Abstract: Processes for producing near net-shape panels and panels formed thereby. The processes include forming a preform to comprise a stack of multiple plies that contain an uncured expandable foam material. The preform has regions that differ from each other by the number and/or volume of the plies therein. The preform and its plies are then cured within a restricted volume to produce a near net-shape panel. The curing step causes the expandable foam material to expand, and the restricted volume is sized so that the number and volume of the plies within the regions of the preform cause zones within the panel to have different densities and/or thicknesses.

Abstract: The invention relates to a biaxial oriented film with a microporous layer, comprising a propylene polymer and at least one ?-nucleating agent the microporosity of which is generated by conversion of ?-crystalline polypropylene on drawing the film and the use thereof for the labelling of containers in blow moulding. The Gurley value for the film is 10,000 to 300,000 Gurley.

Abstract: A carbon monolith includes a robust carbon monolith characterized by a skeleton size of at least 100 nm, and a hierarchical pore structure having macropores and mesopores.

Abstract: A method for supplying molten polymer and expanding agent flows to a mixing area, by dispersing the expanding agent in a polymer melt by a rapid dividing mixing in a first static mixer, holding and intensively dividingly mixing the thus obtained mixture in a second static mixer, cooling the mixture, during mixing, in a third static mixer to an intermediate temperature, cooling the mixture to a granulation temperature, extruding polymer threads and subsequently quenching and granulating them. During processing, a weight ratio between the polymer melt flow Gp and the expanding agent flow GBA ranges from 13.0 to 19.0, a temperature in the first static mixer for rapid dividing mixing is calculated according to formula (I), in the second and third static mixed according to formulas (II) and (III), respectively, wherein GBA max. is the quantity of a maximum possible expanding agent flow, GBBct.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microporous polyethylene film for use as battery separator. The microporous polyethylene film according to the present invention is characterized by having a film thickness of 5-40 ?m, a porosity of 35-55%, a permeability from 2.5×10?5 to 10.0 10?5 Darcy, a puncture strength of at least 0.10 N/?m at 90° C., a puncture angle of at least 30° at 90° C., and a permeability from 2.0 10?5 to 8.0 10?5 Darcy after shrinking freely at 120° C. for 1 hour. The microporous polyethylene film in accordance with the present invention has very superior puncture strength and thermal stability at high temperature and takes place of less decrease of permeability due to low thermal shrinkage at high temperature, as well as superior permeability. Therefore, it can be usefully applied in a high-capacity, high-power battery to improve thermal stability and long-term stability of the battery.

Abstract: A security and/or authentication device comprising: a compressible photonic crystal having an ordered array of voids, the photonic crystal having a reflection peak, wherein compression against at least a portion photonic crystal results in a decrease of intensity of the reflection peak in at least that portion.

Abstract: Disclosed are: a composite formed article which is usable even in a high-temperature environment and less suffers delamination between a foamed resin sheet and a metal sheet; and a formed article precursor (laminated sheet) which enables the manufacture of the composite formed article. The laminated sheet includes a foamable resin sheet containing a resin and a foaming agent; and, provided on both sides of the resin sheet, a pair of metal sheets each through the medium of an adhesive. The resin has a melting point of 145° C. or higher, and the adhesive has a melting point substantially equal to or higher than the melting point of the resin.

Abstract: Polishing pads with alignment marks are described. Methods of fabricating polishing pads with alignment marks are also described.

Abstract: The invention provides foams of desired cell sizes formed from metal or ceramic materials that coat the surfaces of carbon foams which are subsequently removed. For example, metal is located over a sol-gel foam monolith. The metal is melted to produce a metal/sol-gel composition. The sol-gel foam monolith is removed, leaving a metal foam.

Abstract: SAPO-34 membranes and methods for their preparation and use are described. The SAPO-34 membranes are prepared by contacting at least one surface of a porous membrane support with a synthesis gel comprising a first and a second templating agent. SAPO-34 crystals having a narrow size distribution were applied to the surface of the support prior to synthesis. A layer of SAPO-34 crystals is formed on at least one surface of the support. SAPO-34 membranes of the invention can have improved selectivity for certain gas mixtures, including mixtures of carbon dioxide and methane.

Abstract: A filter includes a membrane having a plurality of nanochannels formed therein. Functionalized nanoparticles are deposited through self assembly onto surfaces defining the nanochannels so as to decrease the final diameter of the membrane. Methods for making and using the filter are also provided.

