A multilayer ceramic capacitor is disclosed including a first external terminal disposed along a first end of the capacitor, a second external terminal disposed along a second end of the capacitor opposite the first end, an active electrode region containing alternating dielectric layers and active electrode layers, and a shield electrode region including at least two shield electrodes that are spaced apart by a shield layer gap in the longitudinal direction. The distance from the active electrode region to the shield electrode region may range from about 4% to about 20% of a thickness of the capacitor between a top surface and a bottom surface opposing the top surface. The shield layer gap may range from about 3% to about 60% of an external terminal gap between the first external terminal and second external terminal in the longitudinal direction on at least one of the top or bottom surfaces.

Described are very high molecular weight (e.g., over 2 million, such as 3-20 million g/mol) starch-based materials, and formulations including such, which can be spun in spunbond, melt blown, yarn, or similar processes. Even with such very high molecular weights, the formulations can be processed at commercial line speeds, with spinneret shear viscosities of 1000 sec.sup.−1, without onset of melt flow instability. The starch-based material can be blended with one or more thermoplastic materials having higher melt flow index value(s), which serve as a diluent and plasticizer, allowing the very viscous starch-based component to be spun under such conditions. The particular melt flow index characteristics of the thermoplastic diluent material can be selected based on what type of process is being used (e.g., spunbond, melt blown, yarn, etc.). The starch-based material may exhibit high shear sensitivity, strain hardening behavior, and/or very high critical shear stress (e.g., at least 125 kPa).

Process for ultrasonically bonding nonwoven webs comprising: providing a nonwoven web comprised of base fibers in an amount from 0 to 85 wt % and binder fibers in an amount from 15 to 100 wt %, based on the total weight of the nonwoven web; and ultrasonically bonding the nonwoven web to itself or another nonwoven web, wherein the binder fibers comprise cellulose ester fibers.

Described are very high molecular weight (e.g., over 2 million, such as 3-20 million g/mol) starch-based materials, and formulations including such, which can be spun in spunbond, melt blown, yarn, or similar processes. Even with such very high molecular weights, the formulations can be processed at commercial line speeds, with spinneret shear viscosities of 1000 sec.sup.−1, without onset of melt flow instability. The starch-based material can be blended with one or more thermoplastic materials having higher melt flow index value(s), which serve as a diluent and plasticizer, allowing the very viscous starch-based component to be spun under such conditions. The particular melt flow index characteristics of the thermoplastic diluent material can be selected based on what type of process is being used (e.g., spunbond, melt blown, yarn, etc.). The starch-based material may exhibit high shear sensitivity, strain hardening behavior, and/or very high critical shear stress (e.g., at least 125 kPa).

Absorbable composite medical devices such as surgical meshes and braided sutures, which display two or more absorption/biodegradation and breaking strength retention profiles and exhibit unique properties in different clinical settings, are made using combinations of at least two types of yarns having distinctly different physicochemical and biological properties and incorporate in the subject construct special designs to provide a range of unique properties as clinically useful implants.

Biodegradable layered composite comprising a first nonwoven biodegradable layer having a first and second major surface, the first nonwoven biodegradable layer comprising biodegradable polymeric melt-blown fibers, and a plurality of particles enmeshed in the biodegradable polymeric melt-blown fibers; and a biodegradable polymer film on at least a portion of the first major surface of the first nonwoven biodegradable layer. Biodegradable layered composite described herein can be used, for example, as biomulch for controlling weed growth and moisture.

Biodegradable layered composite comprising a first nonwoven biodegradable layer having a first and second major surface, the first nonwoven biodegradable layer comprising biodegradable polymeric melt-blown fibers, and a plurality of activated carbon particles enmeshed in the biodegradable polymeric melt-blown fibers. Biodegradable layered composite described herein can be used, for example, as a porous capture media for suspended nutrients in agricultural drainage.

In general, the present invention is related to biopolymer and biocomposite materials and structures, and methods of making and using the same. In some embodiments, the present invention is directed to oriented collagen based biocomposite materials and structures, and methods of making.

Described is a pouched product for oral use with a filling material and a saliva-permeable pouch. The pouch is made of a saliva-permeable packaging material that includes fibres and enclosing the filling material. The pouch has a first seal joining at least two plies of the packaging material. The at least two plies are interconnected in the first seal by inter-ply fibres, the inter-ply fibres being fibres which are present in at least two plies of the at least two plies.

A production process of mixed yarns and mixed yarns obtained from circular and or sustainable and or biodegradable textiles within any textile industry and or adapted in the machines within spinning mills. This makes possible a very large combination of different types of textile yarn mixtures and a wide range of weights of mixed sustainable and or biodegradable yarns, to meet and create new demands for sustainable and circular textile products. The process described for injection of compressed air is the combination and mixing of sustainable and circular and or biodegradable continuous filament yarns with biodegradable, and sustainable natural and/or artificial spun yarns, bringing technology to the products in line with the sustainability of the environment. This makes possible a definitive solution in ocean contamination by synthetic fibers and prevents much of the artificial textile fibers from fabrics and clothes, which release their cut fibers during industrial and domestic washing.