Abstract: Exemplary embodiments contained herein include garments having biomechanical components including neurobands, posture mounts, expansion panels, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A garment for wear by a person and a garment system of garments includes bands and elastic portions to apply tension and support to muscle groups when the garment is worn by a wearer. The garments include a vest with crossed back bands within the garment that are selectively fastenable to the exterior of the vest to exert tension from the shoulders to the hips. Also included is a cape with shoulder straps and hip straps to apply further tension when attached to the vest or another garment. A shirt includes a central back panel and one or more shoulder straps, the central panel extending to side straps at the hip. Shorts with a spiral strap apply tension from the body core to the leg of the wearer. Shirts and tops for women including for maternity wear include support specific to a woman's body. Some of the shirts, tops, shorts and vests have wearer adjustable straps to vary the tension applied by the straps.

Abstract: A sleeve for wear on a body limb includes a sleeve body and a strap body. The strap body includes straps with fasteners at or near the ends of the straps for attachment to the sleeve body. An arm sleeve includes a thumb opening connected to a tension strap that extends along the length of the sleeve. The arm sleeve is configured to apply a twisting force when the opening is placed on the thumb. An arm and shoulder sleeve includes a lower sleeve, and upper arm cover and straps extending from an elbow band to extend from the upper arm cover for attachment to another garment.

Abstract: A garment is provided for selective attachment of support straps. The straps may be integrated into the garment or may separate therefrom. The straps may be used for support of the wearer. The straps may be used to customize and/or fit the garment to the wearer.

Abstract: A garment for wear by a person and a garment system of garments includes bands and elastic portions to apply tension and support to muscle groups when the garment is worn by a wearer. The garments include a vest with crossed back bands within the garment that are selectively fastenable to the exterior of the vest to exert tension from the shoulders to the hips. Also included is a cape with shoulder straps and hip straps to apply further tension when attached to the vest or another garment. A shirt includes a central back panel and one or more shoulder straps, the central panel extending to side straps at the hip. Shorts with a spiral strap apply tension from the body core to the leg of the wearer. Shirts and tops for women including for maternity wear include support specific to a woman's body. Some of the shirts, tops, shorts and vests have wearer adjustable straps to vary the tension applied by the straps.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments contained herein include garments having biomechanical components including panels for influencing the wearer. Exemplary embodiments contained herein include garments having features for improving comfort of the wearer during use.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments contained herein include garments having biomechanical components including neurobands, posture mounts, expansion panels, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A therapeutic garment for an animal includes body portion, first and second leg straps extending caudally from a caudal end of the body portion, a chest plate portion extending cranially from a cranial end of the body portion, an opening defined at the cranial end of the body portion configured to accommodate a head of the animal, first and second ventral elastic straps connected to an exterior surface of the chest plate portion, first and second dorsal elastic straps connected to an exterior surface of the body portion, and at least one rear fastener proximate to the caudal end of the body portion. The first and second leg straps, the first and second ventral elastic straps, and the first and second dorsal elastic straps are each configured to be detachably connected to the at least one fastener proximate to the caudal end of the body portion.

Abstract: Polyurethane nanocomposites are provided which include a polyurethane and surface modified silica nanoparticles covalently bound into the polyurethane. High loadings in excess of 30% may be achieved. In some embodiments, the silica nanoparticles are covalently bound to the polyurethane polymer through a linkage derived from a surface-modifying compound comprising a silane functional group and a polyol segment. In some embodiments the polyurethane nanocomposite may be provided as a tape or film. In addition, precursors for a polyurethane nanocomposites are provided comprising: a first polyol and surface modified silica nanoparticles dispersed within the first polyol. In some embodiments, the silica nanoparticles are surface-modified by reaction with a surface-modifying compound comprising a silane functional group and a polyol segment derived from a second polyol, which may be the same or different from the first polyol.

Abstract: A therapeutic garment for an animal includes body portion, first and second leg straps extending caudally from a caudal end of the body portion, a chest plate portion extending cranially from a cranial end of the body portion, an opening defined at the cranial end of the body portion configured to accommodate a head of the animal, first and second ventral elastic straps connected to an exterior surface of the chest plate portion, first and second dorsal elastic straps connected to an exterior surface of the body portion, and at least one rear fastener proximate to the caudal end of the body portion. The first and second leg straps, the first and second ventral elastic straps, and the first and second dorsal elastic straps are each configured to be detachably connected to the at least one fastener proximate to the caudal end of the body portion.

Abstract: Compositions comprising surface-modified calcite nanoparticles dispersed in a curable resin and to coatings and fibrous composites incorporating such compositions are described. The nanocalcite particles have a high magnesium to calcium surface concentration ratio. The surface-modifying agents include a binding group ionically associated with the nanoparticles, and a compatiblizing segment compatible with the curable resin. The surface-modifying agent may also include a reactive group capable of reacting with the curable resin. Methods of preparing nanocalcite composites, and coatings and fibrous composites prepared from such nanocalcite composites are also described.