Abstract: A method of making a molded article from two or more different formable materials having different molding temperatures in a single heating or molding cycle. One of the formable materials is selected as a reference material, and the remaining formable materials are modified so that all of the formable materials reach their respective molding temperatures at substantially the same time. Preferably, each of the remaining formable materials is modified by mixing a suitable amount of an additive therewith so as to adjust the power factor of the formable material. All of the formable materials are then placed in a flow molding apparatus whereby an alternating dielectric field is applied across the formable materials to form the molded article.

Abstract: A phenolic resin foamed plate having a thickness of 50 mm or more, in which when the phenolic resin foamed plate is sliced from one main surface of the phenolic resin foamed plate along the main surface in a thickness direction at 5 mm intervals to produce n pieces, which are designated as Q1 to Qn in order from the main surface side, where average densities of Q1 to Qn are dq1 to dqn, respectively, the ratio (dqmin/dqave) of a minimum value dqmin of dq2 to dq(n-1) to an average value dqave of dq2 to dq(n-1) is 0.91?dqmin/dqave?0.98, and when a density distribution line is obtained, there exists a straight line parallel with the axis of abscissas that intersects the density distribution line at four points. The phenolic resin foamed plate exhibiting practically sufficient compressive strength and thermal conductivity even when the product thickness is increased.

Abstract: A continuous process for making a flexible porous dissolvable solid structure with open celled foam. The continuous process has the steps of preparing a pre-mixture comprising surfactant, polymer, water, and optionally plasticizer; aerating the pre-mixture to form a wet aerated pre-mixture; extruding the wet aerated pre-mixture to form one or more sheets on a belt; and drying the sheets to form an Article having an open celled foam.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of thermoplastic auxetic foams comprising the steps of: a) taking conventional thermoplastic foam; b) subjecting said foam to at least one process cycle wherein the foam is biaxially compressed and heated; c) optionally subjecting the foam to at least one process cycle wherein the biaxial compression is removed and the foam mechanically agitated prior to reapplying biaxial compression and heating; d) cooling said foam to a temperature below the softening temperature of said foam; and e) removing said compression and heat.

Abstract: A method of forming a film is described. The method begins by forming a mixture including a polymer and a plurality of unordered nanomaterial. The film is dried and a plurality of pores is formed within the film. A sensitive film transducer capable of detecting changes in pressure and applied force can be made using this method.

Abstract: The invention is a process useful for providing a treated support comprising a porous nanoweb coating wherein the treated support is characterized by a biofilm cell count of less than 50% that of an untreated porous support control. The process is useful for modifying porous materials, such as filter media and barrier fabrics to provide resistance to biofouling. The porous nanoweb coating is comprised of fibrous structures derived from gelation and drying of supramolecular assemblies of non-covalently bonded organogelators. Typical organogelators useful in the invention include those that assemble via hydrogen bonding and ?-stacking.

Abstract: A method for making a porous material, includes melt-blending two or more non-miscible polymers to obtain a co-continuous melt, solidifying the melt to obtain a solid mass consisting of two co-continuous polymer phases, and selectively extracting one of the co-continuous phases thereby creating within the solid mass an essentially continuous pore network having an internal surface. The method further includes replicating the internal surface of the pore network within the solid mass by coating the internal surface with successive layers of materials, and selectively extracting the solid mass without extracting the layers of materials, to thereby yield the product porous material, formed of the layers of materials. The material has a void fraction higher than about 75%, and mainly having essentially fully interconnected sheath-like non-spherical pores and essentially non-fibrous walls.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a three-dimensional product having a nanoporous surface in which the pore density, pore size or pore size distribution can be easily and readily controlled. The invention combines two techniques: a method for producing a three-dimensional product in which a yarn is knitted or woven to finish into an arbitrary three-dimensional shape, and a method for transforming a surface consisting of a material in which nanoparticles are dispersed in a matrix to a nanoporous surface by immersing the surface in a liquid which dissolves the nanoparticles but does not dissolve the matrix.

Abstract: A tissue engineering scaffold of interconnected and bonded fiber having a property with a value that is spatially distributed in at least two regions is provided. The scaffold has at least two regions with properties, such as porosity, strength, elastic modulus, osteoconductivity, and bioactivity that can be controlled and modified through fabrication processes that alter the pore size, pore size distribution, composition, and bonding of fiber and other additives. The value of the property can be provided with a gradient between each of the adjacent spatially distributed regions.

