Abstract: The invention relates to a composite material for use in a face mask. The composite material comprises at least one fabric layer comprising a metallic fiber material; and at least one polymer layer laminated with the at least one fabric layer to form a single composite layer; wherein the at least one polymer layer is of substantially the same shape and size as the at least one fabric layer, such that any air stream passing through the composite layer will be effectively filtered by both the at least one fabric layer and the at least one polymer layer.

Abstract: An asphaltic sealant composition and method which use (a) the incorporation of one or more pigment and/or UV absorbing materials, (b) a low shear production method, and (c) the addition of an epoxidized ester of a vegetable oil or a plasticizer, effective for increasing the degree of dispersion of the pigment material in the sealant composition, to provide improve resistance to UV radiation.

Abstract: A cutting apparatus for use in an underwater pelletizer that has a nozzle head having a cutting surface that is rotationally symmetrical about a center axis of the nozzle head and in which nozzle openings are formed, has a drive shaft and at least one cutting head having cutting blades for cutting off melted plastic material exiting nozzle openings of a nozzle head and formed in strand shape, in the form of pellets, wherein the cutting head has a mechanism so the cutting blades can be simultaneously adjusted relative to the cutting surface.

Abstract: A method of processing a CMC component includes applying a surface formulation comprising a resin and/or a preceramic polymer to a fiber preform. The surface formulation is cured to form a surface coating, which is then pyrolyzed to convert the resin to carbon and/or the preceramic polymer to silicon carbide. After pyrolysis, the fiber preform is infiltrated with a melt comprising silicon to form a CMC component. During melt infiltration, the carbon reacts with the silicon to form silicon carbide, and the silicon carbide prevents unreacted silicon from accessing a surface region of the CMC component. Thus, after melt infiltration, a concentration of free silicon in the surface region is a low amount of about 5 vol. % or less. Upon assembling the CMC component with a metal component, diffusion between the components is inhibited or prevented by the low amount of free silicon in the surface region.

Abstract: A method of processing a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) component includes extracting silicon from a surface region of the CMC component such that free silicon is present in the surface region at a reduced amount of about 5 vol. % or less. The extraction comprises contacting the surface region with a wicking medium comprising an element reactive with silicon. The extraction is carried out at an elevated temperature prior to assembling the CMC component with a metal component.

Abstract: The present application discloses a rubbing roller for rubbing an alignment layer of a liquid crystal display substrate, including a rotary roller and a rubbing cloth substantially surrounding a circumferential surface of the rotary roller. The rubbing cloth includes at least a first portion and a second portion, each having a width substantially corresponding to a length of the rotary roller and a length corresponding to a division of a circumference of the rotary roller. Substantially all fibers of the first portion extending away from the rotary roller and leaning towards a first end of the rotary roller, and substantially all fibers of the second portion extending away from the rotary roller and leaning towards a second end of the rotary roller.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a cellular tritium breeder component includes obtaining a reticulated carbon foam skeleton comprising a network of interconnected ligaments. The foam skeleton is then melt-infiltrated with a tritium breeder material, for example, lithium zirconate or lithium titanate. The foam skeleton is then removed to define a cellular breeder component having a network of interconnected tritium purge channels. In an embodiment the ligaments of the foam skeleton are enlarged by adding carbon using chemical vapor infiltration (CVI) prior to melt-infiltration. In an embodiment the foam skeleton is coated with a refractory material, for example, tungsten, prior to melt infiltration.

Abstract: A process for producing reaction bonded silicon carbide (RBSC) from high purity, porous, essentially all-carbon preforms through contacting said preforms with silicon metal at room temperature, and subsequently heating to melt silicon metal and cause infiltration into said preform causing reaction to silicon carbide and leaving residual silicon, to result in a dense silicon carbide-silicon composite. The process offers the ability to produce RBSC with higher purity, higher strength, and lower cost as long as the carbonaceous preforms are of sufficient purity and pore size distribution to allow for uniform, crack-free bulk bodies to be fabricated.

Abstract: A water-resistant gypsum fiber product comprising siloxane and coated with a coating comprising alkali metal organosiliconate is provided. A method of making a gypsum fiber product in which siloxane is cross-linked at the surface of the product is also provided. A fuel-efficient method for making the product and reducing the amount of siloxane dust released is provided as well.

Abstract: Disclosed is a biaxially stretched polyamide resin film which is a biaxially stretched film having a layer of a polyamide resin with caproamide as a repeating unit thereof and has an amount of the caprolactam monomer extracted from the biaxially stretched polyamide resin film of 0.1% by mass or less, and also disclosed is a packaging material including the biaxially stretched polyamide resin film.

