspension system is also disclosed.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a personal respiratory protection device (10) are disclosed. The personal respiratory protection device (10) includes an upper panel (18), a central panel (16), and a lower panel (20), the central panel (16) being separated from each of the upper and lower panels (18) by a first and second fold (36), seam, weld (76) or bond, respectively, such that the device is capable of being folded flat for storage along the first and second fold (36), seam, weld (76) or bond and opened to form a cup-shaped air chamber over the nose and mouth of the wearer when in use. The lower panel (20) includes a stiffening sheet (40) that has a longitudinal crease line, where the stiffening sheet (40) is folded about the longitudinal crease line when the device is in use.

Abstract: A process for producing an eyelet for a biomedical electrode (e.g. an electrocardiogram (ECG) electrode) involves: hot pressing an electrically conductive thermoplastic or elastomeric resin to produce a film having a web of eyelets, each eyelet having a post protruding from a first face of the film and a flange at a second face of the film; applying a coating of a non-polarizable conductive material (e.g. a silver-containing material) on to a contact face of the flange; and, cutting the film to produce the eyelets separated from the web. Preferably, the process involves extrusion replication. A web of eyelets for biomedical electrodes has a film of an electrically conductive thermoplastic or elastomeric resin possessing a plurality of posts protruding from a first face of the film, and preferably a layer of a non-polarizable conductive material on a second face of the film. The process may be a one-step continuous process that is cheaper and simpler than current commercial processes.

Abstract: A composition for use in bioseparation. The composition includes a plurality of hollow particles having a siliceous surface. The composition further includes a surface-modifying agent bonded to the hollow particles. The surface-modifying agent includes a binding segment and a reactive segment. The binding segment includes a silyl group and the reactive segment includes a reactive nitrogen group.

Abstract: A composition that includes an amino-functional compound having at least one silane group, a fluorinated compound represented by formula Rf{—X—[Si(Y)3-x(R)x]y}z, and a non-fluorinated organic solvent having a flashpoint of at least 40° C. A method of making a treated article having a metal surface using a composition that includes an amino-functional compound having at least one silane group, a fluorinated compound represented by formula Rf{—X—[Si(Y)3-x(R)x]y}z, and an organic solvent having a flashpoint of at least 40° C. is also disclosed. Another method includes treating the metal surface with a primer composition including an amino-functional compound having at least one silane group to provide a primed metal surface and subsequently treating the primed metal surface with a treatment composition including a fluorinated compound represented by formula Rf{—X—[Si(Y)3-x(R)x]y}z. The compositions each include up to one percent by weight of an organic solvent having a flashpoint up to 40° C.

Abstract: The disclosed retroreflective element includes a polymeric core that is loaded with a plurality of first beads and second beads distributed at the perimeter of the core. The first beads are different than the second beads. Because of the beads in the core, the retroreflective element remains useful for returning light even after portions of the core begins to wear away. Further, when the retroreflective elements get wet, water will settle to the bottom of the perimeter of the core. Therefore, using the second beads with a refractive index suited for wet conditions, while the first beads have a refractive index suited for dry conditions allows the retroreflective element to be useful in both wet and dry conditions even while the retroreflective element wears during use.

Abstract: A silsesquixane polymer, a composition including such silsesquixane polymer, and an article including such polymer or composition, wherein the composition includes a silsesquioxane polymer and a free siloxane; wherein the silsesquioxane polymer includes a three-dimensional network of Formula (I): wherein: each R1 and R2 is independently a (C1-C4)alkyl; each L1 is independently a single bond, an alkylene, or an alkylene bonded to a group selected from oxy, thio, carbonyl, —NH—, and combinations thereof; each R3 is independently a linear (C14-C100)alkyl; with the proviso that L1 is selected such that each Si atom is directly bonded to an alkylene or an alkyl; m is an integer of at least 2; n is an integer of at least 1; m+n is an integer of at least 10; each oxygen atom at an asterisk (*) is bonded to another Si atom within the three-dimensional network; and the silsesquioxane polymer is a solid at 25° C.

Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to retroreflective articles and methods of making such articles.

