Abstract: A method of making a fiber-reinforced medical balloon is described herein. The method entails pressurizing a portion of a balloon, and ejecting a fiber precursor fluid from at least one nozzle adjacent to the portion. One or more fibers are formed from the fiber precursor fluid and deposited on an exterior surface of the portion. Preferably, the fibers are polymer nanofibers, and the method is carried out using an electrospinning process.

Abstract: A method is disclosed that includes providing a substrate having a resist adheringly disposed thereon, providing a heat source adjacent to the resist, and activating the heat source while providing a topographically patterned template pressed against the resist. The heat source and the resist are disposed between the substrate and the template, such that the heat source provides a localized application of heat to the resist while the topographically patterned template is pressed against the resist.

Abstract: A composition comprises a modified polymeric material and a ceramic antiferroelectric particle. The modified polymeric material comprises a high temperature polymer; and a second polymer. The composition has a permittivity greater than or equal to about 10. A method of making a composition comprises combining a high temperature polymer with a second polymer to form a modified polymeric material; and combining the modified polymeric material with antiferroelectric particles to form a composite composition; wherein the composition has a permittivity greater than or equal to about 10.

Abstract: Provided is a polymer filament having an average diameter of about 20 to 5000 nm, the filament comprising a polyarenazole polymer having an inherent viscosity of greater than about 20 g/dl. Also provided are yarns comprising such filaments. Additional aspects concern fabrics and garments comprising such filaments and/or yarns.

Abstract: Disclosed is a nanofiber filter medium formed by electrospinning, having a low pressure drop and high filtration performance. The nanofiber layer thereof is constructed by at least two nanofibers, uniformly entangled with each other, with different fiber diameter distributions. Therefore, the nanofiber filter medium of the invention is completed. The described nanofiber filter medium has a low pressure drop and high filtration performance.

Abstract: Conventional electrospinning was problematic in that it is incapable of making a continuous filament (yarn) by a simple and continuous process. To solve the above problem, there is provided a method for making a continuous filament consisting of nanofibers according to the present invention, wherein a polymer spinning liquid is electrostatically spun to a collector 7 through nozzles 5 to obtain a nanofiber web 17a of ribbon form, then the nanofiber web 17a is passed through an air twister 18 and twisted to obtain a nanofiber filament 17b of a continuous filament form, and then the nanofiber filament 17b is drawn.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for hydrodischarging and hydrocharging substrates and articles to produce enhanced ability to avoid attraction of contaminants or improved capability of removing contaminants from fluids are disclosed. In another form the method involves removal of electric charges or neutralization of charge on or within substrates. Also disclosed are methods of making using electret substrates and articles for removing particulates and mists from fluid streams.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for aligning fibers in an electrospinning process. A jet of a fiberizable material is directed towards an uncharged collector from a dispensing location that is spaced apart from the collector. While the fiberizable material is directed towards the collector, an elliptical electric field is generated via the electrically charged dispenser and an oppositely-charged control location. The field spans between the dispensing location and the control location that is within line-of-sight of the dispensing location, and impinges upon at least a portion of the collector. Various combinations of numbers and geometries of dispensers, collectors, and electrodes can be used.

Abstract: Alginate nanofibers, scaffolds that include alginate nanofibers, implantable devices that include alginate nanofibers, and methods for making the alginate nanofibers by electrospinning.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to nitric oxide releasing pharmaceutical compounds. More particularly, the present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions that release nitric oxide under physiological conditions. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to new chemical compounds—diazeniumdiolates nitric oxide donors—that are based on ethambutol possessing physiological and biomedical activity.

Abstract: A hierarchical structure that has at least one carbon nanotube extending radially from a nanofiber substrate and related methods of use and manufacture.

