Abstract: A method for making a mold, the method includes steps of: providing a substrate and a retaining member, the retaining member being made of polytetrafluoroethylene, and being ring-shaped; engaging the substrate with the retaining member; disposing viscous liquid polydimethyl siloxane containing material on the substrate within the retaining member; rotating the retaining member and the substrate to cause the polydimethyl siloxane containing material to spread out on the substrate and form a polydimethyl siloxane containing layer; press-molding the polydimethyl siloxane containing layer using a stamper to form one or more molding portions on the polydimethyl siloxane containing layer; solidifying the polydimethyl siloxane containing layer with the one or more molding portions; separating the stamper from the polydimethyl siloxane containing layer; and separating the substrate from the retaining member to obtain a mold.

Abstract: Silicon nitride coated crucibles for holding melted semiconductor material and for use in preparing multicrystalline silicon ingots by a directional solidification process; methods for coating crucibles; methods for preparing silicon ingots and wafers; compositions for coating crucibles and silicon ingots and wafers with a low oxygen content.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally provide unitary building units having a cultured stone face and the method and apparatus for making such building units.

Abstract: A door has a wood frame core generally shaped as a planar plank having a first side and a second side. A polyurethane outer layer encapsulates the wood frame plank core, and the polyurethane outer layer has a density of preferably about 350-600 kg/m3. A plurality of concave embossments disposed on the polyurethane outer layer. An AB formula forms the polyurethane outer layer, and has a formula including a first component comprising a Polyol of at least 90% by weight, and a second component including Lupranat M20S. The wood frame core optionally includes strips of wood material disposed on the wood frame core for building up portions of the wood frame core. The fingerjoint plywood is preferably 25 mm thick and 10.7 kg and can be about 22-23 mm thickness.

Abstract: A nanoimprint resist that includes a hyperbranched polyurethane oligomer (HP), a perfluoropolyether (PFPE), a methylmethacrylate (MMA), a diluent solvent and a photo initiator. A method of a nanoimprint lithography is also provided.

Abstract: A molded article has an exterior surface, a non-exterior surface, and a projecting or recessed portion provided on at least one of the exterior surface and the non-exterior surface. A repeated pattern of projections and/or recesses or a texture face, which serves to disturb the flow of resin, is provided on the non-exterior surface.

Abstract: A method for fabricating an artificial skin system for use with a robotics assembly. The method includes providing a mold core with an exterior surface defining an inner surface of a skin system, with this surface including a plurality of mounting elements. The method includes attaching, to each of the mounting elements, an elastomeric actuation piece or point (EAP). The mold core is positioned within an exterior skin mold, and a cavity is formed between the exterior surface of the mold core and inner surfaces of the exterior skin mold that defines topography and dimensions of the skin system. The method includes filling the cavity with skin-forming material. Then, after the skin-forming material hardens to form the skin system, the method includes removing the skin system from the mold core including detaching the EAPs from the mounting elements, and the EAPs are integrally bonded within the skin system.

Abstract: A method for forming a part with a tooling assembly includes forming an MRF bladder located within the tooling assembly into a desired shape, then placing the part in the tooling assembly, and forming the part with the tooling assembly by applying pressure until the part obtains the desired shape from the MRF bladder.

Abstract: A nanoimprint mold includes a flexible body and a molding layer formed on the flexible body. The molding layer includes a plurality of protrusions and recesses. The molding layer is a polymer material polymerized via a cross linking polymerization of a nanoimprint resist which includes a hyperbranched polyurethane oligomer (HP), a perfluoropolyether (PFPE), a methylmethacrylate (MMA), a diluent solvent and a photo initiator. A method for making the nanoimprint mold is also provided.

Abstract: A mold for processing optical film includes a substrate, a copper oxide film, and a hydrophobic fluorinated self-assembled monolayer film. The substrate has a copper surface. The copper oxide film is formed on the copper surface. The hydrophobic fluorinated self-assembled monolayer film is formed on the surface of the copper oxide film. The mold provides easy release of the hydrophobic fluorinated self-assembled monolayer film.

