Abstract: A method for forming a coating of material on selected portions of a surface of a substrate having a plurality of cavities, each cavity having outer, peripheral sidewalls extending outwardly from the surface. The method includes: providing a structure having a release agent thereon; contacting top surface of the wafer with the release agent to transfer portions of the release agent to the top surface of the wafer while bottom portions of the cavities remain spaced from the release agent to produce an intermediate structure; the release agent disposed on the top surface of the wafer and with the bottom portions of the cavities void of the release agent; exposing the intermediate structure to the material to blanket coat the material on both the release agent and the bottom portions of the cavities; and selectively removing the release agent together with the coating material while leaving the coating material on the bottom portions of the cavities.

Abstract: Disclosed is a high strength polyester fiber for a seat belt, and in particular, a polyester fiber for a seat belt, which has intrinsic viscosity of 0.8 to 1.5 dl/g, tensile strength of 8.8 g/d or more, and total fineness of 400 to 1800 denier. A method of preparing the fiber is disclosed. The polyester fiber includes filaments having high strength, low modulus, and high elongation to significantly lower shrinkage, while securing excellent mechanical properties, it is possible to manufacture a seat belt having excellent impact absorption and significantly improved abrasion resistance and heat resistant strength retention, even with a woven density of 260 yarns/inch or less.

Abstract: An unbonded loosefill insulation material including a multiplicity of discrete, individual tufts formed from a plurality of insulative fibers and a plurality of conductive fibers mixed with the insulative fibers is provided. The conductive fibers are configured to dissipate static electrical charges.

Abstract: Fibers and fabrics with improved anti-microbial activity in after laundering, and a method of producing the same, are described. One embodiment includes a method for generating a synthetic fiber, the method comprising creating a mixture, the mixture comprising a polymer, an anti-microbial agent, and a dispersion liquid, and extruding the mixture to form a synthetic fiber.

Abstract: A fiber is provided with a polymer having a cross-section and a length. A particulate is distributed in the polymer in an amount to make the fiber detectable by X-ray detection or magnetic detection. The particulate is present in a core, a sheath, or both portions of polymer matrix. A process of detecting a fabric article is provided that includes the formation of a fiber in the form of a polymer having a cross-section and a length. A particulate is distributed in the polymer. A fiber is formed into a fabric. A fabric article is then manufactured from the fabric. The fabric article passes through an X-ray detector or a magnetic detector. A signal is collected from the X-ray detector or the magnetic detector indicative of the presence of the fabric article.

Abstract: Luminescent fibers, articles including the luminescent fibers, and methods of forming the luminescent fibers are provided herein. In an embodiment, a luminescent fiber includes a regenerated cellulose and a luminescent polycyclic compound. The luminescent polycyclic compound includes a heterocyclic ring. The heterocyclic ring includes two nitrogen atoms therein.

Abstract: A melt blowing process comprising: (a) providing a thermoplastic polymer material that includes at least one or a plurality of polyester polymers and at least one or a combination of different meltable metal phosphinates; and (b) melt blowing the thermoplastic polymer material into at least one fiber or a plurality of fibers, with each fiber having a diameter or thickness that is less than about 10 microns. The metal phosphinate is in an amount that (a) reduces the viscosity of the polyester polymer and (b) functions as a crystallizing agent, which at least promotes crystallization of the polyester polymer, when the thermoplastic polymer material is melt blown into the at least one fiber. Non-woven and woven fibrous structures can be made using fibers made from this process.

Abstract: There is provided a method of forming silicon anode material for rechargeable cells. The method includes providing a metal matrix, comprising no more than 30 wt % silicon, including silicon structures dispersed therein. The method further includes at least partially etching the metal matrix to at least partially isolate the silicon structures.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides a scalable and electrostretching approach for generating microfibers exhibiting uniaxial alignment from polymer solutions. Such microfibers can be generated from a variety of natural polymers or synthetic polymers. The hydrogel microfibers can be used for controlled release of bioactive agents. The internal uniaxial alignment exhibited by the presently disclosed fibers provides improved mechanical properties to microfibers, contact guidance cues and induces alignment for cells seeded on or within the microfibers.

