Abstract: Biomimetic stimuli-responsive surfaces and articles of manufacture, together with methods of fabrication and related methods of use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a recycling process for recycling fiber-reinforced and/or fiber based semi-finished products and/or components for later use in the production of fiber-reinforced and/or fiber based semi-finished products and/or components, wherein the semi-finished products and/or components are comprised of fibers and a matrix material, and the fibers are arranged in the matrix material in the form of a fabric, unidirectional layers and/or plies and/or individual reinforcing fibers and/or reinforcing fiber bundles, and further, a device for carrying out the recycling process.

Abstract: A single opening permanent breast prosthesis includes an envelope made of a flexible, hermatic and biologically inert material having a flat rear surface (3) and a curved front surface (2). The prosthesis thus defines a closed pocket (5) which contains a physiological serum. There are at least two compartments (6, 7, 8) in the pocket (5) which are separated by at least one membrane (10, 11, 12) extending in the form of an arch from the front surface (2) to the rear surface (3) of the prosthesis.

Abstract: The present invention provides a flexible nanoimprint mold which can fabricate sub-15 nm ultra fine structures on either planar or curved substrates. The mold comprises a top ultra-thin rigid layer of imprint patterning features and a bottom thick flexible layer of polymer elastomer. The two distinct layers are preferably integrated via chemically bonding. The top layer of the mold enables a sub-15 nm resolution of pattern fabrication and the bottom layer affords a conformal contact to planar or curved surface of substrates. The methods for fabricating the same are disclosed.

Abstract: A construct for a hockey blade that includes a foam core. The foam core includes a first core face, a second core face, and a core edge. A first layer of resin preimpregnated tape is wrapped continuously around the first core face, the core edge and the second core face. A thread is stitched along the first layer of preimpregnated tape. A second layer of resin preimpregnated tape wrapped continuously around the first layer of resin preimpregnated tape.

Abstract: A blow molding tool (1) for producing a plastic article, in particular a fuel tank, comprising at least one clamping frame (2) with mold clamping devices (3) and at least two blow mold halves, which are formed such that they can be moved together and apart by means of an opening and closing movement of the clamping frame (2) and which respectively have at least one cavity (8) for the forming of the plastic article, the blow molding tool (1) being distinguished by the fact that the mold clamping devices (3) respectively have at least one tool holder (6), in which a mold insert (7) is in each case exchangeably inserted, and in that the tool holders (6) respectively form a peripheral sealing edge (10).

Abstract: A compound plant for processing elastomeric compounds for tires with both a high quality and a high throughput includes at least one batch mixing device in combination with at least one multi-shaft continuous mixing device having a high number of shafts. For example, the multi-shaft continuous mixing device could be a ring extruder having a plurality of co-rotating screws disposed to form a ring. In operation, a first elastomeric compound is discharged from the at least one batch mixing device and processed with the at least one multi-shaft continuous mixing device to obtain a second elastomeric compound.

Abstract: Methods of making a carbon-carbon composite preforms, particularly suitable as brake discs in aircraft landing systems, by combining titanium carbide particles ranging in size from 0.01 to 10 microns in diameter, resinous binder, and carbon fibers or carbon fiber precursors in a mold, and subsequently subjecting the combined components to pressure and heat to carbonize the resinous binder by methods, thereby providing the carbon-carbon composite preform having particulate titanium carbide uniformly distributed throughout its mass. Prior to combining the titanium carbide and the binder with the fibers in this process, the particulate titanium carbide may be mixed with liquid binder, the resulting TiC/binder mixture may then solidified, and the resulting solid TiC/binder mixture may be ground into a fine powder for use in the process. Also, compositions for preparing a carbon-carbon composite friction materials, and methods of improving wear and dynamic stability in a carbon-carbon composite brake discs.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing moldings, the curing of the mold being carried out using a blend comprising one or more epoxy resins and a mixture, the curing component a) being used within the mixture in the range from 0.3 to 0.9 amine equivalent per equivalent of epoxide of the epoxy resin used, and the hardener component b) being a compound of the formula I.

Abstract: A product, such as an insole (21, 22) or the like, is formed in a mold (20) having mold cavities (26, 27) therein. A porous insert (33, 34) is placed in the cavities (26, 27) and a foamable material (35) is introduced into the cavities (26, 27). When the material (35) cures, it impregnates the inserts (33, 34) which makes them more rigid. The resulting insoles (21, 22) thereby have a portion made up entirely of foam (35) and a portion made up of the insert material (33, 34) rigidified by the foam (35).

Abstract: A method of forming an anisotropic porous material includes forming an aerogel precursor, the aerogel precursor including a matrix material and a liquid dispersion medium for dispersing the matrix material. The aerogel precursor is frozen so that the dispersion is solidified while controlling the direction of crystal growth within the aerogel precursor. The aerogel precursor is freeze dried to sublime the dispersion medium and form the porous material.

