Abstract: A coated nonwoven mat includes a nonwoven base layer and a coating layer. The nonwoven base layer is formed from a plurality of fibers held together by a binder and includes a first surface and a second surface. The coating layer includes a coating composition comprising a binder component, a filler, and one or more performance modifiers. The coated nonwoven mat has an average Gurley porosity of at least 10 seconds and an average hydrostatic head performance of at least 10 mbar.

Abstract: A stiffened reinforcement fiber is provided that includes a surface treatment disposed thereon. The surface treatment comprises at least one film former. The stiffened reinforcement fiber has a stiffness that is at least 50% higher than an otherwise identical reinforcement fiber that has not been surface treated.

Abstract: The present invention makes use of the discovery that proofreading and error-correction techniques common in biological systems may be adapted to material science. Enzymes and aptamers are adapted to proofread and correct defects in nanoparticle structures.