Abstract: A fabric for thermal management including the cooling of an object, such as a person's skin. The fabric is formed of a plurality of materials including at least one liquid transport enhancing material and at least one evaporative transport impeding material. When the fabric is in use, the transport enhancing material is located near an object to be cooled, while the evaporation impeding material is spaced away from the object. The fabric is peached so that there is an entanglement of the two materials. Peaching is performed on both sides of the fabric, but initially on the side with the transport enhancing material such that a portion of the evaporation impeding material is pulled into the fabric core. A method of making the fabric is also described.

Abstract: An over-indexed, optionally cross-linked thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer. Also, the method of making the elastomer, and articles, including golf balls, comprising the elastomer.

Abstract: This invention relates to impact absorbing foams. These foams comprise a polymeric foam and ceramic particulates dispersing the foam. These foams have numerous uses, including, for example, as interior pads for football helmets, and the like, for reducing head injuries.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sheet for forming a hard coating and a method of formation thereof. The present invention can provide a transfer material or a surface protection sheet having a high refractive index and superior physical properties, such as hardness, friction resistance, abrasion resistance, chemical resistance, transparency, luster, and the like, for forming a hard coating on the surface of various molded products, including resin molded products or wood products, and a method for forming a hard coating from such transfer material or surface protection sheets.

Abstract: A wrinkled adhesive surface is prepared by swelling a laterally confined elastomer layer with a polymerizable monomer composition. Swelling the elastomer layer spontaneously produces a wrinkled surface, and the wrinkles are then stabilized by polymerizing the polymerizable monomer composition. The stabilized wrinkled surfaces prepare by the method can exhibit substantially enhanced adhesion relative to smooth surfaces of the same material. The stabilized wrinkled surfaces can also exhibit adhesion that is repeatable through many cycles of contact with and separation from another surface. The adhesive characteristics of the stabilized wrinkled surfaces can be tailored by manipulating the size of the wrinkles.

Abstract: The invention relates to a collapsible tyre for a vehicle, comprising at least one carcass reinforcement (5) surmounted radially from the outside by an inextensible crown reinforcement (4), itself radially on the inside of a tread (2), the said reinforcements (4, 5) each consisting of at least one layer of reinforcing elements, the said tread (2) being connected to two beads (6) by two sidewalls (8), the said beads (6) being intended to come into contact with a rim, each bead (6) comprising at least one circumferential reinforcing element (3) called a bead wire, the said bead wire (3) defining a mean line forming a substantially circular closed curve in a circumferential plane. The bead wire (3) of each bead (6) is flexible and comprises at least one concave part Pc of smaller radius Rc and of centre of curvature Cc. The invention also relates to a method of collapsing the tyre and to a use of the tyre.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of applying a radiopaque marker to a cannula for use with an intracardiac pump, the method including: obtaining a band of radiopaque polymer material; placing the band around an outer diameter of the cannula, the cannula including a flexible tubular wall formed around and supported by a coil of shape memory material; placing a heat shrink tube around the band and the cannula; heating the band and the polymer tube to: soften the band, cause the heat shrink tube to shrink and apply force on the softened band towards the cannula, and cause the softened band to be welded to the cannula to form a radiopaque marker in a portion of the tubular wall; and removing the heat shrink tube.

Abstract: A durable, injection moldable, thermoplastic elastomer that has the favorable resilience, feel, spin, barrier, and UV stability performance attributes is disclosed herein. An OBC grafted with silane provides a good cover shear durability (cut/tear/abrasion resistance). This invention combines the benefits of OBCs and silane crosslinking technology to yield a golf ball cover with a desirable combination of properties.

Abstract: Provided is a tire tread for a tire comprising a plurality of ribs or blocks, a plurality of grooves defined by adjacent ribs or blocks, and a plurality of sipes formed in each of the ribs or blocks. Each of the ribs or blocks has a length extending in a circumferential direction, a width extending in an axial direction, and a depth extending in a radial direction. Each of the sipes extends at an angle to the radial direction either between 0 and 70 degrees, inclusive; or between ?70 and 0 degrees, inclusive. Each sipe may have a thickness between nano thickness and 0.50 mm, inclusive. Each sipe may be spaced along the circumferential direction from an adjacent sipe by some interval having a length that does not exceed 20 mm. The ratio of the interval length to a standard contact patch length is less than 0.062.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of making and controlling multiphasic polymeric micro-components capable of shape-shifting. Such a multiphasic micro-component comprises a first phase (that can include a first polymer) and at least one additional phase distinct from said first phase (that can include a second polymer). One or more of the first phase and additional phase comprises a component that is responsive to an external stimulus. Thus, the micro-component exhibits a substantial physical deformation in response to: (i) the presence of the external stimulus or (ii) a change in the external stimulus. Exemplary external stimuli include temperature, pressure, light, pH, ionic strength, hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity, solvent, concentration, a stimulator chemical, sonic energy, electric energy, pressure, magnetic fields, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for making oxidation resistant medical devices that comprise polymeric materials, for example, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). The invention also provides methods of making antioxidant-doped medical implants, for example, doping of medical devices containing cross-linked UHMWPE with vitamin E by diffusion and materials used therein.

