Abstract: The invention relates to a method for applying a porous glass layer. It is proposed to apply a porous glass layer by means of a PVD method. Porosity factor and average pore size can be varied by means of the process parameters such as pressure and deposition rate, as well as by deliberate addition of extrinsic substances.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to a process for suppressing silicon self-interstitial diffusion near the substrate/epitaxial layer interface of an epitaxial silicon wafer having a heavily doped silicon substrate and a lightly doped silicon epitaxial layer. Interstitial diffusion into the epitaxial layer is suppressed by a silicon self-interstitial sink layer comprising dislocation loops.

Abstract: A substantially cellulose free absorbent core comprising absorbent polymer material having a saline flow conductivity greater than about 100×10?7 cm3·sec/g and a centrifuge retention capacity of greater than about 20 g/g. A disposable absorbent article is also disclosed.

Abstract: A substantially cellulose free absorbent core comprising absorbent polymer material having a saline flow conductivity greater than about 100×10?7 cm3·sec/g and a centrifuge retention capacity of greater than about 20 g/g. A disposable absorbent article is also disclosed.

Abstract: A hydrophilic microporous membrane comprising a thermoplastic resin, having been subjected to hydrophilizing treatment and having a maximum pore size of 0 to 100 nm, wherein when 3 wt % bovine immunoglobulin having a monomer ratio of 80 wt % or more is filtered at a constant pressure of 0.3 MPa, an average permeation rate (liter/m2/h) for 5 minutes from the start of filtration (briefly referred to as globulin permeation rate A) satisfies the following formula (1) and an average permeation rate (liter/m2/h) for 5 minutes from the time point of 55 minutes after the start of filtration (briefly referred to as globulin permeation rate B) satisfies the following formula (2): Globulin permeation rate A>0.0015 ×maximum pore size (nm)2.75 ??(1) Globulin permeation rate B/globulin permeation rate A>0.2 .

Abstract: The present invention provides a functionalized adsorbent for removal of acid gases, which comprises a pore-expanded mesoporous support having a pore volume of between 0.7 and 3.6 cc/g, a median pore diameter of between 1 and 25 nm, and a BET surface area of between 500 and 1600 m2/g. The support is functionalized by addition of acid-gas reactive functional groups within the pores and external surface of said support material. Also provided are methods of manufacturing the adsorbent and methods of use.

Abstract: A novel polyvinyl alcohol-based polymer membrane is disclosed. The novel polyvinyl alcohol-based polymer membrane of the present invention comprises two different compounds which are crosslinked by irradiating light such as UV or electronic beams or heat treatment to form a covalent bond between double bonds thereby providing improved properties such as chemical resistance and durability. This invention also relates to a process its preparation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a foam sheet for a car interior member which is capable of being molded into a desired shape while keeping an excellent sound absorbency. The foam sheet for a car interior member according to the invention comprises a modified polyphenylene ether-based resin foam sheet having an open cell ratio of 50% or more, and the modified polyphenylene ether-based resin foam sheet has pore portions formed in a single face thereof so as to be open to the face thereof. Accordingly, vibration energy of sounds is smoothly induced through the pore portions to the open cells of the foam sheet 1 to vibrate cell walls of the open cells, thereby converting the vibration energy to thermal energy. Thus, an excellent sound absorbency is exhibited.

Abstract: A membrane on a carrier for filtration of liquids includes a carrier and a membrane. Also described is a method for manufacturing a membrane on a carrier as disclosed. Additionally described is the application of a membrane on a carrier as well as to a module including such a membrane. Also described is a method for determining fracture in such a membrane on a carrier.

Abstract: The invention relates to a temperature resistant layered structure comprising a substrate and a porous layer arranged on the substrate having a pore defined by a wall, and a ceramic coating on an interior surface of the wall. The invention also relates to a layered turbine component arrangement comprising a substrate having a cooling passage adapted to allow a cooling gas medium to pass through the substrate and a porous layer arranged on the substrate, the porous layer having cooling passages formed by gas-permeable inter-connections between pores in the porous layer.

