Abstract: A method for forming a nanocomposite material includes introducing a nanofiller material having polar end groups into an extruder having a polymeric material therein. An unsaturated shielding material is introduced into the extruder. The unsaturated shielding material reacts with the polar end groups, thereby forming a shielded nanofiller material. The shielded nanofiller material is grafted to the polymeric material, thereby forming the nanocomposite material. The nanofiller material therein is substantially exfoliated, and the nanocomposite material exhibits enhanced physical properties.

Abstract: A multi-layer nanocomposite material includes a first layer of a first polymeric material and a second layer of nanocomposite material. The nanocomposite material includes a second polymeric material and a nanofiller material exfoliated therewithin. The second layer is established on the first layer, or the first layer is established on the second layer. The multi-layer nanocomposite material exhibits enhanced physical properties and enhanced ductility due to the improved stress dissipation of the secondary layers during impact.

Abstract: A releasable fastener system comprises a loop portion and a hook portion. The loop portion includes a support and a loop material disposed on one side thereof whereas the hook portion includes a support and a plurality of closely spaced upstanding hook elements extending from one side thereof. When the hook portion and loop portion are pressed together they interlock to form a releasable engagement. The resulting joint created by the engagement is relatively resistant to shear and pull forces and weak in peel strength forces. The hook elements are formed of a magnetorheological elastomer that provides a change in shape orientation and/or flexural modulus of the hook elements. In this manner, the shape orientation and/or flexural modulus of the hook elements can be remotely changed to provide a reduction or magnification in the shear and/or pull-off forces in addition to providing variable damping capabilities to the fastener system.

Abstract: A method of forming a nanocomposite material includes polymerizing a first monomer to form a first polymeric material. A second monomer is added to the first polymeric material and the second monomer is also polymerized to form a polymeric mixture of the first and second polymers, or a polymeric reactor material. The polymeric reactor material is compounded with a concentrate that includes a nanofiller material mixed in a wetting material, thereby forming the nanocomposite material.

Abstract: A method for forming a nanocomposite material includes introducing a nanofiller material having polar end groups into an extruder having a polymeric material therein. An unsaturated shielding material is introduced into the extruder. The unsaturated shielding material reacts with the polar end groups, thereby forming a shielded nanofiller material. The shielded nanofiller material is grafted to the polymeric material, thereby forming the nanocomposite material. The nanofiller material therein is substantially exfoliated, and the nanocomposite material exhibits enhanced physical properties.

Abstract: A method of making a polymeric compound with nanofiller of a predetermined grade. The method includes the steps of providing a base grade of the polymeric material, and mixing a nanofiller concentrate material with the base grade polymeric material in a ratio sufficient to render the predetermined grade of filled polymeric compound, the ratio being nanofiller concentrate material to base grade polymeric material. A method for making the nanofiller concentrate material includes the steps of mixing a high flow carrier resin and a nanofiller to form a mixture, extruding the mixture, and pelletizing the extruded mixture. The mixture may advantageously include colorants, such as pigments or dyes.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing to increase the thermal and electrical conductivity of polymers includes layering a filled polymer with an unfilled polymer to produce a multi-layered system of alternating filled and unfilled polymer layers. The filler material comprises thermally and/or electrically conductive material. A preferred polymer is a shape memory polymer. A method of manufacturing magnetic multi-layered polymer systems is described. Articles formed from such multi-layered systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A nanocomposite material includes at least one polymeric material and at least one modified nanofiller material having shielded polar groups, wherein the at least one polymeric material is compatible with the modified nanofiller without an external compatibilizing material. The nanocomposite material advantageously exhibits enhanced physical properties.

Abstract: A releasable fastener system comprises a loop portion and a hook portion. The loop portion includes a support and a loop material disposed on one side thereof whereas the hook portion includes a support and a plurality of closely spaced upstanding hook elements extending from one side thereof. When the hook portion and loop portion are pressed together they interlock to form a releasable engagement. The resulting joint created by the engagement is relatively resistant to shear and pull forces and weak in peel strength forces. The hook elements are formed of a magnetorheological elastomer that provides a change in shape orientation and/or flexural modulus of the hook elements. In this manner, the shape orientation and/or flexural modulus of the hook elements can be remotely changed to provide a reduction or magnification in the shear and/or pull-off forces in addition to providing variable damping capabilities to the fastener system.

Abstract: A method for making a nanocomposite material includes introducing a polymeric material and a nanofiller material into a conical twin-screw extruder. The extruder is adapted to impart substantially gentle shearing of the polymeric material and the nanofiller material, thereby forming the nanocomposite material. The nanofiller material is dispersible within the polymeric material substantially without the use of an external compatibilizing material. The use of the conical twin-screw extruder substantially eliminates the need to use an external compatibilizer to produce a nanocomposite material having enhanced properties (e.g. physical properties, mechanical properties, etc.).

Abstract: A releasable fastener system comprises a loop portion and a hook portion. The loop portion includes a support and a loop material disposed on one side thereof whereas the hook portion includes a support and a plurality of closely spaced upstanding hook elements extending from one side thereof. When the hook portion and loop portion are pressed together they interlock to form a releasable engagement. The resulting joint created by the engagement is relatively resistant to shear and pull forces and weak in peel strength forces. The hook elements are formed of a magnetorheological elastomer that provides a change in shape orientation and/or flexural modulus of the hook elements. In this manner, the shape orientation and/or flexural modulus of the hook elements can be remotely changed to provide a reduction or magnification in the shear and/or pull-off forces in addition to providing variable damping capabilities to the fastener system.

