Abstract: A composition comprises a zirconia powder, in which 55% or more thereof is monoclinic, and a stabilizer capable of suppressing phase transition of zirconia. An average particle diameter of zirconia particles and particles of the stabilizer is 0.06 ?m to 0.17 ?m. At least a portion of the stabilizer does not form a solid solution with zirconia.

Abstract: A composition comprises a zirconia powder, in which 55% or more thereof is monoclinic, and a stabilizer capable of suppressing phase transition of zirconia. An average particle diameter of zirconia particles and particles of the stabilizer is 0.06 ?m to 0.17 ?m. At least a portion of the stabilizer does not form a solid solution with zirconia.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing device manufactures an additively manufactured article by preheating a powder material by irradiating the powder material with a charged particle beam and then melting the powder material by irradiating the powder material with the charged particle beam. The additive manufacturing device includes a beam emitting unit emitting the charged particle beam and irradiating the powder material with the charged particle beam, and a position detection unit detecting a position of scattering of the powder material when the powder material scatters by being irradiated with the charged particle beam. When the powder material scatters by being irradiated with the charged particle beam, the beam emitting unit emits the charged particle beam such that a thermal dose of the preheating is increased at the position of scattering.

Abstract: A method for producing three-dimensional objects layer by layer using a powdery material which can be solidified by irradiating it with at least two electron beams, said method comprises a pre-heating step, wherein the pre-heating step comprises the sub-step of scanning a pre-heating powder layer area (100) by scanning a first electron beam in a first region (I) and by scanning a second electron beam in a second region (II) distributed over the pre-heating powder layer area (100), wherein consecutively scanned paths are separated by, at least, a security distance (?Y), said sub-step further comprising the step of synchronising the preheating of said first and second electron beams when simultaneously preheating said powder material within said first and second regions respectively, so that said first and second electron beams are always separated to each other with at least a minimum security distance (?X).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for forming a three-dimensional article through successively depositing individual layers of powder material that are fused together so as to form the article, the method comprising the step of heating a first portion of a support surface while depositing a layer of powder material on a second portion of the support surface.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) for generating three dimensional objects comprises a first scanning carriage (102). The first scanning carriage comprises a first energy source (104) to pre-heat an area of a build surface as the first scanning carriage (102) moves over the build surface.

Abstract: Wood-type golf clubs and/or golf club heads include: (a) a golf club head base member including a face member having a ball striking face; and (b) a polymeric body member engaged with the golf club head base member, wherein the polymeric body member is formed via a rotational molding process (or other centrifugal force inducing molding process) and/or engaged with the golf club head base member via a rotational molding process (or other centrifugal force inducing molding process). The polymeric body member forms at least a portion of a crown member of the club head in some structures.

Abstract: A urinary catheter having an insertable shaft formed from a blend of an ethylene and/or propylene based polymer and water swellable material. The catheter having a hydrophilic coating disposed on the outer surface of the insertable catheter shaft.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for forming a three-dimensional article through successively depositing individual layers of powder material that are fused together so as to form the article, the method comprising the step of heating a first portion of a support surface while depositing a layer of powder material on a second portion of the support surface.

Abstract: Methods of treating with a biodegradable polymeric stent made from poly(L-lactide) and a low concentration of L-lactide monomer is disclosed. The concentration of L-lactide is adjusted to provide a degradation behavior that is suitable for different treatment applications including coronary, peripheral, and nasal.

Abstract: A battery includes an electrolyte disposed on a substantially planar substrate. The electrolyte has a first surface extending from the substrate and in contact with a cathode. The electrolyte has a second surface extending from the substrate and in contact with an anode. The second surface is opposite the first surface. The anode and the cathode are non-overlapping. The battery additionally includes a biocompatible protective layer that covers the electrolyte and at least portions of the anode and cathode. The battery can be disposed in an eye-mountable device or other device to power electronics in the device. The battery can be configured to be rechargeable.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for removing moisture from powder to be used in an additive manufacturing process for forming a three-dimensional article through successive fusion of parts of at least one layer of a powder bed provided on a work table, which parts corresponds to successive cross sections of the three-dimensional article, characterized in that said method comprising the steps of: providing at least a first powder tank and at least at least a second powder tank, providing a predetermined amount of powder on a movable table inside said first powder tank, heating the top surface of the powder in said first powder tank to a predetermined temperature interval for removing moisture from said powder, raising said movable table a predetermined distance, moving a predetermined thickness of the powder material from said first powder tank to said second powder tank.