Abstract: Methods and systems of dielectric film materials to be used in capacitors. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are dielectric materials in the form of polymer film comprising a blend of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and at least one selected from the group consisting of: polyethylene terephthalate (PET); polycarbonate (PC); polyethylene naphthalate (PEN); polyphenylene sulfide (PPS); polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE); polystyrene (PST); polysulphone (PS); polyethermide (PEM); and polyimide (PI).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a polyethersulfone fiber, the method comprising the steps of discharging an electrically charged solution comprising a polyethersulfone and a solvent from a container; and drawing the charged solution by electrical attraction in an electrical field generated between the solution and an electrically charged collecting means having the opposite charge of the solution, while evaporating at least a portion of the solvent to form a polyethersulfone fiber. The fiber obtained in the present invention has a small average fiber diameter and can be made into a thin fiber cloth.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods of preparing a three-dimensional matrix of micron sized electrospun fibers, wherein the electrospun fibers are formed from a electrospun composite comprising a bioactive ceramic component and a polymer component. The matrix provides an osteoconductive and osteoinductive scaffold supporting osteogenesis and thereby facilitates bone repair.

Abstract: A dope is cast onto a casting drum from a casting die while forming a casting bead. Oxygen concentration at the vicinity of the casting bead is set to 0 vol % or more and less than 10 vol %, and a static electricity applying electrode applies static electricity between the casting drum and the casting bead. An intervening film forming device supplies intervening film forming liquid onto the casting drum to form an intervening film. A compression chamber decompresses a downstream area from the casting bead. Thereby, it is possible to form the casting bead having a stable shape, and enhance the extent of adhesion between a casting film and the casting drum. Accordingly, it is possible to enhance the extent of adhesion between the casting drum and the casting bead, prevent occurrence phenomenon of air entrainment, and speed up a film forming speed, thus forming a polymer film.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing hybrid materials of thin polymer films with single, laminated, complete and/or partially embedded nanofibers to obtain products with unique functional properties. In one embodiment, the present invention involves a method that comprises the combination of two process technologies; a thin film solution casting process (tape casting, solvent casting) and an electrospinning process, in order to produce hybrid materials of thin polymer films with single, laminated, completely and/or partially embedded electrospun nanofibers to obtain products with unique functional properties. In another embodiment of the present invention, fibers and/or nanofibers of a chosen material are spun directly on to substrates of polymer solutions and/or monomers solutions, were such solutions are located on a carrier belt that is electrically and/or ionically conductive.

Abstract: A method of making a composite filter media includes, in an exemplary embodiment, forming a nonwoven fabric mat that includes a plurality of synthetic fibers by a spunbond process, and calendaring the nonwoven fabric mat with embossing calendar rolls to form a bond area pattern comprising a plurality of substantially parallel discontinuous lines of bond area to bond the synthetic fibers together to form a nonwoven fabric, the nonwoven fabric having a minimum filtration efficiency of about 50%, measured in accordance with ASHRAE 52.2-1999 test procedure. The method also includes applying a nanofiber layer by electro-blown spinning a polymer solution to form a plurality of nanofibers on at least one side of the nonwoven fabric mat to form the composite filter media, the composite filter media having a minimum filtration efficiency of about 75%, measured in accordance with ASHRAE 52.2-1999 test procedure.

Abstract: Organic-inorganic hybrid fibers and methods for the preparation of such fibers are disclosed.

Abstract: A mold structure, a patterning method thereof and a method of fabricating an LCD device using the same are disclosed, which can realize a conformal contact by applying a voltage between a mold structure and a material layer being opposite to each other in an In-Plane Printing process, so as to prevent defective patterns, wherein the mold structure comprises a mold whose surface is provided with patterns; a backplane for supporting the mold; and a conductive film formed between the backplane and the mold.

