Abstract: There is a need for methods that can produce piezoelectric composites having suitable physical characteristics and also optimized electrical stimulatory properties. The present application provides piezoelectric composites, including tissue-stimulating composites, as well as methods of making such composites, that meet these needs. In embodiments, methods of making a spinal implant are provided. The methods suitably comprise preparing a thermoset, thermoplastic or thermoset/thermoplastic, or copolymer polymerizable matrix, dispersing a plurality of piezoelectric particles in the polymerizable matrix to generate dispersion, shaping the dispersion, inducing an electric polarization in the piezoelectric particles in the shaped dispersion, wherein at least 40% of the piezoelectric particles form chains.

Abstract: A process for building three-dimensional objects based on electrophotographic printing is disclosed, comprising the steps of depositing a first layer of powdered base material on a substrate, operating an imaging member, a charging device, an image generating device and an image developing device, in that order, to deliver and deposit filler material onto the layer of powdered base material in an image-wise manner to produce a layer of bonded base material that correspond to the first cross-section of the three-dimensional object being built, repeating all the above steps for as many times as required to form successive layers that constitute the three-dimensional object, said filler material further causing adjacent layers to be bonded with one another; and removing unbonded material to cause the three-dimensional object to appear.

Abstract: Medical devices and related methods are disclosed.

Abstract: This invention provides a fuel cell flow field plate or bipolar plate having flow channels on faces of the plate, comprising an electrically conductive polymer composite. The composite is composed of (A) at least 50% by weight of a conductive filler, comprising at least 5% by weight reinforcement fibers, expanded graphite platelets, graphitic nano-fibers, and/or carbon nano-tubes; (B) polymer matrix material at 1 to 49.9% by weight; and (C) a polymer binder at 0.1 to 10% by weight; wherein the sum of the conductive filler weight %, polymer matrix weight % and polymer binder weight % equals 100% and the bulk electrical conductivity of the flow field or bipolar plate is at least 100 S/cm. The invention also provides a continuous process for cost-effective mass production of the conductive composite-based flow field or bipolar plate.

Abstract: A polymer foam layer is disclosed, comprising a polymer foam and a plurality of electrically conductive particles dispersed within the polymer foam, polymer foam layer having an unabraded first surface and an opposite, second surface, wherein the electrically conductive particles essentially continuously span the polymer foam layer, and a portion of the electrically conductive particles are exposed at the first surface of the layer and another portion of the electrically conductive particles are exposed at the second surface. The foams are useful as gaskets for electromagnetic shielding, grounding pads, battery contact conductive spring elements, and the like.

Abstract: A method is provided of fabricating a composite incorporating fillers. The method includes the steps of depositing the fillers in a matrix material either in a rapid prototyping device or prior to inserting the matrix material into a mold. The mold is positioned at a desired location with respect to an electrical field such that at least a portion of the fillers in the matrix material align in a first direction in response thereto. For producing a heterogeneous composite through a rapid prototyping process, the electrodes are positioned at a desired orientation to align the fillers. Thereafter, at least a portion of the matrix material is cured with desirable filler orientation. The procedure is repeated with the desired filler orientation and distribution being introduced layer by layer within the composite.

Abstract: System for practicing a method of making a low cost, light weight impact deflecting material, comprising directionally aligned single walled carbon nanotubes in an epoxy resin composition, that is near impervious to bullets fired at close range at all angles of incidence, that does not deteriorate upon abrasion or when exposed to wide ranges of temperature and humidity, and that when used to construct a protective shield for a body armor vest protects the wearer from blunt trauma effects.

Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and method for synthesizing a conductive composite with enhanced electrical conductivity. The apparatus includes: an injection-molding machine which injection-molds pellets created by mixing carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with polymers; and an electric field generator which applies an electric field to the pellets that are melted while the melted pellets are injection-molded and thus rearranges the CNTs included in a composite into which the melted pellets are injection-molded.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a plastic molded article is disclosed. In the method, a compound liquid, including two component liquids insoluble in each other and having different dielectric constants, is supplied between two electrodes, and an electric field is applied between the electrodes. At least one of the component liquids is an un-cured curable resin liquid. Upon application of the electric field, the higher dielectric constant component liquid is extended along the direction of the electric field, thus forming a bridge structure linking the electrodes. When the curable resin is cured after the bridge structure is formed, a plastic molded article is obtained.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a polymer fiber shell from liquefied polymer is provided. The apparatus includes: (a) a precipitation electrode being for generating the polymer fiber shell thereupon; (b) a dispenser, being at a first potential relative to the precipitation electrode so as to generate an electric field between the precipitation electrode and the dispenser, the dispenser being for: (i) charging the liquefied polymer thereby providing a charged liquefied polymer; and (ii) dispensing the charged liquefied polymer in a direction of the precipitation electrode; and (c) a subsidiary electrode being at a second potential relative to the precipitation electrode, the subsidiary electrode being for modifying the electric field between the precipitation electrode and the dispenser.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a thin-walled article, wherein a single- or multi-component, essentially polymer-based material (1), such as plastics, elastomers, and/or the like, is sprayed in an elecrical field (E) in an electrically charged state. The thin-walled article is manufactured in the electrical field (E) by spraying (II) an electrically charged material into the contact with a mould (2) set at an electric potential, after which spraying cycle (II) the article is, at least in terms of its appearance, immediately a finished product after its demoulding/releasing from the mould (2). The invention relates also to an apparatus operating in accordance with the method.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are an anisotropically conductive connector, by which positioning, and holding and fixing to a circuit device can be conducted with ease even when the pitch of electrodes of the circuit device to be connected is small, and moreover good conductivity can be achieved as to all conductive parts, and insulating property between adjacent conductive parts can be surely achieved, a production process thereof, and applied products thereof.

Abstract: A method for the production of a homogenous, shaped SiO2 body of near net shape wherein amorphous SiO2 particles comprising relatively large amorphous SiO2 particles and relatively small amorphous SiO2 particles are electrophoretically deposited from an aqueous dispersion on an electrically nonconductive membrane, the shape and geometry of which correspond to the shaped SiO2 body to be produced, wherein the membrane has an average pore size which is larger than the average particle size of the smaller amorphous SiO2 particles.

Abstract: The invention relates to a reinforcing structure (13), comprising metallic elements (15) (16), to be used to reinforce stiff composite articles (14) comprising such reinforcing structure and a polymer matrix. The reinforcing structure comprises metallic elements with structural deformations in order to improve the bending properties of the reinforcing structure and the impact properties of the stiff composite article, for which the reinforcing structure is used. The metallic elements run essentially parallel to each other.

Abstract: Magnetizable fibers dispersed in a viscous body, particularly reinforcing metal fibers dispersed in a wet cementitious material, is carried out by providing a fiber aligning member (15) having a nonmagnetic wall (17) including a first wall portion (17A) and a second wall portion (17B), moving the aligning member (15) relative to the viscous body with the first wall portion (17A) leading and the second portion (17B) trailing it and with the first and second wall portions (17A, 17B) contacting the viscous body, and directing a magnetic field into the viscous body through the first wall portion (17A) to subject the fibers (F) to a moving magnetic field.

Abstract: A process for making thin-walled elastomeric articles. The process includes the steps of electrostatically spraying charged particles of an elastomeric composition into a chamber containing a rigid shaped former having an earthed conductive surface whereby the charged particles of the composition are attracted to the conductive surface of the former to form a coating of the composition thereon, consolidating the coating to produce the thin-walled article on the former, and stripping the article from the shaped former. The process according to the present invention can be used to produce condoms, surgical gloves, and other thin-walled articles having a thickness typically in the range of 20 to 200 microns, and more preferably 40 to 100 microns. Using the invention, it is possible to make thin-walled articles with a uniform thickness, even when the shape of the article is quite complex.

Abstract: Thin walled elastomeric articles are made by electrostatically depositing a coating of an elastomeric composition on a rigid shape former (24), consolidating the coating and then stripping the article (30) from the former. Gloves and condoms are among the articles which can be made in this way.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing hollow ceramics fibers with the pores of the micron-scale hollow structure unidirectionally oriented, the method of manufacturing is characterized in the steps of dispersing organic fibers in a dielectric liquid and applying high voltage to the dielectric liquid containing the dispersed organic fibers to electrostatically align them to produce a fiber accumulation in which the organic fibers are unidirectionally oriented, using said fiber accumulation as a mold and dipping said fiber accumulation in a ceramics base solution, and then removing said mold by treatment with heat or organic solvents.

