Abstract: The present invention provides a nano-crystallized herbal ingredient-containing package for use in a food processor or being used directly to prepare a herbal decoction. The package includes a housing; single or multiple herbal ingredient nano-crystals; one or more non-additive and anti-caking spacers for preventing caking that blocks solvent flowing through the package towards the single or multiple herbal ingredient nano-crystals during processing by the food processor; and optionally one or more stabilizing agents for stabilizing the single or multiple herbal ingredient nano-crystals during nano-crystallization of the herbal ingredients and during preparation of the herbal decoction. A method of preparing a herbal decoction from the package is also provided.

Abstract: A bendable wireless charging apparatus having an operational bend radius of approximately 90 degrees is disclosed, which includes a flexible substrate, a receiving coil, a battery, a flexible EMI-shielding layer and a control module. The receiving coil is disposed on a surface of the substrate, and is electrically connected to the control module. The battery, which may also be flexible, is located beneath another surface of the substrate. The EMI-shielding layer is disposed between the receiving coil and the battery.

Abstract: The present invention provides a one-component silicone sealant composition curable when exposed to moisture at room temperature. The resulting silicone sealant has excellent stain-resistance, good overall mechanical performances and good adhesion on both dry and wet substrates. The composition contains modified hydroxyl-terminated polyorganosiloxanes polymer network in different viscosities being cross-linked with branched silicone oil in the presence of an environmental-friendly and tin-free catalyst and cross-linkers while some inert and/or functional nanofillers are added into the composition to provide mechanical and/or functional properties to the resulting silicone sealant. A method for preparing the present composition is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a thin, bendable, printed, layered primary battery structure without a battery separator. The battery includes a first layer including a printed positive electrode. A second layer includes a negative electrode material which may be a printed negative electrode or a metal foil negative electrode. An adhesive, UV-curable intermediate layer is adhered to the first layer on a first side of the intermediate layer and is adhered to the second layer on a second side of the intermediate layer. The intermediate layer includes a water-soluble electroactive material and a water-soluble viscosity-regulating polymer in an amount sufficient to render the intermediate layer adhesive. The intermediate layer also includes a water-insoluble polymer matrix having sufficient rigidity to prevent contact of the first layer and the second layer. A flexible package encases the first, second, and intermediate layers.

Abstract: A polymer-modified hybrid-fibers cementitious composition has a one-day compressive strength of at least approximately 17 MPa, a 28-day tensile strength of at least approximately 3.8 MPa, an ultimate tensile strain of approximately 3% to approximately 9%, and a 7-day bond strength of at least approximately 2.3 MPa. A binder of ordinary Portland cement, fly ash, and silica fume is provided. Other components include limestone powder, sand, superplasticizer, and water. The composition further includes one or more of styrene butadiene rubber or ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer in an amount ranging between approximately 2% and approximately 8% by mass of binder. Fiber additives include steel fibers in an amount ranging between approximately 0.3% and approximately 3.0% by volume of the cementitious composition and polymer fibers in an amount less than approximately 1.0% by volume of the cementitious composition. Chamfers made of the composition are positioned at beam-column joints.

Abstract: This invention discloses a transparent standalone resin or masterbatch concentrate composition and manufacturing method of transforming commercial transparent grade base thermoplastics into anti-biofouling resins through extrusion or any similar hot melt mixing processes. The re-compound solids enable a number of product reforming processes, including but not limited to thermoforming, profile extrusion, injection molding, blow molding, blow filming, film casting, and spinning into articles of different shapes and geometries or overmolding on plastic substrates that can resist surface adsorption of microbes, mammalian cells, proteins, peptides, nucleic acids, steroids and other cellular constituents after solidification. The articles formed thereof additionally exhibit mechanical reinforcement and no leaching while retain the optical clarity of the base thermoplastics in the same product form as quantified in terms of the light transmittance and haze.