Abstract: The object of the present patent is characterized by being a brand-new device which was developed to control the esophageal flow; it is made of biosynthetic material based on the natural latex extracted from the rubber tree Hevea brasiliensis, to be applied in the esophagus in order to control or limit the speed and amount of food intake and, thus, to provide weight loss. It preserves all digestive system functions, decreases food intake with the reduction of the esophagus lumen and, in turn, decreases the organ emptying, thus controlling the speed and amount of food intake.

Abstract: A decorative member of a refrigerator and a method for fabricating the same are disclosed. A refrigerator includes a storage container provided in a storage chamber; and a decorative member provided in the storage container, the decorative configured to generate light refraction and guide a movement of condensate condensed in the storage container, and configured to be capable of displaying humidity inside the storage container according to the movement degree of condensate.

Abstract: Method and systems provide improved cell handling in microfluidic systems and devices using lateral cell trapping and methods of fabrication of the same that allow for selective low voltage electroporation and electrofusion.

Abstract: In certain embodiments novel nanoparticles (nanowontons) are provided that are suitable for multimodal imaging and/or therapy. In one embodiment, the nanoparticles include a first biocompatible (e.g., gold) layer, an inner core layer (e.g., a non-biocompatible material), and a biocompatible (e.g., gold) layer. The first gold layer includes a concave surface that forms a first outer surface of the layered nanoparticle. The second gold layer includes a convex surface that forms a second outer surface of the layered nanoparticle. The first and second gold layers encapsulate the inner core material layer. Methods of fabricating such nanoparticles are also provided.

Abstract: Described are methods for making microstructured flexible molds, for example useful for making microstructured metal objects in a casting process. Also described are casting methods for making microstructured epoxy objects. In some embodiments, the microstructured metal and epoxy objects are useful for embossing polymer sheets to form microstructured polymer sheets.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods of printing indicia on a substrate using a tip array comprised of elastomeric, compressible gel polymers. The tip array can be prepared using conventional photolithographic methods and can be tailored to have any desired number and/or arrangement of tips. Numerous copies (e.g., greater than 15,000, or greater than 11 million) of a pattern can be made in a parallel fashion in as little as 40 minutes.

Abstract: A forming mold or electroforming mother die including a mold or mother die, and a release layer composed of an organic thin film on a mold surface or mother die surface which is formed by contacting the mold or mother die with an organic solvent solution including a silane surfactant represented by formula [1] Rn—Si—X4-n??[1] where R represents an optionally substituted hydrocarbon group or halogenated hydrocarbon having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, or a hydrocarbon group or a halogenated hydrocarbon group having a linking group which has 1 to 20 carbon atoms, X represents a hydroxyl group, a halogen atom, an alkoxy group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or an acyloxy group, and n represents an integer of 1 to 3; and a catalyst capable of interacting with the silane surfactant, and a production method thereof.

Abstract: The invention discloses a mold performing in the micro/nano imprint fabricating process, wherein the mold is utilized to imprint a pattern on a substrate via a material layer. The mold comprises an upper surface, a lower surface, a pre-determined structure and an overflow controlling device. The upper surface and the lower surface are corresponded to each other. The pre-determined structure is disposed on the lower surface of the mold. The overflow controlling device is utilized to maintain the pressure among the material layer and the substrate.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method for manufacturing a master disk for discoid patterned medium having a plurality of sectors arranged in a circumferential direction, the plurality of sectors including a recording data portion and a servo data portion that includes a sector identification region having gaps formed in a linear pattern is provided. An imprint master disk having a linear pattern which is common to the sectors before the gaps are formed in the sector identification region and including at least one pattern of the sector is prepared, imprinting is repeated in the circumferential direction by using the imprint master disk to form patterns of a discoid patterned medium on a substrate, and a sector identification pattern is formed in each sector by forming gaps in the linear pattern of each sector identification region among the patterns formed on the substrate.

