Abstract: A pultrusion method produces a composite structural member having rigid elements embedded therein. The structural member may be a sandwich structure in which one or more rigid, pre-rigidized, or rigidizable composite or non-composite structural elements are introduced at regular or irregular positions within core elements. The structural member may also be formed from layers of resin-matrix fiber fabric into a structural cross-section, such as an I-beam or T-beam, with a bundle of pre-pultruded rods located at the bends or the web-flange intersection points within layers.

Abstract: Nanofibers are produced having a diameter ranging from about 4 Å to 1 nm, and a nano denier of about 10−9. The use of the electro-spinning process permits production of the desired nanofibrils. These fibrils in combination with a carrier or strengthening fibers/filaments can be converted directly into nonwoven fibrous assemblies or converted into linear assemblies(yarns) before weaving, braiding or knitting into 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional fabrics. The electrospun fiber can be fed in an air vortex spinning apparatus developed to form a linear fibrous assembly. The process makes use of an air stream in a properly confined cavity. The vortex of air provides a gentle means to convert a mixture of the fibril fed directly or indirectly from the ESP unit and a fiber mass or filament into an integral assembly with proper level of orientation. Incorporation of thus produced woven products into tissue engineering is part of the present invention.

Abstract: Nanofibers are produced having a diameter ranging from about 4 .ANG. to 1 nm, and a nano denier of about 10.sup.-9. The use of the electro-spinning process permits production of the desired nanofibrils. These fibrils in combination with a carrier or strengthening fibers/filaments can be converted directly into nonwoven fibrous assemblies or converted into linear assemblies(yarns) before weaving, braiding or knitting into 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional fabrics. The electrospun fiber can be fed in an air vortex spinning apparatus developed to form a linear fibrous assembly. The process makes use of an air stream in a properly confined cavity. The vortex of air provides a gentle means to convert a mixture of the fibril fed directly or indirectly from the ESP unit and a fiber mass or filament into an integral assembly with proper level of orientation. Incorporation of thus produced woven products into tissue engineering is part of the present invention.