The invention relates to a multifilament yarn containing n filaments, wherein the filaments are obtained by spinning an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), said yarn having a tenacity (Ten) as expressed in cN/dtex of Ten(cN/dtex)=f×n.sup.−0.05×dpf.sup.−0.15, wherein Ten is at least 39 cN/dtex, n is at least 25, f is a factor of at least 58 and dpf is the dtex per filament.

A composite scaffold having a highly porous interior with increased surface area and void volume is surrounded by a flexible support structure that substantially maintains its three-dimensional shape under tension and provides mechanical reinforcement during repair or reconstruction of soft tissue while simultaneously facilitating regeneration of functional tissue.

Processes for making high-performance polyethylene multi-filament yarn are disclosed which include the steps of a) making a solution of ultra-high molar mass polyethylene in a solvent; b) spinning of the solution through a spinplate containing at least 5 spinholes into an air-gap to form fluid filaments, while applying a draw ratio DR.sub.fluid; c) cooling the fluid filaments to form solvent-containing gel filaments; d) removing at least partly the solvent from the filaments; and e) drawing the filaments in at least one step before, during and/or after said solvent removing, while applying a draw ratio DR.sub.solid of at least 4, wherein in step b) each spinhole comprises a contraction zone of specific dimension and a downstream zone of diameter Dn and length Dn with Ln/Dn of from 0 to at most 25, to result in a draw ratio DR.sub.fluid=DR.sub.sp*DR.sub.ag of at least 150, wherein DR.sub.sp is the draw ratio in the spinholes and DR.sub.ag is the draw ratio in the air-gap, with DR.sub.sp being greater than 1 and DR.sub.ag at least 1. High-performance polyethylene multifilament yarn, and semi-finished or end-use products containing said yarn, especially to ropes and ballistic-resistant composites, are also disclosed.

Exemplary embodiments provide systems, devices and methods for the fabrication of three-dimensional polymeric fibers having micron, submicron and nanometer dimensions, as well as methods of use of the polymeric fibers.

Various polymeric barrier compositions are described which when formed into films, are useful in reducing transmission of odors. The films can be incorporated into a wide range of products such as multilayer barrier films used in medical applications and particularly in ostomy appliances. In certain versions, the films include semi-crystalline cyclic olefin copolymers.

A thermal insulation product based on mineral wool, characterized in that the fibers have a micronaire of less than 10 1/min, preferably less than 7 1/min and especially between 3 and 6 1/min, and in that the material has a thermal conductivity of less than 31 mW/m.K, especially less than 30 mW/m.K. The parameters for obtaining this product are in particular the pressure of the burner, the rotation speed of the fiberizing spinner and the daily fiber output per spinner orifice.

Actuators (artificial muscles) comprising twist-spun nanofiber yarn or twist-inserted polymer fibers generate actuation when powered electrically, photonically, chemically, thermally, by absorption, or by other means. These artificial muscles utilize polymer fibers non-coiled or coiled yarns and can be either neat or comprising a guest. Devices comprising these artificial muscles are also described. In some embodiments, thermally-powered polymer fiber torsional actuator has a twisted, chain-oriented polymer fiber that has a first degree of twist at a first temperature and a second degree of twist at a second temperature in which the bias angles of the first degree and second degree of twist are substantially different.

The present invention provides a gallium nitride sintered body and a gallium nitride molded article which have high density and low oxygen content without using a special apparatus. According to the first embodiment, a gallium nitride sintered body, which is characterized by having density of 2.5 g/cm.sup.3 to less than 5.0 g/cm.sup.3 and an intensity ratio of the gallium oxide peak of the (002) plane to the gallium nitride peak of the (002) plane of less than 3%, which is determined by X-ray diffraction analysis, can be obtained. According to the second embodiment, a metal gallium-impregnated gallium nitride molded article, which is characterized by comprising a gallium nitride phase and a metal gallium phase that exist as separate phases and having a molar ratio, Ga/(Ga+N), of 55% to 80%, can be obtained.

A roof assembly comprising: a roof deck; a thermoplastic membrane covering the deck; and a fabric having disposed thereon expandable graphite.

The present invention relates to a method of obtaining a solid material based on a polymer having its cellobiose units exhibiting the following characteristics: at least some of the cellobiose units have at least one carboxylic acid function attached to the C.sub.6 carbon, the other C.sub.6 carbons having a primary alcohol function attached thereto; and at least some of the cellobiose units have at least one of the two rings open between the C.sub.2 and C.sub.3 carbons, the other C.sub.2 and C.sub.3 carbons forming a ring and having an alcohol function attached thereto. Such a material, advantageously a textile, may be used as a compress.