Abstract: A battery includes an electrolyte disposed on a substantially planar substrate. The electrolyte has a first surface extending from the substrate and in contact with a cathode. The electrolyte has a second surface extending from the substrate and in contact with an anode. The second surface is opposite the first surface. The anode and the cathode are non-overlapping. The battery additionally includes a biocompatible protective layer that covers the electrolyte and at least portions of the anode and cathode. The battery can be disposed in an eye-mountable device or other device to power electronics in the device. The battery can be configured to be rechargeable.

Abstract: A polypropylene for a film capacitor or a polypropylene sheet for a film capacitor which exhibits excellent stretchability when stretched into a film and provides a film having high breakdown voltage and small thermal shrinkage ratio, and which is suitable for a polypropylene film for a film capacitor and a film capacitor comprising the film. The polypropylene for a film capacitor of the present invention is obtained by irradiating a propylene homopolymer with a radiation with an absorbed dose of 0.1 to 500 kGy, the propylene homopolymer having (1) a melt flow rate (MFR) within a range of 1 to 10 g/10 min as determined at 230° C. under a load of 2.16 kg in accordance with ASTM D1238, (2) an isotactic pentad fraction (mmmm fraction) of not less than 94% as determined using 13C-NMR, (3) an ash amount of not more than 30 ppm as obtained by completely burning the propylene homopolymer in air, and (4) a chlorine amount of not more than 10 ppm as determined by ion chromatography.

Abstract: A process for making a crosslinked assembly includes steps of: selecting a desired performance parameter for a molded assembly of a first polymeric component and a second polymeric component bonded to the first polymeric component, controlling a first crosslinking percentage for the first polymeric component and a second crosslinking percentage for the second polymeric component independently to provide the desired performance parameter for the assembly, orienting the assembly at an angle between an orientation axis of the assembly and a electron beam direction, exposing the oriented assembly a predetermined number of times (N) to the electron beam operable to deliver a predetermined amount of radiation (R) in the electron beam direction providing a total radiation exposure proportional to (N×R) providing the first component crosslinking percentage and the second component crosslinking percentage, the resulting assembly having the desired performance parameter.

Abstract: Methods of stabilizing the molecular weight of polymer stents scaffolds after E-beam sterilization are disclosed. The molecular weight of the polymer of the irradiated scaffolds is stabilized through exposure to gas containing oxygen.

Abstract: Improved devices and methods for additive manufacturing of implant components are disclosed, including improvements relating to utilizing support structures, aligning implant designs within the manufacturing apparatus, and making patient-adapted implants.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a near-net shape erosion shield, a method of forming a shielded article, and a near-net shape erosion shield are provided. The method of fabricating a near-net shape erosion shield includes providing a base, positioning an energy source relative to the base, and depositing at least one wear resistant material over the base with an energy beam from the energy source. The at least one wear resistant material deposited on the base forms the near-net shape erosion shield configured to be positioned on a turbine component. The method of forming a shielded article includes removing the base from the near-net shape erosion shield, and securing the near-net shape erosion shield to a turbine component. The near-net shape erosion shield includes a near-net shape erosion-resistant portion configured to be positioned on a turbine component.