Abstract: A subject for the invention is to provide a low-cost heat-resistant filter element produced from polyethylene particles which is for use in separating and collecting particles from a dust gas, can be continuously used even in a high-temperature environment of about from 70° C. to 130° C., especially from 90° C. to 110° C., is excellent in chemical resistance, and has flexibility and excellent suitability for mass production. Another subject is to provide processes by which the heat-resistant filter element can be produced at a reduced equipment cost while taking care of the environment. In the invention, a coating layer of a fluororesin was formed on a surface of a permeable porous molding obtained from particles of a resin composition containing a polyethylene as a main component of a resin ingredient and from 0.1 to 3 parts by weight of an antioxidant per 100 parts by weight of the resin ingredient by fusion-bonding the particles to one another at the surface thereof.

Abstract: Methods for filtering particles from a fluid are disclosed, wherein an array of microstructures defining respective microchannels having respective minimum widths are used to separate the fluid from particles to be filtered. The fluid flows through the minimum widths into the microchannels defined between adjacent microstructures. The particles to be filtered are prevented from passing through the respective minimum widths, resulting in filtration of those particles from the fluid. The microchannels can be provided with gradient characteristics to separate particles in the fluid according to size.

Abstract: An antireflective transparent zeolite hardcoat and fabrication method thereof. The transparent zeolite hardcoat comprises a zeolite nanostructure made of zeolite nanocrystals vertically stacked into a porous structure on a substrate, wherein the porosity increases with structure height, thereby providing a smooth refractive index transition.

Abstract: Methods for filtering particles from a fluid are disclosed, wherein an array of microstructures defining respective microchannels having respective minimum widths are used to separate the fluid from particles to be filtered. The fluid flows through the minimum widths into the microchannels defined between adjacent microstructures. The particles to be filtered are prevented from passing through the respective minimum widths, resulting in filtration of those particles from the fluid. The microchannels can be provided with gradient characteristics to separate particles in the fluid according to size.

Abstract: The invention provides asymmetric membranes composed of a microporous substrate whose pores contain a crosslinked gel, the density of the crosslinked gel being greater at or adjacent to one major surface of the membrane than the density at the other major surface. The membranes are useful for separating matter from liquids and display good flux and good rejection at low pressure.

Abstract: An electrophotographic transfer paper has a substrate and a thermoplastic foamed resin layer which is provided on at least one surface of the substrate and has pores. In the electrophotographic transfer paper, the temperature at which the viscosity of the thermoplastic foamed resin layer becomes 1×10 4 Pa·s ranges from 60° C. to 100° C. and a gradient R of a viscosity-temperature curve of the thermoplastic foamed resin layer defined by the following Equation (1) ranges from 0.02 to 0.10: R={Log(?t)?Log(?t+20)}/20 ??(1) where ?t indicates 1×104 Pa·s and ?t+20 indicates the viscosity (Pa·s) of the thermoplastic foamed resin layer at the temperature higher by 20° C. than the temperature showing the viscosity ?t.

Abstract: There is provided a multi-layered foamed article. The foam article has a layer of foam material on either side of an inner peel layer disposed roughly in the middle of the foam. The portion of the foam in closest proximity to the peel layer is subjected to the greatest amount of heat during extrusion forming mostly large open cell foam. The foam near the surface of the multiplayer foam article is cooled by the atmosphere or contact with cooling surfaces and comprises mostly small closed-cell foam. There is also provided a method for making a multi-layer foamed article by co-extruding an inner peel layer sandwiched between two expanded layers of a foam material. Each of the expanded foam layers on either side of the peel layer of the article is easily peeled or stripped from the peel inner layer and the multi-layer article is converted into a foamed article with absorbing characteristics on one side and non-absorbing characteristics on the other side.

Abstract: A porous structure having a plurality of bonded sheets each sheet having at least one aperture that partially overlaps an aperture of at least one other sheet. A method of producing a porous structure including stacking a plurality of sheets each sheet having a multiplicity of apertures, and bonding each sheet to its adjoining sheet. An open-pore network structure having a multiplicity of sheets each having a repeatable pattern. At least a portion of each sheet is bonded to the web of an adjacent sheet. The porous area of at least one of the sheets is askew to the porous area of at least another of the sheets. An open-pore structure having a multiplicity of bonded sheets, each sheet having a repeatable pattern defining a multiplicity of perforations, and a plurality of apertures defined by the repeatable pattern, the apertures extending through the perforations of at least two adjacent plates.