Abstract: Disclosed are a hollow graphene nanoparticle and a method for manufacturing the same. The hollow graphene nanoparticle is made of graphene sheets stacked together, and has a particle size of 10˜500 nm and a specific surface area greater than 500 m2/g. The method includes the steps of forming graphene, etching and heat treatment. First, a reducing agent is injected into an oven filled with protective gas, a carbon-containing gas compound or a second gas compound decomposing to generate carbon at higher temperature is added, a processing temperature is heated up to perform a redox reaction so as to form graphene nanoparticles containing side products, the graphene nanoparticles is then immersed in the acidic etching solution to remove the side products and obtain the hollow graphene nanoparticles.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward an apparatus comprising a high speed rotating disk or bowl for nanofiber spinning from the rotational sheared thin film fibrillation at the enclosed serrations with the optimized stretching zone to produce the defects-free nanofibrous web and nanofibrous membrane comprising a nanofiber network with a number average nanofiber diameter less than 500 nm that yield the crystallinity higher than the polymer resin used in making the web.

Abstract: Provided is a polymer nanowire which contains nanoparticles so as to have new functionalities. A thin film 103 is formed on a substrate 101 and includes functional nanoparticles and polymers, and further includes a photosensitive pigment as required. The thin film 103 is irradiated with a pulsed laser. This causes a polymer nanowire 109 containing the functional nanoparticles to grow from a surface of the thin film 103.

Abstract: The invention relates to a crosslinked hyaluronan derivative in the form of a hydrogel or microfibers, and to a method of preparation thereof, consisting in a C—C coupling reaction. The C—C coupling reaction is performed via reaction of a hyaluronan derivative carrying a terminal aryl-halide and/or aryl-borate group, and a hyaluronan derivative carrying an alkenyl or alkynyl group, in water, phosphates buffer or a mixture of an organic acid and an alcohol, and in the presence of a palladium active catalyst. The palladium active catalyst may be e.g. a complex of palladium (II) acetate and an inorganic or organic base, or a complex of palladium (II) and 2-amino-4,6-dihydroxypyrimidine.

Abstract: Disclosed are block copolymer nanostructures formed on surface patterns different from nanostructure of the block copolymer and preparation methods thereof.

Abstract: Melt-blown fiber having an average diameter of not more than 5.0 ?m, said fiber comprises at least 85 wt.-% of a propylene copolymer, wherein •said melt blown fiber and/or said propylene copolymer has/have a melt flow rate MFR2 (230° C.) measured according to ISO 1133 of at least 200 g/10 min, •said propylene copolymer has a comonomer content of 0.5 to 5.5 wt.-%, the comonmers are ethylene and/or at least one C4 to C20 ?-olefin selected from the group consisting of 1-butene, 1-pentene, 1-hexene, 1-heptene, and 1-octene, •the propylene copolymer has <2,1> regiodefects of not more than 0.4 mol.-% determined by 13C-spectroscopy, and •said melt blown fiber and/or said propylene copolymer fulfill(s) the equation (1). wherein Tm [° C.] is the melting temperature [given in ° C.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for the manufacture of fibers from solution-phase peptide-based polymers by electrospinning, and compositions produced thereby. In particular embodiments, various embodiments provide electrospinning supramolecular fibers from low concentration peptide amphiphile filaments.

Abstract: A method of producing a fine fiber, including treating a cellulose raw material with an enzyme; and fibrillating the treated cellulose raw material; treating with the enzyme under a condition where at least a ratio of endo-glucanase activity to cellobiohydrolase activity that is 0.06 or greater. The cellulose raw material may be a plant fiber. The method efficiently produces a fine fiber from a cellulose raw material at low cost and with a low environmental burden, a fine fiber, and a non-woven fabric.

Abstract: Provided is the following sample fixing member for a nano indenter. The member can stably fix a sample, the plastic deformation of the member is alleviated, and the member enables accurate nano indenter measurement. A sample fixing member for a nano indenter of the present invention includes a fibrous columnar structure including a plurality of fibrous columnar objects each having a length of 200 ?m or more.

Abstract: Described herein are nanofibers and methods for making nanofibers that include any one or more of (a) a non-homogeneous charge density; (b) a plurality of regions of high charge density; and/or (c) charged nanoparticles or chargeable nanoparticles. In one aspect, the present invention fulfills a need for filtration media that are capable of both high performance (e.g., removal of particle sizes between 0.1 and 0.5 ?m) with a low pressure drop, however the invention is not limited in this regard.

Abstract: A method for forming biodegradable fibers is provided. The method includes blending polylactic acid with a polyepoxide modifier to form a thermoplastic composition, extruding the thermoplastic composition through a die, and thereafter passing the extruded composition through a die to form a fiber. Without intending to be limited by theory, it is believed that the polyepoxide modifier reacts with the polylactic acid and results in branching of its polymer backbone, thereby improving its melt strength and stability during fiber spinning without significantly reducing glass transition temperature. The reaction-induced branching can also increase molecular weight, which may lead to improved fiber ductility and the ability to better dissipate energy when subjected to an elongation force. Through selective control over this method, the present inventors have discovered that the resulting fibers may exhibit good mechanical properties, both during and after melt spinning.

