Abstract: A bearing and/or seal assembly where pressurized gas (e.g., air) may be arranged to produce a contact-free bearing and/or seal is provided. The assembly includes a permeable body (12) including structural features (13) selectively engineered to convey a pressurized gas (Ps) from an inlet side (20) side of the permeable body to an outlet side (22) of the permeable body to form an annular film of the pressurized gas relative to the rotatable shaft. Disclosed embodiments may be produced by way of three-dimensional (3D) Printing/Additive Manufacturing (AM) technologies with practically no manufacturing variability; and may also cost-effectively and reliably benefit from the relatively complex geometries and the features and/or conduits that may be involved to, for example, form the desired distribution pattern or impart a desired directionality to the pressurized gas conveyed through the permeable body of the bearing and/or seal assembly.

Abstract: Substantially compostable nonwoven fabrics comprising staple fibers made from natural cellulosic fibers optionally mixed with other natural, man-made or synthetic fibers are described. Also described are methods of preparing such nonwoven fabrics that can include the steps of at least one of needle punching and/or hydroentangling and optionally resin bonding and/or thermal bonding. The compostable, or substantially compostable nonwoven fabrics disclosed herein provide improved durability over conventional nonwoven fabrics.

Abstract: Nonwoven fabric fabrics suitable for undergoing pleating to form filtration media are provided. The fabrics generally include at least three layers. The fibers forming the inner layer has a cross section providing greater stiffness, while the fibers forming the outer layers have a cross section providing greater durability. The resulting fabrics provide improved particulate holding and pressure drop characteristics at no sacrifice to durability.

Abstract: Nonwoven fabric fabrics suitable for undergoing pleating to form filtration media are provided. The fabrics generally include at least three layers. The fibers forming the inner layer has a cross section providing greater stiffness, while the fibers forming the outer layers have a cross section providing greater durability. The resulting fabrics provide improved particulate holding and pressure drop characteristics at no sacrifice to durability.