Abstract: In one embodiment, a vehicle energy absorber system, comprises: blow molded crush lobes that are open on one side, wherein the energy absorber comprises fillets having a fillet radius of less than 20 mm and a thickness of less than or equal to 1.5 mm; a bumper beam adjacent the open side; and a fascia, wherein the energy absorber is located between the fascia and the bumper beam. In one embodiment, a method for making a blow molded energy absorber comprises: introducing a molten plastic to a first mold cavity; introducing gas into the plastic to conform the plastic to the interior of the first mold cavity and form a first preform; and separating the first preform along a centerline thereof to form open, first preform portions having first crush lobes.

Abstract: In accordance with at least selected aspects, objects or embodiments, optimized, novel or improved membranes, battery separators, batteries, and/or systems and/or related methods of manufacture, use and/or optimization are provided. In accordance with at least selected embodiments, the present invention is related to novel or improved battery separators that prevent dendrite growth, prevent internal shorts due to dendrite growth, or both, batteries incorporating such separators, systems incorporating such batteries, and/or related methods of manufacture, use and/or optimization thereof. In accordance with at least certain embodiments, the present invention is related to novel or improved ultra thin or super thin membranes or battery separators, and/or lithium primary batteries, cells or packs incorporating such separators, and/or systems incorporating such batteries, cells or packs.

Abstract: Downhole tools for use in oil and gas production which degrade into non-toxic materials, a method of making them and methods of using them. A frac ball and a bridge plug comprised of polyglycolic acid which can be used in fracking a well and then left in the well bore to predictably, quickly, and safely disintegrate into environmentally friendly products without needing to be milled out or retrieved.

Abstract: A method of making interdental cleaners includes forming a slug by extruding material in a direction of extrusion to form a first slug portion having a generally rectangular first cross-section and a second slug portion having a tapering second cross-section that extends away from the rectangular first cross-section. The method also includes stamping the slug substantially perpendicular to the direction of extrusion to form a plurality of cleaner blanks. The stamping forms the first slug portions into handle portions of the cleaner blanks, and the second slug portions into shaft portions of the cleaner blanks. The shaft portions include two pairs of converging surfaces that taper toward each other to define a point. The method also includes attaching cleaning members to the ends of the shaft portions.

Abstract: In one example, a method includes mixing a plurality of carbon fibers in a liquid carrier to form a mixture, depositing the carbon fiber mixture in a layer, forming a plurality of corrugations in the carbon fiber layer, and rigidifying the corrugated carbon fiber layer to form a corrugated carbon fiber preform. In another example, a method includes substantially aligning a first ridge on a first surface of a first corrugated carbon fiber preform and a first groove on a first surface of a second corrugated carbon fiber preform, bringing the first surface of the first corrugated carbon fiber preform into contact with the first surface of the second corrugated carbon fiber preform, and densifying the first corrugated carbon fiber preform and the second carbon fiber preform to bond the first corrugated carbon fiber preform and the second carbon fiber preform.

Abstract: Stents and methods of manufacturing a stents with enhanced fracture toughness are disclosed.

Abstract: Hydroxyapatite-polymer nanocomposites, which are nanoparticles/microparticles, methods for making them, and articles made from them are disclosed. These methods are capable of preparing nanocomposites exhibiting more homogeneous dispersion of nanoparticles than is seen using previous methods. Such nanocomposites and articles are useful for a wide variety of applications, such as biological, medical, biochemical, biosensor, fuel cell, and aerospace applications.

Abstract: The invention provides a laminate of an inorganic layer, a resin layer, and a coupling agent treatment layer interposed therebetween, which different delamination strengths between the inorganic layer and the resin layer to form a prescribed pattern. The invention also provides a production method comprising (1) treating an inorganic layer with a coupling agent; (2) performing a patterning process to form strong adhesion sections and easily separated sections; and (3) forming a resin layer by drying and heat-treating a coated solution layer obtained by coating a resin solution or a resin precursor solution onto the surface of the inorganic layer that was treated with a coupling agent and then patterned.

