Abstract: A method for preparing single-crystalline, rare-earth metal hexaboride nanowires by a chemical vapor deposition process is described. Also described are the nanowires themselves, the electron emitting properties of the nanowires, and the use of the nanowires in electron emitting devices, particularly as point electron sources.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides polyimide fibers with kidney-shaped cross-section and their preparation methods thereof, falling within the technical field of polyimide fiber. Polyimide fibers with kidney-shaped cross-sections are prepared by a continuous, integrated approach, starting from a polyamic acid solution prepared by reacting an aromatic dianhydride with an aromatic diamine. PAA nascent fibers with kidney-shaped cross-sections are obtained by adopting a spinneret having circular orifices under wet spinning process. The kidney-shaped cross-sections are obtained by varying the processing condition, including spinning speed, coagulation bath composition, coagulation temperature, and depth of coagulation bath. After washing and drying, polyamic acid nascent fibers are converted to polyimide fibers with kidney-shaped cross-sections under thermal curing. The integrated preparation methods are suitable for mass industrial production.

Abstract: A sandwich core material for a sandwich laminate is disclosed. The sandwich core material includes a number of flexible core material elements having a longitudinal structure. A flexible core material for a sandwich core material, a sandwich laminate and a wind turbine blade including such a sandwich core material are provided. In addition, the present a method of manufacturing such a sandwich core material is provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tooth cleaning bristle, which is configured as a monofilament and has a outer surface having a contour that is structured preferably in the shape of a longitudinal flute and that has projections and depressions, alternating in the peripheral direction. The invention further relates to a toothbrush head having a bristle holder to which at least one such tooth cleaning bristle is fastened, and finally to a preferably electric toothbrush having such a toothbrush head.

Abstract: A bristle cluster for a toothbrush is provided. The bristle cluster includes a number of bristles of a first type and a number of bristles of a second type. The bristles of the first type have wear characteristics that differ from the wear characteristics of the second type. The bristles of the first type have a wear indicator which causes a color change of the bristles, and the bristles of the second type, upon continuous mechanical stress, undergo a visible mechanical change and the free ends of the bristles of the second type are designed to be capable of being longitudinally fanned out.

Abstract: A stochastic thermal-conglutination profiled filament is disclosed. The profiled filament varies, according to the change of the process condition, in one or more of fiber structure, total linear density, monofilament density, number of monofilaments, shape of cross section of the monofilament, radial degree of profile of the monofilament DR %, three-dimensional structure of the monofilament, and physical property of the monofilament along the axial direction of the filament of the infinite length.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a high surface area fibers and an improved filter composite media made from the same. More specifically, the composite media preferably comprises a winged-fiber layer having high surface area fibers for increased absorption and strength and a meltblown layer for additional filtration. In one preferred embodiment the high surface area fibers have a middle region with a plurality of projections that define a plurality of channels, which increases the surface area of the fiber. In one preferred embodiment, the high surface area fiber has a specific surface area of about 140,000 cm2/g or higher and a denier of about 1.0 to about 2.0. The high surface area fiber of the present invention is made using a bicomponent extrusion process using a thermoplastic polymer and a dissolvable sheath.

Abstract: This invention relates to an aliphatic-aromatic copolyester characterised in that it has appreciable workability properties even when mixed with other polymers, appreciable toughness and high values for ultimate tensile strength and elastic modulus. This invention also relates to mixtures of the said copolyester with other polymers.

Abstract: A fiber-based adsorbent and a related method of manufacture are provided. The fiber-based adsorbent includes polymer fibers with grafted side chains and an increased surface area per unit weight over known fibers to increase the adsorption of dissolved metals, for example uranium, from aqueous solutions. The polymer fibers include a circular morphology in some embodiments, having a mean diameter of less than 15 microns, optionally less than about 1 micron. In other embodiments, the polymer fibers include a non-circular morphology, optionally defining multiple gear-shaped, winged-shaped or lobe-shaped projections along the length of the polymer fibers. A method for forming the fiber-based adsorbents includes irradiating high surface area polymer fibers, grafting with polymerizable reactive monomers, reacting the grafted fibers with hydroxylamine, and conditioning with an alkaline solution.

