Abstract: The present invention relates generally to using upconverting inks for producing highly-resolved patterns for, inter alia, security applications. More specifically, the present invention relates to the use of sols (inks) and printing processes that produce well-defined printed features consisting of polymers impregnated with luminescent upconversion nanocrystals. The patterns printed using such inks and processes may exhibit defined shapes, characters of text, and various other types of images.

Abstract: A device for winding a filament around a structure disposed concentrically around a distal end of a balloon catheter includes a rotatable holder for retaining a distal end of the balloon catheter, a translatable winding carriage for helically winding the tensioned filament around the balloon catheter distal end, a heater for applying a predetermined amount of heat to a section of the balloon catheter having the filament wound therearound, and a controller for controlling at least the rate of rotation of the holder, the tensioning force applied to the filament, the amount of heat applied by the heater, and the rate of travel of the translatable winding carriage along the longitudinal dimension of the balloon catheter. By use of the device, the balloon is heat set and a predetermined checkering pattern of surface indentations are provided in the structure exterior surface in a single pass.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a reinforcement rod (2) from a fibrous composite material consisting of continuous mineral fibers (5, 23, 35) and at least one resin (7, 25), at least one portion of the mineral fibers (5, 23) being mixed with a resin-curing agent mixture, the mineral fibers (5, 23) that have been mixed with the resin-curing agent mixture and, optionally, resin-free mineral fibers (35) subsequently being brought together to form a rod, and the resin (7, 25) being cured. A mixture of at least one resin (7, 25) and at least two different curing agents is used as said resin-curing agent mixture, the two curing agents forming reactive species under different conditions for curing the resin (7, 25) such that the reactive species are available for the curing process at different times.

Abstract: A melt differential electrospinning device and process, the melt differential electrospinning device comprising a spinning nozzle (1), a fiber receiving device (3), a first high-voltage electrostatic generator (6), a second high-voltage electrostatic generator (7), a grounding electrode (5), and n layers of electrode plates of a first electrode plate (2) and a second electrode plate (4), n being an integer greater than or equal to 2; the spinning nozzle comprises a splitter plate (21), a nut (22), a spring spacer (23), an air pipe positioning pin (24), a screw (25), a nozzle body positioning pin (26), a nozzle body (27), an air pipe (28), a heating device (29), a temperature sensor (210) and an inner cone nozzle (211).

Abstract: A method for preparing the network-pore polyvinylidene fluoride membrane based on polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) gel includes the steps of (1) mix and stir PVA, masking agent and solvent, heat and dissolve the mixture evenly under 105 degree Celsius to obtain a PVA solution; (2) in the PVA solution, add PVDF and pore-forming agent, where the rest shall be added with the solvent until the total mass fraction sum is 1, stir, heat and dissolve the solution evenly to obtain the homogeneous casting solution; (3) the casting solution is filtered, deaerated, phase-separated and solidified as membrane A; (4) removes the PVA gel from membrane A to obtain membrane B; (5) membrane B is washed with water to remove the residual solvent to obtain the PVDF membrane with network-pore structure. The resulting PVDF membrane is an asymmetric membrane with an ultra-thin cortex and an interpenetrating network-pore sub-cortex structure.

Abstract: A method of processing a thermoplastic composite tubular lineal comprising providing a pre-pregged thermoplastic composite around an elongated stationary mandrel; wrapping the pre-pregged thermoplastic composite with a release material; heating the stationary mandrel so that the pre-pregged thermoplastic composite melts and the release material contracts, exerting pressure on the pre-pregged material; cooling the pre-pregged material and release material so as to form a thermoplastic composite tubular lineal in its final configuration; pulling the thermoplastic composite tubular lineal downstream; and removing the release material from the thermoplastic composite tubular lineal.

Abstract: Composite fasteners have a high fraction of discontinuous, randomly oriented reinforcing fibers. A charge of thermoplastic fiber flakes are heated to melting temperature within a reservoir, flowed into multiple mold cavities and compression molded. The molded fasteners have high strength, exhibit quasi-isotropic properties and may be produced in high volume.

Abstract: A method includes receiving torque data of a powder recoater operatively connected to an additive manufacturing system. The torque data includes torque data of the recoater when the recoater traverses a build area. Receiving torque data includes receiving force data from a plurality of load cells, each load cell operatively associated with a blade segment of a recoater blade assembly. The method also includes determining a quality of one or more of an additive manufacturing process and/or product based on the torque data.

Abstract: A method for producing high pressure laminates (HPL) with an embossed-in-structure texture on the surface. In the method, a first structure embossed on the surface of the HPL is in perfect alignment with a second identical structure printed on the decor sheet of the HPL.