Abstract: A three-dimensionally shaped body module component and a method for the production thereof, which is assembled from a plurality of body module segments (1). The body module segments (1) are sections of continuously pultruded fibre plastic composite pultrudates, wherein each pultrudate has a basic structure consisting of endless fibres (20) laid in accordance with the force flux with respect to a predetermined geometry of the component. Furthermore, the basic structure has at least one passage (30) per body module segment (1) for receiving a connecting means (11), so as to connect at least two of the body module segments (1). The fibres (20) laid in accordance with the force flux are laid around the passage (30), and, furthermore, a stabilisation structure (40) made from fibres is arranged around it.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating containers, and in particular plastic performs. At least one microwave generating unit generates an electromagnetic alternating field in the form of microwaves A microwave transfer unit transfers the microwaves generated by the microwave generating unit to a resonator unit A transport means transports the plastic preforms relative to the resonator unit. The resonator unit includes a resonator housing forming a receiving chamber for heating the plastic preforms. The resonator unit is arranged such that the electric field lines (E) of an electric field that heats the container are arranged obliquely in relation to a longitudinal direction of the container.

Abstract: A device for detecting moisture for an arrangement for monitoring an access to a patient for a system by which, via a flexible line, a liquid is fed to and/or out from the patient, for monitoring the vascular access in extra-corporeal blood treatment and for monitoring a central venous access in acute dialysis, an arrangement for monitoring an access to a patient, and a method of producing a device for detecting moisture for connection to a monitoring arrangement are described. The device for detecting moisture is characterised in that at least a part or portion of the device takes the form of a resilient attaching element having parts which fit round a flexible line and/or a system for connecting a flexible line. The attaching element, which is formed after the fashion of a clip, allows the device for detecting moisture to be attached quickly and securely to a flexible line.

Abstract: A packer unit for an annular blowout preventer including an annular elastomer body including an elastomer having a unidirectional grain and a quantity of fiber longitudinally aligned with the grain of the elastomer. A method of forming a packing unit for a blowout preventer including forming a fiber reinforced elastomer by aligning fibers with a grain of an elastomer; cutting a portion from the fiber reinforced elastomer in the direction of the grain; loading the cut portion in a packing unit mold such that the grain of the fiber reinforced elastomer of the cut portion is parallel to a packing unit axis; and heating the loaded packing unit mold.

Abstract: To provide a practical infrared transmissive protective cover capable of detecting a heating abnormality of an internal heating element and the like by visual observation and by using infrared rays. The infrared transmissive protective cover includes a light transmission section, the light transmission section is made of a resin sheet containing a resin composition, and a total light transmittance of the light transmission section in a visible light region is 70% or more, and an average infrared transmittance in a wavelength range of 8 to 14 ?m is 5% or more.

Abstract: A propeller blade includes a foam core having a groove formed therein, a fibrous material filling at least a portion of the groove and a structural layer that surrounds the fibrous material and at least a portion of the foam core.

Abstract: Methods for the conditioning of bioprosthetic material employ bovine pericardial membrane. A laser directed at the fibrous surface of the membrane and moved relative thereto reduces the thickness of the membrane to a specific uniform thickness and smoothes the surface. The wavelength, power and pulse rate of the laser are selected which will smooth the fibrous surface as well as ablate the surface to the appropriate thickness. Alternatively, a dermatome is used to remove a layer of material from the fibrous surface of the membrane. Thinning may also employ compression. Stepwise compression with cross-linking to stabilize the membrane is used to avoid damaging the membrane through inelastic compression. Rather, the membrane is bound in the elastic compressed state through addition cross-linking. The foregoing several thinning techniques may be employed together to achieve strong thin membranes.

Abstract: A patient specific system for joint replacement surgery that includes a custom cutting guide having an inner surface shaped to match the anatomy of a surface of a patient's joint to be resected. The custom cutting guide is designed for use with a corresponding prosthesis. A slot and guide holes are formed in the custom cutting guide corresponding to features protruding outwardly from a positive physical bone model. The slot guides a tool during resection of the femur to produce a first resected surface on the femur for mounting the prosthesis. The guide is formed from the positive physical model by applying a polymeric composition to the outer surface of the positive physical model including the features corresponding to the slot and guide holes of the custom cutting guide.

