Methods and apparatuses for producing a zoned and/or layered substrate are described. A method can include providing a first supply of fibers, providing a second supply of fibers, and providing a headbox. The headbox can include a machine direction, a cross-direction, and a first cross-directional divider that separates a first zone of the headbox from a second zone of the headbox in a cross-directional manner. The method can further include transferring the first supply of fibers and the second supply of fibers to the headbox. The method can also include transferring the first supply of fibers and the second supply of fibers through the headbox to provide the substrate.

A composite nonwoven sheet material includes pulp fibers, a reinforcement material and microfibers. The sheet material has one pulp-enriched first outer layer and one microfiber-enriched second outer layer, the reinforcement material is thereby interposed between the pulp-enriched first outer layer and the microfiber-enriched second outer layer and the pulp fibers and the microfibers penetrate the reinforcement material. Also disclosed is a process of producing such composite nonwoven sheet material and the use of such composite nonwoven sheet material.

A sound-absorbing thermal-insulating material (1) includes flame resistant organic fibers (2) and inorganic fibers (4) bonded to the flame resistant organic fibers (2). The flame resistant organic fibers (2) shrink and the inorganic fibers (4) are distorted, so that the flame resistant organic fibers (2) and the inorganic fibers (4) are entangled with one another and distend.

Filter media comprising a filtration layer comprising synthetic fibers (e.g., pleatable backer layer) and related components, systems, and methods associated herewith are provided. In some embodiments, the filtration layer comprising synthetic fibers may be a non-woven web comprising a blend of coarse and fine diameter fibers. The filtration layer comprising synthetic fibers may be designed to have desirable performance properties without compromising certain mechanical properties, such as the pleatability of the media. In some embodiments, a filter media, described herein, may comprise the filtration layer comprising synthetic fibers and an efficiency layer. Filter media, as described herein, may be particularly well-suited for applications that involve filtering air, though the media may also be used in other applications.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to synthetic tissue or organ scaffolds and methods and compositions for promoting or maintaining their structural integrity. Aspects of the disclosure are useful to prevent scaffold damage (e.g., delamination) during or after implantation into a host. Aspects of the disclosure are useful to stabilize tissue or organ scaffolds that include electrospun fibers.

An enzyme responsive shape memory polymer formed from a glassy, cross-linked shape memory polymer that incorporates ester bonds that are responsive to the present of an enzyme. PCL-based polyurethanes (featuring simple alternation of PCL diol and lysine-based diisocyanate) are degradable by Amano lipase PS. A non-degradable thermoplastic elastomer may be dual electrospun with a polycaprolactone based TPU with the fixing phase compressed so that the composite is ready for enzymatically triggered contraction. Alternatively, the elastomer may be a PCL copolymer-based polyurethane amorphous elastomer that is both degradable and elastomeric and put into compression so that upon enzymatic degradation of the elastomeric phase the scaffold expands.

Embodiments of the invention provide fiber mat facers, ceiling panels, and method of manufacturing the same. A fiber mat facer may include a non-woven web of fibers having a first group of fibers with an average fiber diameter from about 6 m to about 20 m and a second group of fibers with an average fiber diameter from about 0.5 m to about 5 m. The fiber mat facer may also include a binder to bond together the non-woven web of fibers into the fiber mat. The binder may include a water repellant additive. The binder and/or fiber mat facer may further include an additive that enhances the opacity of the fiber mat facer. The fiber mat facer may also include a paint applied to an outer surface of the facer. The paint may include an additive that enhances the visual appeal of the facer and/or ceiling panel.

A thermal insulation batt is created from recycled carpet fibers and fire resistant cotton shoddy bonded by staples of bi-component fiber having a polyester core and low melting polymeric sheath. The low melting polymeric sheath melts at a temperature well below the melting or degradation temperature of any of the carpet fibers from the recycled carpets. Since the sheath has a small thickness, the amount of melt created is small and bonding occurs only between the bi-component staple fiber and adjacent carpet fiber or fire resistant cotton shoddy without melt overflow. The rigidized thermal insulation batt can be used in a building between studs and may be used in an automobile door for sound proofing. This product is particularly well suited for use as acoustic and thermal insulation in buildings as non-load bearing partitions in interior offices of commercial buildings. This bonded low density composite fibrous structure has fire retarding constituents incorporated within the batt to retard propagation of building fire. These stated uses are non-limiting; and other uses are contemplated, including automobile interior structures.

The invention relates to a non-woven textile fabric of one or a combination of hemp, wool, cotton, cellulose and or other natural fibre, treated with a natural water proofing, air permeable and fungicide solution for geotextile fabrics. The geotextile fabric encourages a more fibrous root system within the plants root zone in the soil improving moisture and air movement while improving soil microbial life which assists with the plants fibrous root structure reducing soil erosion and improving plant survival. The fabric can be directly placed onto the ground and biodegrades over a period of years.

A hemp hurd-based nonwoven material comprising a portion of hemp hurd and a portion of at least one other material; wherein the material is a natural or synthetic fiber selected from the group consisting of: polyester, nylon, polyethylene, polypropylene, cotton, flax, jute, ramie, bicomponent fibers, wood pulp, and other fibrous materials; and wherein the nonwoven material comprises between 1% and 99% hemp hurd.