A composite fabric having self-regulating Infrared emissivity includes meta fibers formed with optical nanostructures and an environment (temperature and/or moisture) responsive mechanism configured to adjust a relative disposition between the optical structures to control the electromagnetic coupling therebetween, thus regulating the infrared emissivity of the composite fabric to maintain a user of the fabric in a temperature/moisture comfort zone. The environment responsive mechanism may include a temperature responsive polymer layer on the fiber capable of expansion/shrinkage depending on the applied temperature, or a moisture responsive fiber changing its shape depending on the moisture level to affect spacing between the optical nanostructures.

A composite fabric having self-regulating Infrared emissivity includes meta fibers formed with optical nanostructures and an environment (temperature and/or moisture) responsive mechanism configured to adjust a relative disposition between the optical structures to control the electromagnetic coupling therebetween, thus regulating the infrared emissivity of the composite fabric to maintain a user of the fabric in a temperature/moisture comfort zone. The environment responsive mechanism may include a temperature responsive polymer layer on the fiber capable of expansion/shrinkage depending on the applied temperature, or a moisture responsive fiber changing its shape depending on the moisture level to affect spacing between the optical nanostructures.

Provided is a water repellent composition which does not use a fluorine-containing monomer, especially a fluoroalkyl group-containing monomer. A water repellent composition which contains (1) (a) a polymer which has a repeating unit derived from an amide group-containing monomer that is represented by formula:

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(wherein R1 represents an organic residue having an ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable group; R2 represents a hydrocarbon group having 7-30 carbon atoms; and R3 represents a hydrocarbon group having 1-5 carbon atoms) in an amount of 2-100% by weight relative to the polymer, and (2) a liquid medium.

Provided is a water repellent composition which does not use a fluorine-containing monomer, especially a fluoroalkyl group-containing monomer. A water repellent composition which contains (1) (a) a polymer which has a repeating unit derived from an amide group-containing monomer that is represented by formula:

##STR00001##

(wherein R1 represents an organic residue having an ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable group; R2 represents a hydrocarbon group having 7-30 carbon atoms; and R3 represents a hydrocarbon group having 1-5 carbon atoms) in an amount of 2-100% by weight relative to the polymer, and (2) a liquid medium.

Some embodiments of the invention include an article of manufacture that is self-sealing, and a method of preparing the article of manufacture. The article of manufacture includes at one or more base layers with a plurality of overlapping strands, and at least one polymer coating layer at least partially covering at least some portions of at least some strands of at least a portion of the base layer. The polymer coating layer can swell by absorbing at least one target substance. A plurality of voids is distributed between at least some of the overlapping strands, where upon swelling by a target substance, at least some of the voids reversibly reduce in size or partially close, or completely seal.

Some embodiments of the invention include an article of manufacture that is self-sealing, and a method of preparing the article of manufacture. The article of manufacture includes at one or more base layers with a plurality of overlapping strands, and at least one polymer coating layer at least partially covering at least some portions of at least some strands of at least a portion of the base layer. The polymer coating layer can swell by absorbing at least one target substance. A plurality of voids is distributed between at least some of the overlapping strands, where upon swelling by a target substance, at least some of the voids reversibly reduce in size or partially close, or completely seal.

Systems and methods for automated manufacturing of flexible goods and related technologies are disclosed. A workpiece can be processed to temporarily change its physical properties for facilitating handling and assembly operations. The system can include one or more automated handling apparatuses for transporting workpieces between workstations. Each workstation can perform a different stage of the manufacturing process. After the goods have been manufactured, the goods can be processed such that is returns to its original physical properties.

Described are moisture responsive materials. The materials may have tunable moisture permeability. A material may be a substrate that includes apertures. The apertures are configured to open or close depending on the humidity environment to which the substrate is exposed. The apertures have at least two regions of polymer gel, which may have different amounts of crosslinking. The apertures may be formed from at least two polymer gels having at least two different crosslinker loadings. The materials may be used in articles of manufacture. For example, the materials are used in wearable articles, outdoor articles, medical articles, packaging articles, building articles, filtration/separation articles, and the like.

The aim of the invention is to improve the method for washing textiles by improving the primary detergent power of detergents and cleaning products, in particular with respect to soiling containing oil and/or grease. For this purpose, polymers having N,N-diallylamine-derived sulfobetaine units are incorporated into the products.

The aim of the invention is to improve the method for washing textiles by improving the primary detergent power of detergents and cleaning products, in particular with respect to soiling containing oil and/or grease. For this purpose, polymers having N,N-diallylamine-derived sulfobetaine units are incorporated into the products.