Abstract: A rotational intravascular ultrasound probe for insertion into a vasculature and a method of manufacturing the same. The rotational intravascular ultrasound probe comprises an elongate catheter having a flexible body and an elongate transducer shaft disposed within the flexible body. The transducer shaft comprises a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, a drive shaft extending from the proximal end portion to the distal end portion, an ultrasonic transducer disposed near the distal end portion for obtaining a circumferential image through rotation, and a transducer housing molded to the drive shaft and the ultrasonic transducer.

Abstract: A method is provided for fabricating a composite panel with a surface finish. The method includes securing a polymer film within a first portion of a mold and securing a composite panel within a second portion of the mold. The method also includes holding the first portion of the mold against the second portion of the mold to form a mold cavity between composite panel and the polymer film. The method further includes heating the mold to an elevated temperature, injecting a polymer resin into the mold cavity, and curing the polymer resin to form an integrated structure having a polymer resin layer between the composite panel and the polymer film.

Abstract: A cylindrical carbon fiber arrow shaft formed with an increased external diameter of 0.380 inches. This arrow shaft is formed with an axial bore which has a first internal diameter throughout a substantial portion of the shaft length, and a second, smaller, internal diameter throughout the fletching end of the arrow. The second internal diameter corresponds to the internal diameter of standard arrows having external diameters of 0.295 inches. Using this standard internal diameter at the fletching-end of the arrow, standard nooks may be used without the need for any spacer or insert, thereby decreasing fletching-end weight significantly and providing for the proper and more desired location of the center of gravity forward on the arrow.

Abstract: A method for producing a substantially shell-shaped, fiber-reinforced plastic part includes preheating a material blank that is formed of a fibrous material impregnated with a matrix material using a heating device to ensure the formability and placing the preheated material blank into a shaping tool having an upper die and a lower die. The shaping tool is then closed to form the material blank. Using a cooling device, at least one shaping surface of the shaping tool, with the material blank inserted, is at least partially cooled.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a curved structural part includes fabricating a mold of the curved structural part having at least two faces that form a male mold section between a minimum radius of curvature of the curved structural part and another radius of curvature belonging to one of the two faces, preparing a stack of multidirectional fibers of one or more fiber plies oriented ±? or 90° in relation to a longitudinal direction of the curved structural part, cutting a first multidirectional strip in the stack extending longitudinally and having a width at least equal to a maximum width of the curved structural part, applying the first multidirectional strip over the mold to gradually conform the first multidirectional strip to the mold, applying the first multidirectional strip on the face having the minimum radius of curvature, and pressing and tightening the first multidirectional strip over the other faces.

Abstract: A composite material bone screw comprising an embedded insert. The embedded insert may serve as a thread cutting tool by covering at least one cutting edge of the screw.

Abstract: A method of producing a silicone foil for use in an optoelectronic semiconductor component by molding including introducing a mold foil into a mold, introducing a carrier foil into the mold, wherein the carrier foil is fitted on a substrate foil and the substrate foil projects laterally beyond the carrier foil at least in places within a cavity of the mold, providing and applying a silicone base composition to the mold foil or to the carrier foil, molding the silicone base composition for the silicone foil in the mold between the mold foil and the carrier foil, wherein the silicone base composition is brought into contact with the substrate foil in at least one overlap region laterally alongside the carrier foil, removing the mold foil from the silicone foil, and separating the overlap region.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for preparing a plastic containing feedstream for conversion to valuable carbon-containing products such as synthetic crude oil. In some systems and methods, the plastic material is prepared from carpet scrap.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a vehicle trim component is provided that includes disposing a fiber panel onto a first surface of a mold cavity. The method also includes compressing the fiber panel between the first surface and a second surface of the mold cavity to form the fiber panel into a desired shape. The method further includes injecting resin into the mold cavity to fill at least one void between the first surface and the second surface adjacent to the fiber panel.

