Abstract: The present invention provides novel hybrid self-reinforced composites, combining an oriented brittle fibre and an oriented thermoplastic polymeric ductile fibre (as reinforcement phase) in the same thermoplastic polymeric matrix phase. The hybrid self-reinforced composites are strong and stiff, but in case of impact or crash they have high strain to failure and absorb a lot of energy. The present invention also relates to methods to produce said hybrid self-reinforced composites by a hot compaction technique.

Abstract: Disclosed is a portable electronic musical system including a pad with a plurality of touch sensitive elements, usable with a single hand. Information produced as a result of pressure being applied to one of the plurality of touch sensitive elements on the pad is captured with an electronic subsystem. The captured information is communicated to a sound producing subsystem for producing musical output. A selectively positionable support mechanism is operatively connectable to the pad, so that when at least part of the support mechanism is positioned under at least part of the single hand, all of the pad, the positionable support mechanism and the single hand are movable in unison.

Abstract: Disclosed is a wearable electronic music system including a plurality of first finger mountable implements, each having at least one surface engageable element operatively connected thereto. The system further includes a second finger mountable implement with a state altering element being disposable in a first state or a second state. A sound producing subsystem operatively communicates with the plurality of first finger mountable implements and the second finger mountable implement. In operation, when the state altering element is disposed in the first state, the sound producing subsystem causes a first output to be produced when at least one of said plurality of first finger mountable implements contacts the solid surface, and when the state altering element is disposed in the second state, the sound producing subsystem causes a second output to be produced as the at least one of said plurality of first finger mountable implements contacts the solid surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel hybrid self-reinforced composites, combining an oriented brittle fibre and an oriented thermoplastic polymeric ductile fibre (as reinforcement phase) in the same thermoplastic polymeric matrix phase. The hybrid self-reinforced composites are strong and stiff, but in case of impact or crash they have high strain to failure and absorb a lot of energy. The present invention also relates to methods to produce said hybrid self-reinforced composites by a hot compaction technique.