Abstract: A shoe closure device comprising: a housing including a top cover portion and a bottom cover portion; a shape memory shoe fastener; a first electrically-powered heater positioned above the shape-memory shoe fastener; a second electrically-powered heater positioned beneath the shape memory shoe fastener; a rechargeable battery positioned within the housing and electrically communicating with each of the first and second electrically-powered heaters; a controller electrically communicating with the rechargeable battery and positioned within the housing, the controller including a microprocessor, a battery charging control circuit, and a wireless charging receiver, the controller configured to heat the shape memory shoe fastener to return each of the shape memory polymer strips to the shape-recovered configuration to close a shoe; an actuator communicating with the controller to actuate the controller to heat the shape memory shoe fastener.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a pressure sensor composition that includes a crosslinked polymer, a conductive carbon material and an elastomeric rubber, pressure sensors including the same, and methods of preparation and use thereof.

Abstract: A light control device and method for stimulating plant growth is disclosed. The light control device includes a light source capable of emitting light required for plant growth. The light control device further comprises a plurality of light conversion films rotatably mounted upon a film switching unit arranged around the light source, the film switching unit driven by a motor arranged therewithin. The plurality of light conversion films may further provide a plurality of light spectra required during a plurality of plant growth stages. The light control device determines plant growth stage based on the size and the height of the plants. The motor rotates the film switching unit, based on the plant growth stage of the plants, in such a manner that a light conversion film, associated with the plant growth stage of the plants, is positioned in front of the light source. Such positioning stimulates the plant growth.

Abstract: A film forming composition comprises a film forming component and a solvent, wherein the film forming component comprises 0-50 wt % of a first water soluble polymer, 0.3-40 wt % of a second water soluble polymer, 0-15 wt % of plasticizer and 50-70 wt % of active ingredient. The first and second water soluble polymers have a Tg of ?52° C. to 216° C., and difference of Tg values of the first and second water soluble polymer is 62-268° C. The film formed by the film forming composition capable to load high content of active ingredient and lead to fast absorption of active ingredient is provided.

Abstract: A membrane for skin comprising a plurality of randomly oriented core-shell nanofibers is provided in the present invention, where each of said core-shell nanofibers comprises at least an active-ingredient-loaded polymeric core and a non-polymeric shell consisting of active ingredients only surrounding the core. Related fabrication method of said membrane is also provided in the present invention.

Abstract: A built-in and process-adaptive formulation of antimicrobial commodity thermoplastic resins with mixed compositions comprising of a polymer, a backbone linker, and a non-labile antifouling and biocompatible coupling agent which is melt-processable and enabled to be manufactured into finished products in the form of solid, monolith, tube, composite, fiber, film, sheet and varnish without the prerequisite of biocides or antimicrobial additives is disclosed. The said formulation is adapted to thermoforming and thermal curing processes including but not limited to melt compounding, spinning, extrusion, molding, compression foaming and drawing. The antimicrobial property is attributed to the persistent formation of a non-stick bacteria-repellent tethered layer in which the antifouling component of the said formulation is heterogeneously phase separated and/or surface migrated to the surface after product forming in order to minimize adsorption and/or colonization of bacteria.

Abstract: A built-in and process-adaptive formulation of antimicrobial commodity thermoplastic resins with mixed compositions comprising of a polymer, a backbone linker, and a non-labile antifouling and biocompatible coupling agent which is melt-processable and enabled to be manufactured into finished products in the form of solid, monolith, tube, composite, fiber, film, sheet and varnish without the prerequisite of biocides or antimicrobial additives is disclosed. The said formulation is adapted to thermoforming and thermal curing processes including but not limited to melt compounding, spinning, extrusion, molding, compression foaming and drawing. The antimicrobial property is attributed to the persistent formation of a non-stick bacteria-repellent tethered layer in which the antifouling component of the said formulation is heterogeneously phase separated and/or surface migrated to the surface after product forming in order to minimize adsorption and/or colonization of bacteria.