Abstract: An artificial stone material having an improved natural stone appearance and texture is prepared from thermosetting resin, curing agent, microspheres and additives. The resin and curing agent are thoroughly mixed to form a catalyzed resin mixture. The microspheres are added to the catalyzed resin mixture and mixed to a viscosity of about 950×106 to about 1590×106 to form a catalyzed base material. The additives are worked into the catalyzed base material to provide a catalyzed stone mixture having a desired natural stone appearance. The catalyzed stone mixture is molded or applied to a surface at the point of use and allowed to cure to form the artificial stone material.

Abstract: The invention provides a foamed body of thermoplastic resin having a high expansion ratio, desired shape and cells of desired diameter, especially fine cells. The foamed body of thermoplastic resin is produced by filling the thermoplastic resin containing a foaming agent into a cavity 31 of a mold 2a and thereafter enlarging the cavity 31 to expand the resin. In this process, the cavity 31 is completely filled with the resin as melted and containing the foaming agent, then held in its shape as filled with the resin and enlarged to an increased final cavity width upon the average temperature filled in the cavity 31 reaching the range from the melting point of the resin to the melting point plus 30° C.

Abstract: A multilayer microporous membrane containing a thermoplastic resin, comprising a coarse structure layer with a higher open pore ratio and a fine structure layer with a lower open pore ratio, wherein said coarse structure layer is present at least in one membrane surface having a thickness of not less than 5.0 ?m, a thickness of said fine structure layer is not less than 50% of the whole membrane thickness, and said coarse structure layer and said fine structure layer are formed in one-piece.

Abstract: The application discloses methods of plasma treatment that employ an ion sheath in a capacitively-coupled system to increase the hydrophilicity of porous articles, including microporous articles having pore sizes of 0.05 to 1.5 micrometers, both on their surfaces and in their pores such that the articles' bulk wetting properties are improved.

Abstract: Foaming of a resinous backing (2) to a glass sheet (1) is frustrated at the interface (3) with the glass by maintaining the glass sheet (1) cool during formation of the foam. The degree of foaming is nil at the interface (3) to effect a strong bond there, and increases progressively through the thickness of the foam body (2) away from the interface (3). The foam body (2) is backed by glass-fibre cloth (4) that is impregnated with the resin from which the foaming gas has been vented so as to bond the cloth (4) to the body (2) and to an outer aluminium foil (5). The glass sheet (3) may be a mirror, and may be replaced by a glass laminate (20;23) that includes a fused-powder coating (22;25) with or without an aluminium foil backing.

Abstract: A gas phase species (such as ozone, H2O2, or N2O) is photodissociated with ultraviolet light into a reactive species that is patternwise directed (e.g., through a mask) onto a surface of a material, such as an organosilicate. The reactive species reacts with the material to form a polar oxidation product such as —OH, thereby resulting in discrete hydrophilic regions separated from each other by hydrophobic regions. The degree of hydrophilicity of the discrete regions may be tailored by controlling the concentration of the reactive species, the ultraviolet light intensity, the temperature to which the material is heated, and exposure time. End products made with the methods are suitable for use in a biomolecular array.

Abstract: Thermostructural composite structure having a compositional gradient, formed from a porous core (5) made of a refractory having a pore volume content of greater than or equal to 80%. The core (5) lies between two intermediate layers (6a, 6b) comprising the carbon fiber reinforcement, densified by a matrix composed of the carbon phase and of a ceramic phase, and a refractory solid filler. Two monolithic ceramic shells (7a, 7b) cover the intermediate layers in order to give stiffness to the entire structure.

Abstract: An optical component or an analytical platform includes a substrate, an array of microstructures on the substrate and microchannels formed by side walls of adjacent microstructures, a width of the microchannels varies as a function of distance to the substrate, the width continuously decreasing with increasing distance from the substrate within at least one distance-interval. In a method for producing such a component or such a platform a substrate with an array of surface microstructures is coated in a vapor treatment in such a way that shadowing effects of the coating mechanism narrow at least partially a width of the upper parts of side walls of the microstructures thereby forming at least partially embedded microchannels.

