Abstract: In some embodiments, a foamed polymer sheet comprises: a polymeric material and cells located in the polymeric material. The cells have a size distribution, D90 of greater than or equal to 300 ?m and the sheet has a light transmission of greater than or equal to about 5%. In another embodiment, the cells have an average diameter, as measured along a major axis, of about 1 mm to about 4 mm, and the sheet has a light transmission of greater than or equal to about 5%. In another embodiment, a method of making a foamed polymeric sheet comprises: combining a blowing agent with a polymeric material to form a mixture, nucleating bubbles in the mixture, and cooling the mixture. The mixture is at a sufficient temperature and the cells have a sufficient cell size such that the sheet has a light transmission of greater than or equal to 10%.

Abstract: The invention is directed in part to an article that includes a polymer foam having a surface with surface microstructures, the surface microstructures have at least one extent or dimension of about 10 microns or more, preferably 50 microns or more. A maximum extent (unless it is a continuous rib-like structure) the microstructure is about 300 microns or less, preferably 200 microns or less, and generally a maximum height of 1000 microns or less, preferably 750 microns or less and a minimum height of 200 microns or more, preferably 300 microns or more. The foamed article may be provided in a variety of shapes, including a rod, a cylinder, a sheet, etc. In a preferred embodiment where the foam is provided in the form of a sheet, the foam has a pair of major surfaces, one or both of which can be provided with surface microstructures.

Abstract: A garage door display and decorative article include a first closed cell foam layer having a thickness of at least 0.1 inches having a front face and a rear face. A rare earth metal magnet is fused to previously melted and presently solidified portions of the first closed cell foam layer on the rear face. A decorative piece is fused to previously melted and presently solidified portions of the first closed cell foam layer on the front face.

Abstract: A nano-cellular polymer foam is disclosed, which has an average pore size from about 10 nanometers to about 500 nanometers; and a foam density that is from about 1 percent to about 50 percent of the bulk density of the material of the nano-cellular foam.

Abstract: Composite laminated article having: a first layer of a closed cell foam of a thermoplastic material, a second layer of a fibre-reinforced resin, the resin adhering a surface of the second layer to a surface of the first layer, wherein the closed cell foam has an average cell size of from 15 to 75 microns.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein relates to relates to foamed thermoplastic material objects and articles of manufacture having an internal layered cellular structure, as well as to methods of making the same. In one embodiment, the invention is directed to a multi-layer foamed polymeric article of manufacture, comprising: a non-laminated multi-layer thermoplastic material sheet, wherein the multi-layer thermoplastic material sheet has first and second discrete outer layers sandwiching a plurality of discrete inner foamed layers, and wherein the two outer layers and plurality discrete inner foamed layers are integral with one another. The thermoplastic material may be a semi-crystalline polymer such as, for example, PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PEEK (polyetheretherketone), PEN (polyethylene napthalate), PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate), PLA (polylactide), polyhydroxy acid (PHA), thermoplastic urethane (TPU), or blends thereof.

Abstract: A foamed composite armor laminate comprising interleaved combinations of ballistic resistant fabrics, and ceramic and/or metallic plates or sheets in a polymeric foam matrix. The foamed composite armor can be fabricated by inserting polymer powder or sheets between layers of fabric and/or ceramic or metallic sheets to form a laminated structure, heating this laminated structure under pressure to form a consolidated panel, and then foaming the polymeric portion of the consolidated panel in an autoclave or pressure vessel by saturating the polymeric portion with inert gas at elevated temperature, rapidly releasing the pressure and controllably cooling the laminated structure to ambient. Alternatively, pre-foamed panels can be laminated to fabric, ceramic and/or metallic sheets using adhesives or the like. Through proper selection of the various elements of the laminate, i.e.

Abstract: The inorganic fiber article according to the present invention is an inorganic fiber article comprising an inorganic coating layer having foams, the inorganic coating layer formed on at least a portion of the surface of an inorganic fiber molded body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a substrate (1) coated with a porous coating (2), to the processes for manufacturing the coating, and to its applications. The porous coating (2) is essentially mineral and of the sol-gel type, having a series of closed pores with at least the smallest characteristic dimension being, on average, equal to or greater than 20 nm but less than or equal to 100 nm.

Abstract: A microporous material comprises organic macromolecules comprised of first generally planar species connected by rigid linkers having a point of contortion such that two adjacent first planar species connected by the linker are held in non-coplanar orientation, subject to the proviso that the first species are other than porphyrinic macrocycles. Materials in accordance with the invention have a surface area of at least 300 m2 g?1, eg in the range 700-1500 m2 g?1. Preferred points of contortion are spiro groups, bridged ring moieties and sterically congested single covalent bonds around which there is restricted rotation.