Abstract: Systems and methods for fabrication of composite shell elements and to the assembly of large scale structures comprising such composite shell elements are provided. The composite shell elements comprise two regions in which the resin is cured to different levels. As a consequence, the flexibility of the first region is greater than the flexibility of the second region. Since the first region defines a bending line, the composite shell element can be deformed along the bending line during assembly of the large scale structure. Thus, tolerances in fabrication of the composite shell elements may be compensated for in a time-efficient manner without the need for applying a shimming process.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a new method for production of zinc oxide particles which can control the particle diameter and particle shape of obtained zinc oxide particles by selecting suitable conditions, and can prepare zinc oxide applicable to various applications. A method for production of zinc oxide particles, comprising a step of aging a zinc oxide raw material in an aqueous zinc salt solution.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a light guide plate includes the following steps. Injection molding a light guide plate to obtain a light guide plate with a stub. Cutting away the stub to obtain a light guide plate with a cut edge. Providing a thermal resetting apparatus having an nano release material layer. A thermal melting temperature of the nano release material layer is higher than that of the light guide plate, heating the thermal resetting apparatus to make a temperature of the nano release material layer higher than the thermal melting temperature of the nano release material layer. And resetting the cut edge of the light guide plate by contacting the nano release material layer of the thermal resetting apparatus with the cut edge of the light guide plate to obtain a light guide plate with a smooth edge.

Abstract: In a method for manufacturing a structure of curable material, a first structure from a first curable material is molded and cured on a substrate, and a second structure of a second curable material is molded and cured on a first surface of the first structure facing away from the substrate, so that at the first surface of the first structure a boundary surface forms between the first and second structures so that the first structure is not covered by the second structure in a passage area. A solvent is introduced into the passage area to dissolve the first curable material of the first structure so that a cavity forms between the second structure and the first surface of the substrate. After curing, the first curable material is soluble and the second curable material is insoluble for the solvent. An optical component and an optical layer stack are made of curable material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of manufacturing an artificial stone, and the method includes forming an artificial-stone paste which comprises 20-20 parts by weight of silica stone, metakaolim or silica fume, 200-300 parts by weight of quartz chips, 30-36 parts by weight if water, 1.5-3 part by weight of water-reducing agent and 0.2-3 parts by weight of pigment with response to 100 parts by weight of white cement; injecting the artificial-stone paste in a mold; primarily vacuum-molding the artificial-stone paste injected in the mold; secondarily vibration-molding the primarily molded artificial-stone paste; primarily curing the secondarily molded artificial-stone paste; secondarily curing the primarily cured artificial-stone paste, which induces a hydrothermal reaction and thus causes a pozzolanic reaction; releasing the secondarily cured artificial-stone paste from the mold; and surface-machining the released artificial-stone paste.

Abstract: A process for efficiently producing a water-dispersible particulate agricultural-chemical composition having improved disintegrability/dispersibility in water, the composition having a particular size in the range of 50-1,000 ?m. The process is characterized by comprising the following steps (a) to (e): (a) a step of kneading an agricultural-chemical active ingredient, a surfactant, and water; (b) a step of extruding the resultant mixture through a screen having pores 600-2,000 ?m in diameter to form granules; (c) a step of drying the granules; (d) a step of rotating two toothed rolls with irregularities on the surface arranged in parallel to each other, and leading the dried granules to pass between the toothed rolls thereby pulverizing the granules; and (e) a step of sieving the pulverized granules.

Abstract: A device and method for treating a workpiece that is formed completely, or at least in a region of the surface to be treated, of a ceramic material. The device and method utilize a treatment element configured to transmit a substantially shock-free contact force to a surface of the workpiece to generate or increase compressive residual stresses in the workpiece.

