Abstract: Flow body systems and associated methods, including aerospace vehicle control surface systems are disclosed herein. One aspect of the invention is directed toward an aerospace vehicle system that includes a first flow body that can be coupleable to an aerospace vehicle. The system can further included a second flow body that includes a chord line and can be rotatably coupled to the first flow body at a hinge point positioned away from the chord line. The hinge point can have a hinge axis. The hinge line can extend through the hinge point, but being nonparallel with the hinge axis. The system can still further include at least one self-aligning mechanism coupled between the first flow body and the second flow body. The at least one self-aligning mechanism can be positioned to allow the second flow body to rotate about the hinge line and the hinge axis.

Abstract: A gas barrier film comprising a gas barrier laminate on a substrate film, in which the gas barrier laminate comprises at least one three-layer unit consisting of a silicon oxynitride layer, a silicon oxide layer, and a silicon oxynitride layer disposed in this order.

Abstract: A retarder and circular polarizer are disclosed. They comprise at least two adjacent layers respectively formed of a composition comprising a liquid-crystalline compound, in which the liquid-crystalline molecules are fixed in an alignment state disposed on or above a substrate wherein no alignment layer is substantially disposed between the two layers. As one embodiment of the present invention, the retarder wherein the lower layer is formed of a composition comprising a liquid-crystalline compound and a non-crystalline polymer is also disclosed.

Abstract: A gas barrier film comprising a gas barrier laminate on a substrate film, wherein the gas barrier laminate comprises at least one three-layer unit consisting of a silicon nitride layer, a silicon oxynitride layer adjacent to the silicon nitride layer, and a silicon nitride layer adjacent to the silicon oxynitride layer. The gas barrier film has excellent transparency and gas barrier property.

Abstract: A resin composition containing a polymer comprising a repeating unit having a spiro structure and/or a cardo structure. The resin composition has superior heat resistance and is utilized to produce an optical film and an image display.

Abstract: In a gas barrier laminate film comprising a gas barrier layer laminated on at least one surface of a support, the surface of the support on the side opposite to the surface laminated with the gas barrier layer is made to have an Ra value of 1 to 20 nm. A gas barrier laminate film that can prevent cracks generated by displacement of rolled film, slacks and wrinkles during rolling up and transportation in the production process of the film and thus can be produced with a high yield, a method for producing the same and an image display device utilizing the film are provided.

Abstract: In a gas barrier laminate film comprising a base material film containing an inorganic compound and at least one set of inorganic layer and organic layer formed on the base material film, the base material film is formed with a resin having a glass transition temperature of 250° C. or higher. A gas barrier laminate film that has superior durability, heat resistance and gas barrier performance, shows a small difference in coefficient of linear expansion relative to an contiguous layer and can maintain superior gas barrier property even if it is bent is provided.

Abstract: A film comprising a polyarylate containing a repeating unit represented by wherein X represents a bridging group represented by either one of and A represents a bridging group represented by wherein R1 and R2 represent an alkyl group or an aryl group, j and k represent 0 to 4, which has heat resistance enabling disposition of various functional layers at a high temperature and also has superior optical characteristics and mechanical characteristics.

Abstract: A gas barrier film having an alternate laminate comprising at least one barrier layer comprising an inorganic substance and at least one organic layer and at least one moisture absorbing layer on a thermoplastic support, wherein the laminate shows a water vapor permeability of 0.005 g/m2·day or lower at 25° C. and 75% RH. A gas barrier film having ultrahigh gas barrier performance and an organic EL device utilizing the gas barrier film having superior durability and flexibility are provided.

Abstract: Apparatus for varying inlet lip geometry of a inlet formed at forward end portion of a jet engine housing. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a variable camber skin portion hingedly coupled to the forward end portion of the housing. The apparatus also includes a linkage assembly coupled to the forward end portion and the skin portion. The linkage assembly operates to rotate the skin portion relative to the forward end portion and to alter a curvature of the skin portion to thereby configure the skin portion into a corresponding one of a plurality of configurations. The plurality of configurations include at least a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration, the skin portion forms a rounded inlet lip portion extending forwardly of the inlet. In the second configuration, the linkage assembly and the skin portion are retracted within a recessed area in the housing to form an aerodynamically smooth outer surface of the housing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a gas barrier film alternately comprising at least one inorganic layer and at least one organic layer on a resin base material having a glass transition temperature of 250° C. or higher. The gas barrier film can exhibit superior gas barrier property when it is used in image display devices such as liquid crystal display devices and organic EL devices.

Abstract: Apparatus for varying inlet lip geometry of a inlet formed at forward end portion of a jet engine housing. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a variable camber skin portion hingedly coupled to the forward end portion of the housing. The apparatus also includes a linkage assembly coupled to the forward end portion and the skin portion. The linkage assembly operates to rotate the skin portion relative to the forward end portion and to alter a curvature of the skin portion to thereby configure the skin portion into a corresponding one of a plurality of configurations. The plurality of configurations include at least a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration, the skin portion forms a rounded inlet lip portion extending forwardly of the inlet. In the second configuration, the linkage assembly and the skin portion are retracted within a recessed area in the housing to form an aerodynamically smooth outer surface of the housing.