Abstract: The present invention is directed an oriented, foamed article having an ink-receptive surface, and a method of making the article. The invention provides a printable substrate comprising at least one high melt-strength, oriented polypropylene foam layer having an ink-receptive surface. The high melt-strength polypropylene having a melt strength of 25 to 60 cN at 190° C. The ink-receptive surface may comprise and oxidizing treatment, such as corona or flame-treatment of the foam surface, or may comprise an ink-receptive coating, such as a primer coating, on the foam surface. The oriented foam article is particularly useful in the preparation of printed security documents such as currency, stock and bond certificates, birth and death certificates, land titles and abstracts and the like.

Abstract: A refractory ceramic material possessing a solidus temperature between 2500° C. and 2800° C., having a compactness greater than 85%, and a microstructure such that the material is composite and comprises: hafnium dioxide HfO2 grains having a monoclinic structure (1); hafnium dioxide HfO2 grains having a cubic structure (2) which is stabilized by yttrium oxide Y2O3, the yttrium oxide Y2O3 representing 0.5 mol % to 8 mol % relative to the total number of moles of hafnium dioxide HfO2; closed pores (3); non-interconnected open pores. The invention also relates to the process of manufacturing said material and a structural part incorporating said material.

Abstract: A proton conductive polymer comprising: a methanol exclusive compound unit; and a proton conductive compound unit.

Abstract: The polishing pad is suitable for planarizing at least one of semiconductor, optical and magnetic substrates. The polishing pad has an ultimate tensile strength of at least 3,000 psi (20.7 MPa) and polymeric matrix containing closed cell pores. The closed cell pores have an average diameter of 1 to 50 ?m and represent 1 to 40 volume percent of the polishing pad. The pad texture has an exponential decay constant, ?, of 1 to 10 ?m as a result of the natural porosity of the polymeric matrix and a surface texture developed by implementing periodic or continuous conditioning with an abrasive. The surface texture has a characteristic half height half width, W1/2 that is less than or equal to the value of ?.

Abstract: A high-performance foamed structure which is formed of a foamed structure having closed cells and which exhibits excellent interface adherence to an element to be sealed (i.e., a structural element to which waterproofing is to be applied) even when used for a long time in use as a waterproof sealing material, and a high-performance waterproof/watertight sealing material made of the same are provided. The closed-cell foamed rubber sheet of the present invention is characterized in that it is obtained by subjecting a foamable raw material composition composed mainly of a rubber-based resin to crosslinking treatment and foaming treatment and that it has an apparent density of from 30 to 100 kg/m3 as measured in accordance with JIS K7222 and a compression set of 60% or less as measured under the conditions of 70° C. for 24 hours in accordance with JIS K6262.

Abstract: A sandwich structure (III) which has a core material (I) and, arranged on the both surfaces of said core material (I), a fiber-reinforced material (II) composed of a continuous reinforcing fiber (A) and a matrix resin (B), wherein the above core material (I) comprises a void. The void is formed by bubbles of a foamed material or, the core is composed of a discontinuous reinforcing fiber and a thermoplastic resin and the void is formed by interstices formed at crossings of filaments of said reinforcing fiber.

Abstract: A carbon foam article useful for, inter alia, composite tooling or other high temperature applications, which includes a carbon foam having a ratio of compressive strength to density of at least about 7000 psi/g/cc.

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: Extruded propylene-based resin foam according to the present invention is formed by extrusion-foaming a propylene-based resin, and the extruded propylene-based resin foam has a closed cell content of less than 40% and an expansion ratio of 10 or more. Since the extruded propylene-based resin foam has an open-cell structure in which a cell-broken state is formed at a desired level and has a high expansion ratio, each cell in the foam has a sound absorption performance, such that the extruded foam is excellent in sound absorption performance.

Abstract: A method of making a closed-cell silica foam glass is provided which can include diffusing a substance into a porous glass substrate to form an impregnated substrate, sealing the impregnated glass substrate and heating to a first temperature, wherein the pressure is greater than one atmosphere, heating the container to a second temperature, wherein the second temperature is higher than first temperature, removing the solid glass, non-porous substrate, and heating the solid glass, non-porous substrate to a third temperature to soften the solid glass, non-porous substrate and thereby expand the solid glass, non-porous substrate. A closed-cell silica foam product is provided which can have a closed-cell structure and high temperature insulating property.

