Abstract: Nonwoven multilayer structures having at least two nanofiber layers are described herein. The nonwoven multilayer structure may have two nanofibers layers that have different properties from each other, such as fiber diameter. One nanofiber layer may be produced by an electrospinning process, while another nanofiber layer may be produced by a melt blown process.

Abstract: A method includes producing a light metal cast component from a melt of an aluminium casting alloy. The alloy contains, by weight, silicon with 3.5 to 5.0%, magnesium with 0.2 to 0.7%, titanium with 0.07 to 0.12%, boron with a maximum of 0.012%, and optionally further alloy elements together with less than 1.5%, the rest, aluminium as well as unavoidable impurities, wherein the melt is produced from a base melt, a first grain refiner of an aluminium-silicon alloy and a second grain refiner of an aluminium-titanium-alloy, wherein the melt, in relation to the total weight, contains in total an amount of 0.1 to 5.0% of the first and the second grain refiner; wherein the casting is carried out by a low-pressure method and the melt is acted upon by compacting after the casting.

Abstract: A filter cartridge constructed to prevent an enclosed pleated filter from collapsing into the through-bores formed in a rigid core in high differential pressure applications. The core is modified with reduced-dimension bores to reduce the area of filter material not supported by the core. Alternatively, or in addition, a semi-rigid or rigid core wrap is superposed about the core to add further structural support to the pleated filter. The wrap is formed as a webbed structure with the thickness and spacing of the webbing segments adjusted to partially occlude the underlying core though-bores. This reduces the effective cross-sectional diameter of the through-bores to reduce the overall area of the pleated filter unsupported by the core. The through-bores may have modified shapes to maintain the area of the through-bore and reduce the distance of the through-bore center point from portions of the core wall defining the through-bore. The core also may be modified with clustered through-bores regions.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to multi-layered tubings that are fuel resistant and resistant to delamination. In one aspect, the disclosure provides a length of tubing having an annular cross-section including an annular fluoropolymer layer formed from at least 75 wt % fluoropolymer (e.g., at least 75 wt % of a PVDF polymer), the fluoropolymer layer having an outer surface and an inner surface; and disposed about the fluoropolymer layer, an annular thermoplastic layer formed from at least 75 wt % thermoplastic (e.g., thermoplastic polyurethane, thermoplastic polyamide and/or thermoplastic polyester), the thermoplastic polyurethane layer having an inner surface in contact with the outer surface of the fluoropolymer layer and an outer surface, wherein the fluoropolymer layer is covalently bound to the thermoplastic polyurethane layer, for example, by electron beam treatment.

Abstract: Novolak resins are incorporated for enhancing the acid resistance of polyamide compositions. Polyamide compositions containing such novolak resins are useful for producing various plastic shaped articles, such as calibrated particles or injection-molded parts, and are particularly useful for the recovery of sludge, liquids, and gases present in underground reservoirs, especially in the field of hydrocarbon extraction such as crude oil or natural gas.

Abstract: A hydrophilic siloxane copolymer of siloxane and hydrophilic organic monomer/s The copolymers can be functionalized to make them capable of undergoing further polymerization by thermal or actinic radiations. The hydrophilicity of these polymers can be varied by varying the siloxane versus organic monomer ratio thereby going from water dispersible to soluble states. The siloxane content can be tuned accordingly in order to provide moderate to high oxygen permeability. These copolymers can be used as a single component curable composition which results in hydrogels to minimize the presence of leachable components thus by reducing the processing cost. The polymers may also find applications in personal care formulations as copolymers, film-formers, hydrogels, coating, emulsions/latex etc.

Abstract: A leak-proof fluid transfer assembly including a thermoplastic tube, a thermoset tube, and connector coupling the thermoplastic tube and the thermoset tube, where the fluid transfer assembly is adapted to maintain a substantially leak-proof fluid connection between the thermoplastic tube and the thermoset tube after autoclave sterilization.

Abstract: An annular seal including a body defining a central lumen and a weakened portion disposed around the central lumen. In an embodiment, the weakened portion includes at least one aperture or a plurality of apertures. In a further embodiment, the apertures may be identical to one another. An annular seal including a body defining a central lumen bounded by a sidewall, wherein the body has a dual-elastic modulus profile including a first elastic modulus, S1, as measured along the sidewall prior to assembly with an inner component, and a second elastic modulus, S2, as measured along the sidewall after assembly with the inner component, and wherein the first elastic modulus is less than the second elastic modulus.

Abstract: A knee brace includes a body, a flexible strap, and a handle. The body is configured to support and circumferentially extend around a knee of a subject. The flexible strap includes a body end and a handle end, and the flexible strap is secured to the body at the body end; and a handle secured with the handle end of the flexible strap. The handle may include a rigid member with a gripping feature. The knee brace, or components thereof, may be constructed of an elastic synthetic polymer, such as nylon.

Abstract: A solar control composite has improved seasonal selectivity, allowing a greater amount of heat to be transmitted through the composite during the winter and a lower amount of heat transmitted through the composite during the summer.

Abstract: An electrode may include a substrate, a first layer and a second layer. The first layer may include an inorganic material. The first layer may further be disposed between the substrate and the second layer. The second layer may include ruthenium. The second layer may further have a hexagonal compact crystalline structure.

Abstract: Described herein is an improved conversion of nitrous oxide (N2O) present as a by-product in a chemical process to NOx which can be further converted to a useful compound or material, such as nitric acid.

Abstract: A non-halogenated flame retardant polyamide composition is disclosed which comprises a polyamide, a non-halogenated flame retardant, a PA-6 homopolymer, and at least one heat stabilizer comprising a copper-containing heat stabilizer, an amine-containing heat stabilizer, or a phenol-containing heat stabilizer. The polyamide may have a ratio of carboxylic acid to amine end groups of greater than 1.8:1. The polyamide composition may comprise less than 900 ppm of bromine. Products formed from the composition are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for predicting performance of an individual on a task, the method comprises receiving brain imaging data for the individual, wherein the brain imaging data comprises structural brain data, determining values for at least one characteristic of the structural brain data within regions of interest defined for a population of individuals having different performance levels, and predicting based on the determined values, a performance potential of the individual.

Abstract: A disposable filter cup and stem assembly with a filter disc or membrane secured between the cup and the stem. A frangible filter cup disengagement strip is formed on the filter cup about an end adjacent the stem. The filter disc or membrane is secured in the assembly in close proximity to the disengagement strip. Force applied to the disengagement strip separates the filter cup from the stem to expose the top, upstream surface of the filter disc or membrane and to permit removal of the filter disc from the assembly in an intact, substantially horizontal position. A disposable filter capsule assembly formed with a frangible filter capsule disengagement strip encloses a filter disc or membrane and permits separation of the capsule into two sections so as to expose an upstream surface of the filter disc or membrane and to permit removal of the filter disc or membrane in an intact condition after fluid processing.

Abstract: A gaming controller can include a housing; a plurality of input components; a processor; a wired or wireless interface communicatively couplable with a headset; a wired or wireless interface communicatively couplable with a gaming console, the gaming console communicatively couplable with an audiovisual system; an audio headset detection circuit that detects if a headset is coupled with the gaming controller; a transmitter that transmits an audio control signal causing the audio of the audiovisual system to be adjusted if the audio headset detection circuit detects (automatically or on command) that no audio headset is coupled with the gaming controller; and a transmitter that transmits an audio control signal causing the audio of the headset to be adjusted if the audio headset detection circuit detects (automatically or on command) that an audio headset is coupled with the gaming controller.