Abstract: The invention provides polypropylene compositions for producing soft nonwoven fabrics, consisting of at least three propylene-based copolymers differing in content of alpha-olefin comonomers. The provided fabrics are soft and pleasant to touch.

Abstract: Textiles intercalated with shear thickening fluids (STF) are disclosed. The STF-intercalated textiles are light weight and include high tenacity textiles that exhibit enhanced resistance to puncture, cutting, abrasion, dust penetration, and projectile penetration. Also disclosed are multi-layer articles, such as safety suits and extra-vehicular mobility units, which include STF-intercalated textiles. Methods for manufacturing STF-intercalated textiles are also disclosed.

Abstract: A self-cleaning fabric having a photocatalyst responsive to UV, visible and IR irradiations for inactivating harmful microorganisms via photocatalysis.

Abstract: A fluid impervious wall skin provides an interstitial space. The wall is formed from a composite material, the composite material comprising a plurality of layers including:, a first layer of flexible material having adhesive on at least one surface thereof for attachment to a structural wall; a layer comprising a spacer; and a second layer of flexible material; the layers of the composite material are attached a structural wall and one to the other by adhesive between adjacent layers, and the spacer provides the interstitial space N between the said first and second layers of flexible material within the said composite material.

Abstract: A wearable accessory capable of communicating data to actuators or from sensors is disclosed. The wearable accessory includes a conductor wire disposed in a moldable medium according to a predetermined pattern, the moldable medium being an electrically insulating material, the conductor wire terminating at an input and an output.

Abstract: A composite structure is provided that includes a polymer layer and an auxetic material layer disposed within or partially within the polymer layer. The auxetic material layer provides increased conductivity and elastomeric reinforcement to the polymer layer.

Abstract: A method of recycling laminated fabrics and laminated fabric products and producing new laminated fabrics and laminated fabric products includes the steps of shredding scrap or used laminated fabric material, melt separating the polymers, pelletizing the melt separated polymers, extruding the pelletized material with at least one virgin material to form a film, and laminating the film to a nonwoven material to form a new laminated fabric. The scrap or recycled laminated fabric products can include plastic/polymer materials having different melting temperatures. The new laminated fabric can be utilized to produce new products, such as protective covers.

Abstract: A spring steel wire includes a main body made of a steel and having a line shape, and an oxidized layer covering an outer peripheral surface of the main body. The steel constituting the main body contains not less than 0.5 mass % and not more than 0.7 mass % C, not less than 1 mass % and not more than 2.5 mass % Si, not less than 0.2 mass % and not more than 1 mass % Mn, and not less than 0.5 mass % and not more than 2 mass % Cr, with the balance being Fe and unavoidable impurities. The steel constituting the main body has a pearlite structure. The oxidized layer has a thickness of not less than 2 ?m and not more than 5 ?m. The oxidized layer contains not less than 60 mass % Fe3O4.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for forming low melting point glass fibers comprising providing a glass feedstock comprising a low melting point glass and melt-spinning the glass feedstock to produce glass fibers, wherein the glass transition temperature of the glass fibers is less than or equal to about 120% of the glass transition temperature of the glass feedstock. The disclosure also relates to method for forming low melting point glass frit further comprising jet-milling the glass fibers. Low melting point glass frit and fibers produced by the methods described above are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: An article of apparel is described which is effective to regulate the temperature of the wearer. In an embodiment, the article of apparel includes a base textile with a thermal regulation membrane. The thermal regulation membrane contains a plurality of system-reactive components selectively engaged heat and/or moisture. In an embodiment, the printed coating includes a cooling agent, a phase change material, and a heat dissipation material. In operation, the article of apparel is effective to delay/diminish the rise in skin temperature (compared to a garment lacking the membrane), increasing wearer comfort.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of manufacture of polymer materials, and more particularly to an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) composition and a cut resistant and creep resistant fiber prepared therefrom. The ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene composition comprises the following components: modified graphene, modified silicon carbide whisker, and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. The ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene composition provided by the present invention has superior cut resistance, high strength and high modulus. By regulating the morphology of silicon carbide, the type of a coupling agent, the mixing ratio and so on, not only cut resistance, high strength and high modulus can be provided, but also creep resistance can be improved.