Abstract: Disclosed are an environmentally-friendly board, which provides the advantages of energy reduction and greenhouse gas reduction and does not emit toxic substances such as toxic gas or endocrine-disrupting chemicals, and a method for preparing same. The environmentally-friendly board, according to the present invention, comprises a biodegradable resin composition including a polylactic acid resin, a crosslinking agent, and wood fiber, and thus provides the advantages of not emitting toxic substances such as toxic gas or endocrine-disrupting chemicals, securing water resistance of a product by PLA crosslinking, and not sticking to a processing tool when heat is applied during processing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a board using crosslinked polylactic acid and a method for preparing same, and more specifically, to a board using the crosslinked polylactic acid having superior processing properties during the preparation process and water resistance properties after processing by using a composition comprising the crosslinked polylactic acid and wood powder, and to a method for preparing the board.

Abstract: A method of producing a molecular structure comprises determining a desired shape of the molecular structure; providing a multi-layer structure, the multilayer structure having at least first and second adjacent generally planar molecular layers, the first and second generally planar molecular layers each consisting of an array of covalently bonded atoms; arranging the multi-layer structure in a desired orientation relative to a cutter; using the cutter to break bonds within the first generally planar molecular layer to produce a first edge of a desired configuration corresponding to the desired shape of the molecular structure; and using the cutter to break bonds within the second generally planar molecular layer to produce a second edge of a desired configuration corresponding to the desired shape of the molecular structure; and allowing the first edge of the first generally planar molecular layer and the second edge of the second generally planar molecular layer to relax so that the first edge of the first

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for making oxidation resistant medical devices that comprise polymeric materials, for example, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). The invention also provides methods of making antioxidant-doped medical implants, for example, doping of medical devices containing cross-linked UHMWPE with vitamin E by diffusion and materials used therein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a board using crosslinked polylactic acid and a method for preparing same, and more specifically, to a board using the crosslinked polylactic acid which has superior processing properties during the preparation process and superior water-resistant properties after processing, by using a composition comprising the crosslinked polylactic acid and wood fiber, and to a method for preparing the same.

Abstract: A method for producing a surface-functionalised object involves: (i) providing negative mould (2) with a surface topography complementary to that desired on the object; (ii) applying a functional entity (20) to the mould surface, in an exciting medium; (iii) forming the object (21) in or on the mould (2), the object being in direct contact, as it forms, with the functional entity (20); and (iv) releasing the object (21) from the mould, wherein during steps (iii) and/or (iv), at least some (22) of the functional entity (20) is transferred from the mould to the object, whilst a proportion remains on the mould (2) surface. The method can be used to functionalise the surface of an object as it is cast, and the mould can be re-used to form multiple replicate objects. The invention also provides an object produced using the method, and a surface-functionalised negative mould for use in the method.

Abstract: This disclosure provides methods of flash sintering and composition created by these methods.

Abstract: A system and method for efficiently laser marking a polymer target material, and more particularly a transparent polymer target material, is presented. The system includes a visually transparent polymer target material comprising a surface and a near 2 ?m fiber laser, the fiber laser having a peak power equal to or greater than 10 kW, a pulse repetition rate equal to or greater than 1 kHz, and an average power equal to or less than 20 W. In certain embodiments, the fiber laser may be a Q-switched fiber laser having a pulse width equal to or less than 200 ns or a mode-locked fiber laser having a pulse width equal to or less than 100 ps. The method includes producing, using the fiber laser, a mark that is not transparent to visible wavelengths on the surface of the polymer target material without damaging it.

Abstract: A structural fiber product usable as an adsorbent or the like is provided. A graft component for forming a graft chain is graft-polymerized onto a structural fiber object; the structural fiber object comprises a fiber assembly comprising at least a conjugated fiber, and an ethylene-vinyl alcohol-series copolymer exists on at least part of a surface of the fiber. The graft polymerization may be conducted, for example, by exposing a structural fiber object to radiation to generate an active species and immersing the structural fiber object in a liquid containing a graft component to bring the structural fiber object into contact with the graft component. According to the method, the graft component can be polymerized at a high degree of grafting, and a structural fiber product having an excellent adsorption characteristic is obtained.

Abstract: Methods of forming a chip with fluidic channels include forming (e.g., milling) at least one nanofunnel with a wide end and a narrow end into a planar substrate, the nanofunnel having a length, with width and depth dimensions that both vary over its length and forming (e.g., milling) at least one nanochannel into the planar substrate at an interface adjacent the narrow end of the nanofunnel.

