A network of microfibers are fabricated with a core-shell construction from sustainable materials, where the core includes a phase-change material, such as coconut oil, and the shell includes a biomass, such as cellulose. The microfibers are made via a wet-wet electrospinning process utilizing a coaxial spinneret with an inner conduit and an outer conduit. The biomass and the phase-change material are coaxially extruded into a coagulation bath including a mixture of ethanol and water. The collected microfibers exhibit a beaded structure of PCM aggregates and biomass connecting regions between the aggregates and are effective to aid in the thermoregulation of the immediate environment surrounding the network. The microfibers are suitable for use in a variety of sustainable products such as wearable thermoregulating textiles, wall/ceiling panels, insulation, packaging material, and more.

A multi-component fiber including at least first and second components. In some cases, at least a portion of the first component is opaque and microporous, and the second component is different from the first component. In some cases, at least a portion of the second component can be seen through at least a portion of the first component. A fiber having an opaque, microporous region and a see-through region of lower porosity is also disclosed. Fibrous webs including such fibers are also disclosed. In some cases, the fibrous web has at least one first region where first portions of the multiple fibers are opaque and microporous and at least one second region where second portions of the multiple fibers form a see-through region of lower porosity. Articles and laminates including the fibrous webs are disclosed. Methods of making the fibers, fibrous webs, and articles are also disclosed.

A multi-component fiber including at least first and second components. In some cases, at least a portion of the first component is opaque and microporous, and the second component is different from the first component. In some cases, at least a portion of the second component can be seen through at least a portion of the first component. A fiber having an opaque, microporous region and a see-through region of lower porosity is also disclosed. Fibrous webs including such fibers are also disclosed. In some cases, the fibrous web has at least one first region where first portions of the multiple fibers are opaque and microporous and at least one second region where second portions of the multiple fibers form a see-through region of lower porosity. Articles and laminates including the fibrous webs are disclosed. Methods of making the fibers, fibrous webs, and articles are also disclosed.

A bicomponent fiber comprises a core component formed from a rate-sensitive material; and a sheath component surrounding the core component, the sheath component being formed from a non-rate-sensitive polymer.

An electro-optic fiber including a conductive fiber, a layer of electro-optic medium on the conductive fiber, and a conductor on the layer of electro-optic medium. A method of making the electro-optic fiber including the steps of coating a conductive fiber with an electro-optic medium and applying a conductor to the electro-optic medium. The resulting fibers can be woven to create a color-changing material, such as a fabric.

An electro-optic fiber including a conductive fiber, a layer of electro-optic medium on the conductive fiber, and a conductor on the layer of electro-optic medium. A method of making the electro-optic fiber including the steps of coating a conductive fiber with an electro-optic medium and applying a conductor to the electro-optic medium. The resulting fibers can be woven to create a color-changing material, such as a fabric.

Provided is a flexible electromagnetic wave shielding material. An electromagnetic wave shielding material according to an embodiment of the present invention is implemented to include a conductive fiber web including a conductive composite fiber including a metal shell part covering an outside of a fiber part such that the conductive composite fiber forms multiple pores; and a first conductive component provided in at least some of the pores. The electromagnetic wave shielding material is so excellent in flexibility, elasticity, and creasing/recovery that the electromagnetic wave shielding material may be freely changed in shape, and can be brought in complete contact with a surface where the electromagnetic wave shielding material is intended to be disposed even if the surface has a curved shape such as an uneven portion or a stepped portion, thus exhibiting excellent electromagnetic wave shielding performance. Also, it is possible to prevent deterioration of the electromagnetic wave shielding performance even with various shape changes. Furthermore, even if parts are provided in a narrow area at a high density, the electromagnetic wave shielding material can be brought into complete contact with the mounted parts by overcoming a tight space between the parts and a stepped portion. Thus, the present invention can be easily employed for a light, thin, short, and small or flexible electronic device.

Provided is a flexible electromagnetic wave shielding material. An electromagnetic wave shielding material according to an embodiment of the present invention is implemented to include a conductive fiber web including a conductive composite fiber including a metal shell part covering an outside of a fiber part such that the conductive composite fiber forms multiple pores; and a first conductive component provided in at least some of the pores. The electromagnetic wave shielding material is so excellent in flexibility, elasticity, and creasing/recovery that the electromagnetic wave shielding material may be freely changed in shape, and can be brought in complete contact with a surface where the electromagnetic wave shielding material is intended to be disposed even if the surface has a curved shape such as an uneven portion or a stepped portion, thus exhibiting excellent electromagnetic wave shielding performance. Also, it is possible to prevent deterioration of the electromagnetic wave shielding performance even with various shape changes. Furthermore, even if parts are provided in a narrow area at a high density, the electromagnetic wave shielding material can be brought into complete contact with the mounted parts by overcoming a tight space between the parts and a stepped portion. Thus, the present invention can be easily employed for a light, thin, short, and small or flexible electronic device.

Examples herein include prosthetic valves, valve leaflets and related methods. In an example, a prosthetic valve is included having a plurality of leaflets. The leaflets can each have a root portion and an edge portion substantially opposite the root portion and movable relative to the root portion. The leaflets can include a fibrous matrix including polymeric fibers having an average diameter of about 10 nanometers to about 10 micrometers. A coating can surround the polymeric fibers within the fibrous matrix. The coating can have a thickness of about 3 to about 30 nanometers. The coating can be formed of a material selected from the group consisting of a metal oxide, a nitride, a carbide, a sulfide, or fluoride. In an example, a method of making a valve is included.

Other examples are also included herein.

Nanofiber spinning apparatuses and methods for making core-sheath materials using touch spinning are provided. The apparatus includes at least one rotating plate with an aperture through which a core yarn passes and at least one post contacting the rotating plate. A speed control device can be configured to control rotation of the rotating plate, and a dispensing device can be configured to dispense a nanofiber-forming material onto the post. To make a core-sheath yarn a core yarn is passed through an aperture in a rotating plate having at least one post. The post is contacted with a nanofiber-forming material the rotating plate is rotated to draw a fiber of nanofiber-forming material from the post to wrap the fiber around the core yarn.