Abstract: The invention relates to an extruder system and a method for extruding cord reinforced extrudate, in particular for tire components, wherein the extruder system comprises an extruder head with flow channels for receiving an extrusion material from an extruder, a die for receiving said extrusion material from the flow channels and a cord guide for guiding cords side-by-side in a cord plane into the die, wherein the extruder head is provided with an insertion slot that extends in an insertion direction parallel to the cord plane through the extruder head, wherein the flow channels debouch into the insertion slot at a flow area, wherein the insertion slot is arranged for receiving the die and the cord guide in the insertion direction into a die position downstream of the flow area and a cord guide position upstream of the flow area, respectively, with respect to the insertion direction.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a differentiated cell population of endothelial cells derived from human pluripotent stem cells. The present invention also relates to a composition, a system and a kit comprising those cells and uses thereof. The present disclosure also described the combination of arterial ECs derived from human pluripotent stem cells with a microfluidic system to create a vascular kit for high-throughput drug screening and/or toxicology analysis. This technology may find particular use for the identification of drugs that may have a fetal cytotoxic effect.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a fluidic element, which consists in forming at least one fluid-permeable zone and one fluid-impermeable zone in a three-dimensional cellular material, by addition of at least one second material having a liquid initial state. The process will for example include soaking of the cellular material by the second material present in the liquid initial state, evacuating the second material present in its liquid initial state from at least one zone of the cellular material, in order to render the permeable zone.

Abstract: A chew toy product is made of multiple layers of silicone. Liquid silicone layers are vulcanized to a solid silicone layer to form a unitary solid silicone chew toy. Each of the layers can include a silicone colorant, so the chew toy can have multiple colors.

Abstract: A chew toy product is made of multiple layers of silicone. Liquid silicone layers are vulcanized to a solid silicone layer to form a unitary solid silicone chew toy. Each of the layers can include a silicone colorant, so the chew toy can have multiple colors.

Abstract: A method for making over-indexed thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer precursor. The precursor may be cross-linked.

Abstract: A coupling mechanism comprising at least two complementary shaped connecting members and a spline member wherein the at least two complementary shaped connecting members are configured to engage with each other and spline member is configured to secure the at least two connecting members together when the at least two complementary shaped connecting members are in an engaged configuration.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for providing the controlled formation of planar homogeneous or heterogeneous materials using microfluidic devices. In one embodiment, a planar array of microfluidic channels is employed to produce a flowing liquid sheet having heterogeneous structure by spatially and temporally controlling dispensing of polymer liquid from selected microchannels. The resulting liquid sheet is solidified to produce a planar heterogeneous material that may be continuously drawn and/or fed from the plurality of microfluidic channels. The polymer liquid may include a payload that may be selectively incorporated into the heterogeneous structure. In some embodiments, the local material composition is controllable, thereby allowing control over local and bulk material properties, such as the permeability and the elasticity, and of creating materials with directionally dependent properties.

Abstract: Permselective asymmetric membranes suitable e.g. for hemodialysis, hemodiafiltration and hemofiltration of blood, and having improved sieving characteristics providing enhanced removal of middle molecular weight substances, e.g. inflammatory mediators having a molecular weight between 20 and 40 kDa. The membranes comprise polyethersulfone and polyvinylpyrrolidone and are coated with hyaluronic acid or copolymers of 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphoryl choline and other vinyl polymerizable monomers. Processes for the preparation of these membranes, devices comprising these membranes, and the use of these membranes in hemodialysis, hemodiafiltration and hemofiltration of blood, as well as in bioprocessing, plasma fractionation and the preparation of protein solutions.

Abstract: Permselective asymmetric membranes suitable e.g. for hemodialysis, hemodiafiltration and hemofiltration of blood, and having improved performance, including improved sieving characteristics, providing enhanced removal of middle molecular weight substances, e.g. inflammatory mediators having a molecular weight between 20 and 40 kDa. The improved sieving characteristics are due to a narrow pore size distribution of the membranes created in the production process. Processes for the preparation of these membranes, devices comprising these membranes, and the use of these membranes in hemodialysis, hemodiafiltration and hemofiltration of blood, as well as in bioprocessing, plasma fractionation and the preparation of protein solutions.

Abstract: A method and system for aligning nanotubes within an extensible structure such as a yarn or non-woven sheet. The method includes providing an extensible structure having non-aligned nanotubes, adding a chemical mixture to the extensible structure so as to wet the extensible structure, and stretching the extensible structure so as to substantially align the nanotubes within the extensible structure. The system can include opposing rollers around which an extensible structure may be wrapped, mechanisms to rotate the rollers independently or away from one another as they rotate to stretch the extensible structure, and a reservoir from which a chemical mixture may be dispensed to wet the extensible structure to help in the stretching process.