Abstract: The invention provides partially endcapped polyether siloxanes, the use of these polyether siloxanes as foam stabilizers and also rigid polyurethane or polyisocyanurate foams obtained using the polyether siloxanes.

Abstract: A ceramic honeycomb structure having a large number of flow paths partitioned by porous cell walls, the cell walls having porosity of 40-60%; pores opening on the cell wall surface having an opening area ratio (the total opening area of pores opening on the cell wall surface per a unit area) of 15% or more; the median opening diameter of the opening pores being 10 ?m or more and less than 40 ?m, when the opening diameter of each pore opening on the cell wall surface is expressed by an equivalent circle diameter (a diameter of a circle having the same area as the opening area of each pore); the density of pores having equivalent circle diameters of 10 ?m or more and less than 40 ?m being 350/mm2 or more; and the average circularity of pores having equivalent circle diameters of 10 ?m or more and less than 40 ?m being 1-2.

Abstract: A part having foam tape integrated into a base component. The base component of the part is a body side molding which is attached to a vehicle using an adhesive. More specifically, the part includes a foam layer integrally formed with the body side molding such that a first side of the foam layer is formed with the body side molding, and an adhesive layer attached to a second side of the foam layer. A release film material is selectively attached to the adhesive layer such that the adhesive layer is disposed between the release film material and the foam layer. The release film material is able to be removed from the adhesive layer, and the body side molding is attached to a vehicle using the adhesive layer. The body side molding is used to protect the vehicle, as well as provide an improvement in the appearance of the vehicle.

Abstract: A process for the production of a composite membrane, one or more microporous separation layers comprising a zeolite of the MFI type being produced by hydrothermal synthesis on a porous substrate, wherein one or more additives from the group consisting of linear (C1-C4)-alcohols, ammonia, primary, secondary and tertiary amines having in each case (C1-C4)-alkyl radicals, (C1-C4)-aminoalcohols and (C3-C4)-ketones are added to the synthesis solution for the hydrothermal synthesis.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to filled polyimides that can be used in films and articles comprising the films. The films are useful in coverlay applications and have advantageous optical properties. The present disclosure also relates to blends of cellulosic polymer and polyimide precursor which can be used to obtain the filled polyimides.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a device provided with one or more cavities filled with at least one liquid, comprising the steps of: (a) forming one or more microcavities on a support separated from each other by one or more walls, and filled with at least one given porous material; (b) filling, in at least one cavity filled with said porous material, by means of at least one given functional liquid; and (c) forming a sealing layer enabling said cavities to be sealed.

Abstract: A bowl-shaped container (10a) which is as a biodegradable molded article adheres a coating film (12) mainly made of biodegradable plastic and having at least hydrophobicity to the surface of the main body (11a) of the container mainly made of starch. The main body (11a) is molded through steam expansion of a slurry or dough molding material containing high-amylose starch and water, or a slurry or dough molding material containing starch, polyvinyl alcohol and water. For these reasons, it is possible to accomplish sufficient strength and at least sufficient water resistance, to exert a very excellent biodegradability and further to provide a biodegradable molded article having excellent moisture absorption strength mainly made of starch even if the biodegradable molded article has a complicated shape.

Abstract: In order to produce molded foam parts from foam systems, such as soft, semi-hard and integral foam, foaming molds are typically used, which are produced from different base materials, depending on the intended purpose and required output or service life. Molds for producing molded foam parts are produced from steel or aluminum. A negative or undesirable property during the production of molded foam parts is that the foam adheres to the foaming molds and can often only be removed mechanically. In order to prevent this, the invention proposes a mold insert for a molded part mold, comprising a cavity, wherein the mold insert can be arranged on the molded part mold such that a volume-reduced cavity is formed in the arranged state and the mold insert contributes to creating the shape of the material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite component comprising an unfoamed polymer phase and a foamed phase, and to a process for producing the same.

Abstract: A composite photonic crystal comprising an inverse opal structure defining an ordered array of voids with a filler composition received within the voids. A property of the filler composition changes in response to a stimulus, such as a temperature change, thereby changing the band gap of radiation that is reflected by the composite photonic crystal.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a polyurethane resin moulding for a vehicle interior part, includes: adding at least one of a polyol mixture and a polyisocyanate compound to at least one of microencapsulated paraffin waxes and shirasu balloons, followed by polymerizing the polyol mixture and the polyisocyanate compound. The polyol mixture contains a polyol, a catalyst, a chain extender and an auxiliary agent. A melting point of the microencapsulated paraffin waxes is 60° C. to 80° C.

