Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method of preparing polyamide particles. The method include spray drying a solution containing a polyamide to form polyamide particles having an average diameter of between about 0.5 ?m and about 10 ?m and at least about 85% of the polyamide particles having a diameter distribution of no more than about 1.5 ?m.

Abstract: Speriodal polymer beads having a uniform size are prepared by polymerizing uniformly sized monomer droplets formed by dispersing a polymerizable monomer phase over double-walled cylindrical cross-flow membrane into an aqueous phase. A shear force is provided at a point of egression of the polymerizable monomer phase into the aqueous phase, the direction of shear substantially perpendicular to the direction of egression of the monomer phase. The polymer beads can be employed in applications where beads having uniform diameters of 10 to 200 ?m are useful.

Abstract: Sulfur (or sulphur) spray nozzles disposed with a tank spray liquid molten sulfur into the cooling liquid in the tank. Solid sulfur seeds are formed in the cooling liquid and settle in the tank. The tank may be a spiral dewaterer tank that has a screw conveyor at the bottom of the tank that moves the seeds to a granulating drum for enlargement into sulfur granules. The tank may also he used to capture and remove sulfur dust from a slurry of sulfur dust and water recycled from the granulating drum. The sulfur dust in the cooling tank may be captured by contact with molten sulfur droplets streaming down the cooling liquid column such that the dust particles become incorporated into the droplet, thereby being converted to seed. The granulating drum may be equipped with two or more sets of segmented lifting flights. The sets of flights may not be in alignment. The flights may be spaced apart from the inside surface of the drum with segmented rib members.

Abstract: A method and formulation for preparing spray dried vancomycin. In various embodiment, the formulation includes vancomycin HCl (10-20%) and one or more of the following PEG (0-5%), mannitol (0-5%), ethanol (0-10%), and a citrate buffer. Spray dried vancomycin has favorable reconstitution times and water content.

Abstract: A method for processing feed material to produce dense and spheroidal products is described. The feed material is comprised of powder particles from the spray-drying technique or solution precursor droplets from ceramic or metallic materials. The feed material is processed using plasma generated from a microwave. The microwave plasma torch employed is capable of generating laminar flow during processing which allows for the production of spheroidal particles with a homogenous materials distribution. This results in products having improved thermal properties, improved corrosion and wear resistance and a higher tolerance to interface stresses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for molding rubber blocks by combining rubber chips and a urethane binder, and more specifically to a molding method for rubber blocks whereby it is possible to improve the processing time and the physical properties of the product by introducing high-temperature steam during molding. The present invention has advantageous effects in that the molding can take place in a short time without affecting the physical properties of the product even in situations involving heavy molded products, and in that there is no risk of ignition due to self-heating even if the finished products are kept stacked.

Abstract: Methods and systems for forming a thin-layer moisture-resistant fiber composite material involve pressing a mixture of fibers and resin between a pair of heated dies at least one of which includes a working surface coated with a hard ormosil coating including a cross-linked organically-modified silica network. The use of such coatings may yield composite sheet materials having improved surface quality, sharper edges, and greater draw angles than previously possible. Some systems for making thin-layer fiber composite materials may utilize ormosil coatings on various working surfaces of equipment coming into contact with the fiber and resin mixture, such as surfaces of machinery for mixing or conveying the mixture to the dies.

Abstract: This method for manufacturing a shaped product is characterized in preparing a specific random mat including a thermoplastic resin and carbon fiber bundles having an average fiber length of 5-100 mm, impregnating a thermoplastic resin into the random mat, pressing the random mat in a metal mold in a range of 0.1-20 MPa, and then taking out the random mat from the metal mold.

Abstract: A method of preparing particles comprises forming by optical lithography a topographic template layer disposed on a surface of a substrate, which is suitable for spin casting. The template layer comprises a non-crosslinked template polymer having a pattern of independent wells therein for molding independent particles. Spin casting a particle-forming composition onto the template layer forms a composite layer comprising the template polymer and the particles disposed in the wells. The composite layer is removed from the substrate using a stripping agent that dissolves the template polymer without dissolving the particles. The particles are then isolated.

Abstract: A three-dimensional shaping method includes forming a combination to be each level of a three-dimensional shaped object and also forming a combination to be each level of a shaped object support member in each of a plurality of powder material layers having an uncured powder material in accordance with hierarchical shape data corresponding to each of the powder material layers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pellet mill (20) for preparing pellets from a pelletizable material supplied to the pellet mill (20), comprising a frame (22), a main axle (28) rotatably mounted in said frame (22) and having a first end (30) and an opposite second end (32), an annular die (42) being supported by said second end (32) and having an inner surface (44) for receiving a portion of said pelletizable material (106) supplied to said pellet mill (20), an outer surface (46), and a plurality of radial channels (48) extending from said inner surface (44) to said outer surface (46) for preparing pellets from said portion of said pelletizable material (106), a roller holder (54) supported by said frame (22), a number of roller axles (64), each of said number of roller axles being moveably mounted in said roller holder (54), said roller axles may move in said roller holder (54) in the event of an overload to prevent damage to the pellet mill, a number of rollers (80), each of said number of rollers being rot

Abstract: An absorbent manufacturing device forms an absorbent by depositing a liquid absorbent fiber and a super absorbent polymer in a deposition part. The absorbent manufacturing device includes: a plurality of suction holes that are provided in the deposition part, wherein the liquid absorbent fiber and the super absorbent polymer flowing inside a scattering duct are deposited in the deposition part by suction; a suction duct that is provided in communication with the suction holes and draws air so that the suction holes perform suction; and a separator that separates a super absorbent polymer of size equal to or larger than a certain size from a flow of air flowing in the suction duct and returns the separated super absorbent polymer to the scattering duct.