Abstract: A nanocomposite is provided including nonspherical silica nanoparticles dispersed in a curable resin or a curing agent, where the nanocomposite contains less than 2% by weight solvent. A composite is also provided including from about 4 to 70 weight percent of nonspherical silica nanoparticles dispersed in a cured resin, and a filler embedded in the cured resin. Further, a method of preparing a nanoparticle-containing curable resin system is provided including mixing from 10 to 70 weight percent of aggregated silica nanoparticles with a curable resin and optionally a dispersant, a catalyst, a diluent, a surface treatment agent, and/or a curing agent, to form a mixture. The mixture contains less than 2% by weight solvent. The method also includes milling the mixture in an immersion mill containing milling media to form a milled resin system including nonspherical silica nanoparticles dispersed in the curable resin.

Abstract: Compositions comprising surface-modified nanocalcite particles dispersed in a curable resin system comprising a vinyl ester, and coatings and fibrous composites incorporating such compositions are described. The surface-modifying agents include a binding group ionically associated with the calcite and a compatiblizing segment, compatible with the curable resin. The surface-modifying agent may also include a reactive group capable of reacting with the curable resin system. Methods of preparing nanocalcite composites and coating a fibrous composites prepared from such nanocalcite composites are also described.

Abstract: A garment for wear by a person and a garment system of garments includes bands and elastic portions to apply tension and support to muscle groups when the garment is worn by a wearer. The garments include a vest with crossed back bands within the garment that are selectively fastenable to the exterior of the vest to exert tension from the shoulders to the hips. Also included is a cape with shoulder straps and hip straps to apply further tension when attached to the vest or another garment. A shirt includes a central back panel and one or more shoulder straps, the central panel extending to side straps at the hip. Shorts with a spiral strap apply tension from the body core to the leg of the wearer. Shirts and tops for women including for maternity wear include support specific to a woman's body. Some of the shirts, tops, shorts and vests have wearer adjustable straps to vary the tension applied by the straps.

Abstract: A garment for wear by a person and a garment system of garments includes bands and elastic portions to apply tension and support to muscle groups when the garment is worn by a wearer. The garments include a vest with crossed back bands within the garment that are selectively fastenable to the exterior of the vest to exert tension from the shoulders to the hips. Also included is a cape with shoulder straps and hip straps to apply further tension when attached to the vest or another garment. A shirt includes a central back panel and one or more shoulder straps, the central panel extending to side straps at the hip. Shorts with a spiral strap apply tension from the body core to the leg of the wearer. Shirts and tops for women including for maternity wear include support specific to a woman's body. Some of the shirts, tops, shorts and vests have wearer adjustable straps to vary the tension applied by the straps.

Abstract: Methods of compounding nanoparticles with a resin, e.g., a curable resin and one or more surface modifying agents are described. The methods use wet milling technology, including both continuous and batch milling processes, and can be used to functionalize the nanoparticles and disperse the functionalized nanoparticles into the resin system in a single process. Methods of compounding curable resin systems containing reactive diluents are also disclosed.

Abstract: A sleeve for wear on a body limb includes a sleeve body and a strap body. The strap body includes straps with fasteners at or near the ends of the straps for attachment to the sleeve body. An arm sleeve includes a thumb opening connected to a tension strap that extends along the length of the sleeve. The arm sleeve is configured to apply a twisting force when the opening is placed on the thumb. An arm and shoulder sleeve includes a lower sleeve, and upper arm cover and straps extending from an elbow band to extend from the upper arm cover for attachment to another garment.

Abstract: A garment/device/support system, system and method for a wheelchair bound person includes one or two sleeves that are worn on the arms. The sleeves are connected by straps to a chassis or vest worn on the torso. The straps are affixed using Velcro or other fasteners that transfer motion of the wearer's arms to the chassis or vest. Motion, energy and stimulation are transferred to muscle groups, viscera, organs, and body parts in other parts of the body through the motion of the arms as the user moves about in the wheelchair. A cape may be affixed to the vest including shoulder straps connected to a center back portion and extending to a lower portion for positioning beneath and/or attaching to the user's hips or legs. A seat cushion and belt may be provided.

Abstract: Multilayer polymeric films which may be useful for protecting the leading edges of aircraft from rain and sand erosion are presented. Typical surface protection films comprising two or more layers of a first material alternating with one or more layers of a second material, wherein the first and second materials are different materials, wherein the first and second materials comprise first and second polymers, wherein the first and second materials have a first and second Shore hardness, and wherein the first Shore hardness is greater than the second Shore hardness by more than 5 A or more typically more than 10 A.

Abstract: Polyurethane nanocomposites are provided which include a polyurethane and surface modified silica nanoparticles covalently bound into the polyurethane. High loadings in excess of 30% may be achieved. In some embodiments, the silica nanoparticles are covalently bound to the polyurethane polymer through a linkage derived from a surface-modifying compound comprising a silane functional group and a polyol segment. In some embodiments the polyurethane nanocomposite may be provided as a tape or film. In addition, precursors for a polyurethane nanocomposites are provided comprising: a first polyol and surface modified silica nanoparticles dispersed within the first polyol. In some embodiments, the silica nanoparticles are surface-modified by reaction with a surface-modifying compound comprising a silane functional group and a polyol segment derived from a second polyol, which may be the same or different from the first polyol.