Abstract: A process for preparing a microcapillary carbon molecular sieve membrane may include extruding a polyvinylidene chloride polymer to a thickness from 10 ?m to 1,000 ?m to form an extruded polymeric microcapillary film, wherein the extruded polymeric microcapillary film comprises a first end, a second end, and one or more microcapillaries extending from the first end to the second end; pre-treating the extruded polymeric microcapillary film at a temperature from 100° C. to 200° C. for a time from 1 hour to 48 hours to form a pre-treated polymeric microcapillary film; and pyrolizing the pre-treated polymeric microcapillary film at a temperature from 200° C. to 1,500° C. for a time from 15 minutes to 5 hours to form the microcapillary carbon molecular sieve membrane.

Abstract: A rheology system includes a rheometer including a lower plate and an upper plate, a manipulator including an arm, a loading end effector, a cleaning end effector, and a controller communicatively coupled to the rheometer and the manipulator, the controller including a processor and a computer readable and executable instruction set, which when executed, causes the processor to direct the manipulator to couple the loading end effector to the arm, direct the manipulator engage a specimen with the loading end effector, direct the manipulator to position the specimen on the lower plate of the rheometer, direct the upper plate to engage the specimen between the upper plate and the lower plate, direct the manipulator to couple the cleaning end effector to the arm, and direct the manipulator to engage the lower plate with the cleaning end effector.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to multilayer silo bags that may include a tube comprising at least two layers, a first open end, a second open end, and a first region and a second region disposed between the first and second end. One M or more of the at least three layers may comprise an ethylene/alpha-olefin interpolymer having a density of 0.90 g/cc to 0.965 g/cc and N an I2 of 0.1 to 6.0 g/10 minutes, a low density ethylene-based polymer having a density of 0.917 g/cc to 0.935 g/cc and an I2 of 0.1 to 2.0 g/10 minutes, or combinations thereof. The first region may have a thickness of at least 10% greater than a thickness of the second region. The first region may have a surface area that is at least 50% of an overall surface area of the multilayer silo bag.

Abstract: Artificial turf system (10) including a primary backing layer (12) and a shock absorption component (20). The primary backing layer (12) has a plurality of artificial turf yarns (14) projecting upwardly from the primary backing layer (12). The shock absorption component (20) is composed of a sheet of three-dimensional random loop material 3DRLM (30). The sheet of 3DRLM (30) is in contact with the primary backing layer (12). The shock absorption component (20) includes (i) a cushioning layer (40) and (ii) a shockpad (50). The 3DRLM (30) in the cushioning layer (40) has an apparent density that is greater than the apparent density of the 3DRLM (30) in the shockpad (50).

Abstract: A photovoltaic module comprising: (a) a photovoltaic laminate including: (i) one or more connectors connected to and extending from the photovoltaic laminate, and (ii) one or more integrated frames each including one or more engagement features, and the one or more integrated frames being in communication with each of the one or more connectors; and wherein the one or more engagement features are asymmetrical so that each of the one or more connectors can only be installed in each of the one or more integrated frames in a single configuration; and wherein each of the one or more integrated frames are connected to the photovoltaic laminate in a location proximate to the one or more connectors so that the one or more integrated frames provide support to the one or more connectors during the manufacturing process, during use, during installation, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a die assembly for producing a microcapillary film. The die assembly includes a first die plate, a second die plate, a plurality of multi-jackbolt tensioners connecting the first die plate to the second die plate, a manifold, and a plurality of nozzles. The manifold is located between the pair of die plates and defines a plurality of film channels therebetween. The plurality of film channels converge into an elongate outlet, wherein a thermoplastic material is extrudable through the plurality of film channels and the elongate outlet to form a microcapillary film. The plurality of nozzles are located between the plurality of film channels. The plurality of nozzles are operatively connected to a source of channel fluid for emitting the channel fluid between layers of the microcapillary film, whereby a plurality of microcapillary channels are formed in the microcapillary film.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a die assembly for producing a microcapillary film. The die assembly includes a first die plate, a second die plate, a plurality of multi-jackbolt tensioners connecting the first die plate to the second die plate, a manifold, and a plurality of nozzles. The manifold is located between the pair of die plates and defines a plurality of film channels therebetween. The plurality of film channels converge into an elongate outlet, wherein a thermoplastic material is extrudable through the plurality of film channels and the elongate outlet to form a microcapillary film. The plurality of nozzles are located between the plurality of film channels. The plurality of nozzles are operatively connected to a source of channel fluid for emitting the channel fluid between layers of the microcapillary film, whereby a plurality of microcapillary channels are formed in the microcapillary film.

