Abstract: The present disclosure provides an actuator device having a large ratio of contraction ratio to initial tension. The actuator device according to the present disclosure comprises an actuator band and a control device. The actuator band is formed by braiding, knitting, or weaving a plurality of actuator single wires. The plurality of the actuator single wires each comprise an actuator wire and a mesh-shaped heating element which covers a side surface of the actuator wire. The actuator wire is formed of a polymer fiber. The fiber is twisted around the long axis thereof and folded so as to have a cylindrical coil shape. The control device is configured to supply electric power for heating the mesh-shaped heating element. The actuator band is heated to be contracted along the longitudinal direction thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of layer structures in the production of rotor blades for wind power plants, and to rotor blades for wind power plants.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a self-molding composite system for insulation and covering operations. The self-molding composite system may be cured to form any desired shaped for insulation and covering operations. The composite system comprises one or more layers that may create a rigid layered composite when cured. The one or more layers of the composite system may include at least one structural reinforcement layer that is a braided, knit, or non-woven fiber based substrate, an interstitial matrix layer, and customizable top coat. The customizable top coat may be a solvent based polymer solution that includes various additives that may include color pigments, additives for additional abrasion protection, additives for thermal protection, and/or additives for creating various textures or visible appearances to the composite system.

Abstract: Method for producing a fibrous mat, which can be installed in a component of a vehicle provided with an internal combustion engine for acoustically and thermally insulating the component. The method comprises the steps of: providing a fibrous core consisting of at least one fibrous bundle that extends along a direction that is approximately parallel to a longitudinal axis; wrapping the outer surface of the fibrous core by means of a fibrous bundle that extends along a direction that is approximately transverse to the bundle of the fibrous core, thus providing at least one outer tubular fibrous containment sleeve that extends, in turn, along the longitudinal axis and covers the outer surface of the fibrous core to trap the fibrous core therein.

Abstract: A vibration isolator can be configured to provide improved vibration isolation performance, such as in connection with a bicycle saddle. The bicycle saddle can be operatively connected to a bicycle frame. The vibration isolator can be located within a portion of the bicycle frame. The vibration isolator can be operatively positioned with respect to the bicycle saddle. The vibration isolator being configured to exhibit a non-linear stiffness profile. The non-linear stiffness profile can include a region of quasi-zero stiffness. The vibration isolator including one or more super elastic material members.

Abstract: A low inductance component may include a multilayer, monolithic device including a first active termination, a second active termination, at least one ground termination, and a pair of capacitors connected in series between the first active termination and the second active termination. The lead(s) may be coupled with the first active termination, second active termination, and/or the at least one ground termination. The lead(s) may have respective length(s) and maximum width(s). A ratio of the length(s) to the respective maximum width(s) of the lead(s) may be less than about 20.

Abstract: A resin part, wherein the resin part has an asymmetrical shape in a thickness direction, so that a portion in which an increase in internal temperature by heating is relatively quick is positioned closer to one end of the resin part in the thickness direction while a portion in which an increase in internal temperature by heating is relatively slow is positioned closer to the other end of the resin part in the thickness direction, wherein the resin part has an asymmetrical shape in a width direction, so that the portion in which the increase in internal temperature by heating is relatively quick is positioned closer to one end of the resin part in the width direction while a portion in which an increase in internal temperature by heating is relatively slow is positioned closer to the other end of the resin part in the width direction.

Abstract: A system for detecting an analyte gas in an environment includes a first gas sensor, a first contaminant sensor separate and spaced from the first gas sensor, and electronic circuitry in electrical connection with the first gas sensor to determine if the analyte gas is present based on a response of the first gas sensor. The electronic circuitry is further in electrical connection with the first contaminant sensor to measure a response of the first contaminant sensor over time. The measured response of the first contaminant sensor varies with an amount of one or more contaminants to which the system has been exposed in the environment over time.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing a composite metal oxide hollow fibre. A certain stoichiometry of composite metal oxide raw material and a polymer binding agent are added to an organic solvent, and mixed mechanically to obtain an evenly dispersed spinning solution having a suitable viscosity. After defoaming treatment, the spinning solution is extruded through a spinneret and, after undergoing a certain dry spinning process, enters an external coagulation bath; during this period, a phase inversion process occurs and composite metal oxide hollow fibre blanks are formed. The blanks are immersed in the external coagulation bath and the organic solvent is displaced; after natural drying, the blanks undergo a heat treatment process; during this period, polymer burn off, in situ reaction, and in situ sintering processes occur to obtain the composite metal oxide hollow fibre.