Abstract: A method for making a nanocomposite material includes introducing a solution including a nanofiller material and a supercritical fluid into a molten polymeric material within an extruder. The supercritical fluid is caused to substantially instantaneously convert to a gas phase, thereby forming the nanocomposite material having the nanofiller material substantially homogeneously dispersed therein.

Abstract: A magnetorheological (MR) fluid includes a hydrocarbon carrier fluid. The MR fluid further includes magneto-responsive particles within the hydrocarbon carrier fluid, the particles having a size distribution with a maximum size less than about 100 microns. A clay-based suspending agent is disposed within the hydrocarbon carrier fluid. In an embodiment, the magneto-responsive particles may be ferromagnetic particles, and may be distributed in a suitable size distribution pattern, such as, for example, a bimodal distribution or the like.

Abstract: A releasable fastener system comprises a loop portion and a hook portion. The loop portion includes a support and a loop material disposed on one side thereof whereas the hook portion includes a support and a plurality of closely spaced upstanding hook elements extending from one side thereof. When the hook portion and loop portion are pressed together they interlock to form a releasable engagement. The resulting joint created by the engagement is relatively resistant to shear and pull forces and weak in peel strength forces. The hook elements are formed of a magnetorheological elastomer that provides a change in shape orientation and/or flexural modulus of the hook elements. In this manner, the shape orientation and/or flexural modulus of the hook elements can be remotely changed to provide a reduction or magnification in the shear and/or pull-off forces in addition to providing variable damping capabilities to the fastener system.

Abstract: A method for minimizing nanofiller agglomeration within a polymeric material includes the step of introducing the nanofiller at predetermined parameters into an extruder having the polymeric material therein. The nanofiller introduction is downstream of the area of the extruder wherein the polymeric material had been substantially melted and mixed. After the nanofiller introduction, the melted polymeric material has the nanofiller dispersed therewithin substantially without agglomerated nanofiller. Then the melted polymeric material having nanofiller dispersed therewithin exits the extruder before nanofiller agglomeration occurs.

Abstract: A releasable fastener system comprises a loop portion and a hook portion. The loop portion includes a support and a loop material disposed on one side thereof whereas the hook portion includes a support and a plurality of closely spaced upstanding hook elements extending from one side thereof. When the hook portion and loop portion are pressed together they interlock to form a releasable engagement. The resulting joint created by the engagement is relatively resistant to shear and pull forces and weak in peel strength forces. The hook elements are formed of a magnetorheological elastomer that provides a change in shape orientation and/or flexural modulus of the hook elements. In this manner, the shape orientation and/or flexural modulus of the hook elements can be remotely changed to provide a reduction or magnification in the shear and/or pull-off forces in addition to providing variable damping capabilities to the fastener system.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing to increase the thermal and electrical conductivity of polymers includes layering a filled polymer with an unfilled polymer to produce a multi-layered system of alternating filled and unfilled polymer layers. The filler material comprises thermally and/or electrically conductive material. A preferred polymer is a shape memory polymer. A method of manufacturing magnetic multi-layered polymer systems is described. Articles formed from such multi-layered systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of making a polymeric compound with nanofiller of a predetermined grade. The method includes the steps of providing a base grade of the polymeric material, and mixing a nanofiller concentrate material with the base grade polymeric material in a ratio sufficient to render the predetermined grade of filled polymeric compound, the ratio being nanofiller concentrate material to base grade polymeric material. A method for making the nanofiller concentrate material includes the steps of mixing a high flow carrier resin and a nanofiller to form a mixture, extruding the mixture, and pelletizing the extruded mixture. The mixture may advantageously include colorants, such as pigments or dyes.

Abstract: A releasable fastener system comprises a loop portion and a hook portion. The loop portion includes a support and a loop material disposed on one side thereof whereas the hook portion includes a support and a plurality of closely spaced upstanding hook elements extending from one side thereof. When the hook portion and loop portion are pressed together they interlock to form a releasable engagement. The resulting joint created by the engagement is relatively resistant to shear and pull forces and weak in peel strength forces. The hook elements are formed of a magnetorheological elastomer that provides a change in shape orientation and/or flexural modulus of the hook elements. In this manner, the shape orientation and/or flexural modulus of the hook elements can be remotely changed to provide a reduction or magnification in the shear and/or pull-off forces in addition to providing variable damping capabilities to the fastener system.

Abstract: According to a preferred embodiment of this invention, the exterior surface of an evaporator carries a coating of dried paint resistant to microbial growth and suitable for forming an adhered layer on cooling surfaces of an air conditioner. This paint comprises a pigment, a liquid, a binder to promote formation and adherence of the coating after the paint is applied and dried, and a metallic constituent which inhibits microbial growth. Preferably, the metallic constituent is inorganic and includes one or more of: copper, cupric carbonate, cuptic hydroxide, cuptic oxide, cuprous oxide, silver, silver oxide, zinc oxide, and zinc peroxide. The coating is preferably applied to the integral core after assembling and brazing the several plates and fins of the core.