Abstract: A support apparatus and method for providing structural support to a shape memory polymer (SMP) apparatus during fabrication of composite parts. The support apparatus may comprise an adjustable, rigid structural member and a plurality of SMP support components transitionable between a rigid and malleable state and fixed to an outer surface of the rigid structural member. The rigid structural member may extend in at least one cross-sectional dimension toward the SMP apparatus, pressing the SMP support components, in their malleable state, against the SMP apparatus. The SMP support components may thereby conform to a first surface of the SMP apparatus, then return to their rigid state while pressed against the SMP apparatus, thus providing a rigid load path between the SMP apparatus and the rigid structural member. Then composite material may be applied to a second surface of the SMP apparatus, opposite of the first surface.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to techniques for replicating large-scale nano-pattern structures using a block copolymer structure as a mask in a replication process. Example methods may include performing self-assembling block copolymer reactions to create large self-assembling nano-structures. The nano-structures may then be replicated by using the large self-assembling nano-structure as a mask in nano-imprint lithography.

Abstract: A method and apparatus may be present for manufacturing. A shell may be formed having a support structure located in a cavity in which the shell and the support structure may be formed using an additive manufacturing system from a design of a tool. The cavity of the shell may be filled with a filler material through an opening in the shell. The shell may be cured with the filler material to form the tool.

Abstract: An embossing system is provided for embossing at least a portion of a web comprising a first roll and at least a second roll. The first roll and second roll may define a first nip for embossing the web. At least one of the first roll and the second roll has elongated embossing elements extending substantially in the machine direction and optionally at least one of the first and second rolls has elongated embossing elements extending substantially in the cross-machine direction. At least one of the first roll and the second roll may also have perforate embossing elements extending substantially in the cross-machine direction that may or may not be elongated. The embossing elements are capable of imparting one or both of a cube embossing pattern or a perforate emboss on the web. The web may be a cellulosic fibrous web, a portion of which is lignin-rich, high coarseness fiber having generally tubular fiber configuration. In addition, the web may be creped with an undulatory creping blade.

Abstract: An aircraft fuselage barrel (10) includes a skin (12) and a shear tie (18). The shear tie (18) resides within and is integrally formed with the skin (12). The shear tie (18) is separate from and configured for frame attachment thereon. A multi-ring system (79) for fuselage barrel formation includes a mold (68) with a ring (50). The ring (50) has width (W2) approximately equal to a separation distance (D) between two adjacent fuselage frames (22) and includes a module (52) that has a circumferential length (L1) that is greater than a circumferential distance between two fuselage longerons (14). A support structure (80) is coupled to and supports the mold (68). A method of forming the aircraft fuselage barrel (10) includes constructing the support structure (80). Rings (86) of the mold (68) are attached to and over the support structure (80). The mold (68) is constructed. Material is laid-up onto the mold (68) to integrally form the one-piece fuselage barrel (10) including a Hat-configured longeron (14).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of a biologically active prosthetic device for the reconstruction of bone tissue comprising the steps of: a CAT (Computerized Axial Tomography) scan of the patient and obtaining a three-dimensional electronic model (1) of the part of the bone and of a bone defect (2) to be reconstructed; production by prototyping of a prototype resin model (3) of the area of the patient's bone involved, forming of a model (4), of the patient's bone defect to be reconstructed; construction of a netative mould (5), production of a ready sintered ceramic semi-finished product with controlled and interconnected porosity, said semi-finished product being made with dimensions and shape slightly larger than the bone defect; mechanical processing and manual finishing of the sintered semi-finished product, to obtain the precise dimensions and shape of the bone defect, the invention also relating to the prosthetic device obtained using the method described above.

Abstract: A powder which is capable of being used in a layer-by-layer process in which regions of the respective pulverulent layer are selectively melted and, after cooling, are fixed, contains a mixture of diacid-regulated polyamide and diamine-regulated polyamide and/or diacid-regulated copolyamide and diamine-regulated copolyamide.