Abstract: A regional anesthesia catheter used with a guide, for example a cannula, has a distal portion integrally connected to its main portion by a junction portion that has a cross-sectional profile different from the distal and main portions, so as to predispose the distal portion of the catheter to move in a given direction when it is not constrained by the guide. The cross-sectional profile of the junction portion may be configured in a particular shape, or be constructed to have a flexibility that predisposes the distal portion to bend, curve or move toward a given direction. A number of portions of a catheter may be configured to bend at a predefined direction. Further, a catheter may be configured to have a cross sectional profile or a predefined flexibility along its entire length to cause the catheter to move in a predefined direction.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides methods of strengthening liquid crystal elastomers. In some embodiments, such methods include a step of placing the liquid crystal elastomer in an environment that applies dynamic stress to the liquid crystal elastomer. In further embodiments, the methods of the present disclosure also include a step of providing liquid crystal elastomers for placement in an environment that applies dynamic stress. In some embodiments, the liquid crystal elastomer is in a nematic phase before or during the application of dynamic stress. In some embodiments, the application of dynamic stress enhances the stiffness of the liquid crystal elastomer by more than about 10%. Further embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to liquid crystal elastomers that are made by the methods of the present disclosure.

Abstract: A method for making a carbon nanotube structure is provided. The method includes the following steps. A carbon nanotube array on a substrate is provided. The carbon nanotube array is divided with a separating line to form a strip-shaped carbon nanotube array. A carbon nanotube film is pulled out from the strip-shaped carbon nanotube array.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an induction furnace for melting of metals that do not connect inductively in solid state. The induction furnace has a lining comprising a mixture of graphite and silicon carbide and has an electric conductivity higher than the electrical conductivity of the metal to be melted when metal is in solid state, but lower than the electrical conductivity of the metal to be melted when the metal is in molten state. The invention further relates to a lining for induction furnace and to a method for producing such lining.

Abstract: A formulation for a recycled plastic, composite composition, and a method of making the composite composition, is provided. The composite composition includes recycled EVA plastic from 30% to 80%, a stone powder from 20% to 70%; percentages by weight.

Abstract: A method for producing a molded body, said method comprising: providing a film comprising a thermoplastic plastic and having a film thickness D ranging from 1 ?m to 1000 ?m; irradiating the film with ionizing radiation, to produce irradiated regions in the film; thermally reshaping the film into a molded body and generating at least one hollow structure, wherein a temperature of the thermal reshaping remains below the melting temperature for the thermoplastic plastic; removing the irradiated regions, to create pores having a diameter ? from about 10 nm to about 10 ?m in the molded body; and removing the molded body from a mold.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device and a method for processing plastic material with at least one receiving container, wherein at least one mixing and/or comminution tool, rotatable about a rotation axis, is arranged, for mixing and warming the plastic material, and with at least one conveyor for discharging the plastic material from the receiving container, with at least one screw rotating in a housing, where the conveyor is connected, at its material inlet side via an opening which is formed in a side wall of the receiving container, with the interior of the receiving container. An imaginary extension of the central longitudinal axis of the conveyor extends, against the conveyance direction of the conveyor, past the rotation axis of the receiving container, without intersecting this axis, where the longitudinal axis of the conveyor is offset by a separation relative to the radial ray of the receiving container on the discharge side.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a substrate having a top surface, a substantially regular array of raised structures located over the top surface, and a layer located on the top surface between the structures. Distal surfaces of the structures are farther from the top surface than remaining portions of the structures. The layer is able to contract such that the distal surfaces of the structures protrude through the layer. The layer is able to swell such that the distal surfaces of the structures are closer to the top surface of the substrate than one surface of the layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides cellulose hydrogels having one or more of the following properties: high water content, high transparency, high permeability, high biocompatibility, high tensile strength and an optimal thickness. The present invention further provides a process for preparing a cellulose hydrogel comprising: (i) contacting cellulose with a solvent to activate the cellulose; (ii) optionally removing the solvent from the activated cellulose; (iii) substantially dissolving the activated cellulose to form a solution; (iv) allowing the solution to gel; and optionally (v) drying the gel and rehydrating the gel. The cellulose hydrogel can have many uses, including uses as contact lenses.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polyethylene composition for the production of peroxide crosslinked polyethylene and a method for the production thereof. The invention further relates to the use of such a polymer composition and to a peroxide crosslinked polyethylene pipe made from the polyethylene composition.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing an encapsulating material for solar cell which makes high-speed crosslinking possible and causes no blister phenomenon without significant restrictions being imposed on the conditions for molding the encapsulating material. The present invention provides a process for producing the encapsulating material for solar cell including impregnating a molded form of an ethylene copolymer with an organic peroxide in a liquid state at normal temperature which shows a decomposition temperature (a temperature at which the half-life period is one hour) of not higher than 150° C. A process for producing the encapsulating material for solar cell in which dialkyl peroxide (A) and an organic peroxide (B) selected from peroxycarbonate and peroxyketal at a ratio by weight of 10/90 to 90/10 of (A) and (B) in a liquid state impregnate the molded form of the ethylene copolymer is a preferable embodiment of the present invention.

