Abstract: Disclosed herein are various cable gel seal arrangements and thermoplastic gels useful therein. The thermoplastic gels are prepared from a composition including a styrene triblock copolymer, a styrene diblock copolymer, an oil extender, and an additive selected from poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide), a C9 resin, poly(alpha-methylstyrene), a coumarone-indene resin, and combinations thereof, wherein the additive has a Tg from about 95° C. to about 200° C. The thermoplastic gels advantageously exhibit low compression set.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various cable gel seal arrangements and thermoplastic gels useful therein. The thermoplastic gels are prepared from a composition including a styrene triblock copolymer, a styrene diblock copolymer, an oil extender, and an additive selected from poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide), a C9 resin, poly(alpha-methylstyrene), a coumarone-indene resin, and combinations thereof, wherein the additive has a Tg from about 95° C. to about 200° C. The thermoplastic gels advantageously exhibit low compression set.

Abstract: Sealants are provided, including silicone gels, compositions, and methods of making, for use in sealing telecommunications closures. The silicone gels are capable of sealing and resealing rapidly, for example, within 5 minutes after closing.

Abstract: A fiber alignment device is provided that includes a curable refractive index-matching gel that exhibits self-cleaning and self-healing characteristics upon multiple cycles of insertion and removal of an optical fiber.

Abstract: Aspects and techniques of the present disclosure relate to a cable sealing structure comprising a cable sealing body including a gel and methods of making anisotropic behavior in cable sealing structures made with a dry silicone gel. In one aspect, various three-dimensional printing techniques are used to make a cable sealing structure that includes a gel. The cable sealing body has a construction that elastically deforms to apply an elastic spring load to the gel. The cable sealing body has a construction with anisotropic deformation characteristics that allows the cable sealing body to be less deformable in one direction than in others. The cable sealing structure can be utilized to seal fiber optic cables more uniformly while limiting the potential of leakage.

Abstract: Aspects and techniques of the present disclosure relate to a cable sealing structure comprising a cable sealing body including a gel and methods of making anisotropic behavior in cable sealing structures made with a dry silicone gel. In one aspect, various three-dimensional printing techniques are used to make a cable sealing structure that includes a gel. The cable sealing body has a construction that elastically deforms to apply an elastic spring load to the gel. The cable sealing body has a construction with anisotropic deformation characteristics that allows the cable sealing body to be less deformable in one direction than in others. The cable sealing structure can be utilized to seal fiber optic cables more uniformly while limiting the potential of leakage.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a silicone gel having a surface treated with an additive. The additive comprises a synthetic, micronized hydrocarbon wax selected from a polyethylene, a polytetrafluoroethylene, a polypropylene, an amide wax, and any combination thereof. Alternatively, the additive comprises a micronized metallic stearate. The additive has a melting point of at least 90° C., or from about 90° C. to about 160° C.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a thermoplastic gel prepared from a composition comprising: a styrene triblock copolymer; a styrene diblock copolymer; an oil extender; and optionally an additive. The composition comprises greater than 21 wt % up to about 35 wt % of a combination of the styrene triblock copolymer and the styrene diblock copolymer. The thermoplastic gel exhibits a very low oil bleed out of less than about 5% after 1500 hours at 60° C. and 120 kPa.

Abstract: A fiber alignment device is provided that includes a curable refractive index-matching gel that exhibits self-cleaning and self-healing characteristics upon multiple cycles of insertion and removal of an optical fiber.

Abstract: A fiber alignment device is provided that includes a curable refractive index-matching gel that exhibits self-cleaning and self-healing characteristics upon multiple cycles of insertion and removal of an optical fiber.

Abstract: Aspects and techniques of the present disclosure relate to an alignment device that includes a groove-type alignment structure with a support region for receiving an optical fiber inserted along a fiber insertion axis. The optical fiber has a first side and a second, opposite side. The groove-type alignment structure engages the first side of the optical fiber. The alignment device includes a stabilization structure that engages the first side of the optical fiber and a first angled transition surface that engages the second, opposite side of the optical fiber. The present disclosure also relates to an alignment system that includes a first housing piece; a second housing piece adapted to mate with the first housing piece; and a flat structure positioned between the first and second housing pieces.

Abstract: Aspects and techniques of the present disclosure relate to an alignment device that includes a groove-type alignment structure with a support region for receiving an optical fiber inserted along a fiber insertion axis. The optical fiber has a first side and a second, opposite side. The groove-type alignment structure engages the first side of the optical fiber. The alignment device includes a stabilization structure that engages the first side of the optical fiber and a first angled transition surface that engages the second, opposite side of the optical fiber. The present disclosure also relates to an alignment system that includes a first housing piece; a second housing piece adapted to mate with the first housing piece; and a flat structure positioned between the first and second housing pieces.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various cable gel seal arrangements and thermoplastic gels useful therein. The thermoplastic gels are prepared from a composition including a styrene triblock copolymer, a styrene diblock copolymer, an oil extender, and an additive selected from poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide), a C9 resin, poly(alpha-methylstyrene), a coumarone-indene resin, and combinations thereof, wherein the additive has a Tg from about 95° C. to about 200° C. The thermoplastic gels advantageously exhibit low compression set.

Abstract: A fiber alignment device is provided that includes a curable refractive index-matching gel that exhibits self-cleaning and self-healing characteristics upon multiple cycles of insertion and removal of an optical fiber.

Abstract: Aspects and techniques of the present disclosure relate to an alignment device that includes a groove-type alignment structure with a support region for receiving an optical fiber inserted along a fiber insertion axis. The optical fiber has a first side and a second, opposite side. The groove-type alignment structure engages the first side of the optical fiber. The alignment device includes a stabilization structure that engages the first side of the optical fiber and a first angled transition surface that engages the second, opposite side of the optical fiber. The present disclosure also relates to an alignment system that includes a first housing piece; a second housing piece adapted to mate with the first housing piece; and a flat structure positioned between the first and second housing pieces.

Abstract: Aspects and techniques of the present disclosure relate to a cable sealing structure comprising a cable sealing body including a gel and methods of making anisotropic behavior in cable sealing structures made with a dry silicone gel. In one aspect, various three-dimensional printing techniques are used to make a cable sealing structure that includes a gel. The cable sealing body has a construction that elastically deforms to apply an elastic spring load to the gel. The cable sealing body has a construction with anisotropic deformation characteristics that allows the cable sealing body to be less deformable in one direction than in others. The cable sealing structure can be utilized to seal fiber optic cables more uniformly while limiting the potential of leakage.

Abstract: Aspects and techniques of the present disclosure relate to a cleaning substrate with liquid-filled microcapsules embedded therein. The cleaning substrate may include cleaning swabs, tapes, or textiles that can be used to provide enhanced cleaning of optical fiber end faces. Cleaning is achieved by bringing the liquid-filled microcapsules into contact with a surface of application, such as an end face of an optical fiber connector. When the cleaning substrate is rubbed in contact with the surface of application, liquid burst from the liquid-filled microcapsules of the cleaning substrate to remove foreign matter or contamination, such as oil and dust, from the surface of application.