Abstract: A method of transducing electrical energy to sound is disclosed which includes providing a transducer, the transducer includes lead zirconate titanate (PZT) particles mixed with graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) in a flexible substrate aligned in a first direction, forming a transducer subsystem, a first conductive protective electrode having a width and a length configured to provide a first electrical connectivity to an external circuit, and a second conductive protective electrode having the width and the length and configured to provide a second electrical connectivity to the external circuit, wherein the transducer subsystem is sandwiched between the first and second conductive protective electrodes, and providing an external circuit configured to provide an electrical signal to the first and second conductive protective electrodes to thereby transduce the electrical signal to sound.

Abstract: A multilayer moisture barrier film includes a first outer layer, a second outer layer, and at least one desiccant-containing inner layer between the first and second outer layers. The inner layer can have cavities with which the desiccant particles are in communication.

Abstract: This disclosure describes single and multi-layer woven meshes designed to enable sucking flow condensation and capillary-driven liquid film boiling, respectively, for instance, in use in heat spreaders. The single-layer woven meshes can include a nanostructure coating and a hydrophobic coating, while the multi-layer meshes can include a microcavity coating and optionally a hydrophilic coating.

Abstract: A method for producing a cell culture plate for human organoid generation using 3D printing is proposed. The method includes the steps of: (a) feeding filament-shaped biodegradable polymer materials, which are not toxic to the human body, and a compatibilizer for improving interfacial adhesion between the polymer materials, into a 3D printer; and (b) producing a cell culture plate using the 3D printer. The cell culture plate is produced by feeding biodegradable polymer materials, which is a blended combination of PLA and PCL, and an appropriate compatibilizer, into a 3D printer. The produced cell culture plate is not toxic to the human body, can culture cells in a desired shape, and has excellent biocompatibility so that it can be applied directly in vivo without detaching cells from the plate.

Abstract: A battery separator has performance enhancing additives or coatings, fillers with increased friability, increased ionic diffusion, decreased tortuosity, increased wettability, reduced oil content, reduced thickness, decreased electrical resistance, and/or increased porosity. The separator in a battery reduces the water loss, lowers acid stratification, lowers the voltage drop, and/or increases the CCA.

Abstract: Improved battery separators, base films or membranes, batteries, cells, devices, systems, vehicles, and/or methods of making and/or using such separators, films or membranes, batteries, cells, devices, systems, vehicles, and/or methods of enhancing battery or cell charge rates, charge capacity, and/or discharge rates, and/or methods of improving batteries, systems including such batteries, vehicles including such batteries and/or systems, and/or the like; biaxially oriented porous membranes, composites including biaxially oriented porous membranes, biaxially oriented microporous membranes, biaxially oriented macroporous membranes, battery separators with improved charge capacities and the related methods and methods of manufacture, methods of use, and the like; flat sheet membranes, liquid retention media; dry process separators; biaxially stretched separators; dry process biaxially stretched separators having a thickness range between about 5 ?m and 50 ?m, preferably between about 10 ?m and 25 ?m, having imp

Abstract: Hollow fiber membranes in an oxygenator for an extracorporeal blood circulator are coated with an antithrombotic polymeric material. The porous hollow fiber membranes for gas exchange have outer surfaces, inner surfaces forming lumens, opening portions through which the outer surfaces communicate with the inner surfaces in a housing. A blood flow path is outside of the hollow fiber membrane bundle in the housing, between a blood inlet port and a blood outlet port. The coating is obtained by filling the blood flow path with a colloidal solution containing an antithrombotic polymeric compound, and moving the colloid solution between the blood inlet port and the blood outlet port for a time that coats a predetermined amount of antithrombotic polymeric compound on the outer surfaces of the hollow fiber membranes. Other surfaces within the oxygenator contacting the blood flow likewise receive the coating.

