Abstract: Apparatus and method for a crucible-less production of silicon ingots, wherein a support with a seed layer and a liquid layer is gradually lowered in a temperature field with a vertical gradient to solidify the liquid layer in a controlled way.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to nonwoven structures and composites comprising such nonwoven structures, particularly structures incorporating foam, and methods of making and use thereof. One aspect of the invention is generally directed to composites comprising a nonwoven structure immobilized to foam, e.g., using adhesive, needling, or other techniques. The nonwoven structure may comprise any of a variety of fibers. In certain embodiments, the composite may be substantially thermally insulating and/or acoustic insulating. Other aspects of the present invention are generally directed to systems and methods for making such composites, methods of use of such composites, kits comprising such composites, and the like.

Abstract: The invention provides a stretched polyamide film with a main constituent that is nylon 6. At least one surface layer of the polyamide film satisfies conditions (1) and (2), and the stretched polyamide film satisfies condition (3), which pertain to an orientation factor, an intensity ratio of absorption, and a heat shrinkage rate, respectively, as defined herein.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to composites and articles made from nonwoven structures. One aspect of the invention is generally directed to nonwoven structures which are heated and/or pressed to form a substantially rigid article. In some cases, the nonwoven structure may be heated to temperatures greater than the glass transition temperature but less than the melting temperature of a polymer within the nonwoven structure. Such articles may exhibit creep of the polymer around other fibers in the nonwoven structure, but without any evidence of melting and/or flow. In addition, in some embodiments, such articles may have relatively large void volumes, or exhibit properties such as low flammability, smoke resistance, or acoustic insulation. Other aspects of the present invention are generally directed to systems and methods for making such articles, methods of use of such articles, kits comprising such articles, etc.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a layered sheet comprising a flame resistant wet-laid nonwoven carrier having a first and second surface and an inorganic refractory layer adjacent to at least one surface of the carrier wherein the refractory layer has a dry area weight of from 15 to 50 gsm, the bond strength between the refractory layer and the surface of the carrier is at least 0.25 lb/in, wherein the carrier comprises from 40 to 70 weight percent of aramid fibers and from 30 to 60 weight percent of polymeric binder, is hydrophilic, has a smoothness on at least one surface of no less than 250 Sheffield units, a thickness of from 0.025 to 0.175 mm and a density of from 0.25 to 0.60 g/cc. Preferably the carrier is in the form of a paper.

Abstract: A member (12) forming a mount for a device (26) includes: a substantially flat bottom surface (16) for connection with a tire, delimited by a contour (20), a top surface (24) for mounting the device (26), delimited by a contour (30), a peripheral surface (34) forming a skirt for connecting of the contour (20) of the bottom surface (16) to the contour (30) of the top surface (24), in which the contour (30) of the top surface (24) has a variable curvature and has a continuous variation along the contour.

Abstract: A method for disassembling two ultrasonically welded elements, one of the elements comprising, at a surface opposite the other element, an energy director that concentrates the heating during ultrasonic welding and forms a material junction between the two assembled elements after the ultrasonic welding. The method includes the steps of positioning a wire between the two assembled elements, so as to be secant to the energy director, said wire having suitable mechanical characteristics allowing it to cut the junction formed by the energy director and moving the wire between the two assembled elements so as to cut said junction.

Abstract: A reinforced textile support, particularly for bituminous membranes, made of at least one layer of polyester non woven web and continuous high modulus reinforcement yarns longitudinally set with respect to said layer. The reinforcement yarns consist of cellulosic fiber multi-filaments of the Lyocell type. The assembly is bound by mechanical needling or water entangling, stabilized by means of thermal treatment at a temperature of 200-250° C. and consolidated by means of a chemical binder.

Abstract: There is provided a flexible metal laminate including a polymer resin layer including a polyimide resin of a specific structure and a fluororesin, wherein the fluororesin is more distributed through the inside of the polymer resin layer than at the surface of the polymer resin layer.

Abstract: A sliding member having a base and a coating on the surface of the base, the coating is formed of a mixed resin obtained by mixing a thermosetting resin and a thermoplastic resin. The mixed resin is a mixture of a thermosetting resin that is in a liquid state before mixing and a thermoplastic resin that is in the form of solid particles. By applying and heat-treating the mixed resin that is in a liquid state, a coating film formed on the surface of the base is a resin coating layer and dimples in the resin surface.