Abstract: A bi-component fiber is provided. The bi-component fiber includes a sheath formed of polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) and a core formed of a high glass transition polyester. A PPS material of the sheath has a higher melting point than a high glass transition polyester material of the core. The core is at least partially crystallized whereby the high glass transition polyester material of the core effectively has a higher softening point than a softening point of the PPS material of the sheath.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing filled paper, card and board comprising dewatering a paper stock with sheet formation and drying, wherein biodegradable polyester fibers and/or polyalkylene carbonate fibers are added to the paper stock.

Abstract: A copolymer which can be formed from a mixture of nylon 6,12 and nylon 6,10 along with other possible components. The nylon copolymer is not only clear (transparent) but also exhibits high dimensional stability in varying environments, limited water absorption, good wear resistance, the ability to accommodate large amounts of glass fillers, and is more resilient and tougher than either nylon 6,10 or nylon 6, 12. Moreover, the crystallinity rate of this combination of homopolymers is reduced to further improve clarity and transparency.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a new polypropylene composition, polypropylene fibres comprising said polypropylene composition, a spunbonded fabric comprising said polypropylene fibres and/or polypropylene composition, an article comprising said polypropylene fibres and/or said spunbonded fabric as well as to a process for the preparation of such spunbonded fabric and the use of such polypropylene composition for improving the stability of a fibre spinning line.

Abstract: Polymer blends include bio-based polymers or copolymers with post-consumer and/or post-industrial polymers or copolymers and a compatibilizer. Fibers may be prepared from the polymer blends. In addition, a life cycle analysis of the polymer blends may be superior in at least four of seven categories of the life cycle analysis relative to virgin polyamide 6.6. Methods of making the fibers from polymer blends are also described. The polymer blends are particularly useful in flooring applications, such as carpeting.

Abstract: A polyester resin composition containing a polyester resin, and a fine cellulose fiber composite having an average fiber diameter of from 0.1 to 200 nm, wherein the fine cellulose fiber composite contains fine cellulose fibers and hydrocarbon groups being connected thereto via an amide bond. The polyester resin composition of the present invention can be worked into a molded article by thermoforming or injection-molding, and is suitably used for various industrial applications, such as daily sundries, household electric appliance parts, packaging materials for household electric appliance parts, and automobile parts. In addition, the fine cellulose fiber composite has high dispersibility against various resins and can exhibit thickening effects, so that it is suitable as various thickeners or the like.

Abstract: The disclosed invention is a unique drilling fluid composition and method for reducing lost mud circulation in wellbores due to seepage loss into fluid permeable subterranean formations. The drilling fluid composition comprises a variety of shapes and sizes of distinctive unadulterated elastomeric rubber particles derived from the tire retreading (recapping) process. These elastomeric rubber particles are incorporated into an aqueous, hydrocarbon, or synthetic drilling fluid in sufficient amounts as to plug holes, fractures, and fissures, form a mud cake, and thus stem the loss of drilling fluids from the lost circulation zone.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polymer fibre comprising a thermoplastic polymer comprising the following building blocks A and B: —O—(CH2—CH2—O)n— (A) —O—[CH2]y—O— (B), wherein n is an integer of 10-400, and y is an integer in the range of 2 to 16, wherein A is present in an amount of 15-30 mole %, B is present in an amount of 20-40 mole % and wherein building blocks A and B are linked by the following linking group C: —[(C?O)—NH—CH2—CH2—CH2—CH2—CH2—CH2—NH—(C?O)]— (C) wherein C is present in an amount of 45-55 mole %. The present invention further relates to a method for preparing a polymer fibre, absorbent articles comprising a polymer fibre and the use of a fibre in a product for treating wounds and/or burns.

Abstract: Provided is a collagen structure characterized by: comprising collagen fibers of 1 to 5 ?m in average diameter; and has a water content of 0 to 15 (w/w)% and a collagen density of 50 to 800 mg/cm3. After generating collagen fibers by neutralizing an acidic collagen solution, the resulting solution is subjected to filtration or the like to form crude collagen fibers having a collagen concentration of 12 to 50 (w/v)%. The thus obtained crude collagen fibers are molded into a prescribed shape and then dried, thereby the collagen structure can be produced. Since the collagen structure is produced using, as raw material, collagen fibers that are formed by association of collagen molecules, the collagen structure has excellent cell infiltration property. Further, since the collagen density of the collagen structure is equivalent to that of in vivo collagen tissue, the collagen structure exhibits excellent tissue regeneration capacity when filled into a defective part in vivo.