Abstract: An antibacterial medical biomaterial includes an acellular small intestinal submucosal matrix material, an antibacterial gel layer located on a surface of the acellular small intestinal submucosal matrix material, and an absorbable fiber layer located on a surface of the antibacterial gel layer. Sulfadiazine silver is on the surface of the acellular small intestinal submucosal matrix material and/or within the acellular small intestinal submucosal matrix material. An absorbable fiber layer to which the sulfadiazine silver is attached, wherein the content of sulfadiazine silver in the absorbable fiber is 1 wt. %˜2 wt. %. The medical biomaterial is usable as an external medicine for treating wound infections relayed by burns or wounds, and for reducing the incidence of infection by using a conventional central venous catheter with a sulfadiazine silver antibacterial coating, so that the medical biomaterial loaded with sulfadiazine silver also has antibacterial activity consistent with sulfadiazine silver.

Abstract: A thermally expandable sheet includes: a first thermally expansive layer that is formed on one side of a base and contains a first thermally expandable material and a first binder, the first thermally expansive layer having a first ratio of the first thermally expandable material with respect to the first binder; and a second thermally expansive layer that is formed on the first thermally expansive layer and contains a second thermally expandable material and a second binder, the second thermally expansive layer having a second ratio of the second thermally expandable material with respect to the second binder, wherein the first ratio is lower than the second ratio.

Abstract: A nib for a valve-free free ink writing felt pen including a first end configured to deliver ink to a writing support and second end, opposite the first end, configured to be inserted in a nib receiving part of the valve-free free ink writing felt pen, the first end and the second end defining an axial direction of the nib, the nib including a main body made of porous hydrophilic material and including one or more insert made of porous hydrophobic material, the one or more insert being configured to allow intake of air from the outside of a free ink tank of the valve-free free ink writing felt pen into the free ink tank and avoid ink leakage outside the free ink tank. A valve-free free ink writing felt pen including a nib.

Abstract: A battery separator has performance enhancing additives or coatings, fillers with increased friability, increased ionic diffusion, decreased tortuosity, increased wettability, reduced oil content, reduced thickness, decreased electrical resistance, and/or increased porosity. The separator in a battery reduces the water loss, lowers acid stratification, lowers the voltage drop, and/or increases the CCA.

Abstract: A method for in situ production of antimicrobial filtration membranes that uses self-assembly of surfactants such as block copolymers as a template. The mesophase structure (for example hexagonal or lamellar) can be determined, and membrane pore size can be controlled in the nanometer range, by changing the block copolymer and the amounts of the components such as the block copolymer, aqueous solution, monomer, crosslinker, and initiator. The monomer phase cures in the template and there is no need for organic solvents and coagulation bath or other post-modification. As-synthesized membranes were found to have pore sizes with a narrow size distribution in the range of 3-4 nm with a molecular weight cutoff of 1500 g/mol and displayed both excellent fouling resistance and high permeance of water, vastly outperforming a conventional NIPS UF membrane. The monomer can comprise a quaternary ammonium group so that the membrane is antibacterial.

Abstract: A heat transfer system is disclosed in which, an electrocaloric material includes a copolymer of a monomer mixture including (i) vinylidene fluoride, (ii) an addition polymerization monomer selected from tetrafluoroethylene, trifluoroethylene, or a monomer smaller than trifluoroethylene, and (iii) a halogenated addition polymerization monomer different than (ii) that is larger than vinylidene fluoride. The electrocaloric material also includes an additive selected from a nucleating agent having a polar surface charge, electrocalorically active solid particles, or a combination thereof. Electrodes are disposed on opposite surfaces of the electrocaloric material, and an electric power source is configured to provide voltage to the electrodes. The system also includes a first thermal flow path between the electrocaloric material and a heat sink, and a second thermal flow path between the electrocaloric material and a heat source.

Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and a method for foam injection molding, in which a problem in quality caused by spreading of a minute releasing distance according to conditions of an injection machine is improved by minutely releasing a first moving mold from a fixed mold using a minute releasing member for foaming and minutely releasing a second moving mold from the first moving mold using a minute releasing member for spreading of the injection machine.