Abstract: A procedure for dimensionally accurate sintering of a shaped piece manufactured from a blank of porous ceramic material, in which during the sintering, the shaped piece remains connected via at least one first connection like a rib, with a support that is manufactured from the blank. To ensure with simple procedural steps and simple design measures that the geometry does not change during sintering, the invention provides that the support is manufactured as a section of the blank that at least in sections surrounds the shaped piece by materials removal processing from the blank, and after the manufacture, the support, for one, is connected via the at least one first connection with the shaped piece, and for another, via at least one second connection with the residual blank that in sections is separated from the support.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a slip prevention pad and a method of manufacturing the slip prevention pad. The method of manufacturing the slip prevention pad includes the steps of: 1) coating emery with a rubber-metal adhesive and then drying the adhesive-coated emery; 2) kneading a raw rubber with a rubber reinforcing material and a vulcanizing agent to prepare an unvulcanized rubber; 3) mixing the adhesive-coated emery with the unvulcanized rubber to obtain a mixture; 4) introducing the mixture into a rubber molding machine to vulcanize and mold the mixture to obtain a rubber product; and 5) cutting the rubber product. The slip prevention pad may effectively prevent slipping on a slippery road surface such as a snowy road or an icy road. In addition, the slip prevention pad may allow a user to walk normally on a non-slippery road without experiencing any inconvenience.

Abstract: An automated material delivery system including a material handling assembly, a compaction member, a handling actuator, and a cutting actuator is provided. The material handling assembly is configured and arranged to guide material. The material handling assembly includes a tacking member that is configured and arranged to selectively press the material over a forming surface of a tool. The compaction member is spaced a select distance from the tacking member. The compaction member is further configured to selectively press the material over at least a portion of the forming surface of the tool. The handling actuator is coupled to selectively move at least one of the material handling assembly and the compaction member to move the material handling assembly in relation to the compaction member. The cutting assembly is positioned between the tacking member and the compaction member. The cutting assembly is configured and arranged to selectively cut the material.

Abstract: A pillow includes a substantially flat base portion; a top side and a bottom side extending perpendicular from the base portion; a first side and a second side extending perpendicular from the base portion; and a top portion formed of first and second slanted planes, respectively slanting from each of the first and second sides toward the base portion, with the slanted planes coming together to meet between the first side and the second side.

Abstract: A method for the targeted introduction of cleavage lines or predetermined breaking lines in ceramic substrates for subsequent separation, wherein, in a thermal treatment step or methods step, the cleavage line or predetermined breaking line is heated locally and then cooled suddenly by a coolant in such a way that targeted cracking or material weakness occurs along the cleavage line or predetermined breaking lines.

Abstract: The present invention protects opals during processing from rhyolite nodules. An opal containing rhyolite nodule is soaked in a heated polyester resin, styrene (100-42-5) solution for 24 hours per 10 grams of nodule. The rhyolite nodule is dried and sawed into slabs, which are soaked in a heated polyester resin, styrene (100-42-5) solution. The soaked slabs are cut into pieces, cabochons are marked out, and the pieces are rough cut into pre forms. The pre forms are soaked in a heated polyester resin, styrene (100-42-5) solution, beneficially for 24 hours. The pre forms are dried and cut into cabochons, which are soaked (preferably for 24 hours) in a heated polyester resin, styrene (100-42-5) solution. The soaked cabochons are then dried, polished, and air cured.

Abstract: A method of forming a ceramic matrix composite component includes providing a formed ceramic member having a cavity, filling at least a portion of the cavity with a ceramic foam. The ceramic foam is deposited on a barrier layer covering at least one internal passage of the cavity. The method includes processing the formed ceramic member and ceramic foam to obtain a ceramic matrix composite component. Also provided is a method of forming a ceramic matrix composite blade and a ceramic matrix composite component.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and device for producing a membrane module used in a membrane humidifier for humidifying air in a polymer fuel cell, in which a small amount of hollow fiber membranes are disposed in the center of the membrane module and a larger amount of hollow fiber membranes are disposed toward the edge based on the design of a potting cap. Dry air introduced from an air blower into the membrane can be distributed to the edge where the larger amount of hollow fiber membranes are disposed, thereby maintaining uniform humidification performance over the entire hollow fiber membranes.

