Abstract: A vapor grown carbon fiber, each fiber filament of the carbonfiber having a branching degree of at least 0.15 occurrences/?m and a bulk density of 0.025 g/cm3 or less and a producing method of the carbon fiber by spraying a raw material solution containing a carbon source and a transition metallic compound into a reaction zone and subjecting the raw material solution to thermal decomposition, which is characterized in (1) spraying the raw material solution at a spray angle of 3° to 30° and (2) feeding a carrier gas through at least one site other than an inlet through which the raw material solution is sprayed, and a composite material comprising the carbon fiber.

Abstract: To provide: a production method for expediently and inexpensively producing an indium-based nanowire product and an electroconductive oxide nanowire product each comprising nanowires in wire shapes having an averaged thickness of 500 nm or less and having a ratio of averaged length to averaged thickness (aspect ratio) of 30 or less, which nanowire products are each exemplarily utilizable as electroconductive fillers of various transparent electroconductive films, and as nano-wirings; and an indium-based nanowire product and an electroconductive oxide nanowire product obtained by the production method. A production method of an indium-based nanowire product comprising indium-based nanowires according to the present invention is characterized in that the method comprises the step of: disproportionation-reacting particles including indium subhalide as main components in a nonaqueous solvent, to obtain nanowires including metal indium as main components.

Abstract: A resin composition includes an aliphatic polyester resin. The resin has carboxyl groups at the end termini of the molecular chain and at least one compound represented by the general formula (I), the compound being added to the resin to cap a part or all of the carboxyl groups at the end termini of the molecular chain of the resin. A process for producing a fiber includes mixing a pellet comprising an aliphatic polyester resin having carboxyl groups at the end termini of the molecular chain with a compound represented by the general formula (I) so that the content of the compound becomes 0.1 to 8% by weight and then melt-spinning the resulting mixture under the conditions of a spinning temperature of 200 to 250 C.°, a melt residence time of 180 to 1800 sec and a spinning rate of 500 to 10000 m/min.

Abstract: The invention relates to a flat element comprised of a substrate and of at least one coating that covers the substrate. Both the substrate and the surface are darkly imbued in the visible spectral range. In the near infrared range, this assembly has a high degree of reflection in order to, despite the dark imbuement in the visible spectral range, reduce the heating caused by sunlight.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a process for the extraction and preparation of bast fibers with high quality and high counts. The process is suitable for ramie, hemp and flax. The present invention also relates to bast fibers with high counts produced according to the process, as well as pure yarns and mixed, blended yarns made from said bast fibers.

Abstract: An alumina fiber aggregate which is minimized in scatter of fibers, excels in handling characteristics and working environmental hygiene and finds its useful application to support mats for catalytic converters and such is provided. An alumina fiber aggregate comprising alumina short fibers having such properties that when diameters of said alumina short fibers are represented by x (?m), the rate at which the natural logarithmic value ln x in lognormal distribution of x is less than ln 3 is not more than 2%, and the value left after deducting from the length-weighted geometric mean of said fiber diameters a value twice its standard error is not more than 6 ?m; and a support mat for catalytic converters comprising such an alumina fiber aggregate.

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

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for making a fibrillated polypyridobisimidazole floc comprising the steps of: cutting polypyridobisimidazole filaments to an average cut length of from about 0.5 to 10 mm; and applying energy to the polypyridobisimidazole filaments to produce a fibrillated floc having essentially the same average cut length after the application of energy as before the application of energy; where the fibrillated floc having a Canadian Standard Freeness (CSF), when dispersed in water by itself, of from about 400 to 750 ml.

Abstract: A polymer-micelle complex suitable for use as an aid to preparing fibers, particularly nanofibers, by electrospinning. The polymer-micelle complex may be designed to impart viscosity, surface tension and conductivity properties optimal for electrospinning. By incorporating the complex as a secondary ingredient, one may electrospin sparingly soluble or low molecular weight polymers. Moreover, the polymer-micelle complex can be used as a generic carrier for preparing fibers incorporating other desired materials, such as rigid or globular (hard-to-spin) polymers, enzymes, cells, viral particles and nanoparticles.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to nanofiber structures designed to support, entrap, entangle, preserve, and/or retain one or more biological materials. More specifically, the present invention relates to nanofiber matrix structures made from at least two different types of nanofibers that are designed to support, entrap, entangle, preserve, and/or retain one or more biological materials.

