The glass-fiber-yarn joined body 1 is provided with glass fiber yarns 2, 3, and a connection 5 in which a resin yarn 4 is wound around ends of both of the glass fiber yarns 2, 3, the ends being superimposed with each other. The connection 5 has a width W.sub.1 of 20 to 40 mm. When a connection diameter R as a total of diameters of the respective glass fiber yarns 2, 3 and the thickness of the resin yarn 4 wound around the connection 5 is 500 to 5000 m and a mass of each of the glass fiber yarns 2, 3 is 200 to 6000 tex, a value of a ratio of mass of each of the glass fiber yarns 2, 3 relative to the connection diameter R is in the range of 0.32 to 2.00.

The glass-fiber-yarn joined body 1 is provided with glass fiber yarns 2, 3, and a connection 5 in which a resin yarn 4 is wound around ends of both of the glass fiber yarns 2, 3, the ends being superimposed with each other. The connection 5 has a width W.sub.1 of 20 to 40 mm. When a connection diameter R as a total of diameters of the respective glass fiber yarns 2, 3 and the thickness of the resin yarn 4 wound around the connection 5 is 500 to 5000 m and a mass of each of the glass fiber yarns 2, 3 is 200 to 6000 tex, a value of a ratio of mass of each of the glass fiber yarns 2, 3 relative to the connection diameter R is in the range of 0.32 to 2.00.

Described is a ribbon yarn made of multifilament yarns based on polyamide and/or polyester, wherein not more than 5 filaments overlie one another within the ribbon yarn, wherein the ribbon yarn is fixed by the formation of a matrix comprising one or more fixing agents, wherein the one or more fixing agents are selected from a group consisting of copolyamides, copolyesters, silicones, and mixtures or blends thereof.

Described is a ribbon yarn made of multifilament yarns based on polyamide and/or polyester, wherein not more than 5 filaments overlie one another within the ribbon yarn, wherein the ribbon yarn is fixed by the formation of a matrix comprising one or more fixing agents, wherein the one or more fixing agents are selected from a group consisting of copolyamides, copolyesters, silicones, and mixtures or blends thereof.

A method of generating a coiled actuator fiber that includes twisting a fiber to generate a twisted fiber; wrapping the twisted fiber around a core yarn or fiber to generate a coil in the twisted fiber, which generates a coiled twisted fiber; setting the coiled twisted fiber by heat or chemical treatment; and removing at least a portion of the core yarn or fiber to generate a coiled actuator fiber.

Nerve scaffolds are described that include a tubular outer housing fabricated from a biocompatible polymer, within which are disposed a plurality of carbon nanofiber yarns. The carbon nanofiber yarns, which can be separated by distances roughly corresponding to an average nerve fiber diameter, provide surfaces on which nerve fibers can regrow. Because the proximate carbon nanofiber yarns can support individual nerve fibers, a nerve can be regenerated with a reduced likelihood of undesirable outcomes, such as nerve pain or reduced nerve function.

Nerve scaffolds are described that include a tubular outer housing fabricated from a biocompatible polymer, within which are disposed a plurality of carbon nanofiber yarns. The carbon nanofiber yarns, which can be separated by distances roughly corresponding to an average nerve fiber diameter, provide surfaces on which nerve fibers can regrow. Because the proximate carbon nanofiber yarns can support individual nerve fibers, a nerve can be regenerated with a reduced likelihood of undesirable outcomes, such as nerve pain or reduced nerve function.

A dispenser is described for dispensing nanofiber yarns that includes a housing that defines an inlet, an outlet, and a chamber. A spool, around which is wound a length of nanofiber yarn, is disposed within the chamber defined by the housing. The nanofiber yarn is threaded from the chamber through the outlet and can be dispensed in a controlled way that reduces the likelihood of developing knots within the nanofiber yarn, and which facilitates convenient application of the yarn onto an underlying surface. In some cases, the dispenser can be used to concurrently dispense an adhesive or other polymer along with the nanofiber yarn.

Fabrication of a low-cost and miniaturized solid-contact thread-based ion sensing electrode (ISE) that is suitable for point-of-care applications is described. The fabrication process is simple and scalable. Different types of threads and a variety of different conductive ion-to-electron transducer inks can be used to fabricate the thread-based ISEs with Nernstian responses. Multiple thread-based sensors can be easily bundled with the reference electrode to fabricate a customized sensor for multiplexed ion-sensing in small sample volumes. The thread-based electrodes can be used in both single-use and reusable fashion. The thread-based multiplexed ion-sensor is used for detection of a wide array of ions in many different types of aqueous solutions.

The present invention relates to twisted yarn obtained by twisting a plurality of carbon fiber resins which are slit from a carbon fiber resin tape in which adhesive, alumina sol, and potassium persulfate permeate between a plurality of the carbon fibers spread flatly. An open yarn is obtained by S-twisting and Z-twisting covering yarn around the periphery of the twisted yarn. A carbon fiber covered twisted yarn is obtained by winding the twisted yarn around the periphery of a core material.