Abstract: The present invention is for a polymer/polymer mixed matrix membrane and the use of such membranes in gas separation applications. More specifically, the invention involves the preparation of polymer/polymer mixed matrix membranes incorporating soluble polymers of intrinsic microporosity as microporous fillers. These polymeric fillers of intrinsic microporosity exhibit behavior analogous to that of conventional microporous materials including large and accessible surface areas, interconnected micropores of less than 2 nm in size, as well as high chemical and thermal stability, but, in addition, possess properties of conventional polymers including good solubility and easy processability. Gas separation experiments on these mixed matrix membranes show dramatically enhanced gas separation performance for CO2 removal from natural gas.

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: A rubber composition is provided with a large friction force even on a body having, for example, an ice face of a low friction coefficient. The composition is constituted by a foamed rubber having a rationalized foaming state. The composition is applied to an upper-layer rubber part of a tread rubber constituting at least a ground contact face to enhance a gripping force on a frozen road surface or a snow covered road surface. The foamed rubber has continuous cells 6 each continuously extending substantially along a particular direction 4 and sealed with a resin protection membrane 5. Also, a method is provided for producing such a tire.

Abstract: A flexible, durable, multiple use article, such as a wipe. The wipe has two layers, one layer being an open cell melamine-based foam and the second being carrier layer for the melamine-based foam layer, providing flexural strength to the foam. The carrier layer could be a foam or other material. The wipe may be one of a plurality of wipes, provided in a package.

Abstract: A method for chemically etching of a foam glass layer to provide at least one cavity pattern in the foam glass layer. The method utilizes a substrate with at least one major surface suitable for receiving a glass layer. At least one layer of a glass paste composition in then applied onto the major surface of the substrate. The substrate and glass paste composition are then heated to a temperature sufficient enough to obtain a foam glass layer bonded to the major surface of the substrate. At least a portion of the foam glass layer is chemically etched to obtain at least one cavity pattern in the foam glass layer. The chemical etching of the foam glass layer results in an anisotropic etching rate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a densified skin polymer foam plank comprising providing a polymer foam having a plurality of cells and heating an outer surface of the foam at a heating station. The heating step collapses and melts the cells adjacent the outer surface to form the densified skin having a density greater than a density of the foam before the heating step. Additionally, the method and apparatus may further include extruding the polymer foam from an extruder.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a single-wall carbon nanotube (SWNT) purification process and more particularly to a purification process that comprises heating the SWNT-containing felt under oxidizing conditions to remove the amorphous carbon deposits and other contaminating materials. In a preferred mode of this purification procedure, the felt is heated in an aqueous solution of an inorganic oxidant, such as nitric acid, a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and sulfuric acid, or a potassium permanganate. Preferably, SWNT-containing felts are refluxed in an aqueous solution of an oxidizing acid at a concentration high enough to etch away amorphous carbon deposits within a practical time frame, but not so high that the single-wall carbon nanotube material will be etched to a significant degree. When material having a high proportion of SWNT is purified, the preparation produced will be enriched in single-wall nanotubes, so that the SWNT are substantially free of other material.

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 porous ceramic laminate has a porous silicon nitride substrate and a porous silicon nitride separation film supported thereon and having minute pores of sizes capable of Knudsen separation or molecular sieve by sintering a porous silicon nitride substrate supporting a formed layer containing polysilazane at 800° C. in a nitrogen atmosphere.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sheet or board like multiple layers laminated polyolefin foam having a plurality of polyolefin layers laminated on at least one side of a polyolefin foam by a coextrusion method. More specifically, the present invention relates to said multiple layers laminated polyolefin foam, wherein the thickness of the outermost layer constituting the plurality of polyolefin layers is 5 to 80 ?m, and the density d (g/L) of the polyolefin foam, the melt flow rate X (g/10 min) of the polyolefin constituting the innermost layer among the plurality of polyolefin layers, and the thickness Y (?m) of the innermost layer of the multiple polyolefin layers satisfy the following relationships (1) to (4). Y?0.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a ceramic substrate that is superior in temperature rising/dropping characteristics and breakdown voltage at a high temperature, has a small warp amount, and is best as a substrate for semiconductor-producing/examining devices. The ceramic substrate of the present invention is a ceramic substrate having a conductor formed on the surface thereof or inside thereof, characterized in that said ceramic substrate is having 15×1011 or less pores which have a diameter of 0.5 ?m or more per m2.

