Abstract: A mattress for a patient support apparatus has a cover having bottom and top surfaces, and an inflatable section disposed between the bottom and top surfaces. The inflatable section has a plurality of upper bladders in fluid communication with each other and a plurality of lower bladders in fluid communication with each other. The upper and lower bladders are selectively inflated independently from each other. The upper and lower bladders are formed by three sheets including an upper sheet, a lower sheet disposed below the upper sheet, and an intermediate sheet disposed between the upper and lower sheets. The upper sheet is fixed to the intermediate sheet to define the upper bladders between the upper sheet and the intermediate sheet. The lower sheet is fixed to the intermediate sheet to define the lower bladders between the lower sheet and the intermediate sheet. Other aspects of the mattress are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a lignin that is soluble in a medium having a pH greater than or equal to 4, a solution containing same, a method for producing same, and uses thereof, in particular for preparing lignin fibers and carbon fibers. Soluble lignin may be obtained by enzymatic modification.

Abstract: Pressure sensing layers, devices comprising same, pressure sensing monitors and composite materials comprising a) a porous matrix material comprising a siloxane polymer, comprising a closed porosity volume fraction, and, optionally, an open porosity volume fraction, and b) a conductive or semiconductive filler substantially present in said closed porosity volume fraction of said porous matrix material a), and films, coated substrates and multilayer structures comprising the composite material and the use thereof in pressure sensing devices.

Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to a method and device for reducing a component composed of at least one graphene oxide and a matrix consisting of at least one polymer, characterized in that the method includes at least the following steps: introducing a mixture of polymer(s) and graphene oxide GO into a reactor subject to a value of temperature T and a value of pressure P suitable for placing a fluid under supercritical or subcritical conditions for a given period, the temperature T being suitable for not degrading the polymer; and cooling the reactor and removing the obtained product R consisting of reduced polymer(s) and graphene oxide rGO.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing macroscopic fibers of titanium dioxide (TiO2) by continuous extrusion in a one-way flow, to the macroscopic fibers of TiO2 that can be obtained by such a method, to the use of said fibers in heterogeneous photocatalysis for decontamination of organic pollutants from gaseous environments, and to a method for decontaminating gaseous environments, in particular air, using such fibers.

Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to a method and device for reducing a component composed of at least one graphene oxide and a matrix consisting of at least one polymer, characterized in that the method includes at least the following steps: introducing a mixture of polymer(s) and graphene oxide GO into a reactor subject to a value of temperature T and a value of pressure P suitable for placing a fluid under supercritical or subcritical conditions for a given period, the temperature T being suitable for not degrading the polymer; and cooling the reactor and removing the obtained product R consisting of reduced polymer(s) and graphene oxide rGO.

Abstract: A biocompatible and biodegradable carbon nanotube-based fiber capable of stimulating and sustaining cell proliferation and stimulating and sustaining nerve regeneration is disclosed herein. The biocompatible and biodegradable carbon nanotube-based fiber comprising at least one carbon nanotube; a biodegradable copolymer; and a coagulating polymer. The present disclosure also relates to a process fro producing such a fiber.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to the field of transparent electrodes. In particular, the invention relates to a method for producing a transparent and conducting auto-supported silver nanowire film, to the transparent and conducting silver nanowire film obtained by said method and to the use of said film as a transparent and flexible electrode in an electric device, in particular in a photovoltaic cell (solar cell).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing macroscopic fibres of titanium dioxide (TiO2) by continuous extrusion in a one-way flow, to the macroscopic fibres of TiO2 that can be obtained by such a method, to the use of said fibres in heterogeneous photocatalysis for decontamination of organic pollutants from gaseous environments, and to a method for decontaminating gaseous environments, in particular air, using such fibres.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multilayer conductive fiber having a core/shell structure, wherein the core contains nanotubes, in particular carbon nanotubes. The invention also relates to a method for producing said fiber by coextrusion and to the uses thereof The invention finally relates to a composite material including the aforementioned multilayer composite fibers bonded together by weaving or using a polymer matrix.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite fiber containing a thermoplastic polymeric matrix comprising a polyetherketoneketone (PEKK) in which multi-walled nanotubes, especially carbon nanotubes, are dispersed. It also relates to a process for manufacturing this composite fiber and to the uses thereof.

Abstract: Electrically conductive fibers made of carbon nanotubes that are assembled and covered by at least one deposit that includes a biopolymer, the manufacturing of these electrodes and the use of these electrodes in bioelectrochemical systems such as, for example, enzymatic or immunological biosensors, DNA, RNA, and biobatteries.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing fibres made of a composite based on a thermoplastic polymer and conducting or semiconducting particles, which includes a heat treatment, said heat treatment consisting in heating the composite, by progressively raising the temperature, having the effect of improving the conducting properties of the fibres obtained or of making the initially insulating fibres conducting. The invention also relates to the conducting fibres thus obtained and in particular to polyamide fibres and carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: Composite fibers including carbon nanotubes, at least one other type of particles provided in colloidal form and intimately and evenly mixed with the carbon nanotubes wherein the particles are evenly dispersed throughout the whole body of the fibers.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of obtaining vinyl alcohol homo- or copolymer-based conductive composite fibres with a high proportion of nanotubes, particularly carbon nanotubes, which are capable of ensuring thermal and/or electric conduction. It likewise relates to the conductive composite fibres obtainable by this method as well as the uses thereof.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing composite fibers comprising two distinct layers having different compositions and physico-chemical properties and controlled, homogenous thicknesses, wherein one of two layers comprises carbon nanotubes and the composite fibers are obtained from carbon nanotube fibers and a first solution of a selected concentration of colloidal particles intended to constitute the second layer, comprising the following steps: placing the fibers in contact, by lateral surfaces thereof, with a surface of a second solution which is adapted to chemically cause aggregation of the colloidal particles and is completely or partially immersed in the second solution, the immersed thickness of the fibers defining the immersion area, placing the thus pre-coated fibers in contract, on the same lateral surface, with a surface of the first colloidal particle solution and immersed in it at most up to the immersion area to locally form a colloidal gel with a fixed thickness determined by the concentration of the fir