Abstract: A method for producing a continuous filament made up of nanofibers is disclosed. A ribbon-shaped nanofiber web is prepared by electrospinning a polymer spinning solution onto a collector 7 applied with a high voltage, the collector 7 consisting of (I) an endless belt type nonconductive plate 7a with grooves having a predetermined width (u) and depth (h) formed at regular intervals along a lengthwise direction and a conductive plate 7b inserted into the grooves of the nonconductive plate, and then the nanofiber web is isolated (separated) from the collector 7, focused, drawn and wound. A continuous filament (yarn) made up of nanofibers can be produced by a simple and continuous process by providing a method for continuously producing a filament (yarn) by an electrospinning technique without a spinning process. The focusability and the drawability can be greatly improved by orienting nanofibers well in the fiber axis direction.

Abstract: A filtration device including a filtration medium having a plurality of nanofibers of diameters less than 1 micron formed into a fiber mat in the presence of an abruptly varying electric field. The filtration device includes a support attached to the filtration medium and having openings for fluid flow therethrough. A device for making a filter material. The device includes an electrospinning element configured to electrospin a plurality of fibers from a tip of the electrospinning element, a collector opposed to the electrospinning element configured to collect electrospun fibers on a surface of the collector, and an electric field modulation device configured to abruptly vary an electric field at the collector at least once during electrospinning of the fibers. A method for making a filter material.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a tubular structure from a liquefied polymer, the apparatus comprising: (a) a dispenser for dispensing the liquefied polymer; (b) a precipitation electrode being at a first potential relative to the dispenser, the precipitation electrode being designed and constructed for generating a polymeric shell thereupon; and (c) a mechanism for increasing a local density of the polymeric shell in a plurality of predetermined sub-regions of the polymeric shell, thereby to provide a tubular structure having an alternating density in a longitudinal direction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a practically effective three-dimensional photonic crystal, and a process for the production thereof as well as a probe used therefor wherein a three-dimensional photonic crystal comprises a plurality of two-dimensional photonic crystal plates each provided with through holes and different types of two-dimensional photonic crystals; a plurality of positioning members to be located in the above-described through holes in the plurality of the two-dimensional photonic crystal plates; and the above-described positioning members being located in the through holes in the two-dimensional photonic crystal plates adjacent to each other among the pluralities of two-dimensional photonic crystal plates to be laminated in such that the pluralities of the two-dimensional photonic crystal plates obtain a periodic structure in response to wavelengths of light.

Abstract: Polymer fiber interconnects are produced between microscale features on substrate using only electrostatic forces. In one embodiment, electric field driven directed growth of fibers is achieved between microscale droplets of a concentrated polymer solution deposited on a substrate associated with a capacitor, such as an interdigitated capacitor. After depositing the droplets, the droplets on or near the positive electrode become positively charged and the droplets on or near the negative electode become negatively charged. Fibers form between the positively and negatively charged droplets due to electrostatic forces. In a second embodiment, positively charged and negatively droplets are created by electrospraying or by other means, and the fibers spontaneously form between droplets of opposite polarity. The process is similar to conventional electrospinning, but is achieved on a micrscopic scale and utilizes significantly lower driving potentials.

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: A method of producing an electrically charged film includes the steps of forming a molten thermoplastic material into a web, electrically charging the web while the web is at a temperature substantially at or above a solidification temperature thereof, cooling the web below the solidification temperature thereof after charging and winding the web into individual rolls immediately following the cooling step.

Abstract: The present invention provides a film roll comprising an electrified portion at at least part in the transverse direction of a film that is wound into a roll, in which the difference between the maximum width and the minimum width of the electrified portion is 10 mm or less. In this manner, side slipping can be reliably prevented while securing escapeways for air at the edges, and a film roll having no side slips, wrinkles, deformation, decentering, or the like can be manufactured. The film roll of the present invention can be manufactured by intermittently electrifying the film at a predetermined cycle, the ratio of the time duration of the electrification in the cycle being 10 to 80%. The film roll of the present invention has a high adhesive force and does not suffer from slipping during evacuation in a vacuum evaporator. Thus, the film roll is suitable as a master roll for metallization and can be suitably applied to various uses such as magnetic tapes, packaging materials, capacitors, and the like.