Abstract: An abradable coating composition for use on shrouds in gas turbine engines or other hot gas path metal components exposed to high temperatures containing an initial porous coating phase created by adding an amount of inorganic microspheres, preferably alumina-ceramic microballoons, to a base metal alloy containing high Al, Cr or Ti such as ?-NiAl or, alternatively, MCrAlY that serves to increase the brittle nature of the metal matrix, thereby increasing the abradability and oxidation resistance of the coating at elevated temperatures. Coatings having a total open and closed porosity of between 20% and 55% by volume due to the presence of ceramic microballoons ranging in size from about 10 microns to about 200 microns have been found to exhibit excellent abradability for applications involving turbine shroud coatings. An abradable coating thickness in the range of between 40 and 60 ml provides improved performance for turbine shrouds exposed to gas temperatures between 1380° F. and 1800° F.

Abstract: Buckyrock is a three-dimensional, solid block material comprising an entangled network of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNT), wherein the block comprises greater than 75 wt % SWNT. SWNT buckyrock is mechanically strong, tough and impact resistant. The single-wall carbon nanotubes in buckyrock form are present in a random network of individual single-wall carbon nanotubes, SWNT “ropes” and combinations thereof. The random network of the SWNT or SWNT ropes can be held in place by non-covalent “cross-links” between the nanotubes at nanotube contact points. In one embodiment, SWNT buckyrock is made by forming a SWNT-water slurry, slowly removing water from the slurry which results in a SWNT-water paste, and allowing the paste to dry very slowly, such that the SWNT network of the SWNT-water paste is preserved during solvent evaporation. Buckyrock can be used in applications, such as ballistic protection systems, involving light-weight material with mechanical strength, toughness and impact resistance.

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 thin film based nanoporous alumina template has been developed which allows the in situ removal of an electrically insulating alumina barrier layer at the pore bases. This barrier free nanoporous system has great utility for electrodeposition of a wide variety of nanowire materials. An exemplary multilayer thin film precursor is provided comprising Al (anodization layer), Ti (diffusion barrier) and Pt (active electrode) on a Si substrate. Aluminum anodization in sulfuric acid with a subsequent applied voltage ramping program produces a Pt electrode at the base of the nanopores without the additional steps of alumina removal, barrier layer dissolution, and metal deposition onto the pore bottoms.

Abstract: The invention concerns a heat-stable ordered mesoporous or mesostructured material comprising a mineral phase wherein are dispersed particles of nanometric dimension at least partly crystaline, the global crystallinity index of said mesostructured or ordered mesoporous material being less than 10% in volume. The invention also concern a method for obtaining such a material.

Abstract: An anodized aluminum alloy comprises an aluminum alloy comprising magnesium in an amount greater than 3 weight percent based on the total weight of the aluminum alloy; and a clear porous oxide layer having a thickness greater than about 5 micrometers disposed on and into a surface of the aluminum alloy, wherein the anodized aluminum alloy has a surface gloss value greater than about 40 gloss units as measured on a gloss meter at dual illumination angles of 60° and 85°.

Abstract: To address the conflict between structural strength and flexibility in a conventional elastic belt for a papermaking calender, and to reduce manufacturing time, a belt in which the paper sheet-facing side of a base body side is covered by a high molecular weight elastic layer, is characterized in that the high molecular weight elastic layer is composed of a dense, first high molecular weight elastic layer and a second, high molecular weight elastic layer having a multitude of small voids of almost the same size. Flexibility of the layer having small voids is achieved while the dense surface layer is adapted to the ruggedness of the paper sheet.

Abstract: A composite metallic material 1 according to the invention is used for, e.g., electrolytic capacitors, and includes a metallic material substrate 10 and a high polymer thin layer 11 having a fine pattern 12 formed on at least one surface of the substrate 10 by self-organization. This high polymer thin film 11 is formed by, for example, drying hydrophobic organic solvent solution of high polymer compound. By subjecting this composite metallic material 1 to etching processing, etching pits are formed uniformly with high density based on the fine pattern.

Abstract: Prepare a foam structure that includes hollow coalesced foam strands and, optionally, solid coalesced foam strands using an extrusion die block equipped with apertures that promote forming the hollow strands and, optionally, the solid foam strands.

Abstract: A foam barrier heat shield is provided having a layer of foam adhesively disposed between opposing first and second metallic outer layers. The foam is expanded in between the outer layers and is adhesively formed to the outer layers without the use of a separate adhesive. In addition to shielding heat, the heat shield is effective as a noise barrier and is internally damped against vibration. In a preferred embodiment, the foam is a substantially rigid polyurethane foam that is sufficiently pliant to be bent to and accommodate a particular shape and contour to which the heat shield will conform in use, and it is reversibly deformable acoustical deflections.

