The present invention relates to a meltblown nonwoven in the form of a sheet-like formation with a weight per unit area of 100 to 600 g/m.sup.2 and with a density of 5 to 50 kg/m.sup.3, wherein the meltblown nonwoven (10) has at least one spacer (12), extending at least on one of the surfaces thereof and/or at least partially in the direction of the thickness of the meltblown nonwoven (10) and arranged in such a way that the meltblown nonwoven (10) has a compressibility of less than 10% when a pressure of 50 Pa is applied to its surface.

The invention refers to a method for producing expanded polymer pellets, which comprises the following steps: melting a polymer comprising a polyamide; adding at least one blowing agent; expanding the melt through at least one die for producing an expanded polymer; and pelletizing the expanded polymer. The invention further concerns polymer pellets produced with the method as well as their use, e.g. for the production of cushioning elements for sports apparel, such as for producing soles or parts of soles of sports shoes. A further aspect of the invention concerns a method for the manufacture of molded components, comprising loading pellets of an expanded to polymer material into a mold, and connecting the pellets by providing heat energy, wherein the expanded polymer material of the pellets or beads comprises a chain extender. The molded components may be used in broad ranges of application.

A ceramic aerogel includes a porous framework including interconnected double-paned wall structures of a ceramic material, wherein each double-paned wall structure includes a pair of walls spaced apart by a gap.

Some embodiments include an exterior insulated finish wall assembly including an exterior panel member, an insert member, and a drainage channel. The exterior panel member includes a rigid insulative substrate and a base coat selectively disposed on the rigid insulative substrate. The rigid insulative substrate includes a body portion and a tail portion extending from the body portion. A recess is defined by a sloped surface and a back surface of the tail portion. The insert member is configured to be disposed within the recess. The insert member is sized and shaped to correspond to the recess. The insert member includes a rigid insulative substrate and a base coat selectively disposed on the rigid insulative substrate. The drainage channel is defined between the tail portion and the insert member.

A roof assembly, having: a roof deck; an insulation board assembly mounted onto the roof deck; and a roofing membrane adhered onto the insulation board assembly, wherein the insulation board assembly comprises: a foam insulation board, a woven top facer on a top side of the foam insulation board, and a woven bottom facer on a bottom side of the foam insulation board.

In some aspects, the present disclosure relates to switchable phase change material system (SPCMS). In some embodiments, dynamic, switchable phase change material systems allow building envelope assemblies to store energy from one side and release to the other side in order to reduce thermal loads and peak demands for both space heating and cooling. PCM layers can be coupled with thermal insulation layers to ensure heat does not transfer readily through the building envelope and thus increase thermal heating and cooling loads for the building. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a combination of rotatable members comprised of PCM and insulation are switchable in position such that layers with PCM are switched from one side to the other without the need to maintain the thermal insulation within a building envelope.

The invention relates to insulating composite materials comprising an inorganic aerogel and a melamine foam. The invention also relates to the production method of said materials, and to the use of same.

A thermally modulating roof system wherein a minority of climate space between an existing and new roof is occupied by a phase change material assembly. The system maintains an industry standard of no more than a distance of about 4 inches between the roofs while still incorporating a substantial capacity to modulate an otherwise rising temperature of a facility during the day. Unique methods of installing the system, utilizing it and circulating air through the system to enhance performance are detailed.

A method of bonding together surfaces of two or more elements. The method includes the steps of providing two or more elements, applying an adhesive to one or more of the surfaces to be bonded together before, during or after contacting the surfaces to be bonded together with each other, and curing the adhesive, wherein the adhesive comprises at least one hydrocolloid.

A grease duct assembly is employed in a commercial kitchen. The grease duct assembly includes multiple sections that are connected together and sealed. Each section includes a double wall construction that forms a central conduit and an annular space that extends between an inner wall and an outer wall. Shredded insulation is directed into the annular space and compressed therein.