Magnetic nanocomposites are disclosed with aligned, rod-shaped, rare-earth-free and Pt-free metal domains in a rigid, non-metallic matrix. In some variations, the invention provides a magnetic nanocomposite comprising metallic nanorods dispersed within a continuous and rigid non-metallic matrix. The nanorods have an average nanorod length-to-width ratio of at least 2. The nanorods are alignable and may be aligned in one axial direction with magnetic or mechanical forces. Some variations provide a method of forming a magnetic nanocomposite, comprising: dispersing metal oxide nanorods into a hardenable non-metallic material; thermally or chemically reducing the metal oxide nanorods to form magnetic metallic nanorods; aligning nanorods in one axial direction within the hardenable non-metallic material; and hardening the non-metallic material to form a continuous and rigid non-metallic matrix containing the metallic nanorods.

A method of making a foamed article comprises (a) injection molding a molten thermoplastic elastomer to form an precursor; (b) crosslinking the thermoplastic elastomer; (c) heating the thermoplastic elastomer to a first temperature to soften the thermoplastic elastomer; (d) infusing the thermoplastic elastomer with at least one inert gas at a first pressure that is sufficient to cause the at least one inert gas to permeate into the softened thermoplastic elastomer; and (e) while the article is softened, reducing the pressure to a second pressure below the first pressure to at least partially foam the precursor into a foamed article, wherein the foamed article is substantially the same shape as the precursor.

A method for molding fiber-reinforced plastic. A core is formed in a desired shape by accommodating, in a flexible bag, a grain group containing plurality of grains. The core is placed inside a prepreg containing resin and fibers, and the prepreg, in which the core is housed is placed in a molding die and compression molded. When doing so, the grain group contains first and second grains (a,b) that satisfy the equation (1). (1) 1.1(Da/Db)2.0 In the equation Da is the grain diameter of the grains (a), and Db is the grain diameter of the grain (b). When using a molding die to mold a molded article having a cavity, the above mentioned molding method enables an increase in the internal pressure of the core in order to change the peripheral surface area of the core, without using a pressurized gas and/or pressurized liquid.

A method for manufacturing a permanent magnet includes preparing a plurality of permanent magnet blocks having the same size, spacing and arranging the plurality of permanent magnet blocks in a lower mold Having an opened upper side, pressing a side of the lower mold while circulating adhesive in the lower mold and integrating the plurality of permanent magnet blocks such that the adhesive is evenly applied to surface of each of the permanent magnet blocks, thereby forming a permanent magnet assembly and hardening the adhesive by heating the permanent magnet assembly.

A method and system reprocess soiled animal bedding material commingled with animal manure. In one aspect the soiled animal bedding material is separated in a shaker to send at least a preponderance of said manure to a holding tank. In another aspect the bedding is cleaned, rinsed and color is restored. Said bedding material is subsequently dried and a bedding product, fertilizer product, and/or compacted product is formed. Alternatively, said bedding material is dried (without a compacting step) to form a product. In another aspect, the steps of separation, cleaning, rinsing and/or color restoration may be omitted.

An apparatus for manufacturing a battery cell includes a body portion having rigidity; and a molded groove configured to allow at least a portion of the sealing portion of the battery cell to be inserted and passed therethrough, and the molded groove penetrates through the body portion in a first direction, and a shape of the molded groove is changed in the first direction.

An apparatus for molding a pouch includes: a die assembly with a die; a stripper assembly to press and fix both sides of a pouch film disposed on the die; and a punch assembly with a punch to mold an electrode assembly accommodation part in the pouch film. The stripper assembly includes: a stripper disposed at a punch assembly lower portion to press and fix the pouch film; a stripper driving piece at a punch assembly upper portion to provide force so that the stripper presses the pouch film; and a connection part to connect the stripper driving piece to the stripper to transmit the force. The connection part includes: two or more connection rods coupled to the stripper; a connection bar coupled to the stripper driving piece; and a connection piece to connect one or more of the connection rods to the connection bar to transmit the force.

A method of making a foamed article comprises (a) injection molding a molten thermoplastic elastomer to form a precursor; (b) crosslinking the thermoplastic elastomer; (c) heating the thermoplastic elastomer to a first temperature to soften the thermoplastic elastomer; (d) infusing the thermoplastic elastomer with at least one inert gas at a first pressure that is sufficient to cause the at least one inert gas to permeate into the softened thermoplastic elastomer; and (e) while the article is softened, reducing the pressure to a second pressure below the first pressure to at least partially foam the precursor into a foamed article, wherein the foamed article is substantially the same shape as the precursor.

A system for additively manufacturing a composite part comprises a delivery guide, movable relative to a surface. The delivery guide is configured to deposit at least a segment of a continuous flexible line along a print path. The continuous flexible line comprises a non-resin component and a thermosetting-resin component. The thermosetting-resin component comprises a first part and a second part. The non-resin component comprises a first element and a second element. The system further comprises a first resin-part applicator, configured to apply the first part to the first element, and a second resin-part applicator, configured to apply the second part to the second element. The system also comprises a feed mechanism, configured to pull the first element through the first resin-part applicator, to pull the second element through the second resin-part applicator, and to push the continuous flexible line out of the delivery guide.

Additive manufacturing methods and apparatus are described for the direct, automated, tooling-less fabrication of composite parts with complex shapes such as fiber-reinforced composite parts with isotropic properties. In some embodiments, fibers parallel to one axis (e.g. Z) are provided initially (e.g., as a preform) and layers are fabricated by selectively curing a resin around these fibers while adding other fibers with other orientations. In some embodiments, fibers are rendered substantially transparent by immersing them in a refractive index matching liquid, thus allowing selective curing of a resin in the presence of the fibers.