Methods and computer-readable mediums are provide that, in some embodiments maximize bending of an actuator and, in other embodiments, minimize bending of the actuator. For example, in one embodiment, a method is provided that acquires a first ratio of a modulus of inertia for a first component to a Young's Modulus for the first component. The method also acquires a second ratio of a modulus of inertia for a second component to a Young's Modulus for the second component. Thereafter, the method provides an actuator (which includes the first component and second component). The actuator has a cross-sectional shape such that the first ratio substantially equal to said second ratio. In various embodiments of the invention, the actuator is spun fibers formed into batting and used as insulation, or may form an active element of a thermostat.

A sea-island composite fiber includes island component fibers having a circumscribed circle diameter of 10 to 1000 nm, a circumscribed circle diameter variation of 1 to 20%, a non-circularity of 1.2 to 5.0, and a non-circularity variation of 1 to 10%.

A sea-island composite fiber includes island component fibers having a circumscribed circle diameter of 10 to 1000 nm, a circumscribed circle diameter variation of 1 to 20%, a non-circularity of 1.2 to 5.0, and a non-circularity variation of 1 to 10%.

A copper/ceramic bonded body includes: a copper member made of copper or a copper alloy; and a ceramic member made of a silicon nitride, wherein the copper member and the ceramic member are bonded to each other, a magnesium oxide layer is provided on a ceramic member side of a bonded interface between the copper member and the ceramic member, a Mg solid solution layer is provided between the magnesium oxide layer and the copper member and contains Mg in a state of a solid solution in a Cu primary phase, and a magnesium nitride phase is present on a magnesium oxide layer side of the Mg solid solution layer.

A method of creating a soft and lofty continuous fiber nonwoven web is provided. The method includes providing two molten polymer components having different melting temperatures to a spinneret defining a plurality of orifices, and flowing a fluid intermediate the spinneret and a moving porous member. The moving porous member is positioned below the spinneret. The method includes using the fluid to draw or push the two molten polymer components, in a direction that is toward the moving porous member, through at least some of the plurality of orifices to form a plurality of individual bi-component continuous fiber strands. The method includes depositing the continuous fiber strands on the moving porous member at a first location to create an intermediate continuous fiber nonwoven web, and removing and/or diverting some of the fluid proximate to the first location to maintain loft and softness in the deposited intermediate continuous fiber nonwoven web.

A method of creating a soft and lofty continuous fiber nonwoven web is provided. The method includes providing two molten polymer components having different melting temperatures to a spinneret defining a plurality of orifices, and flowing a fluid intermediate the spinneret and a moving porous member. The moving porous member is positioned below the spinneret. The method includes using the fluid to draw or push the two molten polymer components, in a direction that is toward the moving porous member, through at least some of the plurality of orifices to form a plurality of individual bi-component continuous fiber strands. The method includes depositing the continuous fiber strands on the moving porous member at a first location to create an intermediate continuous fiber nonwoven web, and removing and/or diverting some of the fluid proximate to the first location to maintain loft and softness in the deposited intermediate continuous fiber nonwoven web.

The present invention discloses a method for preparing a fiber with spatial structure, and the fiber prepared thereby and its use as well. In this method, the fiber is prepared through a wet spinning process, wherein a spinning solution prepared from low molecular weight polysaccharide based polyelectrolyte optionally with inert conductive material distributed therein, is injected through a syringe into a coagulation bath, which is formed by adding high molecular weight polysaccharide based polyelectrolyte into a coagulation tank. This method has the advantages such as simple equipment, low cost, good spinnability, and is applicable for large-scale production. The prepared fiber with spatial structure, especially the hollow multilayered fiber, has the controllable layers, cavities, and diameter, a high tensile strength, and an ultra-high specific surface area.

The present invention discloses a method for preparing a fiber with spatial structure, and the fiber prepared thereby and its use as well. In this method, the fiber is prepared through a wet spinning process, wherein a spinning solution prepared from low molecular weight polysaccharide based polyelectrolyte optionally with inert conductive material distributed therein, is injected through a syringe into a coagulation bath, which is formed by adding high molecular weight polysaccharide based polyelectrolyte into a coagulation tank. This method has the advantages such as simple equipment, low cost, good spinnability, and is applicable for large-scale production. The prepared fiber with spatial structure, especially the hollow multilayered fiber, has the controllable layers, cavities, and diameter, a high tensile strength, and an ultra-high specific surface area.

A process comprising forming fibers having at least a first region and a second region wherein the first region comprises an ethylene/alpha olefin interpolymer composition characterized by: density in the range of 0.930 to 0.965 g/cm.sup.3; melt index (I2) in the range of from 10 to 60 g/10 minutes; molecular weight distribution in the range of from 1.5 to 2.6; tan delta at 1 radian/second of at least 45; a low temperature peak and a high temperature peak on an elution profile via improved comonomer composition distribution (ICCD) procedure; and full width at half maximum of the high temperature peak is less than 6.0° C. and stretching the fibers to an elongation of at least 20% thereby increasing curl of the fiber. The process may further include forming a non-woven from the fibers and the stretching of the fibers may occur before or after forming of the non-woven.

A process comprising forming fibers having at least a first region and a second region wherein the first region comprises an ethylene/alpha olefin interpolymer composition characterized by: density in the range of 0.930 to 0.965 g/cm.sup.3; melt index (I2) in the range of from 10 to 60 g/10 minutes; molecular weight distribution in the range of from 1.5 to 2.6; tan delta at 1 radian/second of at least 45; a low temperature peak and a high temperature peak on an elution profile via improved comonomer composition distribution (ICCD) procedure; and full width at half maximum of the high temperature peak is less than 6.0° C. and stretching the fibers to an elongation of at least 20% thereby increasing curl of the fiber. The process may further include forming a non-woven from the fibers and the stretching of the fibers may occur before or after forming of the non-woven.