Abstract: A wafer is characterized in that the wafer has a non-uniform distribution of crystal lattice vacancies, wherein the concentration of crystal lattice vacancies in the bulk layer are greater than the concentration of crystal lattice vacancies in the front surface layer. In addition, the front surface of the wafer has an epitaxial layer, having a thickness of less than about 2.0 çm, deposited thereon. A process comprises heating a surface of a wafer starting material to remove a silicon oxide layer from the surface and depositing an epitaxial layer onto the surface to form an epitaxial wafer. The epitaxial wafer is then heated to a soak temperature of at least about 1175C. while exposing the epitaxial layer to an oxidizing atmosphere comprising an oxidant, and the wafer is cooled at a rate of at least about 10C./sec.

Abstract: Construction materials containing surface modified reinforcements are used to fabricate composite structures. The composite structures comprise a matrix material and surface modified reinforcements, such as fibers and particulates. The surface modifier may be applied to a fiber surface using conventional sizing equipment and provides a durable film on the fiber. The surface modifier may be selected to have multifunctional properties, for example, increasing fiber pull-out strength, imparting bio-active properties, improving moisture resistance and other desirable properties to the composite structure.

Abstract: An optical component or an analytical platform includes a substrate, an array of microstructures on the substrate and microchannels formed by side walls of adjacent microstructures, a width of the microchannels varies as a function of distance to the substrate, the width continuously decreasing with increasing distance from the substrate within at least one distance-interval. In a method for producing such a component or such a platform a substrate with an array of surface microstructures is coated in a vapor treatment in such a way that shadowing effects of the coating mechanism narrow at least partially a width of the upper parts of side walls of the microstructures thereby forming at least partially embedded microchannels.

Abstract: A composite structure is formed by depositing a one or more coatings on an open-cell foam skeleton to form a higher-density composite foam. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the composite foam can be a carbon/carbon composite formed by a rapid densification process. The composite structure is suitable for use, for example, as a friction material employed in clutch and brake devices.

Abstract: There is provided a method for connecting an insulator coated wire with a conductive member while keeping the electrical resistance low and enough joint strength at the joint section therebetween without removing the coating film of the insulator coated wire beforehand. The conductive member has upper and lower pieces which pinch the insulator coated wire, and a gap between the upper and lower pieces varies at different locations. The wire and the conductive member have a good electrical connection at a region of the joint section where the gap between the upper and lower pieces is narrow. In addition, the connection strength of the wire and the conductive member can be enhanced at a region of the joint section where the gap between the upper and lower pieces is wide.

Abstract: A dense or porous coating of material is deposited onto a substrate by forcing a colloidal suspension through an ultrasonic nebulizer and spraying a fine mist of particles in a carrier medium onto a sufficiently heated substrate. The spraying rate is essentially matched to the evaporation rate of the carrier liquid from the substrate to produce a coating that is uniformly distributed over the surface of the substrate. Following deposition to a sufficient coating thickness, a single sintering step may be used to produce a dense ceramic coating. Using this method, coatings ranging in thickness from about one to several hundred microns can be obtained. By using a plurality of compounds in the colloidal suspension, coatings of mixed composition can be obtained. By using a plurality of solutions and separate pumps and a single or multiple ultrasonic nebulizer(s), and varying the individual pumping rates and/or the concentrations of the solutions, a coating of mixed and discontinuously graded (e.g.

Abstract: A device having an improved thermal barrier coating (46) and a process for manufacturing the same. A support structure (28) for retaining a ceramic insulating material (46) on a substrate (16) is formed by the deposition of a support structure material through a patterned masking material (14). The support structure can define cells into which the ceramic insulating material is deposited following removal of the masking material. The masking material may be patterned by known photolithographic techniques (22,24) or by laser etching (48). The support structure (28) may be a composite metal-ceramic material having either discreet layers (30,34) or a graded composition and may be deposited by an electro-desposition process followed by a heat treatment to form a solid state diffusion bond with the substrate.