Abstract: A photovoltaic module comprising: (a) a photovoltaic laminate including: (i) one or more connectors connected to and extending from the photovoltaic laminate, and (ii) one or more integrated frames each including one or more engagement features, and the one or more integrated frames being in communication with each of the one or more connectors; and wherein the one or more engagement features are asymmetrical so that each of the one or more connectors can only be installed in each of the one or more integrated frames in a single configuration; and wherein each of the one or more integrated frames are connected to the photovoltaic laminate in a location proximate to the one or more connectors so that the one or more integrated frames provide support to the one or more connectors during the manufacturing process, during use, during installation, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a process. In an embodiment, a process for producing a packaging article includes providing a body having a geometric shape and composed of a three-dimensional random loop material (3DRLM). The 3DRLM is composed of an olefin-based polymer. The body has a sleeve with opposing ends on respective opposing surfaces of the body. The sleeve extends through an interior portion of the body and has an opening at each respective end. Each opening has a closed width. The process includes providing a product having an insert shape. The insert shape has an insert width that is greater than or equal to the closed width of the sleeve opening. The process includes inserting the product into the sleeve.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a packaging article. In an embodiment, the packaging article includes a body having a geometric shape, the body composed of a three-dimensional random loop material (3DRLM). The 3DRLM is composed of an olefin-based polymer. The packaging article includes a sleeve having opposing ends on respective opposing surfaces of the body. The sleeve extends through an interior portion of the body. The sleeve has an opening at each respective end. Each opening has a closed width. The packaging article includes a product having an insert shape. The insert shape has an insert width that is greater than or equal to the closed width of the sleeve opening. A portion of the 3DRLM moves from a neutral state to a stretched state when the product is inserted into the sleeve.

Abstract: An integrated frame comprising: (a) an integration portion that forms a cantilever connection with a stack of material, (b) a cover connected to and extending from the integration portion, and (c) a pair of extensions connected to and extending from the cover, wherein the cover extends over and protects a connector that is connected to and extending from the stack of material.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to improved processes for making plastic articles, and articles made therefrom. In a broad aspect, the invention is directed to improved processes and articles made therefrom, that include the steps of providing as separate materials a first material that includes a thermoplastic polyolefin, a second material including an admixture of a particulated filler and a second thermoplastic polyolefin, and a third material that includes an elastomer; applying a shear force to the first, second and third materials, while the materials are at an elevated temperature for blending the materials to form a molten blend; shaping the molten blend and solidifying the molten blend.

Abstract: An optical film, suitable or use in, or as a component of, an image display device or apparatus (for example, a LCD device or a polarizer assembly), comprises a hydrogenated vinyl aromatic/conjugated diene block copolymer that has a near zero optical retardation at all light incidence angles (measured using incident light at a wavelength of 633 nanometers).

Abstract: A lens-forming thermoplastic composition of matter has a crystallinity, as determined in accord with differential scanning calorimetry of from 0 percent to less than 1 percent when the composition comprises a hydrogenated vinyl aromatic/isoprene block copolymer or a crystallinity, as determined in accord with differential scanning calorimetry of from more than 0 percent to less than 1 percent when the composition comprises a hydrogenated vinyl aromatic/butadiene block copolymer. The composition has a birefringence, measured at a wavelength of 633 nanometers, within a range of from 0 to less than 6×10. Molding a melt of these compositions occurs at temperatures within a range from the hydrogenated block copolymer's glass transition minus 20° C. to the glass transition temperature minus 90° C.

Abstract: Prepare an extruded filled polymer composite having a highly disperse and uniformly distributed filler by extruding a filled polymer composite through a die with a Flow Restriction Zone, a Flow Redistribution Zone and a Land Zone. The Flow Restriction Zone is proximate to the extruder and increases polymer melt backpressure in the extruder sufficient to induce high dispersion of the filler but not enough to cause undesirable degradation of the polymer melt components.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to improved processes for making plastic articles, and articles made therefrom. In a broad aspect, the invention is directed to improved processes and articles made therefrom, that include the steps of providing as separate materials a first material that includes a thermoplastic polyolefin, a second material including an admixture of a particulated filler and a second thermoplastic polyolefin, and a third material that includes an elastomer; applying a shear force to the first, second and third materials, while the materials are at an elevated temperature for blending the materials to form a molten blend; shaping the molten blend and solidifying the molten blend.