Abstract: A carbon foam article useful for, inter alia, composite tooling or other high temperature applications, which includes a substrate, wherein the substrate includes at least one material selected from carbon foam, extruded graphite, graphite foam, and isomolded graphite. The tool may also include a skin as a working surface and a filler disposed below the skin. The tool has a surface roughness of no more than about 63 micro-inches. Such a tool may be used to make a composite prototype part.

Abstract: Example embodiments relate to a method of forming a three-dimensional micro pattern or a multi-step pattern using a nano imprinting process and a method of manufacturing a mold to form such a pattern. A molding polymer may be patterned in a one-step shape on a substrate having UV barrier patterns, thereby easing the manufacture of a mold for multi-step imprinting and simplifying the formation of a multi-step pattern using the one-step shaped mold by avoiding the repetition of more complicated processes. Consequently, it may be possible to form a relatively large-area micro pattern, a relatively large-area pattern usable in flat panel displays, and a nano pattern having a size of several tens of nanometers in a semiconductor process, thereby contributing to the reduction of process costs, the reduction of process time, and the improvement of production yield.

Abstract: A binder for the production of sand cores and/or molds for foundries that comprises mixing sand with an alkyl silicate, preferably tetraethyl silicate; an aqueous solution of an alkali metal silicate, preferably sodium silicate, which solution also contains an alkali metal hydroxide, preferably sodium hydroxide, is added to the mixture, and finally all of the above is mixed until the sand shows a homogeneous aspect and constitution. Another aspect of the invention comprises a method of manufacturing sand molds for foundries that comprises mixing foundry sand with the present invention binder, blowing the sand mixed with the binder, having still between 0.5% to 2.5% of water, into a cold box by means of air that is at room temperature, and once the cold box mold has been filled with the sand, passing a hot air current through the sand to dry and harden the binder thus obtaining the molds for foundry.

Abstract: Nanostructured arrays having a metal catalyst (e.g., cobalt) are irradiated with light to initiate the an artificial photosynthetic reaction resulting in the formation of carbon-containing molecules, for example, long chained hydrocarbons or amino acids. A nanostructure having one or more structural elements having a high aspect ratio can formed over a substrate and are placed in contact with water and a carbon-containing source (e.g., carbon dioxide, bicarbonate, methane). When the nanostructure is exposed to light, the water and the carbon-containing source can react to form a molecule having at least two carbon atoms chained together. Structural elements may include a number of metal layers arranged in a patterned configuration so that, upon light irradiation, a greater amount of light energy is concentrated in close proximity to the region where the reaction is catalyzed than for the case without the patterned configuration.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing a rotor blade tooling structure for tooling a rotor blade for a wind turbine include providing a plurality of tooling blocks each comprising a filler material and a reinforcing structural layer, joining the plurality of tooling blocks into a series of tooling blocks extending in a spanwise direction, wherein the reinforcing structural layers form a plurality of cross-sectional ribs, and shaping the series of tooling blocks into a rotor blade tooling structure.

Abstract: An optical sheet and a method for fabricating the optical sheet, wherein a diffusion pattern is formed to diffuse and condense light. The optical sheet includes a prism pattern having a plurality of mountains and ravines to condense light generated from a light source and a plurality of diffusion patterns irregularly formed on the prism pattern to diffuse the light.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method, which includes molding a metal insert from a casting by injection assisted by a fluid under pressure in concave space, forming the insert. The method including the step of restricting the space if necessary, in order to obtain a transverse cavity reducing the mass of the unit.