Abstract: Described is a circularly-woven tube for an article of footwear or an article of apparel comprising: a plurality of warp yarns, having a first elastic modulus; a plurality of weft yarns, having a second elastic modulus, and wherein the second elastic modulus is smaller than the first elastic modulus.

Abstract: A textile formulation adapted to impart an odor-controlling property to a textile material. The textile formulation is an odor capturing formulation comprising a carrier and an odor capturing agent. The odor capturing agent is a liquid dispersible boehmite. An odor absorbing article and a method of treating the odor absorbing article is also provided.

Abstract: A stretchable fabric signal path may include a conductive strand located between first and second outer fabric layers. The outer fabric layers may be formed from intertwined strands of elastic material. The conductive strand may have a wavy shape to accommodate stretching of the stretchable fabric signal path. First and second inner fabric layers may be located between the outer stretchable fabric layers. The inner fabric layers may be formed from intertwined strands of non-elastic material. The inner fabric layers may have strands that are intertwined with the outer fabric layers to serve as anchor points for maintaining the shape of the conductive strand as the stretchable fabric signal path expands and contracts. The outer fabric layers and inner fabric layers may be woven. The conductive strand may convey electrical signals such as audio signals, power signals, data signals, or other suitable signals.

Abstract: Described herein are nanofibers and methods for making nanofibers that include any one or more of (a) a non-homogeneous charge density; (b) a plurality of regions of high charge density; and/or (c) charged nanoparticles or chargeable nanoparticles. In one aspect, the present invention fulfills a need for filtration media that are capable of both high performance (e.g., removal of particle sizes between 0.1 and 0.5 ?m) with a low pressure drop, however the invention is not limited in this regard.

Abstract: Provided herein are polysiloxane-based composite materials comprising a high weight percentage of elemental components (e.g., elemental boron, elemental copper, elemental bismuth, elemental lead) and low levels of carbon nanofibers. The elemental components may be present in the composite materials at levels greater than 25% by weight. Also provided herein are methods of forming the composite materials that have desirable flexibility and shielding properties. The invention provides a versatile composite material that is compliant and moldable, while still comprising high levels of the elemental shielding components. The materials are particularly useful for applications in which radiation shielding or neutron capture are desired.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides a scalable and electrostretching approach for generating hydrogel microfibers exhibiting uniaxial alignment from aqueous polymer solutions. Such hydrogel microfibers can be generated from a variety of water-soluble natural polymers or synthetic polymers. The hydrogel microfibers can be used for controlled release of bioactive agents. The internal uniaxial alignment exhibited by the presently disclosed hydrogel fibers provides improved mechanical properties to hydrogel microfibers, and contact guidance cues and induces alignment for cells seeded on or within the hydrogel microfibers.

Abstract: An absorbent article can have a topsheet layer, a liquid impermeable layer, and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet layer and the liquid impermeable layer. The absorbent article can further include an exudate management layer in fluid communication with the topsheet layer. In various embodiments, the exudate management layer can be positioned on a body facing surface of the topsheet layer. In various embodiments, the exudate management layer can be positioned between the topsheet layer and the absorbent core. The exudate management layer has a first component which defines an opening for direct passage of body exudates into the absorbent core. The exudate management layer has a second component which at least partially overlaps the first component of the exudate management layer and further extends in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article in a direction towards the posterior region of the absorbent article.

Abstract: A fire protective glove includes a palm portion and a back portion. The palm portion includes a polymer impregnated layer constructed of aramid fibers, leather, or a combination thereof; and a palm moisture barrier layer that is interior to the polymer impregnated layer, the palm moisture barrier layer being constructed of polyurethane, polytetrafluroethylene, aramid fibers, or a combination thereof. The back portion includes a first back protective layer constructed of aramid fibers, leather, or a combination thereof; and a second back protective layer that is interior to the first back protective layer, the second back protective layer being constructed of aramid fibers, modacrylic, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A composite fabric includes a lining layer and a metallized membrane. The metallized membrane includes a polymer layer having polyurethane and nano/micro metal particles embedded in the polymer layer. The nano/micro metal particles are about 10-50 wt % inclusive of the metallized membrane. The lining layer is connected to the metallized membrane via point contacts.