Abstract: An article comprising a yarn; wherein said yarn comprises: (a) a plurality of bulked continuous filaments; (b) a denier of about 200 to 2000; (c) a denier per filament of about 1 to about 20; and (d) a tenacity of about 2.0 to about 7.0 grams per denier; wherein said yarn is interlaced.

Abstract: A molded fibrous structure comprising a continuous molded element. The continuous molded element may be one-dimensional. A method for making a molded fibrous structure comprising a continuous molded element. A substrate for use as a wipe made from a molded fibrous structure.

Abstract: There is described a group of novel self-assembling peptides (SAPs), comprising biotinylated and unbiotinylated sequences, hybrid peptide-peptoid sequences, branched sequences for a total of 48 tested motifs, showing a heterogeneous ensemble of spontaneously self-assembled structures at the nano- and microscale, ranging from short tabular fibers to twisted ribbons, nanotubes and hierarchical self-assembled micrometer-long sheets. Specifically, the SAPs according to the present invention which initially spontaneous assemble, surprisingly form stable solid scaffolds upon exposure to neutral pH buffer. Further these SAPs allow adhesion, proliferation and differentiation of murine and human neural stem cells and have self-healing propensity. They also did not exert toxic effects in the central nervous system, can stop bleeding and foster nervous regeneration.

Abstract: In a first aspect the invention is a solid core fibrillation-resistant, synthetic polymeric filament having three substantially equal length convex sides. The sides through substantially rounded tips centered by a distance “a” from the axis of the filament. Each rounded tip has a radius substantially equal to a length “b”. Each tip lies on a circumscribed circle having a radius substantially equal to a length (a+b) and the midpoint of each side lies on an inscribed circle having a radius substantially equal to a length “c”. The filament has a denier-per-filament in the range 10<“dpf”<35; the distance “a” lies in the range 0.00025 inches (6 micrometers)<“a”<0.004 inches (102 micrometers); the distance “b” lies in the range from 0.00008 inches (2 micrometers)<“b”<0.001 inches (24 micrometers); the distance “c” lies in the range from 0.0003 inches (8 micrometers)<“c”<0.0025 inches (64 micrometers); and the modification ratio (“MR”) lies in the range from about 1.1<“MR”<about 2.0.

Abstract: A wooden Newel post material includes two outer boards made. A middle board includes two outer sections and a central section between the outer sections and having a plurality of portions. The uppermost portion of the central section, the outer boards, and the outer sections of the middle board are made of the same high-quality wood. The remaining portions below the uppermost portion of the central section are made of short waste material resulting from cutting a wood the same as the high-quality wood or made of a second-grade wood. The plurality of portions is fixedly engaged with each other to form the central section. The central section is fixedly engaged with the outer sections to form the middle board. The middle board is sandwiched between the outer boards to form a base material that can be cut to form a baluster representing an appearance of the high-quality wood.

Abstract: A PMC fabric includes a plurality of monofilament yarns. At least some of the monofilament yarns have a composition which is a mixture of a thermoplastic resin and an additive to improve yarn visibility. The additive may be, e.g., a UV additive, an IR additive and/or a metal powder additive.

Abstract: A large sized bulk crystal is produced which allows to cut out a practical size of crystal substrate. The gallium nitride crystal has features in which a length L of c-axis is 9 mm or more, a crystal diameter d of a cross section orthogonal to the c-axis is 100 ?m, and a ratio L/d of the length L of the c-axis and the crystal diameter d of the cross section orthogonal to the c-axis is 7 or more. By enlarging this elongated needle-like crystal, a bulk crystal with a large volume can be produced, and a large sized bulk crystal can be produced which allows to cut out a practical size of crystal substrate.

Abstract: To provide an electrolyte membrane having excellent dimensional stability even upon absorption of water, a high proton conductance and high power generation performance; and a process for producing the electrolyte membrane with a high productivity. An electrolyte membrane for polymer electrolyte fuel cells, which is made mainly of an ion exchange resin and reinforced with a nonwoven fabric made of fiber of a fluororesin wherein at least some of intersecting points of the fiber are fixed, and which has, as the outermost layer on one side or each side, a layer not reinforced, made of an ion exchange resin which may be the same as or different from the above ion exchange resin, wherein the fluororesin is an ethylene/tetrafluoroethylene copolymer having a melting point of at most 240° C., and the above fixing is fixing by fusion of the fiber.