Abstract: A post-processing method of a polymer electrolyte membrane, which anneals and stretches a polymer electrolyte membrane including a hydrocarbon-based copolymer in a vapor atmosphere of a solvent.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing parts is provided. The method includes cold rolling a substrate with work cylinders whose work surface has a roughness Ra2.5 of less than or equal to 3.6 ?m, depositing the metal coating on at least one face of the annealed substrate by electrodeposition to form the metal sheet and deforming the cut metal sheet to form the parts. The outer surface of the metal coating has a waviness Wa0.8 of less than or equal to 0.5 ?m after the deformation step. A part and vehicle are also provided.

Abstract: A seal member formed in a line shape having ends is inserted in a seal groove formed on at least one of adjacent side surfaces of segments. A lip portion is provided on a seal upper portion of the member so at least a tip end thereof projects to an outside of the seal groove when the member is inserted in the groove. The seal member is hollow or includes a concave portion on at least a seal bottom portion thereof. When assembling the segments as a single structure, the adjacent side surfaces of the segments are coupled to each other, and the seal member is crushed in a cross sectional direction by the side surface of the other segment to seal between the segments. With this, complication of manufacturing steps can be suppressed or avoided while realizing a satisfactory sealed state between the adjacent segments of a mold.

Abstract: A method for making a composite and/or structured material includes: forming a lattice construction from a plurality of solid particles, the construction being formed so as to have one or more gaps between the particles; invading the lattice construction with a fluid material such that the fluid material at least partially penetrates the gaps; and, solidifying the material which invaded the lattice construction to form a composite material. In one suitable embodiment, the method further includes removing at least a portion of the lattice construction from the composite material thereby forming at the location of the removed portion one or more pores in the solidified material that invaded the construction.

Abstract: Provided are: an acrylic adhesive sheet having a porous structure including a plurality of pores and having a water vapor transmission rate of 2,000 g/m2·24 h to 3,500 g/m2·24 h at 24° C. and 25% RH, and a porosity of 10% to 60%; and a medical adhesive tape including the same.

Abstract: A method of making a polymer membrane, the method including providing a first monomer solution having a first solvent, a second monomer solution having a second solvent, and a substrate having a surface, and including electrospraying the first monomer solution onto the substrate surface and electrospraying the second monomer solution onto the substrate surface to form the polymer membrane on at least a portion of the substrate surface.

Abstract: A method for fabricating nanoporous polymer thin film includes steps as follows. A polymer thin film is provided, wherein a polymer solution including a polymer is coated on a substrate to form the polymer thin film. A swelling and annealing process is provided, wherein the polymer thin film is disposed inside a chamber with a vapor of a first solvent, the polymer thin film is swollen and annealed to form a swollen polymer thin film, and the swollen polymer thin film includes the polymer and the first solvent. A freezing process is provided, wherein the swollen polymer thin film is cooled to a temperature less than or equal to a crystallization temperature of the first solvent to crystallize the first solvent. A first solvent removing process is provided, wherein the first solvent is removed with a second solvent, such that a nanoporous polymer thin film is obtained.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to improved semipermeable membranes based on acrylonitrile copolymers for use in dialyzers for the extracorporeal treatment of blood in conjunction with hemodialysis, hemofiltration or hemodiafiltration. The present disclosure further relates to methods of producing such membranes.

Abstract: A breathable film is described having a basis weight from 1 g/m2 to 10 g/m2, a process for producing the breathable film and use of a surface-treated filler material product as filler in the breathable film. Finally, an article is described that includes the breathable film as well as the use of the breathable film in hygienic applications, medical applications, healthcare applications, filtration materials, geotextile products, agricultural applications, horticultural applications, clothing, footwear products, baggage products, household applications, industrial applications, packaging applications, building applications, or construction.

Abstract: A vehicle door for a railway vehicle and a railway vehicle includes the vehicle door include a first door skin, a second door skin and a foaming material forming a laminated structure, the foaming material being filled between the first and second door skins, wherein the first door skin has at least one folded edge portion, and the second door skin has a first bent edge portion tightly clamped in the folded edge portion in a position corresponding to each of the folded edge portions. Since during the fixing of the first and second door skins, at least part thereof is realized by a folding and clamping technique, adhesion failure risk between the door skins and a frame body is effectively lowered during use, the reliability of the fixed connection between the two door skins is improved, and the vehicle door weight and the production cost are reduced during manufacture.