Abstract: A method of making scrolls is provided that includes providing a tape having a first side and second side wherein the first side of the tape is has an adhesive disposed thereon and the second side of the tape has a release coating disposed thereon, affixing the adhesive to a solid surface, buff-coating exfoliatable particles on the release side of the tape to form a coating; and peeling the tape from the solid surface at an angle. The coating separates from the release side of the tape and curls inwards to form scrolls. The scrolls can include graphite. Also provided is a continuous method of making scrolls and an apparatus.

Abstract: An identification device for a container such as a bottle, as well as a method for making the identification device, are disclosed that provide a convenient system for identification of a container. The identification device is generally cup shaped and includes a resilient inner lining that enables the device to be readily fixed releasably to the conventional container closure to cover over the container closure and to rotate with it. The identification device provides an identification function.

Abstract: Provided are, among other things, systems, methods and techniques for manufacturing sheet material. In one representative embodiment, a sheet of fabric material is positioned across a patterning template that has a number of openings; and the sheet of fabric material and the patterning template are fed through an extrusion device in which extrusion material coats the fabric material and forces the fabric material into the openings in the patterning template, thereby producing a composite sheet material.

Abstract: Porous hollow fibers comprising first pores having an average length in the range from 0.045 ?m to 120 ?m and an average width in the range from 0.030 ?m to 20 ?m, measured in a fiber direction, wherein the ratio of the average length of the first pores to the average width of the first pores is at least 1.5:1, second pores having an average length in the range from 0.1 nm to 99 nm and an average width in the range from 1 nm to 20000 nm, measured in the direction of the fiber in each case, wherein the ratio of the average length of the second pores to the average width of the second pores is not more than 1:1.5. Preferred application areas include use in fillings, in selectively permeable membranes, for the immobilization of enzymes and/or cells, for hemodialysis, and for storage of hydrogen.

Abstract: A food product for carrying and delivery nutraceutical or pharmaceutical or both is provided. The food product may be an edible wafer-based outer layer and an inner layer of an edible filling comprising the nutraceutical or pharmaceutical or both.

Abstract: In a method of making a hybrid part of a motor vehicle, a base body is produced in the form of a three-dimensional component, and a layer of fiber material is treated by adding resin to the fiber material. After cutting the fiber material to size for producing a blank, the blank is placed on a preform and heated on the preform. The base body is positioned above the blank and the blank is molded onto the base body by pressing the base body and/or the preform against the blank. The blank is then allowed to harden to provide a reinforcement patch in the base body.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a product, such as an animatronic character, with artificial skin. The method includes providing a mold assembly with an exterior mold and a core. In the mold assembly, a cavity is formed between inner surfaces of the exterior mold and exterior surfaces of the core that defines the skin system. The mold assembly includes a seam-forming wall extending between the inner and exterior surfaces. The method includes inserting an elongate, tubular guide through holes in the seam-forming wall and pouring an elastomeric material into the mold to occupy the cavity between the exterior mold and the interior core. The method includes, after the material has hardened to form the skin system, cutting a seam in the skin system by cutting the material along the seam-forming wall. The tubular guide is separated into guide segments and a staggered joint is formed at the cut seam.

Abstract: A trim element having a visible side (12) formed of a skin (10), the element includes a skin (10) laid on a plastic foam (24) bonded to the skin by a continuous bonding layer (26) formed spontaneously at the skin-foam interface during the foaming operation, the skin (10) has a preferential rupture initiator comprising at least one scored feature. Throughout the region in which the scored feature lays, the bonding layer (26) is in contact only with the skin (10) and the foam (24), and, at the scored feature and in the direction of the thickness of the skin, the bonding layer (26) is laid over the opening with a thickness very much smaller than the depth of the scored feature.

Abstract: A tube material is formed by continuously extruding a thermoplastic resin material in the shape of a cylinder that has a thickness of 100 ?m and a circumferential length of 800 mm. After that, in a polishing process, the tube material is rubbed with a lapping tape of #2000 while being rotated in one direction at a fixed speed, so that circumferential stripes are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the tube material. Then, the circumferential stripes are thermally transferred by pressing the outer circumferential surface of the heated tube material against a mold surface that is finished in the shape of circumferential stripes by a thermal transfer process.

