A compact camera module that contains a generally planar base on which is mounted a lens barrel is provided. The base, barrel, or both are molded from a polymer composition that includes a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer and a plurality of mineral fibers (also known as “whisker”). The mineral fibers have a median width of from about 1 to about 35 micrometers and constitute from about 5 wt. % to about 60 wt. % of the polymer composition.

A multilayer encapsulation thin-film and a method and apparatus for preparing a multilayer encapsulation thin-film are provided. The multilayer encapsulation thin-film includes an inorganic thin film that includes a metal oxide, and an organic thin film that includes a polymer and is formed on the inorganic thin film, where the inorganic thin film and the organic thin film are alternately stacked in multiple layers.

A printed composite including a substrate layer having an upper substrate surface for printing; an ink layer having an upper ink surface and an opposed lower ink surface, the lower ink surface being disposed on the upper substrate surface; and a protective layer covering the upper ink surface is disclosed. During use, the protective layer prevents the ink layer from being damaged, such as removal or discoloration, as could otherwise happen by exposure to sunscreen location. A method for preparing the printed composite is also provided.

Method used to protect a thermoplastic polymer consisting of superposing a protective layer (I) comprising an acrylic copolymer comprising, by weight (the total making 100%): from 80 to 99.8% of methyl methacrylate (MMA), from 0 to 20% of at least one comonomer that can be copolymerized with MMA by a radicalar method, and from 0.2 to 10% of maleic anhydride or 15% of acrylic and/or methacrylic acid and possibly anhydride groups with a formula: ##STR00001##
in which R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 denote H or a methyl radical, a layer of at least one thermoplastic polymer (II), all these steps being performed in order by coextrusion, by hot compression or by multi-injection.

A compact camera module that contains a generally planar base on which is mounted a lens barrel is provided. The base, barrel, or both are molded from a polymer composition that includes a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer and a plurality of mineral fibers (also known as “whisker”). The mineral fibers have a median width of from about 1 to about 35 micrometers and constitute from about 5 wt. % to about 60 wt. % of the polymer composition.

A method for the construction of an improved tank base. A tank base is constructed for protection against accidental spills and/or leaks associated with a tank battery. The improved tank base comprises at least one part of a suitable substrate, which allows for the adhesion of an elastomer such as polyurea. Polyurea is preferably applied using a spray device which yields an average coverage of about 50-80 mils, and most preferably 60 mils. If more than one substrate is used, one or more substrates can be bound together with a fastening system. Once pressure is applied in the form of weight, the fastening system can be removed, resulting in an improved tank base having at least one seam and impervious to the fluid of the tank battery.

A thin self-supporting adhesive film is claimed that includes a first polyurethane and a solid surface-deactivated isocyanate.

The present invention provides methods for uniform growth of nanostructures such as nanotubes (e.g., carbon nanotubes) on the surface of a substrate, wherein the long axes of the nanostructures may be substantially aligned. The nanostructures may be further processed for use in various applications, such as composite materials. For example, a set of aligned nanostructures may be formed and transferred, either in bulk or to another surface, to another material to enhance the properties of the material. In some cases, the nanostructures may enhance the mechanical properties of a material, for example, providing mechanical reinforcement at an interface between two materials or plies. In some cases, the nanostructures may enhance thermal and/or electronic properties of a material. The present invention also provides systems and methods for growth of nanostructures, including batch processes and continuous processes.

A heat shield component includes a substrate, and a heat shield film arranged on the substrate. The heat shield film includes a first layer arranged on the substrate, including pores, and having a thermal conductivity of 0.3 W/(m.Math.K) or less and a volumetric specific heat of 1200 kJ/(m.sup.3.Math.K) or less, and a second layer arranged on the first layer to provide closed pores between the first layer and the second layer. The heat shield film has a surface roughness on a top surface which is 1.5 μm Ra or less. The heat shield component can achieve high heat-insulating properties and an improved effect of reducing the emission amount of hydrocarbon in an internal combustion engine, for example.

A multi-layered board includes: a middle conductive layer; a first dielectric layer that is disposed directly on a first surface of the middle conductive layer; a second dielectric layer that is disposed directly on a second surface of the middle conductive layer; a first outer surface conductive layer that is disposed directly on an outer side of the first dielectric layer; and a second outer surface conductive layer that is disposed directly on an outer side of the second dielectric layer. The first outer surface conductive layer serves as a first outer surface of the multi-layered board, and the second outer surface conductive layer serves as a second outer surface of the multi-layered board. The middle conductive layer is solidly formed over an entire planar direction of the multi-layered board. The first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer each independently have a thickness variation of 15% or less.