Abstract: Poly(ethylene tetrafluoroethylene) (ETFE) polymers having an average molecular weight of at least 300,000 g/mol and a melt enthalpy of at least 57 J/g are provided. The ETFE polymer may include at least one additional comonomer. The ETFE polymer is used to form a porous tape or membrane that has a node and fibril structure. A porous ETFE tape may be formed by lubricating the ETFE polymer and subjecting the lubricated polymer to pressure at a temperature below the melting point of the ETFE polymer. Optionally, the ETFE tape may be expanded at a temperature below the melting temperature of the ETFE polymer to form an expanded ETFE membrane. Alternatively, the ETFE polymer may subjected to heat and pressure without the addition of a lubricant to form a dense preform. The dense preform may be subsequently slit in a length direction and stretched to form a dense ETFE fiber.

Abstract: An acrylonitrile-containing fiber includes 100 parts by mass of a polymer including at least 15 parts by mass of acrylonitrile; and 1.0 to 50 parts by mass of a water absorbent resin having a pure water absorption capacity (g/g) with respect to its own weight of at least 10 but less than 100, wherein the fiber is dyeable with a disperse dye.

Abstract: A mold tool is provided that includes plural mold sub-volumes configured to receive a sealant, a mold channel in fluid communication with the mold sub-volumes, a sealant injection port in fluid communication with the mold channel, vacuum application ports in fluid communication with the mold sub-volumes, and an air control system. The air control system is operably coupled to the mold sub-volumes and the mold channel, and is configured to apply a vacuum to the mold sub-volumes via the vacuum application ports.

Abstract: Bridge tape comprised of thermally foamable composition, useful for applying coating material through holes in the tape to a substrate beneath the tape, after which the holes can be sealed by heating to cause the foamable composition to foam and expand the foam to seal the holes.

Abstract: A flame retardant resin composition including a base resin including 18 to 85% by mass of a high density polyethylene, 9 to 69% by mass of a low density polyethylene, and 3 to 25% by mass of an acid-modified polyolefin compound, and 25 parts by mass to 110 parts by mass of calcium carbonate particles, more than 1 part by mass to 10 parts by mass of a silicone-based compound, and 2 parts by mass to 20 parts by mass of a fatty acid-containing compound, each on the basis of 100 parts by mass of the base resin.

Abstract: For manufacturing composite parts (1) having an inner hollow moulded body (2) with openings (3), which are accessible from outside, the moulded body is introduced into a moulding tool on the mould walls on which a shell layer (11) was applied. The hollow space between the moulded body (2) and the shell layer (11) is filled with a thermally insulating plastic foam (12) which is foamed in the moulding tool and bonds to the moulded body and the shell layer. After removal, a moulded body is provided, which has a qualitatively good surface formed by the shell layer. Such a composite part is preferably used for connecting thermally insulating pipes.

Abstract: A film is mated with a paper to form a space therebetween. The film is made of plastics material. Separation of the paper from the film can provide access to an article stored in the space provided between the paper and the film.

Abstract: An improved polymer delivery system is described which provides polymeric microparticle compositions and porous microparticles formed therefrom. Pore size, pore architecture as well as particle size are also controllable. In some embodiments, both the polymeric microparticle compositions and porous microparticles formed therefrom encapsulate at least one substance, such as a biologic substance (one having biologic activity and/or compatible with a biologic system). The encapsulation occurs prior to polymerization. The amount of substance that is encapsulated may be controlled by the described methods. Said methods do not emply organic solvents. As such, the fabrication occurs in a solvent-free system.

Abstract: This invention relates to extruded composite materials specifically focusing on the increasing load bearing capacity and the overall strength of composites. Injectable conformable structural core materials are used to replace foam cells inside extruded composite materials thereby increasing the overall load bearing stability and strength. The core materials are tailored to have a desired CTE with respect to the structural materials. The core materials may also incorporate fibers and solid structural fillers for increasing the strength of the composite member. The objective is to enable composite materials to have the highest structural load bearing capability possible so that these technologies can be used as the replacement of wood, in aerospace applications and for other purposes.