Abstract: It is an object to provide a method of manufacturing a porous medium having a grading porous structure, and there are provided a method of manufacturing a porous medium having a grading porous structure, comprising the steps of installing a sample consisting of a powder compact or a porous body in a rotating body, and heating the sample while applying a centrifugal force to the sample through high-speed rotation of the rotating body to produce a porous medium having a grading porous structure in which the pore size and the porosity change gradually by using the pressure grading in the sample arising through the centrifugal force, and such a method wherein the pore size and the porosity of the sample are predicted based on a linear shrinkage factor calculated through the equation:

Abstract: The present invention is a Liquid transport member with significantly improved liquid handling capability, which has at least one bulk region and a wall region that completely circumscribes said bulk region, and which comprises a port region, whereby the bulk region has an average fluid permeability kb which is higher than the average fluid permeability kp of the port regions.

Abstract: Nanoporous structures are constructed that have hydrophilic regions separated by hydrophobic regions. The porous, hydrophilic regions have reaction sites suitable for use in a bioassay application and have a higher density of reaction sites than that of a non-porous (2-D) surface. The structure may be made by depositing a layer of a matrix material (e.g., an organosilicate) and a porogen, and then crosslinking the matrix material to form a nanohybrid composite structure. The porogen is decomposed to form pores within the matrix material, and a reactive gas phase species (e.g., ozone) is patternwise directed onto a surface of the matrix material. Ultraviolet light (directed through a mask) activates the gas phase species to form a reactive species that then reacts with the matrix material to make it hydrophilic. The porogen may be decomposed thermally or by exposing it to an oxidizing atmosphere in the presence of ultraviolet light.

Abstract: A disruptive camouflage pattern system to be used for both military and civilian applications. The system includes specialized techniques for printing the camouflage pattern system unto fabric. The system provides camouflage in both the human visible light and the near infrared range. The system depends on macro pattern resulting from a repeat of a micro pattern. The coloring used includes at least four colorings from dyes that in combination produce a percent reflectance value comparable to that of the negative space of the camouflaged subject's surroundings. The system functions by a macro pattern being disruptive of the subject's shape and a micro pattern having sharp edge units of a size capable of blending the subject into its background. The relative lightness values and percentages of total pattern, wet or dry, are sufficient to produce a percent reflectance of acceptable colors, in terms of lightness values unlike current four-color camouflage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a coating element, a coated fibrous web, and methods for manufacturing the same. The invention also relates to a particle granule. The coating element comprises a pigment binder structure granule formed from pigment particles and a binding agent and, possibly, additives, the pigment particles being bound to one another through a binding agent. According to the invention, the shape of the granule is essentially rotationally symmetrical, comprising an inner part and a crust part, the density of the inner part being lower than the crust part. The granules can be prepared by spray drying from aqueous slurry that contains a pigment, binder, and possible additives. The shape of the coating elements can be altered by using controlled deformation. They can be flattened, for example, by calendering to form the surface of a desired shape, and attached to the surface of the fibrous web without a separate binder or by adding a small amount of binder only.

Abstract: There are provided a porous honeycomb structure body capable of satisfying a pressure loss and isostatic strength which are mutually contradictory properties simultaneously and a method for manufacturing the same. In a porous honeycomb structure body having partition walls which contain cordierite as a primary crystal phase and have a porosity of 40 to 75% and an average pore diameter of 10 to 50 &mgr;m, porosity and an average pore diameter in a center portion of the structure body are made larger than porosity and an average pore diameter in a peripheral portion of the structure body.

Abstract: A microporous membrane is produced by cooling a solution comprising a vinylidene fluoride homopolymer or copolymer having a weight average molecular weight of 1×105 or more and a solvent therefor, to form a two-phase gel, said microporous membrane comprising a polymer phase comprising said vinylidene fluoride homopolymer or copolymer, and intercommunicating voids which have an average pore size measured by the half-dry method of 0.005 to 5 &mgr;m and range from one side of the membrane to the other side, and said microporous membrane having as its internal structure a percolation structure in which the polymer phase forms an isotropic network structure by three-dimensional branching in arbitrary directions, the voids are formed by surrounding by said polymer phase of the network structure and intercommunicate with one another, and the ratio of the maximum pore size measured by the bubble point method to the average pore size measured by the half-dry method is 2.0 or less.