Abstract: Providing a mold and a manufacturing method therefor wherein protrusions are easy to be pressed into a resin base material and the protrusions are easy to be pulled out from the resin base material. The present invention provides a mold comprising a stamping surface (1a) formed depending on a via pattern and a protruding portion (21, 22) formed in convex shape from the stamping surface (1a), wherein the protruding portion has a base portion (111, 121) merging into a main surface of the stamping surface (1a) to have a curvature and a slope portion (113, 123) progressively decreasing in outer diameter thereof from the base portion (111, 121) to a top portion (112, 122) of the protruding portion (21, 22).

Abstract: A process for making a crosslinked assembly includes steps of: selecting a desired performance parameter for a molded assembly of a first polymeric component and a second polymeric component bonded to the first polymeric component, controlling a first crosslinking percentage for the first polymeric component and a second crosslinking percentage for the second polymeric component independently to provide the desired performance parameter for the assembly, orienting the assembly at an angle between an orientation axis of the assembly and a electron beam direction, exposing the oriented assembly a predetermined number of times (N) to the electron beam operable to deliver a predetermined amount of radiation (R) in the electron beam direction providing a total radiation exposure proportional to (N×R) providing the first component crosslinking percentage and the second component crosslinking percentage, the resulting assembly having the desired performance parameter.

Abstract: An apparatus and method sinters or partially sinters green pellets in a selected temperature range to make proppant particles as the green pellets pass between an electrical arc and a gas flowing in the vortex path and exit an underflow of a vessel. The vessel has an overflow disposed in a first end, an underflow disposed in a second end, a middle portion having a circular cross-section disposed between the first end and the second end, and a tangential inlet proximate to the first end such that a gas from the tangential inlet flows along a vortex path from the first end to the second end of the vessel. A first electrode extends through the overflow and a second electrode extends through the underflow. The electrodes are used to create the open electrical arc. One or more feed tubes extend through the overflow proximate to the first electrode.

Abstract: A method of forming a modified thermoplastic structure for a down-hole application comprises forming a thermoplastic structure comprising at least one thermoplastic material formulated for crosslinking using an electron beam process. The thermoplastic structure is exposed to at least one electron beam to crosslink polymer chains of the thermoplastic structure. Other methods of forming a modified thermoplastic structure, and a down-hole tool are also described.

Abstract: Methods of controlling the degradation profile of a biodegradable stent scaffolding are disclosed. Disclosed methods include controlling features of the degradation profile including the time to loss of radial strength and the degradation time of the stent.

Abstract: Additive manufacturing techniques may be utilized to construct effusion plates. Such additive manufacturing techniques may include defining a configuration for an effusion plate having one or more internal cooling channels. The manufacturing techniques may further include depositing a powder into a chamber, applying an energy source to the deposited powder, and consolidating the powder into a cross-sectional shape corresponding to the defined configuration. Such methods may be implemented to construct an effusion plate having one or more channels with a curved cross-sectional geometry.

Abstract: Various embodiments herein include utilities for generating embosser drums that are used to pre-format optical media such as optical tape with a pattern of nanostructures such as wobbled grooves. One utility includes generating a plurality of replicas from an embossing master, bonding the replicas together to form a bonded replica structure having a surface with the nanostructure pattern imprinted therein, creating a replica of the bonded replica structure and electroforming a metallic layer onto the bonded replica structure replica to create a single, one piece, metallic shim which can be used to create a weld-less embosser drum.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating an implantable medical devices such as stents made from biodegradable polymers are disclosed that reduce or minimize chain scission and monomer generation during processing steps. The method includes processing a poly(L-lactide) resin having an number average molecular weight between 150 to 200 kD in an extruder in a molten state. A poly(L-lactide) tube is formed from the processed resin and a stent is fabricated from the tube. The number average molecular weight of the poly(L-lactide) of the stent after sterilization is 70 to 100 kD.