Abstract: Methods, processes, and systems for producing bulk ceramics from agglomerations of partially cured gelatinous polymer ceramic precursor resin droplets, without using sponge materials to form gas pathways in the polymer bodies. Ceramics can be formed in hours. Resin droplets can be produced with a sprayer where liquid polymer precursors, mixed with a curing agent, are sprayed forming droplets which are partially cured, collected, and compressed into shapes. Ceramic porosity can be varied, droplet particle sizes can be controlled by adjusting liquid and gas pressure, orifice size, during spraying. Partially cured droplets can be formed via an emulsion process and size controlled by emulsion liquid and surfactant selection parameters.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for molding a foamed article, such as a midsole or outsole for footwear, in which a desired amount of thermoplastic polyurethane foam beads are placed in a compression mold in the shape of the article and the mold is brought to a peak temperature of from about 130° C. to about 180° C. over a period of from about 300 to about 1500 seconds, then cooled to from about 5° C. to about 80° C. over a period of from about 300 to about 1500 seconds within about 30 seconds after the peak temperature is reached. The foamed article made by the method has a density of from about 0.1 to about 0.45 g/cm3.

Abstract: Methods for producing construction material utilizing loose pieces of aggregate (30), enzyme producing cells, an amount of urea and an amount of calcium ions. A first solution is prepared which includes urease which is formed by enzyme producing cells. A second solution is prepared which includes urea and calcium ions. The first and second solutions are added to the loose aggregate (30). The calcium ions contribute to the formation of calcium carbonate wherein the calcium carbonate fills and bonds between at least some of the gaps between the loose pieces of aggregate forming a solid construction material (92).

Abstract: In one example, a method includes mixing a plurality of carbon fibers in a liquid carrier to form a mixture, depositing the carbon fiber mixture in a layer, forming a plurality of corrugations in the carbon fiber layer, and rigidifying the corrugated carbon fiber layer to form a corrugated carbon fiber preform. In another example, a method includes substantially aligning a first ridge on a first surface of a first corrugated carbon fiber preform and a first groove on a first surface of a second corrugated carbon fiber preform, bringing the first surface of the first corrugated carbon fiber preform into contact with the first surface of the second corrugated carbon fiber preform, and densifying the first corrugated carbon fiber preform and the second carbon fiber preform to bond the first corrugated carbon fiber preform and the second carbon fiber preform.

Abstract: Improved particleboard and methods for fabricating improved particleboard (e.g., natural fiber/material-based particleboard) are disclosed. More particularly, the present disclosure provides systems/methods for fabricating particleboard (e.g., formaldehyde-free particleboard) utilizing natural fibers/materials (e.g., lignocellulosic materials), wherein the particleboard has improved performance characteristics and/or mechanical properties. Methods for fabricating fiber-reinforced biocomposites (e.g., natural fiber-reinforced wheat gluten biocomposites) are disclosed. For example, systems/methods for fabricating particleboard from lignocellulosic materials (e.g., coconut materials), along with a binder material (e.g., wheat gluten), are provided. In general, the fiber or lignocellulosic material is treated with sodium hydroxide and/or a silane coupling agent as an adhesion promoter to enhance interfacial adhesion between the fiber and the binder.

Abstract: An environmentally beneficial process for utilizing waste drill cuttings from oil and gas exploration. The waste drill cuttings (20) are used as a filler and combined with plastic to provide a plastic based product (26) in the plastics industry. In an embodiment the cuttings are thermally treated and formed into pellets. In a further embodiment the cuttings are treated and mixed with recycled plastic to be formed into pellets. The pellets are then used in the manufacture of rigid plastic products such as bollards, planters, benches and decking.

Abstract: An Underwater pelletizer for cutting extruded plastic into a flow of liquid. The pelletizer includes a cutter hub (90) carrying at least one cutter blade (96), a cutter shaft (60) for rotationally driving the cutter hub, and a flexible torque converter (80) for connecting a motor to the cutter hub. In one embodiment, the torque converter has a first set of bushings (82) that is fastened to a face (98) of the cutter hub and a second set of bushings that is fastened to a face (64) of the cutter shaft. A shaft extension (20) can be configured to engage a motor shaft, the shaft extension having an Outer diameter having formed thereon a splined portion (38) and first (26) and second (28) sealing surfaces. A motor adapter (40) has a seal surface (44). A water chamber plate (50) may also have a seal surface (52).

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a textured element may include (a) collecting a plurality of filaments upon a textured surface to form a non-woven textile and (b) separating the non-woven textile from the textured surface. Another method of manufacturing a textured element may include depositing a plurality of thermoplastic polymer filaments upon a first surface of a polymer layer to (a) form a non-woven textile and (b) bond the filaments to the polymer layer. A textured surface may then be separated from a second surface of the polymer layer, the second surface being opposite the first surface, and the second surface having a texture from the textured surface.