Abstract: In an exemplary method, a nano-architectured carbon structure is fabricated by forming a unit (e.g., a film) of a liquid carbon-containing starting material. A surface of the unit is nano-molded using a durable mold (122) that is pre-formed with a pattern of nano-concavities corresponding to a desired pattern of nano-features to be formed by the mold on the surface of the unit. After nano-molding the surface of the unit, the first unit is stabilized to render the unit and its formed nano-structures capable of surviving downstream steps. The mold is removed from the first surface to form a nano-molded surface of a carbonization precursor (152). The precursor is carbonized in an inert-gas atmosphere at a suitable high temperature to form a corresponding nano-architectured carbon structure (62). A principal use of the nano-architectured carbon structure is a carbon electrode used in, e.g., Li-ion batteries, supercapacitors, and battery-supercapacitor hybrid devices.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a patterning mold configured to form a micropattern on a substrate or glass. The disclosed patterning mold includes a transfer body with a patterning part formed at one end of the transfer body to transfer a nanoparticle material to one surface of the substrate. The patterning mold further includes a fixing member coupled to an exterior of the transfer body, to prevent or reduce deformation of the exterior of the transfer body.

Abstract: A refractory ceramic composite for an armor shell, comprising a ceramic core that is formable to replicate a portion of a three dimensional surface, e.g., of an aircraft, to provide ballistic protection. A method of making a shell of refractory ceramic armor capable of conforming to the geometry is provided. The shell is formed by forming a mold to replicate the surface area; arranging a ceramic core on the mold; and removing the mold to leave said ceramic core, and heat treating the ceramic core to a desired hardness. The ceramic core is in the shape of the surface area.

Abstract: A lithography method includes the steps of: A) filling a mold having a patterned surface with a phase change composition at a temperature above the phase change temperature of the phase change composition; B) hardening the phase change composition to form a patterned feature; C) separating the mold and the patterned feature; optionally D) etching the patterned feature; optionally E) cleaning the mold; and optionally F) repeating steps A) to D) reusing the mold. The PCC may include an organofunctional silicone wax.

Abstract: A mandrel having an out-of-plane curvature and a corresponding in-plane change in mandrel geometry is used to fabricate substantially wrinkle-free, fiber reinforced stiffeners having an out-of-plane curvature.

Abstract: Dry adhesives and methods for forming dry adhesives. A method of forming a dry adhesive structure on a substrate, comprises: forming a template backing layer of energy sensitive material on the substrate; forming a template layer of energy sensitive material on the template backing layer; exposing the template layer to a predetermined pattern of energy; removing a portion of the template layer related to the predetermined pattern of energy, and leaving a template structure formed from energy sensitive material and connected to the substrate via the template backing layer.

Abstract: A method of forming hoses is provided. The method includes generating a virtual design for at least one of a solid durable core and a hollow sacrificial core. At least one of the solid durable core and the hollow sacrificial core is formed using rapid prototyping. A mold cavity is formed using the solid durable core. The hose is formed about the hollow sacrificial core with the hollow sacrificial core in the mold cavity.

Abstract: A method is provided to prepare a plurality of microwells suitable for the formation of embryoid bodies from embryonic stem cells. The method requires applying an image-forming material to a heat sensitive thermoplastic material in a designed pattern and heating the material under conditions that reduce the size of the receptive material by at least about 60% to create a mold. A polymer such as PDMS is then applied to the mold and removed to form the microwells. In an alternative aspect, the plurality of microwells on receptive material are prepared by etching a microwell designed pattern into a heat sensitive thermoplastic material support and then heating the material under conditions that reduce the size of the receptive material by at least about 60%.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of fabricating a flexible device, which includes surface-treating one or both sides of a carrier plate so that regions with different surface-treatments are formed on the same side of the carrier plate, forming a glass-filler reinforced plastic substrate film on the surface-treated carrier plate, forming thin film patterns on the glass-filler reinforced plastic substrate film, and separating the glass-filler reinforced plastic substrate film having the thin film patterns formed thereon from the carrier plate, and in which the surface-treating of the carrier plate enables the glass-filler reinforced plastic substrate film to be easily separated from the carrier plate without an additional process such as using a solvent or a laser release technique.