Abstract: A fiber-reinforced resin composition contains a resin-adhered long fiber bundle including composition (A), a thermoplastic resin, and component (B), a rayon fiber, wherein the rayon fiber of component (B) satisfies the following requirements (b1), (b2) and (b3), and the resin-adhered long fiber bundle is obtained by adhering and integrating the thermoplastic resin of component (A) in a molten state to and with a strand of longitudinally-arranged rayon fibers of component (B), and cutting the strand into a length of 3 to 30 mm, (b1) a fiber diameter of 5 to 30 ?m; (b2) a tensile elongation of 10% or more; and (b3) a flat shape with a ratio between a major axis length and a minor axis length (major axis length/minor axis length) in a width-directional cross-section of 1.1 or more.

Abstract: A knitted spacer fabric has two transversely spaced knitted layers and first and second spacer yarns extending transversely between and connecting the knitted layers. Both knitted layers are formed by metal braid that is arranged such that laminar electrical and thermal conduction is provided by the metal braid in both knitted layers, and the first spacer yarns are also formed by metal braid.

Abstract: A ply for fabricating composite material includes a first tow of a plurality of fibers, which are spread in a direction along a width of a cross section of the ply, wherein a first sheet of enhanced performance material overlies the first tow. A second tow of a plurality of fibers, which are spread in the direction along the width of the cross section of the ply, overlies the first sheet of the enhanced performance material. Another tow of a plurality of fibers, which are spread in the direction along the width of the cross section of the ply, are positioned against and laterally extend from the first tow, the second tow and the first sheet of enhanced performance material.

Abstract: Cut-resistant and abrasion-resistant yarns including blends of technical fibers and mineral, inorganic, or ceramic fibers of substantially the same length as the technical fibers, and methods for manufacturing yarns, are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of fitting a protective barrier on a structure base. The method may include removing a first sidewall from a tire. A line may be cut spanning from an outer diameter of the sidewall to an inner diameter of the sidewall such that the sidewall includes sidewall ends and the sidewall is no longer a continuous loop. The sidewall ends may be bent away from each other to widen a gap between the sidewall ends. The sidewall may be placed around the structure base by moving the sidewall relative to the structure base such that the structure base passes through the gap and into an inner opening of the sidewall.

Abstract: Provided is an electrophotographic belt sustainably excellent in toner removal performance. The electrophotographic belt has an endless shape and has grooves on an outer surface thereof, each of the grooves extending in a circumferential direction and being in non-parallel with the circumferential direction, and the outer surface is composed only of a first region in which the number of the grooves in a direction orthogonal to the circumferential direction is “n” and a second region in which the number of the grooves in the direction orthogonal to the circumferential direction is larger than the “n”, the first region and the second region being arranged alternately in the circumferential direction, and the “n” being an integer of 1 or more.

Abstract: The invention relates to glass strands and glass strand structures coated with an electrically conducting coating composition which comprises (as % by weight of solid matter): 6 to 50% of a film-forming agent, preferably 6 to 45%, 5 to 40% of at least one compound chosen from plasticizing agents, surface-active agents and/or dispersing agents, 20 to 75% of electrically conducting particles, 0 to 10% of a doping agent, 0 to 10% of a thickening agent, 0 to 15% of additives. The invention also relates to the electrically conducting coating composition used to coat the said strands and strand structures, to their process of manufacture and to the composite materials including these strands or strand structures. Application to the preparation of structures and composite materials which can be heated by the Joule effect or which can be used for electromagnetic shielding.

Abstract: A fiber-reinforced composite material which comprises carbon fibers and a resin, wherein the carbon fibers have crimps and have been entangled and the fiber volume content is 30 to 80%. The fiber-reinforced composite material combines quasi-isotropy with a high fiber volume content and has little unevenness in mechanical property.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cut and/or abrasion resistant garment that is lightweight, has improved comfort, flexibility and pliability, and is particularly suitable for use as hosiery products such as stockings, pantyhose and tights, or for protective coverings for the arms of the wearer.