Abstract: A powder particle shaping device includes a closed cavity capable of changing between multiple shapes as an external pressure changes, and the closed cavity compresses and moves powder particles with which the closed cavity is filled full while the shape changes. A powder particle shaping method is further provided, which includes a. filling a cavity full with powder particles to be shaped; and b. applying a varying external pressure to make the cavity change repeatedly between multiple shapes, thereby making the powder particles under compression move and be subject to friction, where the cavity is kept in a closed state during an effective processing process. The shaping device and method have highly controllable shaping processing intensity of powder particles and stable processing strength, and thus are applicable to shaping and pulverization of various powder particles, and also applicable to pulverization and further shaping processing of dispersed agglomerates.

Abstract: A method of producing a balloon of a balloon catheter includes the following method steps: providing a balloon body coupled to a proximal sleeve and a distal sleeve by transitional sections extending between the balloon body and the sleeves; creating folds in at least the distal sleeve; and stabilizing at least a distal section of the folds of the distal sleeve.

Abstract: The invention relates to a molded cellulose body which includes a functional substance having low impregnation efficiency, to the use thereof and to a method for introducing functional substances of low impregnation efficiency into a molded cellulose body during its production and after the molding step.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a medical device, preferably an ophthalmic device, more preferably a contact lens, made of a stabilized poly(oxyalkylene)-containing polymeric material. The method of the invention comprises the steps of: curing, in a mold, a composition comprising (a) a prepolymer having at least one poly(oxyalkylene) unit, (b) a biocompatible organic multi-acid or biocompatible salt thereof in an amount sufficient to improve the stability of the poly(oxyalkylene)-containing polymer made from the composition, (c) optionally a photoinitiator or a thermal initiator, and (d) optionally one or more vinylic monomers, to form the medical device being less susceptible to oxidative degradation; and removing the medical device from the mold.

Abstract: A method for producing a vinylidene fluoride resin film having excellent transparency, weather resistance, chemical resistance, break resistance and formability is provided. The film is shaped by sandwiching a vinylidene fluoride resin in a molten state between rollers or metal belts so as to let them cool down, thus realizing polyvinylidene fluoride with a fine average spherocrystal diameter. Thus, the vinylidene fluoride resin film having the above-stated properties can be obtained.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for granulating and crystallizing thermoplastic polymers, the granules being contained in a liquid after granulation of a polymer melt and the granules being nucleated in the liquid once the pressure of the liquid is increased and the temperature of the liquid is increased, and the granules being crystallized in the liquid once the pressure of the liquid is again increased and the temperature of the liquid is again increased. According to the invention, the granules are removed from the liquid once the pressure and the temperature of the liquid containing the granules have been reduced.

Abstract: Material processing systems are disclosed. Some systems include methods of eliminating or reducing defects in elongate workpieces that can undergo large deformations during processing. Some systems include apparatus configured to facilitate such large deformations while maintaining internal stresses (e.g., tensile stresses) below a threshold stress. Some disclosed systems pertain to powder extrusion techniques. Continuous and batch processing systems are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for making a carbon nanotube-based device includes the steps of: providing a carbon nanotube yarn; preforming the carbon nanotube yarn into a predetermined shape; and heating the preformed carbon nanotube yarn so as to enable the carbon nanotube yarn to memorize the predetermined shape.

Abstract: A method of reducing crimp in woven sailcloth comprising applying heat to warp yarn or fill yarn prior to the yarns being woven into fabric and a method of making a sail comprising assembling panels of sailcloth comprising warp yarns and fill yarns, wherein at least one panel of sailcloth is prepared by applying heat to the warp yarn or the fill yarn prior to the yarns being weaved into fabric.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polyethylene composition for the production of peroxide crosslinked polyethylene and a method for the production thereof. The invention further relates to the use of such a polymer composition and to a peroxide crosslinked polyethylene pipe made from the polyethylene composition.

Abstract: A shoe press belt for paper-making machine that reduces belt damages attributed to the friction between belt and shoe. The shoe press belt for paper-making machine having a wet paper contact surface and a shoe contact surface, is characterized in that the shoe press belt for paper-making machine has a base member and at least a polymer elastic part constituting the shoe contact surface and that the shoe contact surface of the polymer elastic part has a surface roughness (Ra) of 1.0 to 3.5 ?m.