Abstract: A high efficiency particulate air filter for the capture of virus particles is disclosed. The filter includes a coform three-dimensional fibrous matrix comprising a population of fibrillated polymeric nanofibers and a population of microparticles homogenously distributed throughout the fibrous matrix. In an embodiment, the microparticles are ion exchange resins. The virus particles are captured by the fibrous matrix and bind to the to the surface of the resins by permanent electrostatic forces and inactivated by the biocidal agent. A process for removing virus particles from an aerosol is also disclosed. The filter provides at least a log10 reduction value (LRV) greater than 3 for virus particles with a diameter smaller than 0.3 microns with a pressure drop of less than 200 Pascal at an aerosol face velocity of 5.3 cm/s.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming and fibrillating a molten polymeric film into nanofibers consisting of a plurality of two-phase flow spinning nozzles arranged in a substantially liner array each nozzle into nanofibers including one or more first input orifices for a process gas; one or more second input orifices for a polymer melt; a flow channel including two or more channel walls and a monotonically decreasing flow area wherein the process gas and polymer melt are combined into a stratified two phase flow with the polymer melt formed into a film on one or more of the channel walls; and one or more channel exit openings, each exit opening including an edge at which the process gas reaches sonic velocity or less and where the edge is configured to fibrillate the polymeric film into a stream of nanofibers.

Abstract: A fibrous super absorbent material is disclosed including a) a hydrophilic three-dimensional fibrous web consisting of a first population of fibrillated nanofibers, and a second population of fibrillated microfibers, both populations uniformly distributed throughout the three-dimensional fibrous web where the first population comprises at least 50% of the total fiber population and b) a population of superabsorbent polymer (SAP) particles with a median size of less than 40 microns dispersed throughout the fibrous web. In various embodiments, a plurality of coarse (greater than 40 microns in diameter), fine from about (40 ?m to about 10 ?m in diameter), ultrafine (from about 10 ?m to about one ?m in diameter) and nanosize (less than one ?m in diameter) particles are dispersed into the fibrous structure to absorb liquids or remove contaminants or bacteria from the fluids.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing a coform fibrous materials comprising the steps of supplying a first fiber forming stream comprising a first phase comprising a polymer melt and a second phase comprising a pressurized gas to a two-phase flow nozzle, supplying a separate second stream containing at least one secondary material to the two-phase flow nozzle, combining the first fiber forming stream and the second stream to form a composite fiber forming stream and fibrillating the composite fiber forming stream into a coform fibrous web. Superabsorbent and filtration coform fibrous materials for filtration and produced using the method are also disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for producing nanofibers and non-woven nanofibrous materials from polymer melts, liquids and particles using a two-phase flow nozzle. The process comprises supplying a first phase comprising a polymer melt and a second phase comprising a pressurized gas stream to a two-phase flow nozzle; injecting the polymer melt and the pressurized gas stream into a mixing chamber within the two-phase flow nozzle wherein the mixing chamber combines the polymer flow and pressurized gas into a two-phase flow; distributing the two-phase flow uniformly to a converging channel terminating into an channel exit wherein the converging channel accelerates the two-phase flow creating a polymeric film along the surface of the converging channel and fibrillating the polymeric film at the channel exit of the converging channel in the form of a plurality of nanofibers.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for producing nanofibers and non-woven nanofibrous materials from polymer melts, liquids and particles using a two-phase flow nozzle. The process comprises supplying a first phase comprising a polymer melt and a second phase comprising a pressurized gas stream to a two-phase flow nozzle; injecting the polymer melt and the pressurized gas stream into a mixing chamber within the two-phase flow nozzle wherein the mixing chamber combines the polymer flow and pressurized gas into a two-phase flow; distributing the two-phase flow uniformly to a converging channel terminating into an channel exit wherein the converging channel accelerates the two-phase flow creating a polymeric film along the surface of the converging channel and fibrillating the polymeric film at the channel exit of the converging channel in the form of a plurality of nanofibers.