Abstract: A method of making a surgical template used for a computer-guided dental implant surgery includes the steps of: establishing implant planning data of a patient's jaw, producing a digital plaster model of the patient's jaw, allowing the digital plaster model to have the implant planning data, integrating the digital plaster model with the implant planning data to obtain a digital machining data, holding and machining a modeling block at a machining position according to the digital machining data to form a solid jaw model corresponding to the patient's jaw and having teeth, gums, and at least one implant-position indicating structure, mounting a positioning member at the implant-position indicating structure, and producing a negative template body from an assembly of the solid jaw model and the positioning member with a thermoplastic dental material by a molding process or a vacuum forming process.

Abstract: Protective clips for movable partitions include a guard portion that protrudes from a top major surface of a base portion. The guard portion extends along the top major surface proximate to a front side of the base portion. The guard portion also may extend along the top major surface proximate to at least one end side surface at a longitudinal end of the base portion. Movable partitions include one or more such protective clips. The protective clips optionally may be used to attach a sweep strip to panels of a movable partition. Methods of forming such protective clips include molding the clips within a mold cavity.

Abstract: A second mold is placed on a planar surface of a first mold to form a first mold cavity, which is filled with a first material slurry containing a first material powder and the molded slurry is caused to set, thereby forming a first molded part on the planar surface of the first mold. A third mold is placed on the planar surface of the first mold from which the second mold is removed and on which the first molded part is formed, thereby forming a second mold cavity. The second mold cavity is filled with a second material slurry which contains a second material powder different from the first material powder so as to mold the slurry in contact with the first molded part. The molded slurry is caused to set, thereby forming a second molded part on the planar surface of the first mold.

Abstract: Molds and processes that permit high-speed, mass production of retaining wall blocks having patterned or other processed front faces, as well as retaining wall blocks formed by such processes. The invention permits the front face of the block to be impressed with a pattern or otherwise directly processed, to allow the formation of pre-determined block front faces, while at the same time facilitating high-speed, high-volume production of blocks. A mirror image of the desired pattern can be created on a stripper shoe by selecting a desired three-dimensional surface from a naturally occurring or man made object and digitally scanning the selected three-dimensional pattern to create scanned data. The scanned data can then be used to machine a face of the stripper shoe that is the mirror image of the selected pattern.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing a three-dimensional composite structure and a method for producing the mold for the three-dimensional composite structure. The mold is formed of at least one rigid die member and a second thermoplastic die member. The second thermoplastic die member is formed by coupling a rubber flexible pattern to a surface of the first die member. Vacuum or pressure is applied to a heated thermoplastic sheet to cause the heated thermoplastic sheet to deform about the flexible pattern, thereby forming the second die. Strips of reinforced polymer thermoset pre-preg material are then positioned within the cavities formed by the flexible pattern and are allowed to cure. Optionally, heat, pressure, and vacuum may be applied to the mold construction to facilitate the curing of the thermoset materials.

Abstract: Described herein are casting and molding methods useful for making microstructured objects. By including a plurality of microfeatures on the surface of an object, other characteristics may be imparted to the object, such as increased hydrophobicity. Some of the casting and molding methods described herein further allow for manufacture of objects having both microfeatures and macro features, for example microfeatures on or within macro features or selected macro feature regions.

Abstract: A material for forming an organ model containing an aqueous gel, which comprises polyvinyl alcohol having an average degree of polymerization of 300 to 3500 and a degree of saponification of not less than 90% by mole, and silica particles; a method for producing a material for forming an organ model, comprising cooling an aqueous polyvinyl alcohol solution which contains polyvinyl alcohol having an average degree of polymerization of 300 to 3500 and a degree of saponification of not less than 90% by mole and silica particles, to a temperature of ?10° C. or lower, and thawing the resulting formed aqueous gel; and an organ model at least provided with a surface layer comprising the material for forming an organ model.

Abstract: A curing agent composition for a water-soluble phenol resin used to produce a mold, which comprises a branched ester compound that is derived from a carboxylic acid having a branched chain, and an alcohol, and has 5 to 13 carbon atoms.