Abstract: The disclosure relates to a superhydrophobic surface. Methods of fabrication are disclosed including laminating an optically transparent polymer sheet with hydrophobic nanoparticles such that the nanoparticles are partially embedded and partially exposed. The resulting assembly remains optically transparent. Additional methods include the lamination of nanoparticles to flexible fabrics and the production of molded articles using nanoparticle-treated molds.

Abstract: Multilayer optical film that can be used as a reflective polarizer or mirror is disclosed. The multilayer optical film comprises alternating optical layers of polyesters such as PET and PEN, copolymerized with 4,4?-biphenyl dicarboxylate. The multilayer optical film exhibits a high ratio of in-plane to out-of-plane birefringence.

Abstract: A metal foil is provided with a filler-containing resin layer that is thin and has a smooth surface as a metal foil provided with an insulating layer. The filler-containing resin layer having a thickness of 0.1 ?m to 3.0 ?M, the gloss at the surface of the filler-containing resin layer is 200 or more, and the surface roughness (Ra) measured by an atomic force microscope in a measurement area of 5 ?m×5 ?M on the filler-containing resin layer is 25 nm or less is stacked on the smooth surface of the metal foil having a gloss exceeding 400 and surface roughness (Ra) measured by an atomic force microscope in a measurement area of 5 ?m×5 ?m of 10 nm or less.

Abstract: Structural component including at least one covering shell and a carrier structure, the covering shell designed in the form of a sandwich and formed by an inner skin section, an outer skin section and a shear-load absorbing core layer disposed between the two sections and connecting the inner and the outer skin sections to one another in a planar manner. The carrier structure is formed by at least one panel-shaped connecting part extending between and transversely to the inner and outer skin sections and connected along a reference longitudinal direction to the covering shell. The connecting part is located outside the carrier structure and fastened to the inner skin section resting thereon in a planar manner, wherein at least one profiled support extending along the reference longitudinal direction is provided in the covering shell in order to form a reinforcing section in the connecting region of the panel-shaped connecting part.

Abstract: A fineable dental blank assembly. The assembly can include a blank and a support coupled to the blank to facilitate machining of the blank. The blank can be adapted to be machined to form at least a portion of dental appliance, and can be formed of at least one of a glass, a glass-ceramic, a porcelain, and a ceramic. The support can be formed of at least one of a high melting point metal (or metal alloy) and a ceramic, wherein the blank and the support are separately formed. The assembly can further include a bonding composition positioned between the blank and the support. Other means for coupling the blank and the support can include a direct bond and/or mechanical inter-engagement. The assembly can be configured to withstand temperatures necessary to fire at least a portion of the assembly in a downstream firing process.

Abstract: A thin lightweight glass fascia for appliances. The fascia may be a seamless shaped glass fascia for an appliance, such as a glass fascia that wraps around at least two opposing edges of an appliance. The glass fascia may seamlessly incorporate a display or control panel under the fascia. A mounting arrangement that facilitates quick fascia removal and replacement may be provided. The fascia may be a chemically-strengthened glass sheet having a thickness of less than 2.0 mm, and a near-surface region under a compressive stress, wherein the compressive stress (CS) at a surface of the first glass sheet is greater than 300 MPa and extends to a depth of layer of at least 20 micrometers.

Abstract: A cabinet guard includes a body generally shaped to having an L-like or C-like cross-section. Such a cross-section is configured by a plurality of sides including a long side, an intermediate side and a short side. Each side may extend along an entire longitudinal length of the body or may be adjusted to terminate prior to reaching an end of the body. The body may be snapped over edges of the cabinet/shelf framework, thereby protecting same from dents and dings while moving items (e.g., glasses, pots, pans, dishes, etc.) in and out of the cabinets/shelves.

Abstract: A concrete structure member strengthened with prestressed FRP elements includes a concrete structure body and a prestressed FRP element arranged on the former. An epoxy resin overlay surrounding the prestressed FRP element is provided to wrap it up, and a polymer concrete supplemental layer is provided outside the epoxy resin overlay. The concrete structure member can uniformly and effectively transfer the stress from the prestressed FRP element.