Abstract: A mountable circuit breaker is disclosed. The circuit breaker includes a housing having first and second housing members and a latch member. The housing defines a rail receptacle for mounting the circuit breaker on an elongated channel rail. The latch member includes a base portion that includes a movably positionable retainer that moves toward or away from a biased position that is established by a stem portion of the latch member. Movement away from the biased position expands the rail receptacle for mounting the circuit breaker to the rail channel when an external force is applied to a tool receptacle adjacent the junction of the base and stem portions of the latch member. Removing the external force results in the base portion returning to its biased position, securing the circuit breaker to the channel rail.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for forming fibers from a spinning solution utilizing a high speed rotary sprayer. The fibers can be collected into a uniform web for selective barrier end uses. Fibers with an average fiber diameter of less that 1,000 nm can be produced.

Abstract: A thin, uniform membrane comprising polymeric fibrils or a combination of fibrils and particles, wherein the fibrils have randomly convoluted cross-sections, and a process for making the membrane are disclosed. The membrane may be on the surface of a substrate as part of a composite sheet, or as a stand-alone structure.

Abstract: A process is provided for issuing material from a nozzle in a rotor rotating at a given rotational speed wherein the material is issued by way of a fluid jet. The material can be collected on a collector concentric to the rotor. The collector can be a flexible belt moving in the axial direction of the rotor. The collected material can take the form of discrete particles, fibers, plexifilamentary web, discrete fibrils or a membrane.

Abstract: A process is provided for issuing material from a nozzle in a rotor rotating at a given rotational speed wherein the material is issued by way of a fluid jet. The material can be collected on a collector concentric to the rotor. The collector can be a flexible belt moving in the axial direction of the rotor. The collected material can take the form of discrete particles, fibers, plexifilamentary web, discrete fibrils or a membrane.

Abstract: A thin, uniform membrane comprising polymeric fibrils or a combination of fibrils and particles, wherein the fibrils have randomly convoluted cross-sections, and a process for making the membrane are disclosed. The membrane may be on the surface of a substrate as part of a composite sheet, or as a stand-alone structure.

Abstract: Invention employs a unique combination of semiconductor optical amplifier and nonlinear optical filter to achieve wavelength conversion and regeneration.

Abstract: An optical amplifier and a method for using same. The amplifier includes a poled non-linear gain medium such as LiNbO3 and provides waveband optical amplification by difference frequency generation between a data signal and a pump signal. Architectures are provided which realize the amplifier on a single chip. Polarization insensitive architectures are provided, as are methods for tailoring the amplification gain curve.

Abstract: A frictional damper is mechanically attached to a cast stator of the compressor section of a gas turbine engine so that a cantilevered end abuts one of the shrouds to prestress the individual ends of the vanes of the stator, which end is free to move by slotting that shroud between adjacent vanes.

Abstract: An integrally cast stator is formed having an annular array of vanes connected at their outer ends to an outer shroud and connected at their inner ends to an inner shroud, said outer shrouds of adjacent cast stators having a snap fit, said inner shroud having an annular C-shaped channel integrally formed within its inner surface by an inwardly extending radial flange and rearwardly extending cylindrical flange. An annular spring damping device having an outer annular arm and an inner annular arm, said damping device being positioned in said annular C-shaped channel with said inner annular arm fixed in said C-shaped channel inwardly of said inner shroud and with said outer annular arm biased against said inner surface of said inner shroud. A modification has two annular C-shaped channels.

Abstract: An apparatus for tracking and collecting solar energy including at least one collector having elongated reflective surfaces which are parabolic in cross-section. A heat collection and transfer conduit is carried by said collector with said conduit having an inlet at one end and an outlet at the other end. The inlet is connected to an inlet manifold and the outlet is connected to an outlet manifold. An agitator moves a fluid through the inlet manifold, the conduit for warming then through said outlet manifold. The collector is rotated about a longitudinal axis thereof with such rotation directed by a sun sensing device.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved fixed cutting element for cooperation with a rotary cutting element in an apparatus for comminuting or granulating polymeric and like material. The improved fixed cutting element is a rigid polyhedron of quadrangular cross-section having a top, bottom, front, back and two side faces. Penetrating partially into the polyhedron from the intersection of the top and front faces thereof is a substantially rectangular slot, which extends along the length of the polyhedron from one side face to the other side face thereof. An angle of between about 20.degree. and 70.degree. is formed by the intersection of:(a) the top face of the polyhedron; and(b) a line perpendicular to the longitudinal cross-sectional axis of the slot and passing through the intersection of the top and front faces of the polyhedron. An insert of very hard material, e.g., of ceramic, conforming to the configuration of the slot, is positioned therein and is adhesively bonded to all surfaces thereof.