Abstract: An insulative material and a method of forming the insulative material are provided. The insulative material is configured to change shape in response to temperature and thus, for example, the insulative material may become more insulative as the temperature decreases. For example, the insulative material may include a plurality of fibers that change shape, such as by curling, in response to decreases in temperature, thereby correspondingly changing the insulative properties.

Abstract: The present invention relates to synthetic fibers and artificial lawn comprising such a fibre. More particularly, the invention relates to grass-like monofilament type fibers having a curved cross section and an artificial grass lawn, especially an artificial grass sports field, comprising such a fibre. According to an aspect of the invention, a synthetic fibre is provided of the monofilament type for use in an artificial lawn, in particular an artificial sports lawn, which synthetic fibre has a curved cross section, wherein the synthetic fibre has a centre line arc length to maximum thickness of less than 8, preferably between 4.5 and 3.8, and even more preferably between 4.4 and 4.0. In an other aspect of the invention, a synthetic fibre is provided of the monofilament type for use in an artificial lawn, in particular an artificial sports lawn, which synthetic fibre has a curved cross section, wherein the circumferential surface of the fibre is provided with a wave shaped pattern.

Abstract: Methods for coating wires to apply a silver cladding are disclosed herein. Silver nanoparticles are dispersed in a low surface tension solvent to form a coating solution. A wire is drawn through the coating solution to form a coating layer of silver nanoparticles on the wire. The coating layer is then annealed to form the wire with a silver cladding thereon.

Abstract: A fiber for artificial turf is of the type of monofilament fibers utilized in the manufacturing of artificial turf carpets and which are obtained by extrusion with polyolefins, in polyethylene or another material. The fiber forming the carpets for artificial turf includes a flat rectangular general cross section with its shorter sides rounded. A central part of one of the longer faces of the fiber includes a curved-convex projection, and its other longer face includes a pair of curved-convex projections in a symmetrical position with respect to its central axis, with which a fiber is obtained for artificial turf with high resilience which facilitates its recovery against successive occasional or temporary loads, maintaining its original appearance for a longer time.

Abstract: New fluid separation devices and absorption materials are disclosed. Hollow fibers with an axial capillary slit act as very high efficiency absorption materials, as well as high-surface-area fluid separation devices. The hollow fibers with an axial capillary slit are constructed to preferentially absorb or repel different fluids and arranged to maximize that action over a plurality of fibers to separate different fluids. These separation devices can also function as injection devices and very effective micro-reactors.

Abstract: A consumable material for use in an extrusion-based digital manufacturing system, the consumable material comprising a length and a cross-sectional profile of at least a portion of the length that is axially asymmetric. The cross-sectional profile is configured to provide a response time with a non-cylindrical liquefier of the extrusion-based digital manufacturing system that is faster than a response time achievable with a cylindrical filament in a cylindrical liquefier for a same thermally limited, maximum volumetric flow rate.

Abstract: A fishing line comprises an outer surface having at least one array of shaped features therein and having an advancing contact angle with deionized water of at least about 115°. The array comprises a plurality of discrete shaped features spaced equidistantly along a longitudinal axis of the fishing line. The shaped features are from about 0.005 to about 0.02 inches across in their broadest dimension.

Abstract: An artificial grass fiber is formed, which fiber has an elongated cross-section that remains substantially constant along its longitudinal axis. An artificial lawn comprising these artificial grass fibers is provided, as well as to the use of the aforesaid artificial grass fibers. The fibers collectively provide a special type of artificial grass which imitates the advantageous characteristics of natural grass, in particular in the field of ball roll and sliding characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device comprising a shaft having at least a first portion and a second portion that can adopt a closed position in which the first and second portions are positioned adjacent each other and an open position in which the first and second portions are positioned distant from each other, one or both of the first and second portions housing or forming part of one or more of an ophthalmoscope, an otoscope, a tendon hammer, a tuning fork and a red hat pin. Also provided are improved otoscope heads and means to protect the functional heads of medical tools when not in use.

