A method of cutting a wafer of composite core from a bulk composite core includes stabilizing the bulk composite core with a fixture, the bulk composite core having a plurality of tube members. The method also includes cutting through each of the tube members to create the wafer while the bulk composite core is stabilized by the fixture.

A layered composite includes an insulation sheet and at least one scrim layer secured thereto. The at least one scrim layer may be embedded within the thickness of the insulation sheet, or bonded to a corresponding face of the insulation sheet, and have a tensile strength greater than that of the insulation sheet. As such, the scrim layer provides structural support to the insulation sheet as well as a trap for fibers or particles that may separate from the insulation sheet.

Embodiments of mattress systems comprise a mattress base, a multifunctional foam layer having a substantially planar top side and a non-planar bottom side contacting a top side of the mattress base, and wherein at least one air passage is present in spacing formed between the top side of the mattress base and the non-planar bottom side of the multifunctional foam layer, and a thermo-regulating gel layer affixed to at least a portion of the top side of the multifunctional foam layer.

A method allows for rapid manufacture of relatively thick adhesive coatings using a continuous process, where a single thin coating is continuously converted into a single thicker adhesive laminate. An exemplary process includes the steps of: (1) producing a web having a first surface with an adhesive layer and a second surface with a release liner; (2) slitting the web longitudinally into a first section and a second section; (3) laminating a backing film to the adhesive layer of the first section; (4) removing the release liner of the laminate of step (3) exposing the adhesive layer of the first section; and (5) laminating the second section to the laminate of step (4), wherein the adhesive layer of the laminate of step (4) is combined with the adhesive layer of the second section.

Internally reinforced structural composites, suitable uses for such composites, and associated methods of manufacturing are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method of making a reinforced structural component includes forming a precursor having a crystal structure with a plurality of lattice layers and exfoliating the precursor. As a result, a distance between adjacent pairs of the plurality of lattice layers is expanded. The method also includes wrapping the exfoliated precursor with a surface support material around at least a portion of a circumference of the individual lattice layers in the exfoliated precursor.

A bamboo composite material for structural applications and method of fabricating the same are provided. The method can comprise the steps of providing a bamboo culm; separating a slice or sheet from the bamboo culm such that the slice or sheet has a longitudinal axis along a fiber direction of the bamboo culm; at least partially detaching individual fiber bundles of the slice or sheet from each other along the longitudinal axis of the slice or sheet; applying a glue to the slice or sheet; and curing the glued slice or sheet.

A novel method of making a crystal block array (configured for coupling with photodetectors as part of an integrated detector module useful in advanced PET scanner systems) is disclosed herein. The novel method comprises a series of cutting, polishing, and assembling steps that utilize reflective sheet material. The crystal block arrays disclosed herein may be of various dimensions and geometries and are amenable to mass production.

A novel method of making a crystal block array (configured for coupling with photodetectors as part of an integrated detector module useful in advanced PET scanner systems) is disclosed herein. The novel method comprises a series of cutting, polishing, and assembling steps that utilize reflective sheet material. The crystal block arrays disclosed herein may be of various dimensions and geometries and are amenable to mass production.

A flexible packaging laminate is formed to have a built-in opening and reclose feature by forming the laminate as a two-part structure having an outer structure joined in face-to-face relation with an inner structure. Score lines are formed in both structures to enable an opening to be formed through the laminate by lifting an opening portion (e.g., a flap or the like) of the two structures out of the plane of the laminate. The score line through the outer structure defines a larger opening than the score line through the inner structure, such that a marginal region of the outer structure extends beyond the edge of the opening portion of the inner structure. A pressure-sensitive adhesive is used to re-adhere the marginal region to an underlying surface of the inner structure adjacent the opening through the laminate.