Abstract: In one general aspect, a composite foam comprises a non-layered mixture of a polymeric foam with a plurality of voids; and a plurality of conductive fillers disposed in the polymeric foam. The conductive fillers are disposed in an even manner from outer surface to outer surface. In some implementations, the conductive fillers are up to 25% by weight of the composite foam. In some implementations, the composite foam may be used as padding. In some implementations, the composite foam may be used as a strain gauge. In some implementations, the foam may be in contact with a voltage detector.

Abstract: In one example, an apparatus. includes a shoe having a sole with at least a portion of foam replaced with a composite polymeric foam, at least one probe disposed in the composite polymeric foam, a voltage detector coupled to the probe that detects voltage data generated by the composite polymeric foam, and a transformation module that converts voltage data generated by the composite polymeric foam in response to deformation events into GRF, acceleration, or pressure data. In another example, a method includes receiving voltage data produced by composite polymeric foam, the composite polymeric foam providing support and padding in the sole of a shoe, converting the voltage data to force data, comparing the force data to a profile, and transmitting, when the force data fails to fall within a threshold of the profile, a feedback signal to a physical feedback device, the feedback signal indicating a difference with the profile.

Abstract: In one general aspect, a composite foam comprises a non-layered mixture of a polymeric foam with a plurality of voids; and a plurality of conductive fillers disposed in the polymeric foam. The conductive fillers are disposed in an even manner from outer surface to outer surface. In some implementations, the conductive fillers are up to 25% by weight of the composite foam. In some implementations, the composite foam may be used as padding. In some implementations, the composite foam may be used as a strain gauge.

Abstract: A composite structural article (100) includes a polymeric body (35) having a first major surface (24) and an opposing second major surface (22) and a rib element (30) extending away from the first major surface. A reinforcing member (10) is embedded within a free end portion (34) of the rib member (30). The reinforcing member includes an elongated polymer rod having a rod length and a plurality of co-extending continuous fibers (20), embedded and distributed within the elongated polymer rod. The fibers are under tension and may have a helical or twisted configuration along the rod length.

Abstract: A composite structural article includes a polymeric body having a first major surface and an opposing second major surface. The composite structure includes a continuous fiber element extending along and embedded within the lateral length of a rib element and/or an open mesh woven element embedded within and coplanar a textured surface of the first major surface or the opposing second major surface.

Abstract: Composite pallets and methods for making and using composite pallets are disclosed. An example composite pallet may include a plurality of base boards. The base boards may include a first resin material and a first fiber material. A plurality of support blocks may be coupled to the base boards. The support blocks may include a second resin material and an impact modifier. A plurality of intermediate boards may be coupled to the support blocks. The intermediate boards may include a third resin material and a second fiber material. One or more top end boards may be coupled to the intermediate boards. The one or more top end boards may include a fourth resin material and a third fiber material. One or more top boards may be disposed adjacent to at least one of the one or more top end boards. The one or more top boards may include a fifth resin material.

Abstract: A reinforcing article includes a porous substrate layer separating a plurality of parallel first continuous fiber elements spaced apart from each other and extending along a first direction from a plurality of parallel second continuous fiber elements spaced apart from each other and extending along a different direction. Each first and second continuous fiber elements include a plurality of parallel and co-extending continuous fibers embedded in a thermoplastic resin.

Abstract: Systems for molding products that include sheer sensitive materials are disclosed. The systems may include a barrel. A hopper may be in communication with the barrel. A screw may be disposed within the barrel. The screw may be designed to rotate and reciprocate within the barrel. The screw may include a metering section. A plurality of dome members may be coupled to the screw and disposed along the metering section.

Abstract: A pallet may include a base layer, an intermediate layer, two or more support blocks, and a top layer. The support blocks may be removably attached to the base layer and the intermediate layer such that the support blocks are positioned between the base layer and the intermediate layer. The base layer may include two or more base members, the intermediate layer may include two or more intermediate members and the top layer may include two top outside members, which all may be described as structural members. The structural members may include two or more ribs, may include fiber dispersed in a thermoplastic material, and may include a continuous fiber bundle within each rib.

Abstract: Composite pallets and methods for making and using composite pallets are disclosed. An example composite pallet may include a base layer. The base layer may include a first base board, a second base board, and a cross-member extending between the first base board and the second base board. The cross-member may include a first end region designed to be detachably coupled to the first base board, a second end region designed to be detachably coupled to the second base board, and at least one curved section positioned between the first end region and the second end region. The cross-member may include a polymer. An intermediate layer may be coupled to the base layer. The intermediate layer may include a plurality of intermediate boards. A top layer may be coupled to the intermediate layer. The top layer may include a plurality of top boards.

Abstract: Bins and bin assemblies are disclosed. An example bin assembly may include a base having a top board with an upper surface and a lower surface. A first set of side walls may be detachably coupled to the top board. The first set of side walls may include a first side wall having a securing member designed to engage the lower surface of the top board. A second set of side walls may be detachably coupled to the upper surface. The second set of side walls may include a second side wall having a pin member depending therefrom and designed to engage an aperture formed in the upper surface of the top board. A first interlocking member may be along an inner surface of the first side wall. A second interlocking member may be disposed along an inner surface of the second side wall.

