Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method enabling the engineering of ligands with sub-nanomolar dissociation constants via a process of selection and extension (“extension selection”).

Abstract: A floor support structure for a bathtub or a shower tray floor, taking the form of a separate element to be used in conjunction with a traditional bathtub or shower tray floor, or as a unitary shower tray floor formed with the support structure integrated therein. The supports include a hollow plastic shell having a lower surface for lying on a planar subfloor, an upper surface contoured to the desired shape and a peripheral sidewall extending there between. Preferably, a drain hole is formed in the plastic shell which also interconnects the upper and lower surfaces thereby defining a hollow interior cavity. The cavity is filled with expandable thermoplastic foam beads which are expanded in place with steam in order to substantially fill the interior cavity thermally bonding the beads together and to the shell interior wall. The expanded foam bead is capable of being compressed without substantial permanent set.

Abstract: The plastic structural article includes an elongated tubular shell having opposed end sections, a middle section there between and an interior cavity. The interior cavity has a foam core situated therein. The foam core comprises steam expandable polymer beads which when expanded substantially fill the interior cavity. The bead and shell are of a similar plastic composition enabling the articles to be reground and recycled. An apparatus for forming the articles and an associated method of manufacture are also disclosed.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a plastic article comprises a first plastic layer having a periphery and defining a cavity. An expanded polymer particle core is formed in-situ and heat-bonded to the cavity. The expanded polymer particle core has an apparent bulk density ranging from 1 lb/ft3 to 20 lb/ft3. The article supports a dynamic load or static load exceeding 1.3 lbf/in2.

Abstract: A floor support structure for a bathtub or a shower tray floor, taking the form of a separate element to be used in conjunction with a traditional bathtub or shower tray floor, or as a unitary shower tray floor formed with the support structure integrated therein. The supports include a hollow plastic shell having a lower surface for lying on a planar subfloor, an upper surface contoured to the desired shape and a peripheral sidewall extending there between. Preferably, a drain hole is formed in the plastic shell which also interconnects the upper and lower surfaces thereby defining a hollow interior cavity. The cavity is filled with expandable thermoplastic foam beads which are expanded in place with steam in order to substantially fill the interior cavity thermally bonding the beads together and to the shell interior wall. The expanded foam bead is capable of being compressed without substantial permanent set.

Abstract: An elongated structural article, having a continuous profile extrusion with spaced apart layers defining a portion of a cavity filed filled with thermoplastic pre-expanded beads expanded with steam in-situ causing the beads to securely bond together and to the profile extrusion. The article is cut to a length forming ends having an exposed foam core. A system for manufacturing the article is also disclosed having a profile extrusion die for forming an axially profile defining a wall surrounding a cavity, a tubular shaping mold located axially downstream of the extrusion die sized to support a length of the profile as it passes there through. A bead dispenser is oriented to introducing pre-expanded beads into the profile cavity while within the shaping fixture and a steam tube is oriented downstream of the introduction of pre-expanded beads. Control valves regulate the flow of pre-expanded beads and steam into the profile cavity.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an elongated article is recited to include extruding a first and a second layer each having peripheries. The second layer is spaced apart from and opposed to the first layer. Together, they define a cavity between them. Into that cavity particles are dispensed. The particles are expanded with an expansion fluid to form an in-situ foam core and to thermally bond the in-situ foam core to the first and second layers. The first and second layers having the thermal bond to the in-situ foam core are shaped to form the article. An elongated article from this process is also recited.

Abstract: A seating system for use with a vehicle includes a first seat component having a skin having a thermal bond to an in-situ foam core. The first seat component maximum displacement is less than 160 mm when tested according to a test method in ECE R17 regulation for luggage retention with a 20 times the force of gravity crash pulse. A method of manufacture the seat back system is also recited.

Abstract: An in-situ molded foam core structural plastic article having an outer shell with an interior cavity filled with expandable polymer beads which when expanded substantially fill the interior cavity forming a thermal bond with the shell. The bead and shell are of a similar plastic composition enabling the articles to be reground and recycled. Various articles are disclosed including structural panels, and automotive seat, load floor, interior panel, bumper and running board components. An apparatus for forming the articles and an associated method of manufacture are also disclosed.

