Slip-resistant laces for articles of dress, such as various types of footwear and clothing, and methods of making the same are provided. The slip-resistant laces include a first engagement portion and a second engagement portion. A silicone composition is applied to the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion by spraying the silicone composition from an aerosol can. A slip-resistant knot is formed by engaging the first engagement portion having the silicone composition with the second engagement portion having the silicone composition.

Polymeric coatings and methods of forming polymeric coatings are described. In a method of forming a polymeric coating a first layer is deposited on a substrate. The first layer includes at least one highly soluble diamine component. A second layer is formed on the substrate to contact the first layer. The second layer includes paraformaldehyde and an aromatic diamine including two primary amine groups. Once formed, the first and second layers are heated. Heating causes the components of the first and second layers to cure. For example, the paraformaldehyde from the second layer diffuses into the first layer and reacts via hemiaminal-type chemistry with the high soluble diamine component. The coatings may be substantially homogenous or comprise a compositional gradient in thickness or along the substrate plane depending on deposition methods and other processing parameters.

Steel cords have a stranded structure in which a plurality of sheath strands is intertwined around the outer circumferential surface of a core strand. The outer circumferential surface of the core strand is covered by a cushioning material made of nonwoven fabric or a resin film.

A method of treating a tubular medical device with a biomolecule comprises the steps of: a) providing a polyolefin tubular substrate forming a tubular medical device; b) cleaning the tubular polyolefin substrate; c) exposing the tubular polyolefin substrate to a reactive gas containing at least one of acrylic acid and siloxane and to plasma energy to yield a plasma-deposited coating on at least one surface of the tubular polyolefin substrate; and d) attaching a biomolecule to the polyolefin substrate following formation of the plasma-deposited coating on at least one surface of the tubular polyolefin substrate, and wherein the biomolecule is at least one of an antibacterial agent, antimicrobial agent, anticoagulant, heparin, antithrombotic agent, platelet agent, anti-inflammatory, enzyme, catalyst, hormone, growth factor, drug, vitamin, antibody, antigen, protein, nucleic acid, dye, a DNA segment, an RNA segment, protein, and peptide.

Compositions including a filler, an emissivity agent, a crosslinking facilitator, and a metal silicate binder are disclosed. The compositions can be curable at ambient conditions. Methods of coating overhead conductor and power transmission line accessories with such coating compositions are also disclosed.

Provided are methods for extending the life of in-service electrical cable having polymeric insulation, comprising injecting into the cable a dielectric gel formulation containing: (a) SiH endblocked polydiorganosiloxane (H(R.sub.2SiO).sub.x(R.sub.2Si)H); (b) polydiorganosiloxane endblocked with unsaturated carbon-carbon functionality; (c) hydrosilylation catalyst suitable to cure (a) and (b); and (d) at least one organoalkoxysilane functional additive (e.g., anti-oxidant-based alkoxysilane, voltage stabilizer-based alkoxysilane, hindered amine light stabilizer (HALS)-based alkoxylsilane, UV absorber-based alkoxysilane, etc.), wherein (a) and (b) are cured post-injection into a non-flowable gel, and wherein (d) diffuses into the insulation. The methods may further comprise a hydrolysis/condensation catalyst compatible with the hydrosilylation catalyst so as not to interfere with the cure of (a), (b) and (c), and/or be compatible with optional siloxane crosslinkers, and/or with optional hydrosilylation inhibitors.

A composite fiber may include at least one reinforcing filament formed of a first material. A second material maybe systematically deposited in a printed onto the at least one reinforcing filament such that at least one of a length, a width, and a thickness of the second material varies across a surface of the at least one reinforcing filament. The printed pattern may alter one or more properties of a composite structure containing the composite fiber.

An applicator for coating metal wire with resin, an associated method for coating resin on metal wire, and an installation containing the applicator while using the method. The apparatus that contains an applicator for applying an resin solution and a wiping section, wherein the distance between these two can be adjusted as well as the length of the wiping section. The applicator applies a surplus of resin solution, while the wiping section calibrates this to the desired amount in order to obtain the final amount of dried resin on the wire. Both applicator and wiping section are contained in an encasement with provisions to recuperate evaporated solvent thereby reducing harmful emissions. In the associated method the resin to solvent ratio is used to steer to the final amount.

A method for rejuvenating a strand-blocked cable having a conductor comprised of a plurality of conductor strands with interstitial volume therebetween blocked by a PIB based strand-block mastic, the conductor being surrounded by a polymeric cable insulation. The method including pre-injection of compressed gas into the conductor strands of the cable at a pressure less than the elastic limit of the cable insulation, and injection of a rejuvenation fluid into the conductor strands of the cable at a pressure less than the elastic limit of the cable insulation.

Compositions including a filler, an emissivity agent, a crosslinking facilitator, and a metal silicate binder are disclosed. The compositions can be curable at ambient conditions. Methods of coating overhead conductor and power transmission line accessories with such coating compositions are also disclosed.