Abstract: Spherical particles of one or more elemental metals and carbon are prepared from a precursor in the form of a metal oleate. The metal oleate precursor is dispersed in a liquid vehicle and aerosol droplets of the dispersed precursor are formed in a stream of an inert gas. The aerosol droplets are heated in the stream to decompose the oleate ligand portion of the precursor and form spherical particles that have a mesoporous nanocrystalline structure. The open mesopores of the spherical particles provide a high surface area for contact with fluids in many applications. For example, the mesopores can be infiltrated with a hydrogen absorbing material, such as magnesium hydride, in order to increase the hydrogen storage capacity of the particles.

Abstract: A system for removing a cured composite object from a mandrel is provided. The system includes a collapsible shell, wherein an inner surface of the shell is configured to slide over an outer surface of the mandrel and an outer surface of the shell is configured to have the composite object formed thereon. The system further includes an extractor comprising a first and second disk disposed along a rod, and an adjuster, wherein the second disk is configured to engage an end of the mandrel and the adjuster is configured to move the first disk along the rod relative to the second disk. The system further includes a spacer configured to fit between the first disk and a first end of the shell when the shell is placed on the mandrel. The spacer pushes the shell and the composite object formed thereon off of the mandrel when the adjuster moves the first disk towards the second disk.

Abstract: A system and method for sintering dental restorations. The system can include a monolithic sintering support comprising a surface, and at least one dental restoration positioned in direct contact with the surface of the monolithic sintering support. The method can include providing a monolithic sintering support comprising a surface, positioning a dental restoration in direct contact with the surface, and sintering the dental restoration while the dental restoration is in direct contact with the surface of the monolithic sintering support to form a sintered dental restoration.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of drying an extruded material that includes the steps of: providing a gaseous atmosphere with superheated steam in a housing, extruding a material in the housing, drying the material in the gaseous atmosphere, and moving the dried material out of the housing. An apparatus for drying the extruded material is also provided.

Abstract: An imprinting method forms a predetermined pattern in a resist surface of a substrate coated with a photo-curing type resist by using a mold having a pattern of projections and recesses formed in a transfer surface. The method includes an alignment step, a press step, a UV irradiation step, and a release step. The steps are performed in plural units selected from independent units, composite units, and combinations of independent units and composite units. The mold and the substrate are paired with each other and conveyed between the units. An imprinting apparatus includes plural units which perform the steps in the imprinting method and which are selected from independent units in each of which one step is executed, composite units in each of which plural of steps are executed, and combinations of independent units and composite units; and conveying devices which convey the mold and the substrate.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved seat element having a seating surface element that incorporates a plurality of peak portions and a plurality of valley portions. Preferably, the plurality of peak portions and the plurality of valley portions is incorporated in an outermost surface of the seating surface element. The term “outermost surface” is intended to include an area of the seating surface element for contact by and/or support of an occupant of the seat element and does not include, for example, grooves or trenches in which there is disposed a component for attachment of a trim cover. A process and a mold for production of such a seat element are also described.

Abstract: To provide a powder slush molding apparatus and a powder slush molding method that could quickly and stably produce a 2-color molded sheet-like article with high-durability and the like. The present invention is directed to a powder slush molding apparatus provided with a powder slush part (Part A), a mold heating part (Part B), a mold cooling part (Part C), and a coating/demolding part (Part E) for manufacturing the 2-color molded sheet-like article and the powder slush molding method thereof. After a 1-200 ?m thick coating layer consisting of a first resin is coated by a resin coating device in the coating/demolding part, a sheet-like article consisting of a second resin which is different from the first resin is molded on or adjacent to the coating layer consisting of the first resin in the powder slush part.

Abstract: A method for forming a flare in the end of a flexible tube comprises heating the end of the flexible tube to a near-melted state, inserting the end of the flexible tube into a flare-forming die with a flare forming portion, and pressing a mandrel into the end of the flexible tube, thereby pressure forming a flare in the end of the flexible tube.

Abstract: Described herein is a machine (1) for shredding portions (30) of bituminous material in the solid state into recyclable granules (31) of small dimensions comprising a shredding unit (5), which in turn comprises a perforated tubular body (6), and a pressing member (7) for pushing the portions (30) into the perforated tubular body (6) in such a way as to force the bituminous material by compression to come out through the holes of the perforated tubular body (6) so as to obtain a plurality of substantially filiform extruded portions (33) of the bituminous material, and a cutting member (8) for cutting the extruded portions (33) coming out of the holes of the perforated tubular body (6) in such a way as to obtain the granules (31) of small dimensions.