Abstract: The plastic structural article includes an elongated tubular shell having opposed end sections, a middle section there between and an interior cavity. The interior cavity has a foam core situated therein. The foam core comprises steam expandable polymer beads which when expanded substantially fill the interior cavity. The bead and shell are of a similar plastic composition enabling the articles to be reground and recycled. An apparatus for forming the articles and an associated method of manufacture are also disclosed. A thermal management system includes a panel having a periphery, and a skin having a thermal bond to an in-situ foam core. The panel has a thermal transmittance u-value ranging from 0.1 to 0.17 W/m2° C.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods to generate and screen peptides that exhibit drug like stabilities in vitro and in vivo. By selecting for enzyme resistance, Applicants are able to derive peptides that are not only stable to a broad spectrum of proteases, but also stable to other drug processing enzymes such as cytochrome P450s. This approach provides a general method to the rapid development of highly stable peptides for therapeutic development and diagnosis. The peptides are further modified for oral bioavailability.

Abstract: An energy management system for use with a vehicle having an interior includes an elongated plastic member having a wall defining a cavity. Disposed within the cavity is an elongated first in-situ foam core member, which has a first thermal bond to the wall. The wall having a first portion facing towards the vehicle interior and a second portion opposed to the first portion. A second in-situ foam core member is connected to at least a portion of the elongated plastic member forming the energy management system. The energy management system is capable of passing a 5-mph crash test passing Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 215 (FMVSS 215) Phase II.

Abstract: A floor support structure for a bathtub or a shower tray floor, taking the form of a separate element to be used in conjunction with a traditional bathtub or shower tray floor, or as a unitary shower tray floor formed with the support structure integrated therein. The supports include a hollow plastic shell having a lower surface for lying on a planar subfloor, an upper surface contoured to the desired shape and a peripheral sidewall extending there between. Preferably, a drain hole is formed in the plastic shell which also interconnects the upper and lower surfaces thereby defining a hollow interior cavity. The cavity is filled with expandable thermoplastic foam beads which are expanded in place with steam in order to substantially fill the interior cavity thermally bonding the beads together and to the shell interior wall. The expanded foam bead is capable of being compressed without substantial permanent set.

Abstract: Provided are compositions and methods for labeling an endogenous protein, in particular, in a live cell, or for ablating an endogenous or target protein. The compositions relate to a fusion protein having a binding moiety such as an antibody, an antigen binding fragment of an antibody or an antibody mimetic that recognizes the endogenous or target protein.

Abstract: An energy management system for use with a vehicle having an interior includes an elongated plastic member having a wall defining a cavity. Disposed within the cavity is an elongated first in-situ foam core member, which has a first thermal bond to the wall. The wall having a first portion facing towards the vehicle interior and a second portion opposed to the first portion. A second in-situ foam core member is connected to at least a portion of the elongated plastic member forming the energy management system. The energy management system is capable of passing a 5-mph crash test passing Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 215 (FMVSS 215) Phase II.

Abstract: An in-situ foam core component having first and second opposed thermoformed skins each having a thermal bond to an in-situ foam core disposed there between. At least one embossment In one of the skins joined to the other skin forming a pinch off junction. A through hole is formed in the pinch off junction sized to receive a fastener so that the embossment provides a sleeve structure which can transmit load between the first and second skins when the in-situ foam core component is attached to a member using a fastener extending through the hole.

Abstract: A dielectrically-resistant system includes a first component of a first plastic shell having opposed and spaced apart walls, defining a first cavity. The first plastic shell includes a first rib. Disposed within the first cavity is a first in-situ foam core including expanded polymer beads. The first in-situ foam core has a thermal bond with the first plastic shell. A second plastic shell and in-situ foam core component essentially mirroring the first component is connected to the first component by a connection. The dielectrically-resistant system is capable of resisting an electric potential difference of at least 50 kV.

Abstract: The plastic structural article includes an elongated tubular shell having opposed end sections, a middle section there between and an interior cavity. The interior cavity has a foam core situated therein. The foam core comprises steam expandable polymer beads which when expanded substantially fill the interior cavity. The bead and shell are of a similar plastic composition enabling the articles to be reground and recycled. An apparatus for forming the articles and an associated method of manufacture are also disclosed.

Abstract: A packaging component for use with an article includes a panel having a first shell with a first surface facing the exterior of the package and a first opposing, spaced apart inward-facing surface. The first shell defines a first cavity. The panel further includes a first core situated in the first cavity wherein the first core includes a plurality of in-situ expanded polymer particles.

Abstract: A panel system is recited that includes a first panel having a periphery. The panel includes a first plastic layer having a periphery and a second plastic layer opposed and spaced apart from the first layer. The second layer also has a periphery. The first and second layers define a first cavity therebetween. A first in-situ foam core is disposed in the cavity and has a thermal bond to the first and second plastic layers. The panel is capable of supporting 0.1 to 0.5 lbf/in2.