Abstract: Self-tuning materials which can efficiently emit or receive radio waves in spite of being simple in their construction and small in their dimension, and are applied to patch antenna, wave directors or the like. Metallic chips containing two or more kinds of ingredients which are distributed in a layered, net-like or needle-shaped configuration, and an organic or inorganic bonding material which is small in dissipation of electric power under radio waves of high frequencies are mixed with each other, and are pressurized under a high pressure while being highly electrified in the direction perpendicular to the pressurizing direction to mold the metallic chips and the bonding material in a plate-shaped configuration while being heated.

Abstract: A method of making rotating element sheet material utilizing magnetic latching is disclosed. First a plurality of rotating elements having a magnetized segment are mixed with magnetic particles to attract the magnetic particles to the magnetized segments. Then the rotating elements with the attached magnetic particles are mixed with a liquid elastomer. A magnetic field is applied to orient the rotating elements in a common direction. When the rotating elements and the attached magnetic particles have all been oriented the elastomer is cured to form an elastomer substrate with trapped rotating elements and magnetic particles. The elastomer substrate is then immersed into a bath of dielectric plasticizer which is absorbed more readily by elastomer than by the rotating elements. The elastomer substrate swells to create plasticizer-filled voids around the rotating elements. The magnetic particles remain incorporated within the elastomer to form magnetic material pads which are associated with an element.

Abstract: A solid freeform fabrication process and apparatus for producing three dimensional parts using layer-by-layer deposition of support powder and part compositional powder, where the deposition is accomplished using electro-photographic powder deposition technology to create a three-dimensional green part. Each successive loose powder layer is deposited directly onto the previously deposited powder layer, which has been compacted or fused to its underlying layer. After all powder layers have been deposited the green part is further processed such that the part compositional powder is fused to create a high-density part while the support powder is easily removed.

Abstract: Provided is a production method and a production apparatus for a ceramic green sheet, capable of achieving a thin layer without using an aqueous or organic solvent. The method of producing a ceramic green sheet includes a first step of charging a carrier sheet, a second step of attaching chargeable powder charged in the polarity opposite to that of the carrier sheet, on the surface of the carrier sheet by electrostatic force, and a third step of applying heat to the chargeable powder attached on the surface of the carrier sheet by electrostatic force so as to fix the chargeable powder onto the surface of the carrier sheet.

Abstract: An implant having an integrally-textured, hemocompatible blood-contacting surface and a method for producing the same is provided. The implantable device can include a device body having a textured surface and a predefined complex shape, such as a bladder or a generally U-shaped conduit. The device body can be composed of a first device material, and the textured surface can be formed of a second device material on the obverse side of the device. The textured surface can have multiple, blood-compatible structures integrally formed thereon. The structures can be fibrils that are suitable for a generally uniform biological layer to be established thereupon.

Abstract: A central supervisor controls a manufacturing process fabricating fibrous, cementitious structural products requiring very small dimensional tolerance, high strengths, controlled reinforcement alignments, multiple undercuts, and complex shapes not possible using casting, forming, or extrusion. The process uses electrical and magnetic fields to align and direct free floating, cement coated, magnetic, and nonmagnetic fibers, filaments, and elongated fragmented particles onto moving shaping devices. These devices have magnetized shaping tool surfaces to receive aligned materials in layers parallel, perpendicular, and angular to shaping surfaces. Controlled materials, cement, setting agents, magnetic fluxes, and electrical charges make possible better bonding of cements with materials and consolidation of nonplastic matrices. Sliding, and rotating shaping tools make multiple undercuts on faces and edges of the products.

Abstract: A nitrogen-containing compound of the following general formula (1) is kneaded into a resin molding material, the kneaded mixture is molded, and the surface of the resulting article is subjected to corona discharge treatment. Then, an electrostatically charged coating is sprayed on the article. ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents an alkyl group of 6-22 carbon atoms, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 may be the same or different and each represents an alkyl group of 1-4 carbon atoms; n represents 2-3. In accordance with this invention, a shaped resin article with remarkably improved electrical conductivity can be obtained from a resin of low electrical conductivity substantially without affecting the physical properties and color of the resin and with high productivity. Furthermore, a resin article with high surface resistivity can be electrostatically coated with high coating efficiency and improved results in appearance and productivity substantially without affecting the physical properties of the resin.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for making a vibration dampener, the dampener cluding a body for disposition between two relatively movable members, the body being formed from a carrier of a gel material and particles having electrorheological properties embedded in the carrier with the particles electrically aligned and pseudo-bonded. The dampener is made by passing a current through a mixture of the particles and the carrier while the carrier cures into a gel material.