Abstract: A self-reinforcing composite gel includes a solvent, and a plurality of swellable crosslinked polymer particles dispersed in a crosslinked polymer matrix, wherein the crosslinked polymer matrix and the plurality of swellable crosslinked polymer particles are immersed in the solvent, wherein the swellable crosslinked polymer particles absorb more solvent at equilibrium than the matrix polymer, and wherein the plurality of swellable crosslinked polymer particles swell in the solvent and are present in an amount sufficient to maintain or increase the elastic modulus and/or load-bearing ability of the self-reinforcing composite gel, i.e., compared to that of the crosslinked matrix polymer alone, upon swelling in the solvent.

Abstract: A dental cleaning appliance includes a handle, a fluid reservoir for storing a working fluid, and a fluid delivery system for receiving working fluid from the reservoir, and for delivering working fluid to the oral cavity of a user. A drive unit drives movement of a bristle carrier relative to the handle. The fluid reservoir extends about at least part of the drive unit.

Abstract: A dental cleaning appliance includes a handle, a fluid reservoir for storing a working fluid, and a fluid delivery system. A motorised drive unit drives movement of a bristle carrier relative to the handle. At least part of an inlet conduit of the fluid delivery system lies adjacent to the external surface of the motor, and at least part of an outlet conduit of the fluid delivery system extends through the motor.

Abstract: A dental cleaning appliance includes a handle, a fluid reservoir for storing a working fluid, and a fluid delivery system for receiving working fluid from the reservoir, and for delivering working fluid to the oral cavity of a user. The fluid reservoir includes a fluid port from which fluid is dispensed from the fluid reservoir, and through which the fluid reservoir is replenished. The fluid reservoir is moveable along the handle between a first position in which the fluid port is connected to the fluid delivery system, and a second position in which the fluid port is exposed to allow the fluid reservoir to be replenished.

Abstract: A dental cleaning appliance includes a handle, a fluid reservoir for storing a working fluid, and a fluid delivery system for receiving working fluid from the reservoir, and for delivering working fluid to the oral cavity of a user. The fluid reservoir includes a fluid port from which fluid is dispensed from the fluid reservoir, and through which the fluid reservoir is replenished. The fluid reservoir is moveable along the handle between a first position in which the fluid port is connected to the fluid delivery system, and a second position in which the fluid port is exposed to allow the fluid reservoir to be replenished.

Abstract: A dental cleaning appliance includes a handle, a fluid reservoir for storing a working fluid, and a fluid delivery system. A motorised drive unit drives movement of a bristle carrier relative to the handle. At least part of an inlet conduit of the fluid delivery system lies adjacent to the external surface of the motor, and at least part of an outlet conduit of the fluid delivery system extends through the motor.

Abstract: A dental cleaning appliance includes a handle, a fluid reservoir for storing a working fluid, and a fluid delivery system for receiving working fluid from the reservoir, and for delivering working fluid to the oral cavity of a user. A drive unit drives movement of a bristle carrier relative to the handle. The fluid reservoir extends about at least part of the drive unit.

Abstract: A self-reinforcing composite gel includes a solvent, and a plurality of swellable crosslinked polymer particles dispersed in a crosslinked polymer matrix, wherein the crosslinked polymer matrix and the plurality of swellable crosslinked polymer particles are immersed in the solvent, wherein the swellable crosslinked polymer particles absorb more solvent at equilibrium than the matrix polymer, and wherein the plurality of swellable crosslinked polymer particles swell in the solvent and are present in an amount sufficient to maintain or increase the elastic modulus and/or load-bearing ability of the self-reinforcing composite gel, i.e., compared to that of the crosslinked matrix polymer alone, upon swelling in the solvent.

Abstract: A dental treatment appliance includes a handle, a nozzle for engaging the teeth of the user and for delivering a burst of working fluid to the teeth of a user, and a datum component also for engaging the teeth of the user. Each of the nozzle and the datum component is moveable relative to the handle. A control circuit detects relative movement between the nozzle and the datum component as the appliance is moved along the teeth of a user, and actuates the delivery of working fluid to the teeth of the user depending on the detected relative movement.

Abstract: An article includes a substrate and a coating provided on a surface of the substrate. The coating includes at least one metal silicide layer consisting essentially of MoSi2 or WSi2 or (Mo, W)Si2 or a platinum group metal silicide and at least one layer consisting essentially of Si3N4.

