Abstract: A woven fabric comprises a plurality of first fibers extending along a first direction, the first fibers having a first modulus of elasticity; a plurality of second fibers extending along a second direction and being woven with the plurality of first fibers, the second fibers having a second modulus of elasticity that is lower than the first modulus of elasticity; and a coating disposed over the plurality of first fibers and the plurality of second fibers. In some embodiments, the coating is a synthetic leather.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a material, including a thermoset material, comprising: providing a reinforcement fiber; combining a low melt fiber with the reinforcement fiber using the method of plying, twisting, air texturing, air entanglement, yarn made via the coating extrusion process, whereas the coated area has a lower melt than the core and the reinforcement fiber, co-weaving, co-mingling, and any combination thereof; and, applying heat to the combination to melt the low melt fiber to form a fiber composite wherein a melting point of the reinforcement fiber is higher than the operational temperature resulting from the application of the heat. The fiber combination can be a fabric and can be hydrophobic. The fiber combination or fabric can include properties taken from the group consisting of lighter thermoplastic combination, fracture resistance or elimination, increased impact resistance, vibration damping, low conductivity, reduced structural failures, dielectric properties, and any combination thereof.

Abstract: In one aspect, a shoe component is described. The shoe component comprises a body of continuous fabric having at least a first zone and a second zone. The first zone of the fabric has a first modulus of elasticity and the second zone of the fabric has a second modulus of elasticity that is different than the first modulus of elasticity. More than two zones can be provided per shoe component, in some cases.

Abstract: A bicomponent fiber comprises a core component formed from a rate-sensitive material; and a sheath component surrounding the core component, the sheath component being formed from a non-rate-sensitive polymer.