Abstract: An assembly, such as for growing carbon nanotubes, includes a substrate including SiO2 and has a thickness of less than 500 ?m. Further, the substrate is bendable and has a surface with non-flat or non-polished texture such that surface comprises raised and recessed features for receiving a coating, such as a catalyst. Carbon nanotubes may be anchored to and grow from the recessed features of the substrate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a glass panel including at least two layers deposited by cathode sputtering, including at least one layer of a metal oxide, suboxide, nitride or oxynitride having a refractive index which is not lower than 2.2 and, stacked directly or indirectly on top of said layer, at least one layer consisting of mixed oxides of titanium and at least one other metal, said mixed oxides having a weight proportion of titanium oxide which is not less than 40% and not greater than 95%, the thickness of the layer in question and that of the other layer(s) having a refractive index greater than 2.2 being selected such that, on a 4-mm thick sheet of clear “float” glass, said layer(s) result(s) in a reflection of at least 15% and a light transmission of at least 60%, the layer or system of layers in question further having a mechanical and/or chemical resistance comparable to those of layers produced by pyrolysis for obtaining products having the same type of optical properties.

Abstract: Variously configured sub-laminate modules are provided, which comprise at least a first ply and a second ply, the first ply comprising fibers extending in a first orientation, the second ply comprising fibers extending in a second orientation. The second orientation is offset relative to the first orientation, which offset defines an acute angle between the two orientations. The acute angle is less than 90 degrees and in at least one embodiment, the acute angle is approximately 25°. In certain embodiments, the acute angle further defines an unbalanced structure of the sub-laminate module. In certain embodiments, the first and second plies may be further secured relative to one another in a non-crimped configuration. Composite laminated structures formed from various embodiments of the sub-laminate modules are also provided, at least some of which may be homogenized. Various methods of manufacturing the sub-laminate modules and the composite laminated structures are also provided.

Abstract: Described herein are improved dewetting methods and improved patterned articles produced using such methods. The improved methods and articles generally implement continuous ultra-thin metal-containing films or film stacks as the materials to be dewetted. For example, a method can involve the steps of providing a substrate that has a continuous ultra-thin metal-containing film or film stack disposed on a surface thereof, and dewetting at least a portion of the continuous ultra-thin metal-containing film or film stack to produce a plurality of discrete metal-containing dewetted islands on the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a glass strand having a coating including a polymer chosen from vinyl acetate/vinyl chloride copolymers, polyvinyl chloride and polyvinylidene chloride, and a silane of formula (I).

Abstract: A laminate includes a substrate, and a surface layer laminated on the substrate with an intermediate layer sandwiched therebetween. The intermediate layer has a thickness of 8 to 40 ?m. The surface layer has a thickness 0.4 to 1.5 times that of the intermediate layer. The laminate satisfies the following (A) and/or (B): (A) tan ? (loss tangent) of the intermediate layer as measured under a condition of a vibration frequency of 1 Hz at 20° C. is 0.2 or greater; and (B) A ratio (MG/SG) of a storage modulus (MG) of the intermediate layer to a storage modulus (SG) of the surface layer as measured under a condition of a vibration frequency of 1 Hz at 20° C. is 0.003 or greater and 0.14 or less.

Abstract: A thermal insulator includes a plurality of layers. At least some of the layers include phononic crystals having a phononic bandgap, wherein heat transporting phonons within a selected range of frequencies are substantially blocked by each phononic crystal layer. The plurality of layers thermally isolate a first region from a second region, wherein the first region is at one end of the plurality of layers and the second region is at the other end of the plurality of layers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a resin composition for a nano concave-convex structure, including 0.01 to 10 parts by mass of an active energy ray polymerization initiator (D), 0.01 to 3 parts by mass of a release agent (E), and 0.01 to 3 parts by mass of a lubricant (F), relative to 100 parts by mass of a polymerization reactive monomer component containing 50 to 95 parts by mass of a tetrafunctional (meth)acrylate monomer (A), 5 to 35 parts by mass of a difunctional (meth)acrylate monomer (B) in which the total number of repeating units within a polyalkylene glycol structure is from 4 to 25, and not more than 15 parts by mass of a monofunctional (meth)acrylate monomer (C) which is copolymerizable with the monomers (A) and (B), and relates to a transparent member for the monitor of a vehicle navigation device and the cover of a vehicle meter.

Abstract: A removable, magnetically-affixed mechanical wear element, preferably comprising ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene or polyurethane materials, is provided for affixation to a ferrous substrate material. The mechanical wear element is configured so that the magnetic attachment element is not easily removed or dislodged from the mechanical wear element, without regard to choice of mechanical wear element material utilized.

Abstract: Low emissivity panels can include a protection layer of silicon nitride on a layer of ZnO on a layer of Zn2SnOx. The low emissivity panels can also include NiNbTiOx as a barrier layer. The low emissivity panels have high light to solar gain, color neutral, together with similar observable color and light transmission before and after a heat treatment process.