Abstract: A method for forming a suspension element for an acoustic driver. The method includes placing an unimpregnated fabric formed from a monofilament polymer fiber in a mold, the monofilament fiber characterized by a softening point and a melting point; heating the mold and the unimpregnated fabric to a temperature greater than the softening point and less than the melting point; and cooling the mold.

Abstract: A pipe for drawing up cold water for a marine thermal energy plant is produced from a composite material including glass fiber reinforcements and a thermosetting resin.

Abstract: A method of making a shape memory structure includes, commingling elastic material with viscoelastic material, and forming a structure with the commingled materials. Altering a shape of the structure, altering an environment the structure is exposed to, to lock in the altered shape of the structure via hardening of the viscoelastic material until the structure is exposed to another environment that softens the viscoelastic material.

Abstract: Barbed medical devices include a multifilament elongate body and a monofilament fragment. The multifilament elongate body has an outer surface. The monofilament fragment has a first portion positioned within the multifilament elongate body and at least a second portion which extends beyond the outer surface of the multifilament elongate body to form a barb.

Abstract: A self-confining structural article includes a ceramic matrix with a reinforcement member disposed within the ceramic matrix. The reinforcement member is continuous, and has a mesh with holes not exceeding 4 mm in size.

Abstract: A steel filament adapted for the reinforcement of elastomer or for thermoplastic products has a carbon content ranging up to 0.20 per cent by weight. The steel filament is provided with a coating promoting the adhesion with elastomer or thermoplastic products. The steel filament is drawn until a final diameter of less than 0.60 mm and a final tensile strength of more than 1200 MPa. Intermediate heat treatments are avoided so that the carbon footprint of the steel filament is substantially reduced.

Abstract: Packaging materials are provided which allow for products to be protected against external factors such as scratching, water, moisture, oil and dust during the transportation and storing processes. A double-lamination packaging material is disclosed which is non-composite, with a high resistance, made of a polypropylene braided woven fabric and a nonwoven material, is used in packaging products made of glass, iron-steel, metal and aluminum material.

Abstract: Preforms for open structured (lattice) composite tubular members manufactured from large (i.e. high filament count) prepreg yarns on a conventional maypole braiding machine, and subsequently cured to produce fiber reinforced composites of high strength and light weight.

Abstract: Disclosed are blended polymeric membranes that include at least a first polymer and a second polymer that is UV treated, wherein the first and second polymers are each selected from the group consisting of a polymer of intrinsic microporosity (PIM), a polyetherimide (PEI) polymer, a polyimide (PI) polymer, and a polyetherimide-siloxane (PEI-Si) polymer.

Abstract: Composite products and related methods are disclosed. In some examples, methods of filament winding composite components and products, such as a sleeve and/or a mandrel for use in down-hole applications, are disclosed. The winding of components can involve using a percentage of fiber roving strands that are blown during manufacture such that they have fiber loops that when wound as layers forms bridges across the discrete layers to enhance the inter-laminar strength of the composite product.

Abstract: A fiber reinforced plastic profile, in particular for an aircraft or spacecraft, including a stacked ply assembly including a plurality of stacked plies each comprising fiber material, the ply assembly having a profile cross section including at least one first section, at least one second section, and at least one splice section located between the at least one first section and the at least one second section. The splice section includes a first plurality of stacked plies having fibers of a first fiber material and a second plurality of stacked plies having fibers of a second fiber material. In the splice section, respective plies of the first plurality of stacked plies are intertwiningly abutted with respective plies of the second plurality of stacked plies.

Abstract: A metamaterial that includes a metallic wire and a supporting member. The metallic wire has a length of substantially half the wavelength of electromagnetic waves, and is coiled in the shape of a spring. The supporting member fixes the metallic wire such that the central axis of the metallic wire is parallel in direction to an electric field generated between a signal line through which an electric current flows and a ground. The metallic wire placed in such manner resonates with electromagnetic waves having a wavelength approximately twice as long as the metallic wire, and exhibits a negative dielectric constant.

Abstract: The presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) relates generally to packaging materials for packaging articles. The packaging materials may include a substratum with a printed pattern disposed thereon that provides a grass-like appearance, and/or the packaging materials may include a plurality of individual strips, strands, or units of material bondably connected thereto.