Abstract: A process for producing a polyester sheet by dropping a molten polyester sheet extruded from an orifice-form nozzle on a cooling roll having the grooves of a large number of micro-cracks formed on the surface, closely adhering it to the cooling roll and solidifying it on the cooling roll, wherein the surface temperature (T, ° C.) of the molten polyester sheet 10 mm below the orifice-form nozzle is maintained at a temperature which satisfies the following expression (1): (Tc+20)° C.≦T≦(Tm+40)° C.  (1) wherein Tc and Tm are the falling temperature crystallization temperature (° C.) and melting point (° C.) of the polyester, respectively and T is as defined hereinabove, and the surface temperature of the cooling roll when it contacts the molten polyester sheet is controlled to a range of 5 to 100° C.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a product which is at least partly transparent and of high optical quality comparable to that of glazing, in which a sheet is placed in at least part of the bottom of a mould, the sheet being of corresponding shape and thermally insulating, then a thermoplastic capable of being fastened to the said sheet in the said product is injected into this mould.

Abstract: There is described a box or an insert for a box made up of elements, such as cover element (1) and a bottom element (2) both of which are made of molded plastics material and which are hinged to each other means of a hinge (3). According to the features of the invention, there is included a flexible sheet (4) of synthetic material which is fixed to each of the elements (1) and (2) by overmolding so that there is formed an intermediate free zone (40) which, on its own, is the hinge (3). The box can receive various articles, for example compact discs or an insert which can hold and support the disc in the box.

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: Molded polyurethane articles having improved flex modulus and impact strength are produced by subjecting a polyurethane-forming reaction mixture which has been introduced into a mold to a static electric field. The static electric field must have a field strength which is less than the dielectric strength of the polyurethane being produced but sufficiently strong to align the hard segment dipoles of the polyurethane.

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: A method and means of providing stromal repair and improved refractive correction by creating corneal stromal collagen tissue with fibril diameter and spacing that duplicates the optical transmission and diffusion characteristics of natural corneal collagen.

Abstract: A fiber spinning device and process for manufacturing a web of fibers including a homogeneous mixture of fibers of different characteristics. Monocomponent fibers of different polymers can be extruded side-by-side from the same die system. Sheath/core bicomponent fibers can be alternated with monocomponent fibers formed of the same core polymer as used in the bicomponent fibers. Bicomponent fibers having a common core polymer and different sheath polymers can be extruded from alternate spinneret orifices in the same die plate. Multiple distribution plates are provided with surface grooves or depressions to direct polymer materials from independent sources to only selected spinneret openings in an array of spinneret openings while maintaining the polymers segregated from each other.

Abstract: This invention provides equipment for fabricating partitioning ribs of a plasma display device. The equipment comprises a head, a driver, an X position sensor and a Y position sensor, a laser displacement sensor for detecting the distance of the head from a glass plate or substrate, a motor and a motor driver for moving the head relative to the glass plate, and a CPU for controlling various circuits. The head has nozzle members for ejecting partitioning rib grains by an electrostatic ejection method or ink jet technology to form partitioning ribs. The driver controls the volume of the partitioning rib grains ejected from the head. The X and Y position sensors detect the position of the head relative to the glass plate within a plane.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multi-layered biaxially-oriented film, mainly made of a crystallizeable thermoplastic polyester and economically produceable with a high surface quality, i.e. without pinning bubbles and without electric arcing and film breaks, at production speeds of 340 m/min or higher. According to the invention the multi-layered polyester film has an average specific electrical melt resistance over its total thickness which lies within a range from 1.5×107 to 30×107 &OHgr;×cm. The invention also relates to a method of production of the film.

Abstract: A method of producing an electrically charged film includes the steps of forming a thermoplastic material into a web, electrically charging the web and winding the web into individual rolls immediately following the charging step.