Abstract: A dental treatment appliance includes a handle, a nozzle for engaging the teeth of the user and for delivering a burst of working fluid to the teeth of a user, and a datum component also for engaging the teeth of the user. Each of the nozzle and the datum component is moveable relative to the handle. A control circuit detects relative movement between the nozzle and the datum component as the appliance is moved along the teeth of a user, and actuates the delivery of working fluid to the teeth of the user depending on the detected relative movement.

Abstract: A coating system on a superalloy or silicon-containing substrate of an article exposed to high temperatures. The coating system includes a coating layer that overlies the substrate and is susceptible to hot corrosion promoted by molten salt impurities. A corrosion barrier coating overlies the coating layer and contains at least one rare-earth oxide-containing compound that reacts with the molten salt impurities to form a dense, protective byproduct barrier layer.

Abstract: A turbomachine component includes a body having an exterior surface and an interior surface, an internal cavity defined by the interior surface, and a reactivity neutralizing member arranged within the internal cavity. The reactivity neutralizing member is configured and disposed to neutralize turbomachine combustion products on the interior surface of the body.

Abstract: An environmental barrier coating system for a component of a gas turbine includes at least one rare earth disilicate layer and at least one rare earth monosilicate layer. At least one of the at least one rare earth disilicate layer or the at least one rare earth monosilicate layer includes an alkaline earth oxide dopant.

Abstract: An article includes a silicon-containing region; at least one outer layer overlying a surface of the silicon-containing region; and a constituent layer on the surface of the silicon-containing region and between and contacting the silicon-containing region and the at least one outer layer, the constituent layer being formed by constituents of the silicon-containing region and being susceptible to creep within an operating environment of the article, wherein the silicon-containing region defines a plurality of channels and a plurality of ridges that interlock within the plurality of channels are formed in the silicon-containing region to physically interlock the at least one outer layer with the silicon-containing region through the constituent layer.

Abstract: A system and method for capturing and/or retrieving activity information in association with corresponding tasks and/or projects are disclosed. Activity information regarding an activity may be associated with a task ID identifying a task with which the activity is associated. Each of the task IDs may be associated with one or more corresponding projects, indicating the task identified by the task ID is associated with the project. This may facilitate users to obtain activity information and index the obtained activity information to corresponding task(s) and/or project(s). This may facilitate report generation that may acquire project information by obtaining activity information indexed to the project.

Abstract: Article includes a substrate, a bond coat disposed on the substrate, an environmental barrier coating disposed on the bond coat, and a patterned abradable coating disposed on the second top coat. The environmental barrier coating includes an intermediate layer disposed on the bond coat, a sealing layer disposed on the intermediate layer, a first top coat disposed on the sealing layer, and a second top coat disposed on the first top coat. The first top coat is different from the second top coat.

Abstract: An article includes a silicon-containing region including surface features on a surface thereof. The surface features include depressions, protuberances, or combinations thereof. At least one outer layer overlies the surface of the silicon-containing region. A constituent layer is provided on the surface of the silicon-containing region and between and contacting the silicon-containing region and the at least one outer layer. The constituent layer is formed by constituents of the silicon-containing region and is susceptible to creep within an operating environment of the article. The surface features physically interlock the at least one outer layer with the silicon-containing region through the constituent layer.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring cooling effectiveness of a component is disclosed. The method includes providing a component having a surface provided with a coating including a volatilization-susceptible constituent and a volatilization-resistant constituent. Further, the method includes supplying a first gaseous medium over the surface of the component through a plurality of holes in the component and feeding a second gaseous medium along the surface of the component. The method includes exposing the surface of the component to the first and second gaseous mediums for a predetermined period. The method further includes determining a thickness of the coating exposed to the flow of the first and second gaseous mediums. The method includes analyzing the thickness of the coating to determine whether the coating is removed from the surface of the component upon exposure to the first and second gaseous mediums.

Abstract: An article for use in aggressive environments is presented. In one embodiment, the article comprises a substrate and a self-sealing and substantially hermetic sealing layer comprising an alkaline-earth aluminosilicate disposed over the bondcoat. The substrate may be any high-temperature material, including, for instance, silicon-bearing ceramics and ceramic matrix composites. A method for making such articles is also presented. The method comprises providing a substrate; disposing a self-sealing alkaline-earth aluminosilicate layer over the substrate; and heating the sealing layer to a sealing temperature at which at least a portion of the sealing layer will flow.