Abstract: The present invention comprises nano obelisks and nanostructures and methods and processes for same. The nano obelisks of the present invention are advantageous structures for use as electron source emitters. For example, the ultra sharp obelisks can be used as an emitter source to generate highly coherent and high energy electrons with high current.

Abstract: Provided is a composite material useful as a material for a thermal contact surface in a microprocessor which can express extremely high thermal diffusion property and extremely high conductivity, can express a sufficient adhesive strength in its surface, and is excellent in reworking property at the time of a bonding operation. The carbon nanotube aggregate of the present invention is a carbon nanotube aggregate where a plurality of carbon nanotubes each having a plurality of walls penetrate a resin layer in a thickness direction of the resin layer, in which both terminals of the carbon nanotube aggregate each have a shear adhesive strength for glass at 25° C. of 15 N/cm2 or more.

Abstract: A crystalline article includes a single-crystal ceramic fiber, tape or ribbon. The fiber, tape or ribbon has at least one crystallographic facet along its length, which is generally at least one meter long. In the case of sapphire, the facets are R-plane, M-plane, C-plane or A-plane facets. Epitaxial articles, including superconducting articles, can be formed on the fiber, tape or ribbon.

Abstract: A polyphenylene sulfide resin composition including 100 parts by weight of a resin composition that consists of 99 to 60 wt % of a polyphenylene sulfide resin (a), and 1 to 40 wt % of at least one type of noncrystalline resin (b) selected from the group consisting of polyetherimide resin and polyether sulfone resin and 0.1 to 10 parts by weight of a compound (c) containing at least one group selected from epoxy group, amino group and isocyanate group, wherein the non-crystalline resin (b) forms an island phase and the number-average dispersed particle size of the noncrystalline resin (b) is 1,000 nm or less.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composite solid surface article. More particularly, the invention relates to a composite solid surface article containing fibers and polymeric powder particles. A composite solid surface article may comprise a matrix of at least one polymeric resin, randomly-shaped fibers dispersed in the matrix, wherein the article comprises a substantially smooth surface with a viewable pattern formed by one or more ingredients of the composite solid surface article, the viewable pattern comprises at least part of the randomly-shaped fibers.

Abstract: Shaped terminations for composite tension members, as well as methods for creating such shaped terminations. A shaped termination is consolidated into a solid mass that is substantially uniform in structure. Heat and pressure are used to shape and fuse the carbon fiber composite into geometries having favorable loading characteristics. This durably fixes the components of the tension member into an optimized arrangement for the intended loading configuration such that unequal stresses are minimized. Terminal geometry can be formed by re-forming existing material, or by adding additional material, which can comprise a thermoplastic composite material or other epoxy/resin composite, metal, tow, tape, mat, or other fibers, to the inside or outside of the tension member. The terminal may be machined and/or thermoformed before and/or after the addition of material.

Abstract: A sport racket string includes a string which is a solid string and multiple recesses are defined in an outer surface of the string. The recesses include different sizes, depths and shapes, and are located in pre-determined ways such as lines so as to increase the friction between the balls and the string. The strings of the present invention are light in weight and allow the users to control the balls efficiently.

Abstract: Described are methods for surface modification of an object (10) in order to increase the adhesive power of the object, wherein the surface (11) is subjected to structuring so that a multitude of projections (12) are formed, each comprising a foot part and a head part, wherein the head part comprises a front surface (13) which faces away from the surface, wherein each projection (12) is made in a size such that all front surfaces (13) project to the same vertical height above the surface (11), and form an adherent contact surface (14) which is interrupted by mutual spacing between the front surfaces (13).

Abstract: The present invention relates to culturing cells utilizing a matrix of microfibrillated thermoplastic polymeric materials. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method of culturing cells. In addition, the invention relates to a microfibrillated article for culturing cells dispersed in a cell culture medium. The matrix of thermoplastic polymeric materials for culturing cells of this invention finds use in tissue engineering and wound healing applications.

