Prepregs, cores and composite articles are described that comprise lighter weight materials and/or lower amounts of adhesive than commonly used. In some instances, one or more components of the articles may comprise a repellent material or repellent treatment to reduce the overall absorption rate of adhesive into the components of the article.

This disclosure provides methods that render hydrophobic carbon fiber paper (CFP) hydrophilic for extended periods without damaging the carbon fibers that compose the CFP or the architecture of the network of those carbon fibers. The disclosure further provides hydrophilic CFP made by the inventive methods. The methods include sonicating the CFP in an aqueous surfactant solution followed by electrooxidizing the CFP in an aqueous electrolyte.

The present invention provides a technique enabling long-term preservation of a chlorous acid aqueous solution and novel application thereof. A sterilizing agent comprising an aqueous solution comprising chlorous acid (chlorous acid aqueous solution), which is used as a sterilizing agent, comprises a chlorous acid aqueous solution, metal hydroxide, and metal phosphate. Preferably, an agent in which potassium is the metal and/or pH is 3.5 or higher and less than 7.0 is prepared, whereby an unexpected long-term stabilizing effect was demonstrated. Further, the present invention provides: a sterilizing agent for preventing secondary contamination, comprising a chlorous acid aqueous solution, or an article impregnated with a chlorous acid aqueous solution for preventing secondary contamination; an article impregnated with a chlorous acid aqueous solution for sterilizing a floor surface; an agent for removing odor comprising a chlorous acid aqueous solution or an article impregnated with a chlorous acid aqueous solution for removing odor; and an agent for removing microbes adhering to the body, comprising a chlorous acid aqueous solution or an article impregnated with a chlorous acid aqueous solution for removing body adhering microbes.

Described are polymer particles or polymer fibers covalently bonded to N-chloroamines, N,N-dichloroamines, N-chloro sulfonamides or N,N-dichloro sulfonamides, for removing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from a space above a wound. The removal of said VOCs is believed to be primarily or predominantly by chemical reaction of the VOCs with the N-chloro or the N,N dichloro group as covalently attached to the polymer. In particular, the functionalized polymer particles or polymer fibers are part of a wound dressing and have the functionality to control, in particular reduce, odor emanating from wounds, without interacting with the wound. The described dressings can be advantageously used, in particular, in the treatment of chronic wounds or infected wounds.

Described are polymer particles or polymer fibers covalently bonded to N-chloroamines, N,N-dichloroamines, N-chloro sulfonamides or N,N-dichloro sulfonamides, for removing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from a space above a wound. The removal of said VOCs is believed to be primarily or predominantly by chemical reaction of the VOCs with the N-chloro or the N,N dichloro group as covalently attached to the polymer. In particular, the functionalized polymer particles or polymer fibers are part of a wound dressing and have the functionality to control, in particular reduce, odor emanating from wounds, without interacting with the wound. The described dressings can be advantageously used, in particular, in the treatment of chronic wounds or infected wounds.

Functionalized nanofiber yarns with increased hydrophilicity with more than doubled water absorption property are provided. Methods of treatment for producing such functionalized nanofiber yarns are also provided.

Functionalized nanofiber yarns with increased hydrophilicity with more than doubled water absorption property are provided. Methods of treatment for producing such functionalized nanofiber yarns are also provided.

In various embodiments, methods of treating a space to reduce a concentration of volatile organic compounds present in the space using chlorine dioxide are provided. A method can include application of aqueous and gaseous chlorine dioxide solutions within the space or to materials located within the space. Treatment of materials that emit volatile organic compounds with chlorine dioxide can reduce the emission rate or shorten the volatile organic compound emission cycle of the material. Soft surface substrates such as carpeting materials can be treated with chlorine dioxide to reduce volatile organic compound emission and/or to reduce the number of microorganisms present in the material.

In various embodiments, methods of treating a space to reduce a concentration of volatile organic compounds present in the space using chlorine dioxide are provided. A method can include application of aqueous and gaseous chlorine dioxide solutions within the space or to materials located within the space. Treatment of materials that emit volatile organic compounds with chlorine dioxide can reduce the emission rate or shorten the volatile organic compound emission cycle of the material. Soft surface substrates such as carpeting materials can be treated with chlorine dioxide to reduce volatile organic compound emission and/or to reduce the number of microorganisms present in the material.