Abstract: There is provided a structure having convex parts with an average height of 100 nm or more and 1000 nm or less, or concave parts with an average depth of 100 nm or more and 1000 nm or less on a surface thereof. The convex parts or the concave parts thereof are present at an average cycle of 50 nm or more and 400 nm or less in at least one direction. The structure is obtained by polymerizing a polymerizable composition containing a (meth)acrylate compound by light irradiation, electron beam irradiation and/or heating, the (meth)acrylate compound contains 53% by mass or more polyethylene glycol di(meth)acrylate based on the whole (meth)acrylate compound. The structure has a storage elastic modulus at 25° C. of 2 GPa or less and/or a storage elastic modulus at 180° C. of less than 0.5 GPa.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a heat pressed multi-layer fluoropolymer film or sheet having improved bonding strength to a polyolefin film or sheet and methods for preparing the same, and which methods comprise the steps of (i) providing a multi-layer fluoropolymer film or sheet comprising an oriented fluoropolymer film or sheet layer and an oriented polyester film or sheet layer that is laminated to the oriented fluoropolymer film or sheet layer, wherein the oriented fluoropolymer film or sheet layer is positioned to provide one of the two outer surface layers of the multi-layer fluoropolymer film or sheet, and wherein the oriented fluoropolymer film or sheet layer consists essentially of a fluoropolymer and the oriented polyester film or sheet layer consists essentially of a polyester: and (ii) heat pressing the multi-layer fluoropolymer film or sheet by a heat press means, wherein the heat press means is set at such conditions that the multi-layer fluoropolymer film or sheet receives a pressure of about 0.

Abstract: A method of fabricating electrical feedthroughs selectively removes substrate material from a first side of an electrically conductive substrate (e.g. a bio-compatible metal) to form an array :of electrically conductive posts in a substrate cavity. An electrically insulating material (e.g. a bio-compatible sealing glass) is then flowed to fill the substrate cavity and surround each post, and solidified. The solidified insulating material is then exposed from an opposite second side of the substrate so that each post is electrically isolated from each other as well as the bulk substrate. In this manner a hermetic electrically conductive feedthrough construction is formed having an array of electrical feedthroughs extending between the first and second sides of the substrate from which it was formed.

Abstract: A system for creating a substantially planar face in a substrate, the system including directing one or more beams at a first surface of a substrate to remove material from a first location, the beam being offset from a normal to the first surface by a curtaining angle; sweeping the one or more beams in a plane that is perpendicular to the first surface to mill one or more initial cuts, the initial cuts exposing a second surface that is substantially perpendicular to the first surface; rotating the substrate about an axis other than an axis normal to the first beam or parallel to the first beam; directing the first beam at the second surface to remove additional material from the substrate without changing the curtaining angle; and scanning the one or more beams in across the second surface to mill one or more finishing cuts.

Abstract: A method of preparing a fuel cell catalyst includes preparing a catalyst precursor solution by mixing a catalyst precursor and a solvent, and subjecting the catalyst precursor solution to radiation of electron beams having energy of less than or equal to 1 MeV. A method of preparing the fuel cell catalyst uses electron beams having low energy so that it can provide a desirable catalyst uniformly in a simple and economical process, as well as releasing few X-rays so that the catalyst can be mass produced.

Abstract: A method for forming microscopic 3D structures. In the method according to the invention a substrate (105) is placed in a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The SEM is equipped with a Gas Injection System (GIS) (110) for directing a jet of precursor fluid to the substrate. The substrate is cooled below the freezing point of the precursor gas so that a frozen layer of the precursor gas can be applied to the substrate. By now repeatedly applying a frozen layer of the precursor to the substrate and irradiate the frozen layer with an electron beam (102), a stack of frozen layers (130) is built, each layer showing an irradiated part (131) in which the precursor is converted to another material. After applying the last layer the temperature is raised so that the unprocessed precursor (132) can evaporate. As a result 3D structures with overhanging features can be built.