Abstract: A non-single crystalline semiconductor material includes coordinatively irregular structures characterized by distorted chemical bonding, reduced dimensionality and novel electronic properties. A process for forming the material permits variation of the size, concentration and spatial distribution of coordinatively irregular structures. The electronic properties of the material can be changed by controlling the characteristics of the coordinatively irregular structures.

Abstract: We have discovered that the formation of particulate inclusions at the surface and the interior of an aluminum alloy article interferes with the performance of the article when a surface of the article is protected by an anodized coating. We have also discovered that the formation of such particulate inclusions can be controlled to a large extent by controlling the concentration of particular impurities present in the alloy used to fabricate the aluminum alloy article.

Abstract: The invention relates to a coated article having enhanced reversible thermal properties. The coated article comprises a substrate having a surface and a coating covering a portion of the surface and comprising a polymeric material and a temperature regulating material dispersed in the polymeric material. The coating is formed with a plurality of regions of discontinuity that are separated from one another and expose a remaining portion of the surface to provide improved flexibility, softness, air permeability, or water vapor transport properties. The coated article may be used in apparel, footwear, medical products, containers and packagings, building materials, appliances, and other products.

Abstract: A multilayer microporous membrane containing a thermoplastic resin, comprising a coarse structure layer with a higher open pore ratio and a fine structure layer with a lower open pore ratio, wherein said coarse structure layer is present at least in one membrane surface having a thickness of not less than 5.0 &mgr;m, a thickness of said fine structure layer is not less than 50% of the whole membrane thickness, and said coarse structure layer and said fine structure layer are formed in one-piece.

Abstract: The present invention provides a matrix comprising an array of nanostructures that exhibit a variation (gradient) in physical properties (such as size or pitch) in at least one direction of the plane containing said array. A method for forming an array having a gradient property is also provided. In addition, a separation method is provided comprising the steps of: providing a matrix comprising an array of nanostructures arranged so that the array has the property of a gradient; and conducting at least one biomolecule separation process to separate biomolecules in a composition containing a plurality of biomolecules using the matrix.

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: Polymeric articles, including membranes, with surfaces having a desired chemical functionality are created by surface segregation of a branched component blended with a compatible, matrix base component, the branched component having the desired chemical functionality. In particular, hydrophilic surfaces are created via surface segregation of a branched hydrophilic copolymer blended into a polymer matrix. The use of branched molecular architecture provides a thermodynamic mechanism for the segregation of the hydrophilic species to the surface and a means for achieving a high surface coverage of the hydrophilic moiety. The branched hydrophilic copolymer can be defined by a random copolymer including two or more methacrylate or acrylate monomers, at least one of which features a short hydrophilic side chain, such as a polyethylene glycol side chain. The branched hydrophilic copolymer is compatible, and well-entangled, with the acrylate polymer matrix.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a grip tape (2) and replacement grip tape for sports implements, like tennis, squash, racketball and badminton rackets, or clubs, as well as to a process for producing the same. The grip tape and replacement grip tape according to the present invention comprise a phase change material for dissipating and/or storing body heat of a player, so that the grip feeling for the player is improved considerably.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an acoustically absorbent porous panel that is both rigid and resistant to sagging caused by moisture. The acoustically absorbent porous panel is comprised of at least two layers. The first layer is a facing layer formed from a cured aqueous foamed cementitious material. The foamed cementitious material comprises on a wet basis about 53% to about 68% by weight cement, about 17% to about 48% by weight water, about 0.05% to about 5% by weight fiber, and about 0.01% to about 10% by weight surfactant. Additionally, pores distributed within the cured material comprising about 75% to about 95% by volume of the material. The second layer is a backing layer that is affixed to the facing layer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fibrous absorbent structure that is wet stable and has large void volume with a density below the critical density of the fiber employed. In one embodiment, the fibrous absorbent uses open-celled foam technologies to keep the fibrous structure expanded and bonded. In other embodiments, the resulting fibrous structure resembles an open-celled polymeric foam, with fibers serving as struts stabilized by binder material. In another embodiment, the resulting fibrous structure is filled with hydrophilic open-celled foams with the cell size substantially smaller than the fibrous pores. Such a wet-stable, high void volume fibrous absorbent can be used in a disposable product intended for the absorption of fluid such as body fluid, including extensible absorbent articles.