Abstract: The present invention relates to alpha-form zinc-phthalocyanine nanowires (ZnPc NWs) having enhanced water solubility and water dispersibility, to a composite of an alpha-form zinc-phthalocyanine nanowire/phenothiazine, to a method for preparing same, and to a photosensitizer including same or a pharmaceutical composition including same for preventing or treating cancers. Since the alpha-form zinc-phthalocyanine nanowires or the composite of alpha-form zinc-phthalocyanine nanowire/phenothiazine according to the present invention exhibit dual traits, i.e., photothermal and photodynamic traits in single molecules, they are very useful for the development of a multifunctional molecular system and can also be usefully applied to light therapy of cancers due to their good light therapeutic effects.

Abstract: A method for making a fibrous strip configured for making a ribbon with a thickness ranging between 0.1 mm and 1 mm and a width ranging between 2 mm and 10 mm. The ligneous logs or cans are cut into square-edged plank with a predefined length. The strip is separated from a surface of the square-edged plank by an orthogonal cutting process. The depth of cut is equal to the thickness of the strip. The cutting speed direction is parallel to the fibers of the square-edged plank. Also, a fibrous reinforcement is obtained using the method and a device for implements the method.

Abstract: The present invention provides a therapeutic and/or prophylactic agent for inflammatory bowel disease and an NF-kB activation inhibitor, each of which comprises chitin nanofibers or chitosan nanofibers.

Abstract: Biocompatible coatings and spin finishes that can be applied to polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) polymers, and medical devices made from PHA polymers, have been developed. The coatings impart good lubricity to PHA polymers, particularly to fibers and braids made from these materials, making the coatings ideal for use on medical devices such as PHA braided sutures. The spin finishes can be applied to PHA fibers to facilitate their manufacture, and also for their conversion to other products, including medical textiles. The spin finishes serve to protect multifilament fiber bundles, and keep them intact following extrusion, and also to impart lubricity to the fiber bundles and monofilament fibers so that they are not damaged in subsequent processing steps particularly in textile processing. The coating reduces tissue drag of, for example, braided sutures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a poly(ethyleneterephthalate) drawn fiber, which is able to provide a poly(ethylene terephthalate) tire-cord showing superior strength and dimensional stability without a PCI process after tire vulcanization, a poly(ethylene terephthalate) tire-cord and a manufacturing method thereof. The poly(ethyleneterephthalate) drawn fiber has a predetermined L/S value of 2.0 kg/% or more after heat treatment at a temperature of 180° C. under an initial load of 0.02 g/d for 2 minutes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for subsequent surface modification of finely structured structures formed from hard inorganic materials, and to the structures obtainable by this process as such.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multifilament yarn containing n filaments, wherein the filaments are obtained by spinning an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), said yarn having a tenacity (Ten) as expressed in cN/dtex of Ten(cN/dtex)=f×n?0.05×dpf?0.15, wherein Ten is at least 39 cN/dtex, n is at least 25, f is a factor of at least 58 and dpf is the dtex per filament.

Abstract: Method for fabricating a reinforcing coating for a part made of composite material. Pre-impregnated reinforcing fibers are used in the form of slivers and said slivers are laid on the part in two layers of longitudinal slivers by being placed thereon. This fabrication makes provision for using an angular orientation for the slivers of each layer respectively of 0° and of some other angle relative to said determined direction of the solid body for covering using an interlaced pattern type that gives layer crossing lines parallel to a longitudinal axis of the solid body for covering, which pattern type is selected to form interlacing patterns that limit the number of layer crossing lines along the longitudinal axis of the solid body for covering to a single line.

Abstract: Provided is a nanowire manufacturing substrate, comprising a grid base layer on a substrate and a grid pattern formed by patterning the grid base layer, the grid pattern being disposed to produce a nanowire on a surface thereof. According to the present invention, the width and height of the nanowire can be adjusted by controlling the wet-etching process time period, and the nanowire can be manufactured at a room temperature at low cost, the nanowire can be mass-manufactured and the nanowire with regularity can be manufactured even in case of mass production.