Abstract: Permselective asymmetric membranes suitable e.g. for hemodialysis, hemodiafiltration and hemofiltration of blood, and having improved sieving characteristics providing enhanced removal of middle molecular weight substances, e.g. inflammatory mediators having a molecular weight between 20 and 40 kDa. The membranes comprise polyethersulfone and polyvinylpyrrolidone and are coated with hyaluronic acid or copolymers of 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphoryl choline and other vinyl polymerizable monomers. Processes for the preparation of these membranes, devices comprising these membranes, and the use of these membranes in hemodialysis, hemodiafiltration and hemofiltration of blood, as well as in bioprocessing, plasma fractionation and the preparation of protein solutions.

Abstract: Provided are dies having a first section for orienting material being pressed through the die and a second section for shaping the oriented material into a desired form. In an embodiment, the surface area for shaping the oriented material into a desired form is limited. Also provided are polymer articles and processes for making the same. In an embodiment, the processes employ the dies.

Abstract: A method of preventing gravity-induced deformation of a ceramic green body. The method comprises providing a ceramic green body and disposing the body in a fluid medium bath having a density that is greater than or equal to that of the ceramic green body. The green body is suspended and floats freely in the fluid medium, and deformation of the green body due to its own weight is prevented. Outer or peripheral portions of the ceramic green body may also be stiffened when the fluid medium bath comprises an aqueous salt solution comes into contact with the green body and causes gelation of a binder within the ceramic green body.

Abstract: A method of forming a coated medical device is described. A coating may be applied inline to a continuous tubing formed by extrusion, prior to cutting and secondary operations. Thus, inefficient and labor-intensive steps associated with preparing individual tubes for coating may be avoided. The method may include forcing a flowable material through an exit port of an extruder, depositing a coating onto at least a portion of the continuous length of extruded tubing after the tubing is forced through the exit port, cutting the coated tubing to a desired length after depositing the coating, and performing one or more secondary operations on the coated tube at a temperature in the range of from about 15° C. to about 375° C.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of a polymer layer of a flexible unbonded offshore pipe. The process comprises the steps of shaping a polymer material by extrusion into or onto a supporting unit in an extrusion station and cross-linking said extruded polymer material, said polymer material comprising a polyethylene and a peroxide for providing a cross-linking of the polymer material. The peroxide has an activation temperature substantially above the temperature of the polymer material during the extrusion thereof. The cross-linking of the extruded polymer material is carried out by exposing the extruded polymer material to electromagnetic waves, selected from the group consisting of infrared radiation and microwave. The invention also relates to a flexible unbonded offshore pipe comprising such polymer layer.

Abstract: A method of preventing gravity-induced deformation of a ceramic green body. The method comprises providing a ceramic green body and disposing the body in a fluid medium bath having a density that is greater than or equal to that of the ceramic green body. The green body is suspended and floats freely in the fluid medium, and deformation of the green body due to its own weight is prevented. Outer or peripheral portions of the ceramic green body may also be stiffened when the fluid medium bath comprises an aqueous salt solution comes into contact with the green body and causes gelation of a binder within the ceramic green body.

Abstract: A method of producing a film, comprising the steps of melt-extruding a resin in the form of film from a T-die, powder-spraying an anti-blocking agent in an area-average spraying amount of 0.5 to 3 g/m2 on the roll surface of a cooling roll, and nip roll the melt-extruded melted resin in the form of film on the roll surface of the cooling roll on which the anti-blocking agent has been powder-sprayed.

Abstract: Porous poly(aryl ether ketone) (PAEK) articles are prepared from PAEK/polyimide blends by selective chemical decomposition and subsequent removal of the polyimide phase. Porous PAEK articles exhibit highly interconnected pore structure and a narrow pore size distribution. The porous PAEK articles of the present invention can be utilized as a porous media for a broad range of applications, including membranes for fluid separations, such as microfiltration, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, and as a sorption media.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous shaped article such as a polyurethaneurea fiber and a polyurethaneurea film having a birefringence index (&Dgr;n) of from at least 1.0×10−4 to 8.0×10−4 in a nontensile state, a crosslinking density at an elongation of 100% (N100) of at least 5.0×1026/m3, a crosslinking point density at an elongation of 400% (N400) of from 4.0×1026 to 3.0×1027/m3, and a crosslinking point density at the time of breakage (Nt) of at least 1.6×1027/m3, wherein the ratio of the crosslinking density at an elongation of 400% to that at an elongation of 100% (N400/N100) is from 0.9 to 1.3, and a process for producing the same. The present invention has made the continuous shaped article show an initial stress, a strength at break and an elongation at break which are sufficiently high, and a small rise in the stress in the medium elongation range.

Abstract: The invention is lyocell fiber characterized by a pebbled surface as seen at high magnification and having a variable cross section and diameter along and between fibers. The fiber is produced by centrifugal spinning, melt blowing or its espunbonding variation. The fibers can be made in the microdenier range with average weights as low as one denier or less. The fibers have inherently low gloss and can be formed into tight yarns for making fabrics of very soft hand. Alternatively, the fibers can be formed into self bonded nonwoven fabrics.