Abstract: In one general aspect, an apparatus comprises a material including a non-layered mixture of an polymeric foam with a plurality of voids; and a plurality of conductive fillers disposed in the polymeric foam. The apparatus may produce an electrical response to deformation and, thus, function as a strain gauge. The electrical response may be a decrease in electrical resistance. The electrical response may be an electric potential generated. The conductive fillers may include conductive nanoparticles and/or conductive stabilizers. In another general aspect, a method of measuring compression strain includes detecting, along a first axis, an electrical response generated in response to an impact to a uniform composite material that includes conductive fillers and voids disposed throughout an elastomeric polymer, and determining a deformation of the impact based on the electrical response. The impact may be along a second axis different from the first axis.

Abstract: Composite pallets and methods for making and using composite pallets are disclosed. An example composite pallet may include a plurality of base boards. The base boards may include a first resin material and a first fiber material. A plurality of support blocks may be coupled to the base boards. The support blocks may include a second resin material and an impact modifier. A plurality of intermediate boards may be coupled to the support blocks. The intermediate boards may include a third resin material and a second fiber material. One or more top end boards may be coupled to the intermediate boards. The one or more top end boards may include a fourth resin material and a third fiber material. One or more top boards may be disposed adjacent to at least one of the one or more top end boards. The one or more top boards may include a fifth resin material.

Abstract: A pallet may include a base layer, an intermediate layer, two or more support blocks, and a top layer. The support blocks may be removably attached to the base layer and the intermediate layer such that the support blocks are positioned between the base layer and the intermediate layer. The base layer may include two or more base members, the intermediate layer may include two or more intermediate members and the top layer may include two top outside members, which all may be described as structural members. The structural members may include two or more ribs, may include fiber dispersed in a thermoplastic material, and may include a continuous fiber bundle within each rib.

Abstract: A pallet may include a base layer, an intermediate layer, two or more support blocks, and a top layer. The support blocks may be removably attached to the base layer and the intermediate layer such that the support blocks are positioned between the base layer and the intermediate layer. The base layer may include two or more base members, the intermediate layer may include two or more intermediate members and the top layer may include two top outside members, which all may be described as structural members. The structural members may include two or more ribs, may include fiber dispersed in a thermoplastic material, and may include a continuous fiber bundle within each rib.

Abstract: In one example, an apparatus includes a shoe having a sole with at least a portion of foam replaced with a composite polymeric foam, at least one probe disposed in the composite polymeric foam, a voltage detector coupled to the probe that detects voltage data generated by the composite polymeric foam, and a transformation module that converts voltage data generated by the composite polymeric foam in response to deformation events into GRF, acceleration, or pressure data. In another example, a method includes receiving voltage data produced by composite polymeric foam, the composite polymeric foam providing support and padding in the sole of a shoe, converting the voltage data to force data, comparing the force data to a profile, and transmitting, when the force data fails to fall within a threshold of the profile, a feedback signal to a physical feedback device, the feedback signal indicating a difference with the profile.

Abstract: In one general aspect, an apparatus comprises a material including a non-layered mixture of an elastomeric polymer with a plurality of voids; and a plurality of conductive fillers disposed in the elastomeric polymer. The apparatus may produce an electrical response to deformation and, thus, function as a strain gauge. The conductive fillers may include conductive nanoparticles and/or conductive stabilizers. In another general aspect, a method of measuring compression strain includes detecting, along a first axis, an electrical response generated in response to an impact to a uniform composite material that includes conductive fillers and voids disposed throughout an elastomeric polymer, and determining a deformation of the impact based on the electrical response. The impact may be along a second axis different from the first axis.

Abstract: In one general aspect, an apparatus includes at least two conductive elements disposed in a polymeric foam and at least two voltage detectors. Each voltage detector is coupled to a respective conductive element and configured to detect a charge generated by an impact to the polymeric foam within a sensing radius of the respective conductive element. In another general aspect, an apparatus includes a deformation sensor and a voltage detector. The deformation sensor includes a conductive element disposed in a polymeric foam, a portion of the conductive element extending beyond an outer wall of the polymeric foam. The voltage detector is coupled to the portion of the conductive element and detects a charge generated by the deformation sensor responsive to an impact to the polymeric foam.

Abstract: A reinforcing article (10, 100, 200) includes a porous substrate layer (105, 205) and a plurality of parallel first continuous fiber elements (12, 114, 212) spaced apart from each other and extending along a first direction and fixed to the porous substrate (105, 205). Each first continuous fiber element (12, 114, 212) includes a plurality of parallel and co-extending continuous fibers (22, 122, 222) embedded in a thermoplastic resin (24, 124, 224).

Abstract: Composite pallets and methods for making and using composite pallets are disclosed. An example composite pallet may include a base layer. The base layer may include a first base board, a second base board, and a cross-member extending between the first base board and the second base board. The cross-member may include a first end region designed to be detachably coupled to the first base board, a second end region designed to be detachably coupled to the second base board, and at least one curved section positioned between the first end region and the second end region. The cross-member may include a polymer. An intermediate layer may be coupled to the base layer. The intermediate layer may include a plurality of intermediate boards. A top layer may be coupled to the intermediate layer. The top layer may include a plurality of top boards.