Abstract: A calcaneal inversion-inducing orthotic sleeve and method of wearing helps treat and relieve pressure off the calcaneal. The orthotic sleeve comprises a compression sock that fits over a substantial portion of the foot. The compression sock defines a toe opening, a heel opening, and an ankle opening. An ankle rim extends over the ankles for enhanced fit. The orthotic sleeve also includes a calcaneal inversion strap having a first end and a second end with hook and loop fasteners for attachment. The calcaneal inversion strap is pulled from the first end and wrapped around the base of the calcaneus (heel) from lateral to medial general. The first and second ends are attached. The calcaneal inversion strap induces a slight inversion of the ankle; whereby the orthotic reverses the anatomical abnormality from excess pronation and calcaneal eversion caused by pes planus and other etiologies, while allowing the wearer to heal and perform normal functional activities.

Abstract: A method of forming an engineered material, for example a material for use in a bearing, is provided. The method includes forming a template polymer microlattice by disposing a perforated mask over a reservoir of ultra-violet (UV) curable resin in liquid form, conveying beams of light through the perforated mask and into the reservoir along paths, and transforming the liquid UV curable resin along the paths into a plurality of interconnected solid polymer fibers. The method further includes applying a metal material to the template polymer microlattice to form a microlattice of the metal material, and removing the template polymer microlattice from the metal microlattice. The method next includes disposing a low friction material in interstices of the metal microlattice, and sintering the low friction material disposed in the interstices of the metal microlattice.

Abstract: A bearing having improved wear resistance has a bearing material of a copper-tin-bismuth alloy which may also include phosphorus which has excellent strength, due to the solid solution of copper, tin and phosphorus (when used), attached to a steel backing shell. The material also has good lubricity as a result of the presence of the bismuth which also promotes tin mobilization and formation of a layer of tin on the bearing surface upon use of the bearing. The addition of small amounts of relatively small hard particles in the copper-tin-matrix, particularly Fe3P, MoSi2 or a mixture thereof, provides a suitable hard surface artifact to improve the wear resistance of the bearing material. The bearing includes a sintered powder compact bearing material of a copper-tin-bismuth alloy powder and a metal compound powder which is bonded to a steel backing shell, wherein the metal compound powder has an average particle size of less than 10 ?m.

Abstract: A high strength, low friction engineered material includes a low friction material filling interstices of a metal microlattice. The metal typically comprises 5 volume % to 25 volume % and the interstices typically comprise 75 volume % to 95 volume %, based on the total volume of the metal microlattice and the interstices. The low friction material preferably fills 100 volume % of the interstices. The metal microlattice can be formed of a single layer, or multiple layers, for example layers of nickel, copper, and tin. The low friction material is typically a polymer, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyamide (PAI), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyethylene (PE), or polyoxymethylene (POM). The low friction material can also include additive particles to modify the material properties. The engineered material can be used in various automotive applications, for example as a bearing, or non-automotive applications.

Abstract: A high strength, low friction engineered material includes a low friction material filling interstices of a metal microlattice. The metal typically comprises 5 volume % to 25 volume % and the interstices typically comprise 75 volume % to 95 volume %, based on the total volume of the metal microlattice and the interstices. The low friction material preferably fills 100 volume % of the interstices. The metal microlattice can be formed of a single layer, or multiple layers, for example layers of nickel, copper, and tin. The low friction material is typically a polymer, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyamide (PAI), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyethylene (PE), or polyoxymethylene (POM). The low friction material can also include additive particles to modify the material properties. The engineered material can be used in various automotive applications, for example as a bearing, or non-automotive applications.

Abstract: A bearing having improved wear resistance has a bearing material of a copper-tin-bismuth alloy which may also include phosphorus which has excellent strength, due to the solid solution of copper, tin and phosphorus (when used), attached to a steel backing shell. The material also has good lubricity as a result of the presence of the bismuth which also promotes tin mobilization and formation of a layer of tin on the bearing surface upon use of the bearing. The addition of small amounts of relatively small hard particles in the copper-tin-matrix, particularly Fe3P, MoSi2 or a mixture thereof, provides a suitable hard surface artifact to improve the wear resistance of the bearing material. The bearing includes a sintered powder compact bearing material of a copper-tin-bismuth alloy powder and a metal compound powder which is bonded to a steel backing shell, wherein the metal compound powder has an average particle size of less than 10 ?m.

Abstract: A high strength, low friction engineered material includes a low friction material filling interstices of a metal microlattice. The metal typically comprises 5 volume % to 25 volume % and the interstices typically comprise 75 volume % to 95 volume %, based on the total volume of the metal microlattice and the interstices. The low friction material preferably fills 100 volume % of the interstices. The metal microlattice can be formed of a single layer, or multiple layers, for example layers of nickel, copper, and tin. The low friction material is typically a polymer, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyamide (PAI), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyethylene (PE), or polyoxymethylene (POM). The low friction material can also include additive particles to modify the material properties. The engineered material can be used in various automotive applications, for example as a bearing, or non-automotive applications.

Abstract: A sliding element 20, such as a bushing or bearing, includes a sintered powder metal base 24 deposited on a steel backing 22. The base 24 includes a tin, bismuth, first hard particles 40, such as Fe3P and MoSi2, and a balance of copper. In one embodiment, a tin overplate 26 is applied to the base 24. A nickel barrier layer 42 can be disposed between the base 24 and the tin overplate 26, and a tin-nickel intermediate layer 44 between the nickel bather layer 42 and the tin overplate 26. In another embodiment, the sliding element 20 includes either a sputter coating 30 of aluminum or a polymer coating 28 disposed directly on the base 24. The polymer coating 28 includes second hard particles 48, such as Fe2O3. The polymer coating 28 together with the base 24 provides exceptional wear resistance over time.