A viscose fiber comprises a fiber body including a regenerated cellulosic material and a plurality of microcapsules dispersed in the regenerated cellulosic material. The regenerated cellulosic material is derived from an organic plant material and the plurality of microcapsules containing a phase change material has a transition temperature in the range of 0 C. to 100 C., the phase change material providing thermal regulation based on at least one of absorption and release of latent heat at the transition temperature.

Provided are a composite material capable of further enhancing property derived from carbon nanotubes adhered to carbon fibers, a prepreg, a carbon-fiber-reinforced molded article, and a method for manufacturing a composite material. There is provided a composite material including: carbon fibers; and a structure which includes a plurality of carbon nanotubes and has a network structure in which the carbon nanotubes are in direct contact with each other, and in which the carbon nanotubes adhered to surfaces of the carbon fibers directly adhere to the surfaces of the carbon fibers. The carbon nanotubes have a bent shape having a bent portion.

Micro-nano hybrid composites exhibiting desirable thermal conductivity levels due to the presence of specific ratios of graphite to graphene that have been found to reduce the overall thermal interface resistance. The composites are preferably epoxy matrix composites in some embodiments. Devices including the composites and methods of preparing the composites are also disclosed.

Herein is provided a fiber that includes a cladding material disposed along a longitudinal-axis fiber length and a plurality of discrete and disconnected high-stress domains that are disposed as a sequence along a longitudinal line parallel to the longitudinal fiber axis in at least a portion of the fiber length. Each high stress domain has an internal pressure of at least 0.1 GPa and comprises a material that is interior to and different than the fiber cladding material.

The present invention relates to carbon materials comprising carbon nanotubes, powders comprising carbon nanotubes and methods of making carbon nanotubes. In the methods of the present invention, the size and/or formation of floating catalyst particles is closely controlled. The resulting carbon nanotubes typically exhibit armchair chirality and typically have metallic properties. The carbon nanotubes produced by this method readily form bulk materials, which typically have a conductivity of at least 0.7?10.sup.6 Sm.sup.?1 in at least one direction. The invention has particular application to the manufacture of components such as electrical conductors. Suitable electrical conductors include wires (e.g. for electrical motors) and cables (e.g. for transmitting electrical power).

The disclosure describes composite fibers reinforced with inorganic nanostructures of high aspect ratio with homogeneous dispersion and alignment along the fiber axis and a process for producing said composite fibers.

A polymer fiber comprising a thermoplastic polymer and an inorganic filler, wherein the filler content, based on the polymer fiber, is more than about 10% by weight and the mean particle size (D.sub.50) of the filler is less than or equal to about 6 m. A textile fabric, especially nonwoven, produced from the polymer fiber.

Materials and methods is present for manufacturing fiber reinforced parts. A powder material comprising a matrix material of a size particular distribution comprising substantially oriented fiber of a predetermined length distribution and diameter (L/D). A manufactured part that has substantially randomly oriented fiber is provided using an energy delivery system and the powder material.

A process of producing a conducting material suitable for being filled in TSVs for LSI chip 3D package, etc. includes that a solution containing a monomer that provides a conducting polymer, anions, and metal ions such as Ag.sup.+ or Cu.sup.2+ is irradiated with ultraviolet radiation or light having the energy necessary for exciting electrons up to an energy level capable of reducing the metal ions to precipitate a conducting polymer/metal composite. This enables an electrical conductor of high electrical conductivity to be precipitated faster than could be achieved by conventional processes.

Materials and methods are presented for manufacturing fiber reinforced parts. A powder material comprising a matrix material of a particular particle size distribution comprising substantially oriented fiber of a predetermined length distribution and diameter (L/D). A manufactured part that has substantially randomly oriented fiber is provided using an energy delivery system and the powder material.