Abstract: A colored polyamide fiber composed of a polyamide resin, a pigment, a coupling agent and a compound represented by the following formula I: R?—CO—NH—R—NH—CO—R???(I) wherein R is an alkylene group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and R? and R? are each independently an aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 9 to 18 carbon atoms. The colored polyamide fibers are produced without causing bending and fiber break during the melt spinning even when the raw composition contains the pigment in a high concentration. Since the pigment is uniformly dispersed throughout the colored polyamide fibers, the coloration is deep and the strength is high. The colored polyamide fibers are suitable for the production of artificial leathers.

Abstract: Embolic particles, embolic particle chains, and methods for making embolic particles and embolic particle chains are described.

Abstract: A titania fiber which is excellent in a balance between a BET specific surface area and which is able to reveal sufficient photocatalytic activity while having mechanical strength and a method for manufacturing the subject titania fiber are provided. By using a titanium oxide particle-containing as a fiber forming composition for forming a titania fiber, a fiber aggregate is manufactured from the subject composition by an electrospinning method and then baked, thereby obtaining a titania fiber which has an average fiber diameter of 50 nm or more and not more than 1,000 nm; when a reflection method by a goniometer is employed, has a crystallite size of 50 nm or more and not more than 200 nm; and has a BET specific surface area of 3 m2/g or more and not more than 100 m2/g.

Abstract: A method of forming a fiber made of peptide nanostructures is disclosed. The method comprises: providing peptide nanostructures in solution, and fiberizing the solution thereby forming at least one fiber of the peptide nanostructures. Also disclosed are methods of forming films and other articles using the peptide nanostructures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a starch composition comprising starch, a polymer that is substantially compatible with starch and has a weight-average molecular weight of at least 500,000 such that the polymer forms effective entanglements or associations with neighboring starch molecules, and preferably at least one additive to improve melt flow and melt processability. The additive may be a hydroxyl plasticizer, a hydroxyl-free plasticizer, a diluent, or mixtures thereof. The composition is melt processable on conventional thermoplastic equipment. The composition is especially suitable for uniaxial and biaxial extensional processes to make fibers, films, foams and like products.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a spongelike structure or a powder having fibers three-dimensionally arranged therein with high dispersibility, whose apparent density can be designed depending on the purpose or utility, as well as a process producing them. A fiber dispersion in which fibers having a number mean diameter in a predetermined range are dispersed in a dispersion medium, and this fiber dispersion is dried to remove the dispersion medium, thereby, a spongelike structure and a powder are produced.

Abstract: A water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol resin filament is provided, which is formed by melt-spinning a material consisting essentially of a water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol resin having a 1,2-diol structural unit represented by the following general formula (1). A nonwoven fabric is also provided, which is produced by using the water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol resin filament. Therefore, the nonwoven fabric is excellent in water solubility at a lower temperature, and substantially free from bubbling during dissolution thereof in water. In addition, a fully saponified PVA can be used for melt-forming. This suppresses emanation of acetic acid odor, thereby improving the working environment. wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6, which may be the same or different, are each a hydrogen atom or a monovalent organic group, and X is a single bond or a connecting chain.

Abstract: A glass fibre formable from a melt by a rotary process and having a diameter less than 5 ?m and comprising in weight percent: SiO2 62 to 75 wt %, alkaline earth metal oxide 13 to 25 wt %, alkali metal oxide 8 to 15 wt %, B2O3 0 to 8 wt %, M2O3 0.5 to 3 wt % in which M is Al, a transition element, a lanthanide or a mixture thereof with these named ingredients comprising greater than or equal to 90 wt % and less than or equal to 100 wt % of the glass composition provides blankets having superior temperature resistance to conventional glass wools, and superior insulating performance (i.e. lower thermal conductivity) than an alkaline earth silicate fibre while being soluble in body.

Abstract: This invention relates to a flame-resistant spun staple yarns and fabrics and garments comprising these yarns and methods of making the same. The yarns have 50 to 95 parts by weight of a polymeric staple fiber containing a structure derived from a monomer selected from the group consisting of 4,4?diaminodiphenyl sulfone, 3,3?diaminodiphenyl sulfone, and mixtures thereof; and 5 to 50 parts by weight of a high modulus staple fiber having a tensile modulus of 200 grams per denier (180 grams per dtex) or greater or greater, based on 100 parts by weight of the polymeric fiber and the high modulus fiber in the yarn.