Abstract: In a method for producing a thermoplastic film having a three-dimensionally textured, embossed surface, the film is subjected prior to a subsequent shaping kind of processing step to electron-beam crosslinking, which differently crosslinks the individual surface-area regions of the film, so that the regions that undergo greater degrees of drawing out during deforming have different degrees of crosslinking than their neighboring regions.

Abstract: A method for making a carbon nanotube film includes the following steps. An original carbon nanotube film is provided and includes a number of carbon nanotubes substantially joined end-to-end by van der Waals force and oriented along a first direction. A patterned carbon nanotube film is formed and defines a number of through holes arranged in at least one row in the first direction, the through holes of the at least one row includes at least two spaced though holes. The patterned carbon nanotube film is treated with a solvent such that the patterned carbon nanotube film is shrunk into the carbon nanotube film includes a number of spaced carbon nanotube linear units and a number of carbon nanotube groups, and the carbon nanotube groups are joined with the carbon nanotube linear units by van der Waals force.

Abstract: A method for making a strip shaped graphene layer includes the following steps. First, a graphene film is located on a surface of a substrate is provided. Second, a carbon nanotube structure is disposed on the graphene film. The carbon nanotube film structure includes a number of carbon nanotubes and a number of strip-shaped gaps between the adjacent carbon nanotubes. Third, the graphene film exposed by the strip-shaped gaps is removed by an electron beam bombardment method.

Abstract: A scintillation crystal capable of emitting scintillation light can have a main body and a feature extending from the main body along a side of the scintillation crystal. The feature can have a dimension that is no greater than 2.5 times a wavelength of the scintillating light. In an embodiment, the feature and the main body can have substantially the same composition, and in a further embodiment the scintillation crystal can be interface free between the feature and the main body. The feature can be formed along the side of the scintillation crystal by removing portions of the scintillation crystal. In particular, the feature can be formed by abrading a surface of the scintillation crystal with an abrasive material.

Abstract: A card sheet including a top material having punched lines, the front side of the top material being printable. A carrier material of at least one polymer layer is directly applied as by extruding to the back side of the top material. The polymer has a stress-at-break in the range of 10 to 30 MPa and an elongation at break in the range of 10 to 120%. From the card sheet individual cards may be broken out to form high quality calling (business) cards, photograph cards, post cards or the like.

Abstract: A drawing apparatus which performs drawing on a substrate with a plurality of charged particle beams includes: a blanking device configured to individually blank the plurality of charged particle beams; a scanning deflector configured to deflect the plurality of charged particle beams to scan the plurality of charged particle beams on the substrate; and a controller configured to generate a periodic signal to control a periodic deflection operation of the plurality of charged particle beams by the scanning deflector. The controller is configured to adjust an amount of deflection of the plurality of charged particle beams by the scanning deflector in a period of the periodic signal so that a scanning speed of the plurality of charged particle beams becomes a target speed.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating an implantable medical devices such as stents made from biodegradable polymers are disclosed that reduce or minimize chain scission and monomer generation during processing steps. The method includes processing a poly(L-lactide) resin having an number average molecular weight between 150 to 200 kD in an extruder in a molten state. A poly(L-lactide) tube is formed from the processed resin and a stent is fabricated from the tube. The number average molecular weight of the poly(L-lactide) of the stent after sterilization is 70 to 100 kD.

Abstract: A method of electron-beam lithography by direct writing solves the reliability of design of etched components through rounding of the corners of contiguous patterns, notably in patterns to be etched of critical dimension of the order of 35 nm. The method determines critical patterns, and correction patterns by subtracting patterns of corrections of dimensions and of locations as a function of rounding of external or internal corners to be corrected and etching of the corrected design. The corrections may be by a correction model taking account of the parameters of the critical patterns. A correction of the proximity effects specific to these methods is also performed, by resizing of edges of blocks to be etched in combination optimized by the energy latitude with a modulation of the radiated doses. A rescaling and negation functions and eRIF functions may be used to optimize the parameters and the realization of the extrusion.