Abstract: A washable air filter for removing particles from the inlet air to a heating and/or air conditioning system formed of an assembly of a central polymeric pad containing actively charged charge control agents of a first polarity, a polymeric net containing a dispersion of charged charge control agents of a second polarity in the polymer on each side of the pad and a stiff, deformable metal or plastic grill on each side of the net to form an assembly which can be corrugated and placed in a perimeter frame. The charging is preferably accomplished as the assembly passes over the surface of a roller with a conductive surface.

Abstract: A method for maintaining polycarbonate pellets by maintaining the potential of electrostatic charge of polycarbonate pellets (A) having adhering foreign matter having a particle diameter of 0.5 to 10 &mgr;m in an amount of 10,000 pieces/g or less in a range of ±10 kV in steps up to the step of melting the polycarbonate pellets (A) for producing a polycarbonate molded article.

Abstract: A rotary die-cutting machine and a method of cutting die-blanks in which the blanks (B) are passed between a die-cylinder (10) and an anvil (12), wherein a static charge is developed on the anvil (12) so that trim (15) removed from the blank adheres to, and is carried away from the nip, by the anvil (12).

Abstract: Apparatus for molding articles from moldable material in a mold includes end of arm tooling for an articulated robot arm associated with the mold, where the end of arm tooling includes an insert transfer member mounted on the end of the articulated robot arm. The insert transfer member has an insert holder for gripping the insert. The apparatus also includes a charger for generating an electric field that causes the insert to adhere onto a surface of the mold.

Abstract: An electret is described that includes a surface modified polymeric article having surface fluorination produced by fluorinating the polymeric article.

Abstract: Film of dielectric material, which film contains gas bubbles preferably of a flat shape. To achieve improved electrical properties, the film is given a large internal unipolar charge, which is created by charging the film by means of an electric field intensive enough to produce partial discharges in the gas bubbles and to cause the charges to move into the dielectric material of the film.

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: The method of the present invention overcomes the hot-sticking problems between an inorganic non-metallic material (=insulator) to be molded and a forming die by maintaining an assembly comprising a forming die and the insulator in a polarized state during molding. Processes using said method lead to an improved surface quality of the molded insulator. A device for reducing said hot-sticking comprises a die (2) which acts as conductor, an electrode (3) which may act as support for the insulator (1) to be molded, means (5) for polarizing the assembly of said conductor, insulator and electrode which means (5) are connected by live electric wires (4) with said die and electrode.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing thermoplastic resin film which allows a biaxially oriented polyester film to be formed at a high speed of 400 m/min or more. In the method, a molten thermoplastic resin film is brought into contact with a cooling medium, to be cooled and solidified, for producing a cast film. The method is characterized by keeping the surface temperature of the cooling medium in the region immediately before the melt reaching position at not lower than the glass transition temperature and not higher than the melting point of the thermoplastic resin. The apparatus is characterized by a cooling medium having a heater and a cooler to ensure that the surface temperature of the cooling medium in the region immediately before the melt reaching position is kept at the requisite temperature, and by a surface temperature of the cooling drum in the region immediately before the film leaving position being maintained lower than the glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic resin.

Abstract: Freeform fabrication apparatus for rapid prototyping. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes ion-generating equipment for sequentially creating latent ion images of layers of an object to be fabricated. Developing apparatus is provided for adhering at least one object building substance to the sequential latent ion images to create a series of laminae. Thereafter, the series of laminae are assembled to fabricate the object.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for producing a three-dimensional object from a powder material which includes powder particles and which is solidifiable by exposure to electromagnetic radiation. The apparatus includes a support having a substantially plane support surface for supporting said object, an applying device for applying a layer of the powder material to the support surface, a radiation device for selectively exposing the powder material to electromagnetic radiation at places corresponding to the object and a discharge electrode for generating an electric field for reducing charge differences on the powder particles.

Abstract: A thermoplastic fabric for use as a support fabric in interfacing, underlining, and applique carries a persistent electrostatic charge that causes the fabrics in contact therewith to cling thereto in a nonslip relationship. This facilitates sewing of the layers together. The preferred support fabric is a nonwoven fabric such as meltblown and spunbonded fabrics.