Abstract: An oxidation catalyst is described for treating an exhaust gas produced by a diesel engine comprising a catalytic region and a substrate, wherein the catalytic region comprises a catalytic material comprising: iron (Fe) or an oxide thereof; a platinum group metal (PGM) selected from the group consisting of (i) platinum (Pt), (ii) palladium (Pd) and (iii) platinum (Pt) and palladium (Pd); and a support material, which is a refractory oxide comprising alumina; wherein the platinum group metal (PGM) and the iron (Fe) or an oxide thereof is each supported on the support material.

Abstract: A method of forming a three dimensional fiber structure is disclosed which comprises the steps of a) providing a starting material which comprises liquid carrier, fibers and binder; b) passing the starting material over a substrate so as to deposit fibers onto the substrate; c) forming a three dimensional fiber matrix; and d) curing the binder. The flow of material onto the substrate may be controlled such that the flow of a starting material over the substrate is chaotic and fibers are laid down in a three dimensional structure containing a high proportion of voids. The preform may be pressurized while moist and is cured under pressure. The fibers may comprise carbon fibers; recycled carbon fiber has been found to be particularly useful. The resulting preform may be stochastic and is suitable for use in ablative and braking applications.

Abstract: In a configuration of a method for preventing progression of corrosion in a steel pipe structure according to the present invention, two or more types of liquids 150 are injected, while being mixed, into a steel pipe that constitutes the steel pipe structure, from an opening at one of both ends of the steel pipe, and the inside of the steel pipe is filled with resin foam product (foam product 152) by foam expansion and hardening of the two or more types of liquids.

Abstract: A microporous acid-resistant resin separator has a total pore volume ratio of 55% or more and less than 75%. A negative electrode plate is made of an electrode material containing a bisphenol condensate. Thereby, a lead-acid battery can be obtained, which reduces the softening of a positive electrode material and has excellent low-temperature high rate discharge performance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite nano microporous diaphragm for use in lithium ion cells using polyolefin modified with post-crosslinked rubber and manufacturing method thereof. The microporous diaphragm at least comprises a nano microporous diaphragm A layer with a chemical gel content of more than 20%, the microscopic structure thereof is designed to be the rubber material that has been evenly dispersed and has subjected to a post-crosslinking treatment in polyolefin nano microfiber matrix, forming a nano microporous diaphragm of rubber-plastic composite. The nano microporous diaphragm with high strength, thermal cutoff, high temperature resistance, as well as good liquid absorption and swelling and compression elasticity can be applied to lithium ion power cells with high safety and long cycling life.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of preparing a crosslinked polyolefin separator including preparing a silane grafted polyolefin solution using a polyolefin having a weight average molecular weight higher than or equal to 200,000, a diluent, an alkoxy group containing vinylsilane, and an initiator, forming the silane grafted polyolefin solution in a sheet shape and stretching, extracting the diluent from the stretched sheet to produce a porous membrane, and crosslinking the porous membrane in the presence of water, and a crosslinked polyolefin separator.

Abstract: A process of preparing a glass comprising: (a) heating a mixture of precursor chemicals to a melt temperature to form a melt, the melt being characterized in that quenching the melt at or above a threshold temperature results in a spinodal phase separation, and quenching the melt below the threshold temperature results in a droplet phase separation; and (b) quenching the melt at or above the threshold temperature in a preheated mold to form the glass composition having the spinodal phase separation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a propylene-based resin microporous film which has excellent electrolyte solution retention property, and can provide a lithium ion battery in which a decrease in discharge capacity is highly reduced even after repeated charge and discharge. The propylene-based resin microporous film is a propylene-based resin microporous film having micropores, wherein a propylene-based resin having a weight average molecular weight of 250,000 to 500,000, a melting point of 160 to 170° C., and a pentad fraction of 96% or more is contained, the surface aperture ratio is 27 to 42%, the ratio of a surface aperture ratio to a porosity is 0.6 or less, and the degree of gas permeability is 50 to 400 s/100 mL.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for preparing nano-macroporous glass articles, such as bioscaffolds, from starting materials such as phosphosilicate glasses made by melt-quench methods, mixed with a soluble pore former such as a sugar, followed by steps of dissolving, heating, and leaching to yield a glass composition having a highly interconnected system of both macropores and large scale nanoporosity.

