Abstract: A medical device capable of transmitting a radiofrequency signal to and/or receiving a radiofrequency signal from an external device is provided. The medical device comprises at least one component that contains a polymer composition that exhibits a dielectric constant of about 6 or less at a frequency of 2 GHz, wherein the polymer composition includes a liquid crystalline polymer.

Abstract: A medical device capable of transmitting a radiofrequency signal to and/or receiving a radiofrequency signal from an external device is provided. The medical device comprises at least one component that contains a polymer composition that exhibits a dielectric constant of greater than about 6 at a frequency of 2 GHz, wherein the polymer composition includes a liquid crystalline polymer.

Abstract: A photoplethysmographic sensor comprising a light source for emitting light onto a tissue and an optical detector for receiving light that interacts with the tissue is provided. The sensor comprises a liquid crystalline polymer.

Abstract: Disclosed are porous, low density nanoclay composites that exhibit highly homogeneous microcellular morphology and methods for forming the nanocomposites. The nanocomposites include a three-dimensional matrix having a non-lamellar, generally isotropic cellular structure with little or no macroscopic pores. The nanocomposites also include a gel that may be a noncovalently cross-linked, thermoreversible gel. The nanocomposites may include a binder and/or fibrous reinforcement materials. The nanocomposites may be formed according to a freeze-drying process in which ice crystal growth is controlled to prevent formation of macroscopic pores in the composite materials.

Abstract: A fiber reinforced polymer strengthening system having a concrete structural member having at least one outer facing surface. At least one pultruded element is located on the outer facing surface of the concrete structural member, the pultruded element containing a matrix material having a Tg of at least about 110° C. and a plurality of fibers having a tensile strength of at least about 300 MPa and an operating temperature of at least the Tg of the matrix material. Also located on the outer surface of the concrete member and at least partially covering the at least one pultruded element is an inorganic binder comprising an inorganic material having an operating temperature of at least about Tg of the matrix material of the pultruded element.

Abstract: A process of forming a point bridged fiber bundle containing obtaining a fiber bundle, applying an emulsion or suspension to the fiber bundle where the emulsion or dispersion contains a solvent and a bridge forming material, at least partially crosslinking or solidifing the bridge forming material, and drying the emulsion or suspension coated fiber bundle. The fiber bundle contains a bundle of unidirectional fibers comprising a plurality of fibers and void space between the fibers. The point bridged fiber bundle contains a plurality of bridges between and connected to at least a portion of adjacent fibers, where the bridges contain a bridging material, between about 10 and 100% by number of fibers in a given cross-section contain bridges to one or more adjacent fibers within the point bridged fiber bundle, and the anchoring surfaces of the bridges cover less than 100% of the fiber surfaces.

Abstract: A point bridged fiber bundle containing a bundle of unidirectional fibers and a plurality of bridges between and connected to at least a portion of adjacent fibers within the bundle of unidirectional fibers. The bridges contain a bridge forming material, have at least a first anchoring surface and a second anchoring surface where the first anchoring surface is discontinuous with the second anchoring surface. The bridges further contain a bridging surface defined as the surface area of the bridge adjacent to the void space. Between about 10 and 100% by number of fibers in a given cross-section contain bridges to one or more adjacent fibers within the point bridged fiber bundle and the anchoring surfaces of the bridges cover less than 100% of the fiber surfaces.

Abstract: A fiber reinforced polymer strengthening system containing a concrete or masonry structural member having at least one outer facing surface with at least one groove. The at least one groove contains at least one reinforcing element, where the reinforcing element contains a matrix material having a transition temperature of at least about 120° C. and a plurality of fibers having a tensile strength of at least about 1000 MPa. The groove also contains a binder comprising an inorganic material and is incombustible.

Abstract: An agglomerated particle cloud network coated fiber bundle containing a bundle of fibers and an agglomerated particle cloud network. The bundle of fibers contains a plurality of fibers and void space between the fibers. The agglomerated particle cloud network contains a plurality of agglomerated nanoparticles located in at least a portion of the void space in the bundle of fibers. The agglomerated nanoparticles form bridges between adjacent fibers. Between 10 and 100% by number of fibers contain bridges to one or more adjacent fibers within the agglomerated particle cloud network coated fiber bundle. The agglomerated nanoparticles form between about 1 and 60% of the effective cross-sectional area of the agglomerated particle cloud network coated fiber bundle.

Abstract: A process of making an agglomerated particle cloud network coated fiber bundle containing forming a bundle of fibers, coating the bundle of fibers with a nanoparticle solution, and drying the solvent from the coated bundle of fibers at a temperature above room temperature forming an agglomerated particle cloud network coated fiber bundle comprising a plurality of agglomerated nanoparticles. The agglomerated nanoparticles are located in at least a portion of the void space in the bundle of fibers and form bridges between at least a portion of the adjacent fibers. Between about 10 and 100% by number of fibers contain bridges to one or more adjacent fibers within the agglomerated particle cloud network coated fiber bundle. The agglomerated nanoparticles form between about 1 and 60% of the effective cross-sectional area of the agglomerated particle cloud network coated fiber bundle.

Abstract: Disclosed are porous, low density nanoclay composites that exhibit highly homogeneous microcellular morphology and methods for forming the nanocomposites. The nanocomposites include a three-dimensional matrix having a non-lamellar, generally isotropic cellular structure with little or no macroscopic pores. The nanocomposites also include a gel that may be a noncovalently cross-linked, thermoreversible gel. The nanocomposites may include a binder and/or fibrous reinforcement materials. The nanocomposites may be formed according to a freeze-drying process in which ice crystal growth is controlled to prevent formation of macroscopic pores in the composite materials.

Abstract: A method of spectroscopically analyzing amplitude and phase information of a particular sample (510) is disclosed, comprising providing a femtosecond laser source (502) positioned in an angularly distal relationship to the sample, generating from the laser source a primary light pulse (504) of substantial peak intensity and spectral bandwidth directed at the sample, and providing a reference medium (512) interposed between the light source and the sample, fixed in position with respect to the sample. A portion of the primary light pulse is directed through the reference medium generating a reference second harmonic signal (514) directed at the sample, which propagates collinearly with the primary light pulse towards the sample. A spectrometer (520) is provided, positioned in an angularly distal relationship to the sample and opposing the laser source, to receive second harmonic reflections of the primary pulse and reference signal (516 and 514, respectively) from said sample.