Abstract: Hybrid fiber constructions having reduced creep tendency. More particularly, twisted, low creep yarns formed by twisting together one or more high strength polyolefin fibers and one or more low creep reinforcing fibers.

Abstract: A counterband tape for use in the heat setting tunnel of a carpet yarn heat setting machine. The tape is constructed from polyphenylene sulfide yarns. The counterband tape may be formed as a single layer woven fabric with a twill weave construction. The tape also may include a herringbone pattern.

Abstract: A steel cord (20) comprises a plurality of steel filaments (22, 24) arranged in parallel to the longitudinal axis of the steel cord (20) without twisting. The steel cord (20) further comprises a wrapping filament (26) twisted around the steel cord (20). Each of said steel filaments (22, 24) is a flat wire having flat surfaces. The steel filament (24) near the center of the steel cord (20) has a bigger width than the steel filaments (22) further away from the center of the steel cord (20) such that the cross-section of said steel cord (20) approximates an oval shape with the bending stiffness around the shorter axis of the oval shape being greater than the bending stiffness around the longer axis. In a tire, the steel cord being used as a reinforcement, the longer axis being arranged perpendicular to the radial direction of the tire.

Abstract: A carbon composite component composed of a plastics-carbon-fibre composite material. The carbon composite component is made up of individual regions, in which at least one ply is composed, in at least a first region, of carbon fibres, and at least one additional region and/or the first region includes a ply which is composed of metal cords which are arranged spaced apart from one another and spatially oriented in at least one direction.

Abstract: Certain embodiments here include compositions of matter and methods of manufacturing a ply composition, comprising a piece of fabric, wherein the fabric includes a plurality of plated tows, and eutectic alloy, wherein the plated tows are intertwined with the eutectic alloy.

Abstract: To provide a composite that can find application to various uses in a wide spectrum of fields, for example, sealing members, such as a joint sheet, a gasket and a packing, for use in junction portions, etc. of pipings of power plant and chemical plant, radiation sheets, electromagnetic wave shielding members, soundproof sheets, etc., and provide a process for producing the composite; a gasket or packing based on the composite and a clay dispersion liquid used for the composite. There is provided a composite composed mainly of graphite and clay and having the structure of graphite laminated with and/or impregnated with clay. The composite is produced by subjecting an exfoliated graphite sheet or film or a molding therefrom to coating with and/or immersion in a clay dispersion liquid with clay particles dispersed therein, or by laminating together of an exfoliated graphite sheet and/or film and a sheet and/or film composed mainly of clay. Further, a gasket or packing is produced by molding the composite.

Abstract: A load-pulling system includes a least one belt to which a tensile load is applied. The belt is formed of a matrix and a load-bearing fiber structure embedded in the matrix and having a plurality of fibers. The belt is guided around a least one deflection device in such a way that it forms a curved section in the region of the deflection device. A dimensioning of the belt and the applied tensile load are matched to each other in such a way that, in the curved section of the belt, a zero stress line of the belt is displaced radially inward in the direction of curvature with respect to a center line of the load-bearing fiber structure by an amount of at least 25% of the thickness of the load-bearing fiber structure.

Abstract: An implantable medical device is disclosed. The medical device includes a substrate and a polymer composition including ascorbic acid, the polymer composition disposed on at least a portion of the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to coated, absorbent, freestanding assemblies comprising inorganic nanowires, articles of manufacture comprising the same, processes of producing the same and methods of use thereof. The assemblies of this invention are useful in various applications, including removal of organics or hydrophobic materials, and waterproofing applications.

Abstract: A plurality of reversible active composite materials are disclosed, including composites based on a shape memory alloy member (SMA) and a shape memory polymer member (SMP), as well as composites based on two different SMP members. Each different member (SMA or SMP) will be trained to remember a specific shape at a specific temperature. Where two different SMP members are employed, the members exhibit different glass transition temperatures. Such composite materials can be implemented in many form factors, including two generally planar members, a single generally planar SMP member with SMA fibers distributed throughout the SMP, and a SMA fiber/wire coated with a SMP coating. In particular, the SMA fiber/wire coated with a SMP layer can be used to form helical coils that can be used in paired hinges to achieve reversible bending of a structure into which such paired hinges are incorporated.