Abstract: A polyurethane porous membrane is produced by a simple method to be used for at least one of applications of cell culture and cancer cell growth inhibition. The production method of the polyurethane porous membrane to be used for at least one of the applications of cell culture and cancer cell growth inhibition comprises: a first step of forming a layer of a polyurethane material which is uncured, on a substrate; and a second step of supplying water vapor to an exposed surface of the layer of the polyurethane material formed on the substrate, which is away from the substrate, so as to cure the polyurethane material and provide the layer of the polyurethane material with a porous structure having a plurality of irregularities on the exposed surface.

Abstract: A microscope includes an illuminating optical system that illuminates the test object under predetermined illumination conditions, an imaging optical system that forms an image of the test object, and an image sensor that outputs an image signal. A computer includes an image analyzing unit that acquires an image feature amount of the test object on the basis of the image signal detected by the image sensor, a comparison unit that compares the image feature amount of the test object with image feature amounts of a plurality of sample test objects and specifies an image feature amount of a sample test object closest to the image feature amount of the test object, and a setting unit that sets illumination conditions of the illuminating optical system on the basis of an illumination state suitable for observation of a sample test object having the image feature amount specified by the comparison unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a polyolefin porous film, the method including the steps of: (a) melt-kneading a solution containing a polyolefin having a weight average molecular weight of 500,000 or more and a solvent to obtain a kneaded product; (b) extruding and cooling the kneaded product to obtain a gel-like molded product; (c) drawing the gel-like molded product to obtain a drawn sheet; (d) removing the solvent from the drawn sheet, followed by drying to obtain a film in which fine pores are formed; (e) conducting heat treatment, while fixing the film in both directions of a MD and a TD thereof and drawing the film at a draw ratio of exceeding 0% to less than 0.1% in at least one direction of the MD and the TD thereof; and (f) conducting heat treatment while decreasing a width of the film in at least one direction of the MD and the TD of the film.

Abstract: Provided is a semipermeable membrane having at least a separating functional layer, wherein azo compounds are retained in the separating functional layer, and the separating functional layer has a yellow index of 10 to 40. Also provided is a method of producing the semipermeable membrane. The present invention provides a semipermeable membrane having not only high water permeability but also high rejection performance even for substances that are nondissociative in the neutral range, such as boric acid, and showing high durability and a manufacturing method therefor.

Abstract: A method for fabricating an environmentally robust micro-wineglass gyroscope includes the steps of stacking and bonding of at least an inner glass layer and an outer glass layer to a substrate wafer; plastically deforming the inner glass layer into a mushroom-shaped structure and deforming the outer glass layer into a shield capable of extending over the inner glass layer, while leaving the inner and outer glass layers connectable at a central post location; removing the substrate layer and a portion of the inner glass layer so that a perimeter of the inner glass layer is free; and bonding the deformed inner and outer glass layers to a handle wafer. The resulting structure is an environmentally robust micro-wineglass gyroscope which has a double ended supported central post location for the mushroom-shaped structure of the inner glass layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a membrane that includes a porous polymer material made of a polyimide with interconnected macropores and impregnated with protic ionic liquid conductors (CLIP), as well as to the method for manufacturing same and to the uses thereof. The membranes of the invention fulfill the need for membranes including CLIPs, which have good proton-conducting properties as well as good physical properties, in particular high thermal and mechanical stability, in addition to a wide range of electrochemical stability.

Abstract: A dialysis supply system that includes a central dialysis liquid manufacturing unit, a dialysis treatment unit, a valve arrangement, and a hydraulic module.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for controlling the morphology and the release-rate of active agent from coating layers for medical devices comprising a polymer matrix and one or more active agents. The methods comprise fixing the morphology or phase distribution of the active agent prior to removing solvent from the coating composition. The coating layers can be used for controlled the delivery of an active agent or a combination of active agents.