Abstract: A lifting system for generating a lifting force on a portion of a vehicle includes a vehicle wheel and a force-generating mechanism structured to be received inside a rim cavity of the wheel. The force-generating mechanism is also structured to be operably connected to a frame of a vehicle. A bearing member is operably connected to the force-generating mechanism. The bearing member is structured to transmit a force generated by the force-generating mechanism to a surface in physical contact with the bearing member. The bearing member is also structured for operably connecting the wheel to the force-generating mechanism. Force applied by the force-generating mechanism may be sufficient to lift a portion of the vehicle off of a ground surface, or the force may only be sufficient to apply a parking brake force without lifting the vehicle.

Abstract: A chemical-mechanical polishing pad comprising a polyurethane polishing layer having a high storage modulus at low temperatures and a low storage modulus at high temperatures is disclosed. For example, the disclosed pad embodiments may be fabricated from a thermoplastic polyurethane having a ratio of storage modulus at 25 degrees C. to storage modulus at 80 degrees C. of 50 or more. The thermoplastic polyurethane polishing layer may further optionally have a Shore D hardness of 70 or more, a tensile elongation of 320 percent or less, a storage modulus at 25 degrees C. of 1200 MPa or more, and/or a storage modulus at 80 degrees C. of 15 MPa or less.