Abstract: A light-emitting element comprising a polymer represented by the formula (1) or formula (2): -(EUG)k-(PMG)m-(NRG)n-??(1) wherein EUG represents a monomer unit comprising a partial skeleton effective as a light-emitting element material; PMG represents a monomer unit comprising a polymerizable group; NRG represents a copolymerization monomer unit; (EUG-PMG) represents a group wherein PMG is bonded as a single unit of EUG; and k, m, n, p and q each represents a mole percentage wherein k is from 1 to 99(%); m is from 1 to 99(%); n is from 0 to 98(%); k+m+n=100(%); p is from 1 to 99(%); q is from 0 to 99(%); and p+q=100(%).

Abstract: Trailing edge devices configured to carry out multiple functions, and associated methods of use and manufacture are disclosed. An external fluid flow body (e.g., an airfoil) configured in accordance with an embodiment of the invention includes a first portion and a second portion, at least a part of the second portion being positioned aft of the first portion, with the second portion being movable relative to the first portion between a neutral position, a plurality of upward positions, and a plurality of downward positions. A guide structure can be coupled between the first and second portions, and an actuator can be operatively coupled between the first and second portions to move the second portion relative to the first portion. In one embodiment, a flexible surface can track the motion of the second portion and can expose a gap at some positions.

Abstract: A seat apparatus and method particularly well adapted for use in mobile platforms, and more particularly in a commercial aircraft. The seat apparatus includes a seat portion with linkage that enables a user to lift and tilt the seat portion forwardly while simultaneously moving a seat back of the apparatus from a reclined to a fully upright position. An extendable leg rest assembly allows the user to kneel thereon to further relieve lower back stress during prolonged periods of seating and to better enable the seat occupant to make use of a laptop computer or other equipment positioned in front of the occupant. The seat apparatus therefore provides a plurality of different seating positions for the occupant, thus enhancing the comfort of the occupant during prolonged seating periods and while the seat occupant is performing various tasks.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for controlling airflow with a leading edge device having a flexible flow surface. In one embodiment, the airfoil includes a first portion having a first flow surface and a second flow surface facing opposite from the first flow surface. The second portion of the airfoil has a leading edge and is movably coupled to the first position. The second portion can move between a first position and a second position offset from the first position by an angle of from about 45° to about 90° or more. The second portion includes a flexible flow surface having a first shape when the second portion is in the first position and a second shape different than the first shape when the second portion is in the second position. A guide structure can be coupled between the first portion and the second portion.

Abstract: A curable composition that is curable by polymerizing both a group capable of ring-opening polymerization and an ethylenically unsaturated group includes a cross-linkable polymer containing a repeating unit represented by the formula below, the group capable of ring-opening polymerization being present in a side chain of the polymer. A hardcoated article is formed by curing the curable composition. Its hardcoat layer has a pencil hardness of 4H to 9H. A hardcoated film is formed by coating on a plastic film the curable composition and curing it. The hardcoated film is used, for example, to laminate the front face of an image display device. In the formula, R1 denotes hydrogen or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, P1 is a monovalent group containing a group capable of ring-opening polymerization, and L1 is a single bond or a divalent linking group.

Abstract: A retarder and circular polarizer are disclosed. They comprise at least two adjacent layers respectively formed of a composition comprising a liquid-crystalline compound, in which the liquid-crystalline molecules are fixed in an alignment state disposed on or above a substrate wherein no alignment layer is substantially disposed between the two layers. As one embodiment of the present invention, the retarder wherein the lower layer is formed of a composition comprising a liquid-crystalline compound and a non-crystalline polymer is also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for controlling airflow with a leading edge device having a flexible flow surface. In one embodiment, the airfoil includes a first portion having a first flow surface and a second flow surface facing opposite from the first flow surface. The second portion of the airfoil has a leading edge and is movably coupled to the first position. The second portion can move between a first position and a second position offset from the first position by an angle of from about 45° to about 90° or more. The second portion includes a flexible flow surface having a first shape when the second portion is in the first position and a second shape different than the first shape when the second portion is in the second position. A guide structure can be coupled between the first portion and the second portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling airflow with a gapped trailing edge device having a flexible flow surface. The airfoil can include a first portion having a first leading edge, a first flow surface, and a second flow surface facing opposite from the first flow surface. The airfoil can further include a second portion having a second leading edge and a trailing edge, with at least part of the second portion being positioned aft of the first portion. The second portion is moveable relative to the first portion between a first position and a second position, with the second leading edge separated from at least part of the first portion by an airflow gap when the second portion is in the second position. The second portion includes a flexible flow surface that has a first shape when the second portion is in the first position, and has a second shape different than the first shape when the second portion is in the second position.