Abstract: A method for alteration of the morphology of cellulose fibers, particularly softwood fibers, by (a) subjecting the fibers to a metal ion-activated peroxide treatment carried out at a pH of between about I and about 9, preferably between 3 and 7, and (b) subjecting the treated fibers to a refining treatment thereby converts SW fibers to HW-like fibers in many respects. The metal ion-activated peroxide treatment has been noted to act on pulp cellulose and hemi-cellulose, causing oxidation and oxidative degradation of cellulose fibers. The chemical treatment of the pulp, taken alone, is not sufficient to attain the desired modification of the morphology of the fibers, however, subsequent refining or like mechanical treatment of the chemically-treated fibers to achieve a given degree of refinement of the fibers requires dramatically less refining energy to achieve a desired end point of refinement and to impart other desirable properties to the pulp.

Abstract: The method of producing an islands-in-sea type composite spun fiber having an island component diameter of 1 ?m or less according to the present invention comprises drawing (superdrawing) with a total draw ratio of from 5 to 100 an undrawn islands-in-sea type composite spun fiber having been prepared by spinning at a spinning speed of from 100 to 1,000 m/min, at temperatures higher than the glass transition points of both the polymer forming the sea component and the polymer forming the island components of the composite spun fiber.

Abstract: A melter including an upper chamber configured to receive marbles or the like, and a lower chamber separated from the upper chamber by a porous wall through which, as the result of heating, glass marbles or the like liquefy in the form of a batch. The upper and lower chambers define a melting zone. A refining zone is fed via at least one channel emerging from the melting zone.

Abstract: Nanowires, films, and membranes comprising ordered porous manganese oxide-based octahedral molecular sieves and methods of making the same are disclosed. A method for forming nanowires includes hydrothermally treating a chemical precursor composition in a hydrothermal treating solvent to form the nanowires, wherein the chemical precursor composition comprises a source of manganese cations and a source of counter cations, and wherein the nanowires comprise ordered porous manganese oxide-based octahedral molecular sieves.

Abstract: Inorganic-organic hybrid, melt-extruded filaments having variable cross-sectional geometry with a cross-sectional area ranging between 100?2 and 4 mm2 include an inorganic component that comprises at least 10 weight percent of the total system and is present as dispersed micro-/nanoparticles in an organic absorbable or non-absorbable matrix representing no more than 90 weight percent. Hybrid filaments are particularly useful for the production of absorbable/disintegratable coil components of an absorbable/disintegratable endoureteral stent and radiopaque surgical markers or sutures.

Abstract: An acetylated softwood lignin fiber having a diameter of 5 to 100 microns.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention relates to a synthetic nanostructure. In one embodiment, the synthetic nanostructure has a top region substantially comprising titanate nanowires, a middle region substantially comprising titanate nanoparticles and titanate nanowires, and a bottom region substantially comprising titanium, wherein some of the titanate nanowires of the top region are extending into the middle region, wherein the middle region is between the top region and the bottom region, and wherein some of the titanate nanowires of the top region are substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface of the titanium substrate. At least some of the titanate nanowires in the top region form 3D macroporous scaffolds with interconnected macropores.

Abstract: A water non-dispersible polymer microfiber is provided comprising at least one water non-dispersible polymer wherein the water non-dispersible polymer microfiber has an equivalent diameter of less than 5 microns and length of less than 25 millimeters. A process for producing water non-dispersible polymer microfibers is also provided, the process comprising: a) cutting a multicomponent fiber into cut multicomponent fibers; b) contacting a fiber-containing feedstock with water to produce a fiber mix slurry; wherein the fiber-containing feedstock comprises cut multicomponent fibers; c) heating the fiber mix slurry to produce a heated fiber mix slurry; d) optionally, mixing the fiber mix slurry in a shearing zone; e) removing at least a portion of the sulfopolyester from the multicomponent fiber to produce a slurry mixture comprising a sulfopolyester dispersion and water non-dispersible polymer microfibers; and f) separating the water non-dispersible polymer microfibers from the slurry mixture.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to long-fiber-reinforced two-phase incompatible matrix-fiber composites which include fibers wetted completely by an incompatible mixture of thermoplastic materials. The resin mixture generally includes a polyester oligomer/polymer combination and a high polymer thermoplastic resin. The composites of the disclosure exhibit a reduced level of fiber attrition after melt-processing into articles, and show substantial improvements in mechanical properties.

Abstract: The invention is directed to carbon nanostructure composite systems which may be useful for various applications, including as dry adhesives, electronics and display technologies, or in a wide variety of other areas where organized nanostructures may be formed and integrated into a flexible substrate. The present invention provides systems and methods wherein organized nanotube structures or other nanostructures are embedded within polymers or other flexible materials to provide a flexible skin-like material, with the properties and characteristics of the nanotubes or other nanostructures exploited for use in various applications. In one aspect, the invention is directed to a carbon nanotube/polymer composite material having a plurality of carbon nanotubes formed into a predetermined architecture, with each of the plurality of nanotubes having a desired width and length.