Abstract: Provided is an exhaust gas purifying device structured such that a gas sensor or the like can be easily arranged while an installation length of gas purifying filters can be formed compact. The exhaust gas purifying device includes the gas purifying filters for purifying an exhaust gas discharged from an engine, inner cases internally provided with the gas purifying filters, and outer cases internally provided with the inner cases. Provided are sets of the gas purifying filters, the inner cases and the outer cases, and flange bodies connecting plural sets of outer cases are offset with respect to a connection boundary position of plural sets of gas purifying filters.

Abstract: A helical textile with a substantially uniform thickness has circumferential warp fibers defining a radial textile width from a textile inner diameter to a textile outer diameter. The circumferential warp fibers extend substantially in a first fiber direction. Weft fibers are inserted in a weft region between the textile inner diameter and the textile outer diameter extend substantially in a second fiber direction along a weft fiber axis. The weft fiber axis has a predefined angle with respect to a radial axis greater than zero degrees and less than ninety degrees. Knitted chain stitches secure the weft fibers to the circumferential warp fibers, where the knitted chain stitches are knitted across the weft region in a third fiber direction. The circumferential warp fibers and the weft fibers are non-interlaced, thereby forming a helical textile having a substantially uniform thickness from the textile inner diameter to the textile outer diameter.

Abstract: An elastic thread yarn comprising linen and/or ramié and/or hemp and an elastic thread, with a thread made of an elastomeric material, and a substantially inextensible yarn made of linen and/or ramié and/or hemp helically wound about the elastomeric core at a predetermined number of windings per length unit of elasticized yarn, wherein, for each metric count Nm, the number of windings substantially inextensible yarn of the elasticized yarn, is set between two values indicated by two curves (12, 13) which can be expressed according to exponential laws, for example, with the same exponent, i.e. according to equations of the form T=KN0, 327 where K is 20 and 50, respectively. In particular, an intermediate curve 11 is such that, by choosing for a given metric count a number of windings proximate to curve 11, this best feature balance is obtained. In an exemplary embodiment, the core comprises a bare elastic thread, i.e. an elastic thread that is not coated by other fibres.

Abstract: A method is presented for making a composite material from strips comprising longitudinal fibers and a binder or resin, which material comprises a number of layer assemblies one on top of the other. Each layer assembly comprises m sets (with m at least 2) of parallel strips each extending in a different direction, Each layer assembly is manufactured by successive steps of depositing groups of parallel strips according to a well defined pattern (without longitudinally interweaving strips with previously deposited strips). Before completing a layer assembly, with the exception of the last layer assembly, by depositing its last group of parallel strips, the first group of parallel strips of the following layer assembly is already deposited. A composite material manufactured with such a method is presented too.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a detector is provided. The method includes using a removable double-faced adhesive film to bond a flat panel detector and a panel detector support.

Abstract: A fiber composite assembly and a process of fabricating a fiber composite assembly are disclosed. The fiber composite assembly includes a first composite layer having a first fiber and a second composite layer having a second layer. The first fiber includes a helical portion and the second fiber extends to within the helical portion of the first fiber. A process of fabricating a fiber composite assembly includes elongating a wound fiber preform to form a helical fiber or positioning the first fiber in the first composite layer and positioning the second fiber in the second composite layer.

Abstract: A helical textile having a substantially uniform thickness from ID to OD having circumferential warp fibers; non-interlaced radially aligned weft fibers having fiber lengths that may vary with the textile diameter to maintain constant textile thickness, the warp fibers and weft fibers not interlaced together; and non-reinforcing binding yarns securing the warp fibers to the weft fibers, thereby forming a helical textile.

Abstract: Transparent panel of acrylic glass (PMMA) having internal reinforcement elements for securing fragments of the acrylic glass formed upon an impact with a foreign body. The reinforcement elements are embedded interspersed within the panel and spaced apart in parallel longitudinally. The reinforcement elements include rigid cables and elastic cables. The rigid cables are formed of a metal having an ultimate tensile strength of at least 500 MPa. The elastic cables are formed of a metal having a percentage elongation (engineering strain at fracture) of at least 30%, preferably between 40% and 80%. The rigid cables and elastic cables may be separate and spaced apart from one another, or intertwined with each other. The panels may be used to form an acoustic barrier.

Abstract: Components are disclosed that include a first layer and a second layer affixed to the first layer or an optional third layer. At least one of the first layer and the second layer includes a gel foam.