Abstract: The present invention provides divided-end artificial limbs and methods for making divided-end artificial limbs that are inexpensive, simple, and customizable. A limb is formed by dividing an end of an elongated shaft member into extending prongs that are shaped into custom lengths and curvatures. Furthermore, the method of the present invention provides affixing a sole plate to the limb, reinforcement of the prongs by nesting additional prongs within the elongated shaft member, dividing the proximal end of the shaft member into circumferentially spaced-apart fingers, and dividing a midsection of the shaft member into circumferentially spaced-apart flexing vanes. The present invention also provides that the prongs may be further modified by division into toe and heel extensions or by wrapping a prong around another prong to form a sole. Methods of reducing stress concentration using bolts and stress relief holes in these limbs are also presented.

Abstract: There is provided an injection molding device in which the film cutoff and the injection molding can be conducted in one process without fine positional adjustment of the stopper and the shape of the edge surface of the member is not limited to the shape of the cutting blade. Resin is injected between a film (8) arranged on a cavity (1) as a metallic mold including a depression-shaped portion and a core (2) as a metallic mold including a projection-shaped portion to be inserted in the depression-shaped portion of the cavity (1), to thereby form a member; the cavity (1) includes a cutting blade (7) in an outer edge of the depression-shaped portion to cut off the film (8) arranged to project toward an outside plane of the depression-shaped portion; the core (2) includes an edge (3) in an outer edge of the projection-shaped portion to form an edge surface of the member; and when the core (2) is inserted in the cavity (1), the film (8) nipped by the cutting blade (7) and the edge (3) is cut off.

Abstract: A catheter comprises a catheter shaft having a distal tip, the distal tip having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface having a rounded profile. The catheter may be made by rounding the inner surface of the distal tip.

Abstract: A method and a device for the manufacture of plastic packagings, the same being manufactured by stretch blowing a bottle-like preliminary packaging which is, after completion, treated by means of a laser and thus reshaped to the final packaging. Also, a plastic container manufactured according to this method and with this device.

Abstract: According to the invention, an extendable member is disclosed. The extendable member may include a structure having a first state and a second state. The structure may be deformable between the first state and the second state. In the first state the structure may include a compact form. In the second state the structure may include a hollow longeron having a slit along the entire length of the hollow longeron. One or both longitudinal edges along the slit of the hollow longeron may have lateral protrusions. The lateral protrusions of a longitudinal edge may act in such a way with the other edge, and possibly its protrusions, to at least partially inhibit relative motion of the edges.

Abstract: The synthetic resin moldings are molded pressing the bottom force 210 to the top force for feeding 103, followed by feeding the melted synthetic resin raw material to the opening portion 2101 of the bottom force 210 through said feeding path 1023 of the top force for feeding 103, thereby filling said synthetic resin in the cavity in the mold CT1 made up by closing the mold with this top force for feeding 103 and the bottom force 210, followed by pushing down the bottom force 210, and extending said synthetic resin raw material contained in said feeding path 1023 and tearing off at the portion X where the raw material has prescribed amount of resin blocks RX for molding, pushing up this bottom force 210 in which these torn resin blocks RX are placed and remained to the top force for molding 104, thereby closing the mold and compressing.

Abstract: The process creates a radial temperature gradient in an extruded strand in a direction normal to the direction of motion thereof (that is, normal to the longitudinal direction thereof) so that upon exiting the first quench region the surface of the strand has solidified while at least the preponderant portion of the interior of the strand remains above the cold crystallization temperature, Tcc Then, in the annealing region, heat from the warmer interior will be transferred to the cooler surface, causing the surface to heat up into the range of Tcc, thereby inducing the surface to undergo crystallization. Once the surface has undergone crystallization, the strand is thoroughly quenched in a second quench region so that the strand will be ready for pelletization, accumulation or other handling steps.

Abstract: A method for joining together constructional parts which are made of a composite material and extend transversely to one another, such as a flange and a web of a profile, includes the steps of: placing the constructional parts in the desired position with respect to one another so as to form a connecting region in which one of the constructional parts abuts against or in proximity to the other constructional part, causing a thermoplastic material to flow out into the connecting region, fusing together the constructional parts under the influence of heat and pressure.