Abstract: A foamed thermoplastic resin sheet has a foaming ratio of not less than 2.5, and cells, existing in an interior part which extends inward from a depth of 20 percent a whole thickness of the sheet from the front and rear surfaces thereof respectively in a thickness direction thereof and from 15 percent a width of the sheet from both side edges respectively, satisfy the following expressions (1) and (2): 0.5≦D/C≦0.9  (1) 0.5≦E/C≦0.9  (2) where C represents a mean cell diameter in the thickness direction of the foamed thermoplastic resin sheet, D represents a mean cell diameter in an extrusion direction (MD) of the same, and E represents a mean cell diameter in the width direction (TD) of the same. The foamed thermoplastic resin sheet thus arranged has a high foaming ratio, and is formed thick.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a densified skin polymer foam plank comprising providing a polymer foam having a plurality of cells and heating an outer surface of the foam at a heating station. The heating step collapses and melts the cells adjacent the outer surface to form the densified skin having a density greater than a density of the foam before the heating step. Additionally, the method and apparatus may further include extruding the polymer foam from an extruder.

Abstract: A composite structure, which generally includes: a. a foam sheet comprising polyolefin; and b. a coating disposed on at least one surface of the polyolefin foam sheet, the coating comprising at least one member selected from ethylene/propylene rubber, homogeneous ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer, ethylene/acrylic acid copolymer, ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer, and blends of the foregoing.

Abstract: A composite structure, which generally includes: a. a foam sheet comprising polyolefin; and b. a coating disposed on at least one surface of the polyolefin foam sheet, the coating comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of ethylene/propylene rubber, homogeneous ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer, and ethylene/acrylic acid copolymer.

Abstract: In order to provide leather with the desired cushioning properties and desirable soft handling properties, especially a grained leather with a grain structure on its upper surface, or a split leather with a surface finish, even if this leather is of minimal thickness, a foam layer is created on the non-visible underside surface of the leather. This foam layer is formed by applying a liquid plastic material containing means to create the foam and is subsequent solidified by removal of the solvent.

Abstract: In order to create a full grain napa cowhide which exhibits the characteristics with respect to grain pipeyness and water vapor permeability that are required by the automotive and upholstery industries, a finish is applied to the grain side of the full grain leather. The finish includes a pigmented layer with a thickness of between 0.015 mm and 0.04 mm and is formed of a stabilized polyurethane and/or polyacrylate dispersion. The dispersion contains microspheres with a diameter of less than 45 &mgr;m, which form primarily closed cells, and at least 10% open cells by volume. The top side of the layer is provided with a napa embossing. A second layer, placed on the first layer, is formed from a cross-linked polyurethane-based varnish application containing a dulling agent. The leather undergoes a milling treatment.

Abstract: A metallic foil and a transparent substrate film are laminated with an adhesive layer. The roughness of the adhesive-layer-side surface (lower surface) of the metallic foil is such that the maximum height Rmax is more than 0 and less than 4 &mgr;m. As long as the maximum height Rmax falls in the range, the adhesive layer never contains air bubbles in such sizes that reflectance is adversely affected. The roughness of the surface (upper surface) of the metallic foil, opposite the adhesive-layer-side surface, is preferably such that the arithmetic mean roughness Ra is between 0.02 &mgr;m and 1 &mgr;m. As long as the arithmetic mean roughness Ra is in this range, it is possible to efficiently conduct vacuuming to bring, into close contact, a photosensitive resin layer and a photomask in sheet form placed on the photosensitive resin layer, before effecting the pattern-wise exposure of the photosensitive resin layer.

Abstract: A powder spray booth (2) with a powder recovery system having an overspray intake (18) communicating with the interior of the booth. A vertically extending duct (20) leads from the overspray intake to a powder recovery system such as, for example, a cyclone. The vertically extending duct may have doors (32) opening to the interior of the booth to provide access to the vertical duct for cleaning. The doors may have holes (120) to aspirate air from the booth interior to optimize air flow patterns within the booth. A diverter plate (26) within the booth (2) defines with the booth floor (10) a floor duct leading to the overspray intake (18). The diverter plate has apertures for allowing oversprayed powder to be collected through the plate.

Abstract: The invention relates to expanded polypropylene beads having a density of from 5 to 200 g/l and a bead diameter of from 1 to 10 mm which comprise from 0.002 to 20% by weight of graphite particles.