Abstract: A lightning protective seal cap comprising a seal cap that defines an interior, and a quantity of an uncured sealant that is curable by the application of actinic radiation so as to bind the seal cap to a fastener. The interior of the seal cap contains the quantity of uncured sealant, the seal cap is positionable over the fastener such that at least a portion of the fastener resides in the interior of the seal cap, and when the seal cap is in position over the fastener, the sealant containing seal cap prevents electrical arcing to the fastener from a lightning strike.

Abstract: Multilayer optical film reflective polarizers previously considered to have excessive off-axis color can provide adequate performance in an LC display without any high haze light diffusing layer or air gap between the reflective polarizer and the back absorbing polarizer of the display. The reflective polarizer has only one packet of microlayers, and is oriented using a standard tenter such that birefringent microlayers in the film are biaxially birefringent. The microlayers in the packet have a layer thickness profile suitably tailored to avoid excessive perceived color at normal and oblique angles. A laminate made by combining this type of reflective polarizer with an absorbing polarizer, without an air gap or any high haze light diffusing layer or structure between the polarizers, can be used and incorporated into a liquid crystal display or the like with adequate color performance both at normal incidence and oblique incidence up to a polar angle of 60 degrees.

Abstract: Fluid liners and container assemblies for a spraying apparatus and related methods of use are provided. The disclosed liners include a side wall defining a fluid-containing portion and an open end, a flange extending outwardly from the side wall, and a latching member coupled to the flange, where the latching member includes a retaining feature for releasably coupling the side wall to a lid compatible with the liner. Disclosed fluid containers include a lid having a fluid outlet adapted to couple the lid to the spraying apparatus and a collapsible liner, where either the liner or lid comprises a latch that releasably couples the liner and the lid to each other. Advantageously, the fluid liners and fluid containers can provide enhanced storage options for container contents between spraying operations.

Abstract: Provided are sealant compositions that include a first component and second component. The first component contains a polysulfide, a polythioether, or a copolymer or combination thereof containing pendant or terminal thiol groups, while the second in component contains an ethylenically-unsaturated compound and either the first or second component further contains a photoinitiator. Alternatively, the second component can contain a polyepoxide and either the first or second component can contain a photolatent base and a photosensitizer. The first or second component further contains a colorant that substantially reflects or substantially transmits light over the wavelength range from 350 nm to 500 nm. These compositions can provide cure-on-demand sealant formulations that comply with Class B sealant regulations on color, provide an acceptable depth of cure, and allow two-part mixing to be easily distinguishable.

Abstract: A touch screen sensor includes a visible light transparent substrate and an electrically conductive micropattern disposed on or in the visible light transparent substrate. The micropattern includes a first region micropattern within a touch sensing area and a second region micropattern. The first region micropattern has a first sheet resistance value in a first direction, is visible light transparent, and has at least 90% open area. The second region micropattern has a second sheet resistance value in the first direction. The first sheet resistance value is different from the second sheet resistance value.

Abstract: A compression bandage for a human calf having a) a first engagement zone on a first major surface, comprising mechanical engagement means, b) a second engagement zone on the first major surface, comprising mechanical engagement means, c) a soft section between the first and the second engagement zone, having a reduced modulus of elasticity in length direction, and d) a stiff section having an elevated modulus of elasticity in length direction, and having a length greater than the length of the soft section. The stiff section comprises a third engagement zone on the second major surface, comprising mechanical engagement means, for engagement with the first and with the second engagement zone. When wrapping the bandage around the calf, the third engagement zone can engage, in a subsequent turn, with the first engagement zone, and with the second engagement zone, so that the stiff section bridges the soft section.

Abstract: Disclosed is a reversing valve. The reversing valve controls the position change of a valve element thereof under the joint action of the total changing pressure from a piston side thereof and a compression spring side thereof to make connection and disconnection between different chambers in the reversing valve, so that the reversing valve can control connection and disconnection of relevant waterways. The reversing valve adopts a purely mechanical design and has characteristics of high reliability and fast switching. Also disclosed is a household water purifier including the reversing valve.