Abstract:
The present invention provides a process for preparing a polymer material filled composite element, comprising the steps of: i) providing a partially closed space, wherein a polyurethane foam is disposed at least at part of the periphery of the space to restrain the flow of the polymer material resin, and the polyurethane foam is formed by in situ application of a polyurethane composition and has an air flow value of greater than 1L/min as determined by ASTM D3574 test; ii) applying the polymer material resin into the space and curing the polymer material resin to form a polymer material that fills the space.
Abstract:
Membranes and methods for producing them are disclosed. The membranes (110) comprise a core layer (124) comprising a composite of alternating thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and barrier microlayers, and they comprise at least one cap layer (122,126) that is bonded to the core layer (124) or a structural layer (112,120). In some embodiments, at least the cap layer (122,126) comprises a polydiene polyol-based TPU. The membrane (110) may further comprise a rubber layer bonded to the cap layer (122,126).
Abstract:
A process for forming a sheet of thermoplastic material into a three-dimensional shape comprising at least one vertex, the process comprising the steps of (i) forming the sheet by means of a former having a profile such as to produce a first formed shape in the sheet, followed by (ii) positioning a male former within the first formed shape, the male former having a profile within the first formed shape comprising at least one vertex and (iii) raising the temperature of the first formed shape above that of forming in step (i), thereby causing the first formed shape to shrink back towards its original sheet form and thereby adopting the profile of the male former.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a sintered porous composite polymeric material and a method of making and using the same. The sintered composite polymeric material is made by sintering composite particles comprising a polytetrafluoroethylene component and a carbonaceous component, wherein the carbonaceous component is dispersed throughout the polytetrafluoroethylene component.
Abstract:
Embodiments of the present invention include photobioreactors with membranes to introduce carbon dioxide into media contained within film photobioreactors. Such membranes can also be used to remove dissolved oxygen from the media. In some embodiments, one or more membrane tubes are welded into a plastic film photobioreactor to make a one-piece reactor. According to some embodiments of the present invention, algae is grown in a photobioreactor using pressure, gas composition, and surface area along with sparging to control the pH in the photobioreactor.
Abstract:
A method of making a microporous breathable film wherein a precursor film made from at least one polymeric material and a filler is heated and stretched between a single pair of textured stretching rollers. A positioning bar is disposed between the stretching rollers and is adjustable relative to the stretching rollers to control the strain rate and stretching of the film. The stretching rollers can be operated such that line speeds exceed about 2,000 feet per minute (fpm) (609.6 meters per minute), and the resulting stretched film is uniformly breathable with Moisture Vapor Transmission Rates (MVTR) that can exceed about 10,000 grams per square meter per day.