Abstract: An article is formed in a mold having a mold cavity, has a periphery, and defines a score line having a tensile heal strength of less than 200 ppi along the score line. The article includes a cured urethane composition including the reaction product of an isocyanate component and a resin composition. The cured urethane composition is used in a method of forming the article. The method includes the steps of determining a theoretical tensile heal strength along the score line and applying the isocyanate component into the mold cavity in response to the determining of the theoretical tensile heal strength. The method also includes the steps of applying the resin composition into the mold cavity, reacting the isocyanate component and the resin composition to form a urethane composition, curing the urethane composition, and de-molding the article from the mold cavity.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a panel capable of obtaining sufficient strength, weight reduction and sound absorbing performance. A space is formed by an inner thin plate fixed to the inner surface of an outer thin plate, and a foam material is filled in the space. The foam material is preferably a highly foamable rubber sound absorbing material. In the inner thin plate, a perimetrical side part and perimetrical edge part for forming the space, and a concave part for enhancing the strength of the panel are drawn to the side of the outer thin plate. The bottom faces of the perimetrical edge part and concave part of the inner thin plate are bonded to the outer thin plate using a thermosetting adhesive.

Abstract: Methods for reducing the density of thermoplastic materials and the articles made therefrom having similar or improved mechanical properties to the solid or noncellular material. Also disclosed are improvements to foaming methods and the cellular structures of the foams made therefrom, and methods for altering the impact strength of solid or noncellular thermoplastic materials and the shaping of the materials into useful articles.

Abstract: Polishing pads with multi-modal distributions of pore diameters are described. Methods of fabricating polishing pads with multi-modal distributions of pore diameters are also described.

Abstract: Implementations and techniques for employing cathode tubes in metal air battery devices or systems are generally disclosed.

Abstract: The present specification discloses porous materials, methods of forming such porous materials, materials and devices comprising such porous materials, and methods of making such materials and devices.

Abstract: The disclosure pertains to foam of polymers, which can be made by a method for making a polymer foam comprising vacuum or gas-filled compartments by making a solution of 1 to 20% by weight of a polymer in a solvent; adding particles to the a polymer solution; solidifying the polymer wherein the particles are contained by heating, cooling, ageing, or coagulating to obtain a polymer foam or matrix comprising the particles, and obtaining from the polymer matrix the polymer foam containing the compartments; and optionally washing, drying, and/or heating the polymer foam.

Abstract: Injection molding systems and methods useful for making microcellular foamed materials are provided as well as microcellular articles. Pressure drop rate and shear rate are important features in some embodiments, and the invention provides systems for controlling these parameters in an injection molding system. Another aspect involves an injection molding system including a nucleator that is upstream of a pressurized mold. Another aspect involves an extrusion system with the reciprocating screw for forming a single phase solution of non-nucleated blowing agent and polymeric material. Another aspect involves very thin walled microcellular material and very thin walled polymeric material. Another aspect provides a method for producing high weight reductions in very thin-walled parts with surfaces that have no noticeable differences from non-foamed parts.

Abstract: Vehicle headliners are prepared with a core layer of a fiber-reinforced polyurethane foam. The polyurethane foam is prepared from a polyurethane-forming composition that uses water as a blowing agent and polyol or polyol mixture that has a high functionality and an average hydroxyl equivalent weight of 100-130. The selection of polyols permits cycle times to be reduced by allowing for faster demolding and shortened aging times before post-molding heat lamination steps can be performed.

Abstract: Expandable polymer compositions are used to reinforce or provide various types of insulation to cavities in structural elements. The polymer compositions include at least two different segments, which may or may not be joined. At least one of the segments will expand before another segment when heated. The first-to-expand segment forms a physical barrier to the expansion of later-expanding segments, thereby restricting the expansion of the later-expanding segment in at least one direction. In this manner, the location of the expanded polymer within the cavity can be easily and inexpensively controlled.

