An energy efficient film comprising of first and second substrate layers and microstructures positioned between the first and second substrates is provided. The microstructures are positioned between the first and second structures such that a vacuum environment is created between the first and second substrates. In one embodiment, the insulating film includes a first substrate, a second substrate, and a plurality of microstructures positioned between the first substrate and the second substrate, such that a vacuum environment is created between the first and second substrates and within each microstructure cell, individually. Preferably, the plurality of microstructures is a polygonal cellular network positioned between a first transparent substrate and a second transparent substrate. A gasket may be provided on one or both of the first or second substrates. The gasket may also be provided on outer edges of the first and/or the second substrate.

A sound attenuation apparatus includes a body and a stacked cavity structure. The structure includes a structure inlet formed in the top surface of the body; a passage extending from the structure inlet into the interior of the body to a base surface within the body; a first cavity with a first cavity inlet fluidly coupled to the passage and being formed by a first arm, a first side wall within the interior of the body, and the base surface; and a second cavity with a second cavity inlet fluidly coupled to the passage and being formed by a second arm, the first side wall, and the first arm. Each of the first and second arms extends from the first side wall and includes at least two arm segments oriented at different angles relative to the first side wall longitudinal axis.

A first aspect of the present invention is a constant force compression construct, comprising: (a) a plurality of compressible layers, each compressible layer comprising a plurality of interconnected flexible struts configured as a regular hexagonal lattice of repeating unit cells, with the layers spaced apart from one another, and with the unit cells of each layer aligned with one another; and (b) a plurality of beams interconnecting each of the compressible layers with each respective adjacent compressible layer to form a three-dimensional lattice having an upper portion, a lower portion, and a compressible region therebetween, with the repeating unit cells contained in the compressible region.

A sound attenuation apparatus includes a body and a stacked cavity structure. The structure includes a structure inlet formed in the top surface of the body; a passage extending from the structure inlet into the interior of the body to a base surface within the body; a first cavity with a first cavity inlet fluidly coupled to the passage and being formed by a first arm, a first side wall within the interior of the body, and the base surface; and a second cavity with a second cavity inlet fluidly coupled to the passage and being formed by a second arm, the first side wall, and the first arm. Each of the first and second arms extends from the first side wall and includes at least two arm segments oriented at different angles relative to the first side wall longitudinal axis.

A method for making a slip resistant mat can include assembling parts with predetermined geometries to form a mold that can be used for making slip resistant mats that have channels to account for moisture between the mat and the floor. The unique geometries of the parts which form the mold can be manufactured efficiently and with reduced costs. The mold of this invention can be used to make slip resistant mats with channels that can both dissipate water and offer a high degree of mat to floor surface contact.

A composite panel is constructed by preparing a panel assembly layup including a first prepreg layer having reinforcement material, a first layer of a resin formulation upon a first outer surface, and a second layer of the resin formulation upon an opposing outer surface, where the first layer is thinner than the second layer, and the first layer is presented toward a mold. The layup includes a core layer directly abutting the second layer. They layup includes a second prepreg layer having a first layer of the resin formulation upon a first outer surface, and a second layer of the resin formulation upon an opposing outer surface, where the first layer is thinner than the second layer, and the second layer directly abuts the core layer. The panel assembly is cured in the mold.

A first aspect of the present invention is a constant force compression construct, comprising: (a) a plurality of compressible layers, each compressible layer comprising a plurality of interconnected flexible struts configured as a regular hexagonal lattice of repeating unit cells, with the layers spaced apart from one another, and with the unit cells of each layer aligned with one another; and (b) a plurality of beams interconnecting each of the compressible layers with each respective adjacent compressible layer to form a three-dimensional lattice having an upper portion, a lower portion, and a compressible region therebetween, with the repeating unit cells contained in the compressible region.

A self supporting panel system used to fabricate ceilings, floors, walls, or roofs. The panel system is assembled from a plurality of panels, each having a core that is sandwiched between opposing plate members. In a preferred embodiment, the core of each panel includes a unifying material to enhance the load bearing capacity of the panel.

A self supporting panel system used to fabricate ceilings, floors, walls, or roofs. The panel system is assembled from a plurality of panels, each having a core that is sandwiched between opposing plate members. In a preferred embodiment, the core of each panel includes a unifying material to enhance the load bearing capacity of the panel.

A molded plastic core structure acceptable to numerous uses and characterized by high structural strength to weight ratio. The structure typically comprises a two-sided array of cell-like receptacles having inwardly sloping walls that form floors. Receptacles in one side are inverted relative to receptacles in the opposite side and are inter-nested between one another to minimize the volume of plastic used. The walls and floors can be circular, square or triangular in plan view. Where square or triangular, the walls include both major and minor wall sections alternatingly interspersed with one another. Two or more core structures can be joined to one another with the receptacles of one panel being aligned with the receptacles of the joined other panel to form closed, syntactic cells that give the resulting structure high enclosed volume to surface area and weight ratios.