Abstract: A flexible and foldable lithium ion battery is disclosed having an operational bend radius of 180 degrees with no interruption in supply of electrical power. The lithium ion battery includes a high-elasticity separator sponge having a porosity of approximately 70% to approximately 90%. The separator is a polymer-based fiber mat having fibers with a submicron diameter. The separator sponge has a thickness in a range of approximately 5 to 50 microns, an air permeability of approximately 100 to approximately 300 s/100 ml, and a puncture resistance of approximately 350 to approximately 950 N. First and second electrodes are disposed on either side of the separator sponge and include active materials positioned on thin metal current collectors. A liquid electrolyte is absorbed by the separator sponge. The battery may be folded upon itself without loss of power.

Abstract: A composition for forming fire resistant concrete block, that includes a cementitious binder material comprising alumina cement, recycled fine aggregate, and recycled coarse aggregates, the recycled fine aggregates including 10-50 wt % recycled particulate glass cullet having a particle size of 600 microns or less, a concrete block formed from the composition exhibiting a decrease in thermal conductivity with increasing temperature at temperatures causing the particulate glass cullet to melt. A concrete block fabricated from the composition exhibits a fire resistance of at least three hours, a density below 2000 kg/m3, and a compressive strength of at least 7 MPa.

Abstract: A foam formulation for preparing polymer-grafted nanoparticles stabilized foam, including nanoparticles, monomers of a polymer to be grafted on the nanoparticle surface, polymerization initiator, surfactant and water. The polymer-grafted nanoparticles may act together with the surfactant to form single-layer assembling at the boundary of bubbles, which in turn stabilizes the foam. The generated foam shows much better stability in long-term storage, high-temperature drying process and alkaline environments than conventional wet foams. A method of preparing solid porous materials with the foam is also provided.

Abstract: The present application describes a composition and method thereof to make low cost environment friendly and highly safe conducive ink by using micro-sized silver particles, water, edible level thickener, water-based solvent, water-based resin and surfactant. The conductive ink may be written by various kinds of writing devices like gel pen, ball pen etc. on various substrates like paper, plastic, metal, etc. form a conductive trace. As additional features of the present application, the composition comprises erasable conductive ink, which is fast curing and conductive immediately upon application, having multiple applications for educational purpose to help students have a better understanding of how electronic work and even design their own electronics conveniently.

Abstract: This invention provides a composite material for bipolar plates for fuel cells including cemented by a MPC binder and electrically conductive fillers, and a method of manufacturing the same. The resulting bipolar plate achieves low gas permeability, high electrical conductivity, high flexural strength and good corrosion resistance. The flexural strength and corrosion resistance can further be enhanced by the incorporation of macro-reinforcement and a polymer based surface treatment, respectively.

Abstract: A method of preparing a thermally conductive composite including: a) mixing 15% to 60% by weight of a polymer matrix with 0% to 85% by weight of a high-aspect-ratio thermally conductive filler having an aspect ratio of at least 5:1; and (b) mixing a polymer melt obtained from step (a) with 0% to 85% by weight of a low-aspect-ratio thermally conductive filler having an aspect ratio of 2:1 or less. By changing the weight ratio, the structure and mechanical properties of the low-aspect-ratio thermally conductive filler and the high-aspect-ratio thermally conductive filler, thermal conductivity anisotropy can be tuned. A thermally conductive composite having thermal conductivity anisotropy in the range from 1 to 4 is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of applying a riblet structure coating on the internal surface of a pipe includes coating the internal surface of a pipe with a resin layer and applying a cavity mold having a reverse riblet pattern structure to the coated internal surface of the pipe. A flexible air bag is inserted into the interior of the pipe and charged with air to hold the mold against the coated internal surface of the pipe. The air bag may be charged with air for a sufficient amount of time to allow the coating to cure in the riblet shape of the mold. Afterwards, the air bag and the mold are removed from the pipe to yield a pipe coated with an internal riblet structure.