Abstract: A method for the production of a molded part made of plastic by rotational molding includes providing an insert element made of at least one of an absorbent and saturable material in a rotational melt mold. The rotational melt mold has at least one of a constriction and a wall that projects, in an area of an inner radius, into an interior of the rotational melt mold. A plastic precursor of the plastic intended for the plastic molded part is provided in the rotational melt mold. The plastic precursor is present as a melt in the rotational melt mold. The rotational melt mold is rotated so that the melt polymerizes and is simultaneously shaped, so that part of the melt is picked up by the insert element, and so that a wall thickness of the molded part in a finished form is increased in an area where the insert element is arranged.

Abstract: A method for producing a ?-sialon fluorescent material superior in light emitting luminance is provided. The method includes heat-treating a first mixture containing an aluminum compound, a europium compound, and a first silicon oxynitride compound to obtain a first heat-treated product, and heat-treating a second mixture containing the first heat-treated product, an aluminum compound, a europium compound, and a second silicon oxynitride compound, which has a larger oxygen content than the first silicon oxynitride compound, to obtain a second heat-treated product.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for manufacturing a linerless pressure vessel can be used for manufacturing a high pressure tank, by spinning of continuous fiber in a centrifugal direction.

Abstract: Systems for defining an internally threaded bore in a composite material component include one or more thread forming tools each defining a thread forming portion and a locating fixture configured to hold the one or more thread forming tools in a predetermined configuration defining a pattern of internally threaded bores to be provided in the composite material component. The thread forming portions include a plurality of thread forming surfaces each defining a pitch, a crest fillet radius, and a root fillet radius, and define internally threaded bores having an interior helical thread defining a plurality of full crest radii and a plurality of full root radii. A component forming fixture is provided for abutting the locating fixture whereby the one or more thread forming tools are held in an interior of the forming fixture. Methods for forming composite material components having internally threaded bores using the described systems are described.

Abstract: A composite structure curing system employs a plurality of heaters mounted in at least one array in spaced proximity to a composite structure to be cured. A plurality of temperature sensors are mounted to sense temperature at selected locations on the structure. A control system receives an input from each of the plurality of temperature sensors and is adapted to control each of the plurality of heaters responsive to each input to establish a predetermined temperature profile on the structure during cure.

Abstract: A method of lubricating an expandable rubber bladder is described for use during a vulcanization of a green tire within a metal press. The method can include applying compositions in the form of emulsions of silicone oils to the inner surface of the green tires and/or to the outer surface of the vulcanization bladders to facilitate the molding-demolding thereof during the manufacture of the tires.

Abstract: A process for producing an energy cable including at least one electrically conductive core and at least one thermoplastic electrically insulating layer, includes the steps of: impregnating a thermoplastic material in subdivided solid form, having a melting enthalpy equal to or lower than 70 J/g, with a dielectric fluid to obtain an impregnated thermoplastic material; feeding the impregnated thermoplastic material in subdivided solid form to a single-screw extruder; and extruding the impregnated thermoplastic material onto the at least one electrically conductive core, so as to form the at least one thermoplastic electrically insulating layer, whereby the impregnated thermoplastic material is not subjected to any mechanical homogenization step in a molten state. Energy cables having a large amount of the dielectric fluid in the electrically insulting layer, e.g.

Abstract: A method for bonding and encapsulating a sensor to a substrate by using a mold having a top surface, a bottom surface, a void, and a channel includes disposing the flexible mold in contact with a surface of the substrate. The method further includes passing the sensor through the channel and terminating the sensor within the void at an offset distance from the substrate. The method further includes filling the void and encapsulating the sensor with a substantially fixed volume and substantially fixed geometry of cement.

Abstract: A method of making a sleep product having a cooling gel layer includes providing a mold, coating the mold with a composite material including a mold release and a cooling gel, and introducing a foaming mixture into the mold so that the foaming mixture is in contact with the composite material. The foaming mixture is allowed to rise and cure into a foam layer having an outer surface covered by the composite material. The composite material is both a mold release coating that facilitates removing the foam layer from the mold and a cooling gel coating that remains on the outer surface of the foam layer after the foam layer has been removed from the mold to provide a cooling effect at the outer surface of the foam layer.

Abstract: A lens molding apparatus (100) of the present invention includes: a mold (1) having a transfer surface (1a); a mold (2) having a transfer surface (2a); heating devices (3a and 3b) for curing, by heating, a resin material which is supplied to the transfer surface (1a) and against which the transfer surface (2a) is pressed; a pressure control section (6) for controlling a support device (4) so that the support device (4) applies a pressure on the resin material; and a DC power source (7) for forming an electric field by applying a voltage between the molds (1 and 2).

Abstract: A method for producing a spectacle lens having in particular a diffractive microstructure on at least one lens surface. To this end, a thin structural support layer is initially made available, which on a surface has a microstructure. A lens main body is then cast to the microstructure of the structural support layer.