Abstract: Systems and methods for making a material composition are disclosed. The method includes mixing a thermoset polymer, a petroleum distillate, a release agent, and a catalyst to form an admixture. A cellulosic material is mixed with the admixture to form a generally homogenous furnish. The system includes a mixing chamber, a feeding chamber, and a die. The die includes a pressing chamber, which has a volume formed by first and second platens. The platens are in facing opposition to one another and have a length extending continuously from an entrance to an exit of the die. The platens have a plurality of orifices and heating elements disposed along the length. The platens are disposed in first and second positions. The first position forms a first volume and the second position forms a second volume.

Abstract: Processes for forming polymer fibers, comprising: (a) providing a colloidal dispersion of at least one essentially water-insoluble polymer in an aqueous medium; and (b) electrospinning the colloidal dispersion; polymer fibers prepared by such processes; and colloidal dispersions comprising: at least one essentially water-insoluble polymer in an aqueous medium; and at least 10% by weight of a water-soluble polymer having a solubility in water of at least 0.1% by weight.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a glass fiber package where a glass fiber aggregate which contains alkali-containing glass wool fiber of a very small diameter having an average fiber size of 5 ?m or less or, particularly, less than 1 ?m and containing 5% or more by weight or, particularly, 10% or more by weight of alkali metal oxide components is packed in a compressed state to give a form which is able to be handled as a freight, and in which, fiber breakage (lowering in the fiber length) and fiber adhesion caused by compression packing is hardly resulted even upon a long-term storage whereby the properties inherent to the glass fiber immediately after its manufacture is apt to be maintained; to provide a method for packing the glass fiber; and to provide a glass fiber product using the same.

Abstract: A filament type nano-sized long fiber and a method of producing the same are disclosed. In the method, a spinning solution or a spinning melt is electro-spun in drops using a spinneret to which a critical voltage is applied, and the spun drops are continuously collected on a multi-collector. The spinning solution is produced by dissolving a blend or copolymer consisting of two or more kinds of polymers in a solvent. The spinning melt is produced by melting the polymers. The multi-collector is selected from the group consisting of a plate type collector, a roll type collector, and a combination thereof. The filament type nano-sized long fiber is processed into a yarn through one step during the electrospinning process, and thus, mechanical properties are better than those of a conventional nanofiber non-woven fabric. Consequently, the filament type nano-sized long fiber can be utilized for the extended application.

Abstract: Embodiments of this invention are directed to polyaniline derivatives and methods of synthesizing and using the same. The invention is also directed to polyaniline derivatives that can be synthesized without the need for templates or functional dopants by using an initiator as part of a reaction mixture.

Abstract: A vinyl.cis-polybutadiene rubber is provided containing 1,2-polybutadiene and a polymer substance of a melting point lower than that of the 1,2-polybutadiene and with at least one unsaturated double bond per repeating unit, where the 1,2-polybutadiene and the polymer substance are dispersed at physically and/or chemically adsorbed states in the cis-polybutadiene rubber as the matrix component of the vinyl.cis-polybutadiene rubber, and a method for producing the same, to provide a vulcanized product exerting a small die swell ratio and excellent extrusion processability and operability, as well as very great characteristics demanded for the side tread of tire and the like.

Abstract: This invention relates to improved plexifilamentary sheet material useful in protective apparel and filtration media, which material is comprised of substantially continuous polyethylene plexifilamentary fiber strands and has a Frazier Permeability, normalized to 1.0 oz/yd2 basis weight, of at least 2 cfm/ft2.

Abstract: The invention relates to supports consisting of nanoscalar polymer fibres, polymer tubes or hollow fibres for the application and targeted and/or delayed release of ingredients, in particular, agricultural active ingredients. The invention also relates to a method and a device for the production of supports of this type in a charged or empty state. The method and device use electrospinning technology.

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

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

Abstract: A method of coating a polymeric resinous thin film on the surface of a tubular braid reinforcing material, wherein a polymeric resinous coating material is spin coated on the surface of an annular braid, the coated braid is extruded into the air, and the coating material is coagulated in a coagulating bath, wherein the ratio of the spin coating feed ratio (Q) one the braid advancing speed (v) with respect to a unit outer diameter (D0) of the braid is represented by the formula k ? ( g ? / ? m 2 ) = Q ? ( g ? / ? min ) v ? ( m ? / ? min ) ? D 0 ? ( m ) within the range of 200 to 3,000 g/m2.