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

Abstract: Nanorods assemblies that have lengths in excess of 50 microns to meters are formed from contacting rice-shaped colloidal superparticles that are aligned along the long axis of the colloidal superparticles. The rice-shaped colloidal superparticles are formed from a multiplicity of nanorods with a high degree of association that is end to end to form colloidal superparticles that are in excess of three microns in length and have a length to diameter ratio of about three or more. Methods of preparing the rice-shaped colloidal superparticles employ mixing with an additional ligand to the nanorods to bias the self assembly of the nanorods by solvophobic interactions. Methods of preparing the nanorods assemblies include the infusion of the rice-shaped colloidal superparticles into microchannels patterned on a substrate, wherein the rice-shaped colloidal superparticles' long axes align in the microchannels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a segmented graphene nanoribbon, comprising at least two different graphene segments covalently linked to each other, each graphene segment having a monodisperse segment width, wherein the segment width of at least one of said graphene segments is 4 nm or less and to a method for preparing it by polymerizing at least one polycyclic aromatic monomer compound and/or at least one oligo phenylene aromatic hydrocarbon monomer compound to form at least one polymer and by at least partially cyclodehydrogenating the one or more polymer.

Abstract: Polycrystalline silicon rods produced by the Siemens process produce a higher yield of CZ crystals when the process parameters are modified in a second stage of deposition such that an outer layer of larger crystallites having a mean swize>20 ?m is produced. Harvesting of these polycrystalline rods and conventional rods by enclosing them in a plastic bag or sheath prior to removal from the reactor also surprisingly increase the yield of CZ crystals grown from a melt containing the sheathed rods.

Abstract: Polysaccharide filaments and fibrous structures containing such polysaccharide filaments and more particularly polysaccharide filaments that exhibit birefringence are provided.

Abstract: Fibrous structures, for example sanitary tissue products, containing a plurality of filaments that employ one or more filament-forming materials, such as one or more hydroxyl polymers, and one or more hueing agents, present within the filaments such that the fibrous structures exhibit a Whiteness Index of greater than 72 as measured according to the Whiteness Index Test Method described herein.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of polyphosphonates, copoly(phosphonate ester)s, copoly(phosphonate carbonate)s, and their respective oligomers, as flame retardant additives for polyamide fibers to impart fire resistance while maintaining or improving processing characteristics for melt spun fibers and fabrics, thereof.

Abstract: A method for making silicon nanorods is provided. In accordance with the method, Au nanocrystals are reacted with a silane in a liquid medium to form nanorods, wherein each of said nanorods has an average diameter within the range of about 1.2 nm to about 10 nm and has a length within the range of about 1 nm to about 100 nm.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing a composition comprising 10 to 45% of the total solids weight lignin, polyacrylonitrile or a polyacrylonitrile copolymer, and a solvent to form a lignin-based polyacrylonitrile-containing dope and the resulting products. The dope can be processed to produce fibers, including precursor, oxidized and carbonized fibers. The oxidized fibers are of value for their flame resistant properties and carbonized fibers are suitable for use in applications requiring high strength fibers, or to be used to form composite materials.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a polyamide fiber from which a fabric appropriate for use in airbags is obtainable, and which exhibits weave-loosening prevention properties after weaving thereof, and excellent mechanical properties. This polyamide fiber is characterized by having; a total fiber density of 100-700 dtex; a tensile strength of 8.0-11.5 cN/dtex; a boiling-water shrinkage of 4.0-11.0%; a slack recovery rate (A) represented by formula (1) after a fixed-length heat treatment of 0-4.0%; and a tightening index (F) represented by formula (2) of 3.8 or higher. A=[(Ta?Tb)/Ta]×100 (1) (In formula (1), Ta represents the amount of slack immediately after heat treatment, and Tb represents the amount of slack at the time of stabilization after heat treatment.) F=A+0.35×B (2) (In formula (2), A represents the slack recovery rate after the fixed-length heat treatment, and B represents the boiling-water shrinkage rate.

Abstract: Disclosed are polymeric additives for concrete formed of a polyoxymethylene (POM) copolymer, POM copolymers can be utilized to form fibrous additives for concrete, i.e., microfibers and/or macrofibers. The POM copolymers can include one or more chemical groups, e.g., end groups and/or pendant groups that can increase the polarity of the POM and increase the hydrophilicity of the formed fibers, which can improve miscibility of the fibers in wet concrete. Chemical groups of the POM copolymers can bond with components of the concrete or can hydrolyze to form groups that can bond with components of the concrete, e.g., form covalent or noncovalent (e.g., electrostatic or ionic) bonds with one or more components of the concrete binder.

Abstract: Provided in one embodiment is a method of forming an inorganic nanowire, comprising: providing an elongated organic scaffold; providing a plurality of inorganic nanoparticles attached to the organic scaffold along a length of the organic scaffold; and fusing the nanoparticles attached to the organic scaffold to form an inorganic nanowire.