Abstract: Disclosed are an expanded polystyrene particle having a skin layer with superior moldability, a method for preparing the same, and an expanded polystyrene molded article using the same. Provided is an expanded polystyrene particle provided on the surface thereof with a skin layer with superior moldability wherein the skin layer contains a binder selected from the group consisting of a thermoplastic resin-based adhesive, a thermosetting resin-based adhesive, an inorganic adhesive, a protein-based adhesive and a mixture thereof, wherein the skin layer further contains methylene diphenyl diisocyanate.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method of producing an integral multilayered porous membrane by simultaneously co-casting a plurality of polymer solutions onto a support to form a multilayered liquid sheet and immersing the sheet into a liquid coagulation bath to effect phase separation and form a porous membrane. The support can be a temporary support or form an integrated support for the membrane. The plurality of layers may be of the same polymer or different, same concentration or viscosity or different and may be subjected to the same processing conditions or different ones to form unique structures.

Abstract: Multilayer elastomeric articles and methods of making the same are disclosed in which the outside or outer distal surface of the article is a different color or otherwise visually distinct in appearance from the inside or wearer contacting surface of the article so that the user of the article can readily identify the article as a multilayer elastomeric article. In one aspect, elastomer emulsions, solvent solutions, or plastisols used to form each layer may be modified with the addition of base color and/or colorant components in order to form a colored or patterned layer. In another aspect, one or both of the surfaces of the elastomeric articles (or layers of the articles) may be coated with such a colorant component to sufficiently visually distinguish the layers from each other.

Abstract: An infiltrated carbon foam composite and method for making the composite is described. The infiltrated carbon foam composite may include a carbonized carbon aerogel in cells of a carbon foam body and a resin is infiltrated into the carbon foam body filling the cells of the carbon foam body and spaces around the carbonized carbon aerogel. The infiltrated carbon foam composites may be useful for mid-density ablative thermal protection systems.

Abstract: A porous fired body including a structure that aggregates are bonded by a bonding material, wherein the aggregates include oxide particles having a larger thermal capacity per unit volume than an SiC particle and SiC, the bonding material includes metallic Si, volume ratio of the metallic Si in the whole porous fired body is between 8 and 43% by volume, volume ratio of the particles of the oxide in the whole aggregates is between 14 and 55% by volume, the SiC particles and the oxide particles respectively include one or more particle groups, and an average particle size of each particle group is within a range of between 5 and 100 ?m.

Abstract: Methods for reducing the density of thermoplastic materials and the articles made therefrom having similar or improved mechanical properties to the solid or noncellular material. Also disclosed are improvements to foaming methods and the cellular structures of the foams made therefrom, and methods for altering the impact strength of solid or noncellular thermoplastic materials and the shaping of the materials into useful articles.

Abstract: A shaped body, particularly a sorbent shaped body, made of microporous and mesoporous adsorbents and of composite adsorbents is provided for, which shaped body employs a reduced proportion of binding agents. The binding agent added to the shaped body solidifies under the application of force, under which force non-uniformly distributed cavities are formed. The proportion of binding agent on the support forming the wall of the shaped body is higher than the proportion of binding agent inside the shaped body. By using modified alumosilicates and/or aluminum silicates with fluidic action during materials exchange and heat exchange, the shaped body provides for high space-time yields while storing heat and cold.

Abstract: A microporous separator film for electrochemical cells and a method of making such films is disclosed. The microporous separator film includes an intimate mixture of an electrically insulating matrix phase and a self-switching voltage activated conductive phase, wherein the voltage activated conductive phase provides a plurality of conductive paths from a first face of the microporous separator film to a second face of the microporous separator film. The method for making the composite microporous separator film includes the steps of forming an intimate mixture of at least an insulating matrix phase and a self-switching voltage activated phase, forming a film from the mixture, and generating pores within the film.

Abstract: A method for producing a bio-based polymeric shoe component includes: preparing a blend from a composition including 5˜50 weight parts of a modified starch, 50˜95 weight parts of an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, 5˜30 weight parts of a filler, 1˜50 weight parts of a polyolefin, 2.0˜8.0 weight parts of a foaming agent, 0.5˜3.0 weight parts of a foaming aid, 0.5˜2.0 weight parts of a lubricant, and 0.4˜1.2 weight parts of a crosslinking agent, the modified starch being obtained by hydrolyzing and esterifying a predetermined amount of a raw starch to form a hydrolyzed and esterified starch, followed by drying the hydrolyzed and esterified starch; processing the blend into a foamable product; and forming the foamable product into the shoe component.