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 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: 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: 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 invention relates to reinforcing fiber scrims, comprising multi-layer, multiaxial scrims, which each comprise individual fibers arranged next to each other in a layer, wherein at least two layers are at an angle to one each other in the layer plane and are connected by a fixing means. To improve the processing of the multiaxial scrims and significantly reduce the processing time, at least two prefabricated MD scrims are arranged at an angle in a layer plane and connected to each other. Thus a reinforcing fiber scrim is provided, which has at least two individual fiber scrims and which, for a 0° position of the individual MD scrims, has six individual fiber scrims. The number of MD scrims arranged one over the other can be arbitrarily increased so that an increased layer structure is already present when the reinforcing fiber scrim is produced.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composite wall panel with good thermal insulation and sufficient strength for structural use which is designed for the fabrication of energy efficient building. The composite wall panel of the present invention comprises a foamed concrete core with sufficient compressive strength and low thermal conductivity which is sandwiched between two lightweight ductile fiber reinforced cementitious composite (FRCC) protective layers with low thermal conductivity, good barrier resistance to moisture/chloride ion/gas, multiple cracking as well as certain amount of steel reinforcements. These composite wall panels are useful in a variety of buildings in both cold and hot regions.

Abstract: A display device includes: a display layer; a surface film disposed to face a display surface of the display layer; and a moisture-proof film disposed between the display layer and the surface film and including a projecting section. The projecting section projects outwardly of an end face of the display layer and an end face of the surface film.

Abstract: A woven tape for a slide fastener comprising an element mounting portion and a tape main portion, wherein the tape portion includes warp having a fineness of 30-100 dTex and a weaving density of 100-220 yarns/inch (2.54 cm), weft having a fineness of 60-180 dTex and a weaving density of 30-80 yarns/inch (2.54 cm), and a ratio of the number of yarns in the warp constituting a plain weave structure to the total number of yarns in the warp in the tape main portion is at least 40%. The woven tape for a slide fastener has a low weight and yet a high strength.

Abstract: The invention relates to a resilient laminate comprising, in a vertical direction, a stack of at least one nonwoven layer and a ply consisting of a part or integral part attached to the at least one nonwoven layer, in particular by means of an adhesive such as glue, the ply comprising at least one resilient film area and at least one so-called rigid film area made of a material that is less resilient than the material of the resilient area, in particular an area made of a non-resilient material, the ply being produced by the coextrusion of the at least one resilient film and the at least one rigid film, such that an interface is formed therebetween, characterized in that, from a cross-sectional view, the curve or line formed by the interface between the two films comprises at least one first substantially rectilinear segment, and at least one second substantially rectilinear segment which is angled relative to the at least one first segment.

Abstract: A method for preparing and resulting articles of manufacture comprising a substrate having a surface, a bulk beneath the surface, and a grafted polymer layer on the substrate surface, the substrate surface and the grafted polymer layer, in combination, constituting a modified surface having a fibrinogen adsorption of less than about 125 ng/cm2 in a fibrinogen binding assay in which the modified surface is incubated for 60 minutes at 37° C. in 70 ?g/mL fibrinogen derived from human plasma containing 1.4 ?g/mL I-125 radiolabeled fibrinogen.

Abstract: A prepreg that contains a plurality of unidirectionally aligned continuous fibers embedded within a thermoplastic polymer matrix is provided. In addition to continuous fibers, the prepreg also contains a plurality of long fibers that are combined with the continuous fibers so that they are randomly distributed within the thermoplastic matrix. As a result, at least a portion of the long fibers become oriented at an angle (e.g., perpendicular) relative to the direction of the continuous fibers. Through such orientation, the long fibers can substantially increase the mechanical properties of the prepreg in the transverse direction (e.g., strength) and thus achieve a more isotropic material. Although unique isotropic prepregs are one aspect of the present invention, it should be understood that this is not a requirement.

Abstract: Engineered wood may be produced with substituted cellulose ester adhesives. For example, an engineered wood may comprise a plurality of wood substrates that independently comprise a lignin-containing material (e.g., wood dust, wood particles, wood chips, and the like), the plurality of wood substrates being adhered together with an adhesive that comprises a substituted cellulose ester that comprises a cellulose polymer backbone having an organic ester substituent and an inorganic ester substituent that comprises an inorganic, nonmetal atom selected from the group consisting of sulfur, phosphorus, boron, and chlorine.