Abstract: A mechanically and piezoelectrically anisotropic polymer article is formed from a crystallizable fluoropolymer and a nucleating agent. The polymer article may be a thin film or a fiber, for example. A crystalline phase may constitute at least approximately 50% of the polymer article. In certain examples, a fluoropolymer may include vinylidene fluoride, trifluoroethylene, chlorotrifluoroethylene, hexafluoropropylene, and vinyl fluoride. The polymer article may include up to approximately 10 wt. % of the nucleating agent. Such a polymer article is optically transparent, has an elastic modulus of at least approximately 3 GPa, and an electromechanical coupling factor (k31) of at least approximately 0.15.

Abstract: A mop comprising a shaft, a handle portion attached to the upper portion of the shaft, a base non-rotatably secured to the lower portion of the shaft, and an outer tube slidably positioned along the shaft. A plurality of mop strands have their upper ends secured to a first annular tie member and their lower ends secured to a second annular tie member. The upper ends of the mop strands and the first annular tie member are secured to the outer tube, while the lower ends of the mop strands and the second annular tie member are secured to the base. The mop further comprises first and second locking members extending through openings in the outer tube. The first and second locking members are adapted to engage the shaft to prevent movement of the outer tube relative to the shaft.