Abstract: A glass body with at least one curve is formed from a glass blank in bar form in a bending device for bending the glass blanks. The bending device has grippers which are movable in relation to one another. The glass blank is taken up by the grippers and clamped. Subsequently, the bending region between the grippers is heated up to a bending temperature by heating means. After that, the grippers are moved in a predetermined way, the bending region being freely bent. The advantageous effects of the invention are seen as being that any desired curves can be produced on glass blanks without requiring moulds that rely on pressing or contact. The free bending takes place without touching the surface in the heated-up bending region, so that instances of damage to the surface are avoided. This allows curved glass bodies with good optical properties to be produced.

Abstract: Articles such as melt spun elastic tape and heaving denier monofilament fibers are made from thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) polymers. The process to make the articles involves using a substantially horizontal cooling to cool the melt spun articles. Preferably, the cooling is accomplished by a water bath. A crosslinking agent is added to the TPU polymer melt to enhance the elastic properties of the articles.

Abstract: Provided is a method of easily manufacturing a solution-phase of zerovalent iron nanowires (INW), and more particularly, to a method of synthesizing zerovalent iron nanowires (INW) in which sodium boronhydride is added as a reducing agent to reduce ferrous sulfate mixed with poly(vinyl pyrrolidone). The present invention provides a simple and efficient method of synthesizing iron nanowires (INW) as one alternative to producing iron nanoparticles (INP). The INW manufactured by this method is very effective in removing groundwater contaminants such as arsenic, chrome (VI) and TCE. The highly reactive INW has great potential for producing an INW-based adsorbent for groundwater remediation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nonwoven webs or fabrics. In particular, the present invention relates to nonwoven webs having superior abrasion resistance and excellent softness characteristics. The nonwoven materials comprise monocomponent fibers having a surface comprising a polyethylene, said nonwoven material having a fuzz/abrasion of less than 0.7 mg/cm3. The present invention is also related to fibers having a diameter in a range of from 0.1 to 50 denier, said fibers comprising a polymer blend, wherein the polymer blend comprises: from 40 weight percent to 80 weight percent (by weight of the polymer blend) of a first polymer which is a homogeneous ethylene/?-olefin interpolymer having: a melt index of from about 1 to about 1000 grams/10 minutes, and a density of from 0.870 to 0.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a polylactic acid (PLA) based resin composition comprising (A) about 50 to about 90 parts by weight of a polylactic acid resin; (B) about 10 to about 50 parts by weight of natural fibers; and (C) about 0.01 to about 5 parts by weight of a coupling agent. The resin composition may have excellent mechanical strength, heat resistance, good moldability and color property.

Abstract: A method for electrospinning polymer fibers and the resultant electrospun fibers are disclosed. In the electrospinning method, the polymer undergoes a crosslinking reaction prior to and during the electrospinning process.

Abstract: Nylon monofilament and process for preparing a nylon monofilament manufactured from a blend of about 60 to about 90% polyamide 66, about 10 to about 40% of a polyamide copolymer and 0 to about 5% of at least one other additive. The monofilament can be formed into helical coils particularly useful for the formation of spiral industrial fabrics and spiral seams used in industrial fabrics, such as, but not limited to paper machine clothing.

Abstract: A silver-containing, disperse, water-containing formulation and its use to produce electrically conductive and/or optically reflective coatings is described. The formulation contains at least a) 0.5 to 30 parts by wt. of silver metal particles with an effective diameter of at most 150 nm, preferably at most 100 nm, particularly preferably 40 to 80 nm, with a bimodal size distribution, b) 50 to 99.5 parts by wt. of water and optionally up to 30 parts by wt. of solvent, c) 0.01 to 10 parts by wt. of at least one, in particular polymeric, dispersant, d) 0 to 5 parts by wt. of film-producer, e) 0 to 5 parts by wt. of additives, f) 0 to 5 parts by wt. of conductive polymers, and has a viscosity of at most 150 mPa.s.

Abstract: This invention provides security articles comprising fibers, threads and fiber sections (“dots”) possessing multiple verification characteristics. The fibers possess unique and difficulty duplicated combinations of complex cross-sections, components, and multiple luminescent responses. The many verifiable characteristics of the security fibers, threads and dots provide high levels of protection against fraudulent duplication of articles in which they are incorporated. The manifold security features provide means of tailoring specific identity characteristics for specific use and users.

Abstract: By coating the outer surface of carbon nanotubes with various polymers of different properties, such properties as insulation property, reactivity, optical visibility, solvent dispersion property and so on are given to the outer surface of the carbon nanotubes.