Abstract: An optical gel member to be used in a gap between light-emitting diode which is a backlight light source of an optical device and light guide plate, as well as an assembling method for an optical device and an optical device using the same. The optical gel member etc. to be used in an interposed state between light guide plate and light-emitting device consisting of a light-emitting diode (LED) in an optical device, characterized by satisfying the following requirements (i) to (iii). (i) The optical gel member consists of a transparent gel such as silicone type gel or acryl type gel, which has a hardness of 0 to 80 in JIS-A hardness according to JIS K6253, or 20 to 200 in penetration (25° C.) in accordance with JIS K2207; (ii) The optical gel member is in a string-like form, and the peripheral surface thereof is in contact with light guide plate and light-emitting device; (iii) The optical gel member has a repulsive force of 12 MPa or less at a compression rate of 30%.

Abstract: A process for producing polyacrylonitrile-base precursor fibers for production of carbon fibers, which comprises spinning a spinning dope containing 10 to 25 wt % of a polyacrylonitrile-base polymer having an intrinsic viscosity of 2.0 to 10.0 by extruding the spinning dope from a spinneret by a wet spinning or a dry wet spinning method, drying and heat-treating fibers obtained by the spinning, and then steam drawing the resulting fibers, wherein the linear extrusion rate of the polyacrylonitrile-base polymer from the spinneret is 2 to 15 m/min. Carbon fibers which are produced by stabilizing-carbonizing treatment of the polyacrylonitrile-base precursor fibers and which have a strand tensile modulus of 320 to 380 GPa and a conduction electron density of 3.0×1019 to 7.0×1019 spins/g as determined by electron spin resonance.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a high surface area fiber and textiles made from the same. In one preferred embodiment the fiber has a middle region with a plurality of projections that define a plurality of channels, which increases the surface area of the fiber. In one preferred embodiment, the fiber has a specific surface area of about 140,000 cm2/g or higher and a denier of about 1.0 to about 2.0. The fiber of the present invention is made using a bicomponent extrusion process using a thermoplastic polymer and a dissolvable sheath.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is carbon nanofibers mainly characterized by their high specific volume of mesopores, their high gas adsorption capacity and presenting a graphitic hollow structure. A second object of this invention is a procedure for obtaining such carbon nanofibers, which makes use of a metallic nickel catalyst and specific process furnace parameters that combined with the chemical composition of the furnace atmosphere and the fluidodynamic conditions of the gas stream inside the furnace, result in a faster growth of the carbon nanofibers and also in a higher quality of the carbon nanofibers obtained.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a wire from textured powder includes compressing a powder comprising a plurality of particles into a ribbon. The method further includes encasing the ribbon between two foil sheets to create a sheet of encased ribbon. The method additionally includes rolling the encased ribbon into a substantially cylindrical undrawn wire. The method further includes drawing the undrawn wire to create a substantially cylindrical wire having a diameter less than a diameter of the substantially cylindrical undrawn wire.

Abstract: A steel cord (10) adapted for the reinforcement of rubber products, the steel cord comprises a core (12) and a layer of filaments (14) with round cross-sections twisted around the core (12). The core (12) comprises a flat wire at a waveform, which lies in the plane of the flat wire. The wire is obtainable by first crimping a round wire and thereafter flattening the crimped wire. The filaments of the layer do not substantially contact each other to make spaces between each other to insure adequate rubber penetration into the cords. The steel cord has improvements on elongation at break.

Abstract: A stretch nonwoven fabric 10 contains inelastic fibers having a varied thickness along the length and elastic fibers. The nonwoven fabric 10 preferably includes an elastic fiber layer 1 and a substantially inelastic, inelastic fiber layer 2 on at least one side of the elastic fiber layer 1. The fibers with a varied thickness along the length are contained in the inelastic fiber layer 2. The nonwoven fabric 10 is conveniently produced by (a) superposing a web containing low-drawn, inelastic fibers having an elongation of 80% to 800% on at least one side of a web containing elastic fibers, (b) subjecting the webs, while in a non-united state, to through-air technique to obtain a fibrous sheet having the webs united together by thermal bonding the fibers at their intersections, and (c) stretching the fibrous sheet in at least one direction to draw the low-drawn inelastic fibers, followed by releasing the sheet from the stretch.

