Abstract: The disclosure provides methods for expanding a polymeric tube using one or more deformable members. The methods can involve disposing the polymeric tube within the one or more deformable members and radially deforming the polymeric tube and the one or more deformable members. The rate of deformation of the polymeric tube and/or the extent of deformation of the one or more polymeric tubes can advantageously be controlled along one or more axes by at least one of the one or more deformable members.

Abstract: A multilayered dielectric film includes a plurality of nanolayers, with at least one first type of layer including traditional dielectric films and at least one second type of layer including high heat stability polymers. The consultant layered film demonstrates an improved storage modulus and decreased dissipation factor at high temperatures. The at least one first type of layer and the at least one second type of layer differ in dielectric permittivity by a factor of between approximately 0.5 and approximately 1.5 times.

Abstract: A multilayered dielectric film includes a plurality of nanolayers, with at least one first type of layer including traditional dielectric films and at least one second type of layer including high heat stability polymers. The consultant layered film demonstrates an improved storage modulus and decreased dissipation factor at high temperatures. The at least one first type of layer and the at least one second type of layer differ in dielectric permittivity by a factor of between approximately 0.5 and approximately 1.5 times.

Abstract: A multilayered dielectric film includes a plurality of nanolayers, with at least one first type of layer including traditional dielectric films and at least one second type of layer including high heat stability polymers. The consultant layered film demonstrates an improved storage modulus and decreased dissipation factor at high temperatures. The at least one first type of layer and the at least one second type of layer differ in dielectric permittivity by a factor of between approximately 0.5 and approximately 1.5 times.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides catheters comprising polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) tubes with advantageous combinations of strength, flexibility, and size. Such tubes can exhibit features including an average wall thickness of 0.001? or less, a tensile stress at break of greater than 5000 psi, and a storage modulus of less than 100,000 psi at 37° C. These tubes can be also be provided independently (i.e., not within a catheter) and can be employed in various applications.

Abstract: An improved process for forming a polymer mat is described. The process of electrospinning polymer fibers includes providing an apparatus having a charge source, a target a distance from the charged source and a slot die having a spinning edge with a slit. The spinning edge has a radius of curvature between 5 cm and 100 cm. The method further includes providing a polymeric preparation (solution, dispersion, suspension, or melt) to the slot die and applying an electric field to a part or the whole apparatus or polymeric preparation. When the electric field is applied, a plurality of Taylor cones are produced with jets that stretch the polymeric preparation into a fibrous structure that can be collected on a target surface.