In some embodiments, the present invention is directed to an actuator which includes at least the following: a pre-stretched electro-active polymer film being pre-stretched in a single or biaxial planar directions; at least one first semi-stiff conductor attached to a first surface of the pre-stretched electro-active polymer film, wherein the first surface is parallel to the single or biaxial planar stretch directions; at least one second semi-stiff conductor attached to a second surface of the pre-stretched electro-active polymer film, wherein the second surface is opposite to the first surface; where the semi-stiff conductors are configured to: fix the pre-stretched electro-active polymer film in a pre-stretched state and allow the pre-stretched electro-active polymer film to expand; a pair of mechanical connectors coupled to each end of an active region of the pre-stretched electro-active polymer film.

The present disclosure describes multi-fluid kits for three-dimensional printing, three-dimensional printing kits, and methods of making three-dimensional printed objects. In one example, a multi-fluid kit for three-dimensional printing can include a fusing agent and a tinted anti-coalescing agent. The fusing agent can include water and an electromagnetic radiation absorber that absorbs radiation energy and converts the radiation energy to heat. The tinted anti-coalescing agent can include an aqueous liquid vehicle, a colored dye dissolved in the aqueous liquid vehicle, and an organosilane. The organosilane can have a central silicon atom covalently coupled to multiple hydrolysable groups and to an organic group by covalent bonding to a carbon atom in the organic group, wherein the organic group is not susceptible to hydrolysis.

This method for manufacturing a light absorber includes: a first step for irradiating a resin substrate with ion beams; a second step for etching the irradiated resin substrate with an alkaline solution to form an uneven surface on the surface thereof; a third step for forming a transfer body which covers the uneven surface of the etched resin substrate; and a fourth step for peeling off the transfer body from the resin substrate to obtain a light absorber. A metal film, a photocurable resin, and a silicone rubber are disclosed as an example of the transfer body.

The present invention relates to a method and a structure for attaching nonslip members to both sides of a sock, in which nonslip members having a variety of patterns may be firmly attached to an inner side and an outer side of a sock, which need a nonslip member, using a mold, the nonslip member includes air holes to be smoothly ventilated, and a size of the nonslip member is adequately adjusted according to a thickness and an area of the mold.

A device (e.g., an article of athletic gear) comprising a post-molded expandable component, which is a part of the device that is configured to be expanded or has been expanded after being molded. This may allow the post-molded expandable component to have enhanced characteristics (e.g., be more shock-absorbent, lighter, etc.), to be cost-effectively manufactured (e.g., by using less material and/or making it in various sizes), and/or to be customized for a user (e.g., by custom-fitting it to the user).

A system and method for forming a seal member onto a substrate from a material is disclosed. The system includes a mold comprising an ultraviolet transmissible material, the mold having a first portion and a second portion operatively coupled to the first portion, the first portion having a first cavity, a second cavity, and a channel extending from an outer surface of the mold to the second cavity. The first cavity has a first shape that is complementary to a first side of the substrate and the second cavity has a second shape that is complementary to the seal member. The system also includes an applicator in fluid communication with the channel, where the applicator is configured to provide the material to the second cavity through the channel, and an ultraviolet irradiation device configured to irradiate the mold with ultraviolet light to cure the material when the material is provided to the second cavity, such that the seal member is formed on the substrate.

A three-dimensional (3D) printing methodology is disclosed for freeform fabrication of hydrophobic structures without the use of printed support structures. The build material is directly printed in and supported by a fumed silica-containing yield-stress support bath to form an intermediate article in the support bath material. The intermediate article may be liquid or only partially solidified after being printed into the support bath material. The intermediate article is then heated or irradiated with ultraviolet radiation to initiate cross-linking to solidify the printed intermediate article, forming a finished article.

A support member for use in a sealing assembly of a patient interface device for delivering a flow of a breathing gas to the airway of a patient. The support member includes: a first end structured to be coupled to a frame member of the patent interface device; a second end structured to sealingly engage the face of a patient or to underlie a sealing flap which is structured to sealingly engage the face of a patient; and a sidewall which extends between the first end and the second end. The sidewall is formed from a plurality of beads of material.

A durable superomniphobic device is presented where the polymeric device has a surface that includes doubly re-entrant micropillars residing within pockets that are partitioned within a matrix of interconnected doubly re-entrant walls. The doubly re-entrant matrix can be in a pattern where walls that are equal to or greater in height to the micropillars intersect or otherwise contact to provide protection to the more fragile micropillars. These durable superomniphobic devices can be formed by injection molding and can repel liquids having a surface tension of about 18 to about 98 mN m.sup.−1 and display liquid contact angle of greater than or equal to 150°.

A method for producing a thermally conductive sheet S includes a step of obtaining a thermally conductive composition by mixing a reactive liquid resin, which forms a rubbery or gelatinous matrix when crosslinked, a volatile liquid having a boiling point 10° C. or more higher than a curing temperature of the reactive liquid resin, and a thermally conductive filler; a step of forming a molded body by crosslinking and curing the reactive liquid resin at a temperature 10° C. or more lower than the boiling point of the volatile liquid; and a step of evaporating the volatile liquid by heating the molded body, in which these steps are performed sequentially.