Abstract: A pyramidal geotextile fabric comprising two sets of multi-lobe filament yarns interwoven in substantially perpendicular direction to each other, each of the multi-lobe filament yarns having pre-determined, different heat shrinkage characteristics such that, upon heating, the fabric forms a three-dimensional, cuspated profile. A method of stabilizing soil and reinforcing vegetation comprises the steps of placing a three-dimensional, high-profile woven fabric into soil, wherein the fabric comprises two sets of multi-lobe filament yarns interwoven in substantially perpendicular direction to each other, each of the multi-lobe filament yarns having pre-determined, different heat shrinkage characteristics such that, upon heating, the fabric forms a three-dimensional, cuspated profile; securing the fabric to the ground; and, distributing soil and seed onto the fabric such that the section of ground is quickly revegetated and thereby protected from further erosion.

Abstract: Fibers comprising a first thermoplastic composition having a softening temperature up to 120° C and a curable resin. Also disclosed are compositions comprising a plurality of fibers, with some of the fibers comprising a first thermoplastic composition having a softening temperature up to 120° C and some of the fibers comprising a curable resin. The fibers have an aspect ratio of at least 2:1 and a maximum cross-sectional dimension up to 60 micrometers. Fluid compositions containing the fibers and methods of contacting a subterranean formation using the fibers are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an ornament module with a column structure, which comprises a ornament unit provided on the top of the column structure, a mechanical movement unit connecting to the ornament unit and making the ornament unit move, a motivity unit driving the mechanical movement unit, and a motivity control unit connecting to the motivity unit and controlling the operation of the motivity unit. The present invention also discloses an ornament device which comprises two or more ornament modules, a master computer and a distributed control unit. The distributed control unit is connected to the motivity control unit of each ornament module on one end and connected to the master computer on the other end.

Abstract: A fibrous columnar structure aggregate having excellent mechanical properties, heat resistance, a high specific surface area, excellent pressure-sensitive adhesive property under temperature conditions ranging from room temperature to a high temperature, and/or such pressure-sensitive adhesive property that the adhesive strength for adherents different from each other in surface free energy does not change. A pressure-sensitive adhesive member the fibrous columnar structure aggregates. A fibrous columnar structure aggregate (1) includes fibrous columnar structures having a plurality of diameters, in which: the fibrous columnar structures having a plurality of diameters include fibrous columnar structures each having a length of 500 ?m or more; and the mode of the diameter distribution of the fibrous columnar structures having a plurality of diameters is present at 15 nm or less, and the relative frequency of the mode of the diameter distribution is 30% or more.

Abstract: A textile fabric is presented comprising at least a first and a second twisted thread, the first and the second twisted threads containing at least one cut resistant yarn as one component, and the second twisted thread containing a non-cut resistant yarn as a further component, and the non-cut resistant yarn of the second twisted thread consisting of elastomeric fibers. Further, protective clothing is presented, which contains the textile fabric.

Abstract: The present invention relates to culturing cells utilizing a matrix of microfibrillated thermoplastic polymeric materials. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method of culturing cells. In addition, the invention relates to a microfibrillated article for culturing cells dispersed in a cell culture medium. The matrix of thermoplastic polymeric materials for culturing cells of this invention finds use in tissue engineering and wound healing applications.

Abstract: A tape yarn, woven fabric or carpet backing produced from a polymeric film material formed from an impact copolymer and having increased toughness relative to films that are monoaxially-oriented at conventional temperatures.

Abstract: A nonwoven fabric is provided having a plurality of semi-crystalline filaments that are thermally bonded to each other and are formed of the same polymer and exhibit substantially the same melting temperature. The fabric is produced by melt spinning an amorphous crystallizable polymer to form two components having different levels of crystallinity. During spinning, a first component of the polymer is exposed to conditions that result in stress-induced crystallization such that the first polymer component is in a semi-crystalline state and serves as the matrix or strength component of the fabric. The second polymer component is not subjected to stress induced crystallization and thus remains in a substantially amorphous state which bonds well at relatively low temperatures. In a bonding step, the fabric is heated to soften and fuse the binder component. Under these conditions, the binder component undergoes thermal crystallization so that in the final product, both polymer components are semi-crystalline.