The present disclosure relates to composite materials comprising a resin and at least one sheet that comprise optionally cellulose filaments (CF), fillers and optionally reinforcing fibers as well as methods for the preparation thereof. The methods comprise impregnating the sheets comprising the cellulose filaments, fillers and optionally the reinforcing fibers or a stack thereof with resin. The composite materials can optionally comprise at least one other sheet, the at least one other sheet being different from the at least one sheet and comprising fibers chosen from wood pulp, fiberglass, natural fibers and mixtures thereof. The sheet can also be in the form of a panel of a preform.

Ion exchange membranes materials according to the present disclosure exhibit improved conductivity at low and intermediate relative humidity without sacrificing mechanical strength. Polymers are provided that include a backbone with one or more aryl groups, a halocarbyl group, and a halocarbyl side chain attached to the backbone, wherein the halocarbyl side chain includes a halide separated from the backbone by a hydrocarbyl chain, a hydrocarbyl ring, or combinations thereof. The halide is substituted with a tertiary amine and halide anions are then exchanged with hydroxide anions. The polymers are then contacted with phosphoric acid, which is deprotonated by the hydroxide ions, forming anions which enhance interactions with adjacent quaternary ammonium groups and induce excess phosphoric acid molecules to cluster around those quaternary ammonium groups. The membranes exhibit negligible dopant leaching even at high relative humidity.

A method enabling a used superabsorbent polymer recovered from used absorbent, etc., to be readily and inexpensively recovered without using acids or alkalies. The used superabsorbent polymer is treated with an aqueous solution of a multivalent metal salt such as calcium chloride, etc., the superabsorbent polymer treated with the aqueous solution of a multivalent metal salt is treated with an aqueous solution of an alkali metal salt such as sodium chloride, etc., the superabsorbent polymer treated with the aqueous solution of an alkali metal salt is washed with water, and the superabsorbent polymer washed with water is then dried.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide: a structural material for structures which is capable of attaining reductions in working time and cost in production steps and of preventing an increase in weight; a fuel tank; a main wing; and an aircraft. A rib (11) as the structural material for structures is characterized by comprising a carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic wherein the reinforcement comprises carbon fibers and the matrix comprises a plastic, and the surface of the carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic was coated with a low-viscosity surface-protective material (18) having conductivity imparted thereto.

A cover window includes: a base film, and a coating layer positioned on the base film, and the coating layer includes a thermosetting coating layer and a photocurable coating layer. A display device includes: a display panel, and a cover window positioned on the display panel, and the cover window includes a base film, and a coating layer positioned on the base film, and the coating layer includes a thermosetting coating layer and a photocurable coating layer.

An improved a device and method for dispersion and simultaneous orientation of nanoparticles within a matrix is provided. A mixer having a shaft and a stator is provided. The shaft may have a rupture region and erosion region. Further, an orienter having an angled stationary plate and a moving plate are provided. The nanoparticles and the matrix are fed into the mixer. A rotational force is applied to the shaft to produce shearing forces. The shearing forces disperse and exfoliate the nanoparticles within the matrix. The dispersed mixture is outputted onto the moving plate. The moving plate is forced across the angled stationary plate to produce fully developed laminar shear flow. The fully developed laminar shear flow or the two-dimensional extensional drag flow orients the dispersed nanoparticles-matrix mixture.

Disclosed is a non-destructive universal method of functionalization of graphitic carbonaceous materials that enables their alignment, cross-linking, and effective integration into composite materials.

This invention provides a continuous process for the growth of vapor grown carbon fiber (VGCNT) reinforced continuous fiber preforms for the manufacture of articles with useful mechanical, electrical, and thermal characteristics. Continuous fiber preforms are treated with a catalyst or catalyst precursor and processed without vaporization of the preform to yield VGCNT produced in situ resulting in a highly entangled mass of VGCNT infused with the continuous fiber preform. The continuous process disclosed herein provides denser and more uniform carbon nanotubes and provides the opportunity to fine-tune the variables both within an individual preform and between different preforms depending on the characteristics of the carbon nanotubes desired. The resulting continuous fiber preforms are essentially endless and are high in volume fraction of VGCNT and exhibit high surface area useful for many applications. The invention also provides for composites made from the preforms.

Methods and systems for cleaning, coating and sealing leaks in existing pipes, in a single operation. A piping system can be cleaned in one pass by dry particulates forced and pulled by air throughout the piping system by a generator and a vacuum. Pipes can be protected from water corrosion, erosion and electrolysis, extending the life of pipes such as copper, steel, lead, brass, cast iron piping and composite materials. Coatings can be applied to pipes having diameters up to approximately 6″. Leak sealants of at least approximately 4 mils thick can cover insides of pipes, and can include novel mixtures of fillers and epoxy materials, and viscosity levels. A positive pressure can be maintained within the pipes during applications. Piping systems can be returned to service within approximately 96 hours.

The invention relates to a method of preparing expanded thermoplastic microspheres from thermally expandable thermoplastic microspheres comprising a polymer shell encapsulating a foaming agent, the method comprising heating the expandable microspheres within a flexible container (2) to effect expansion of said microspheres and withdrawing gas from said flexible container (2). The invention further relates to an expansion device for preparing such expanded thermoplastic microspheres.