In embodiments, a flexible mat forming system includes a rotating drum having a plurality of mold cavities; a hopper that receives a hardenable paste and deposits the hardenable paste into the mold cavities as the drum rotates relative to the hopper; and a sheet of mesh material that is fed between the hopper and the mold cavities facing the hopper. The hopper includes a plurality of side walls and a bottom panel having an opening, wherein the plurality of walls and the bottom panel define an interior chamber; and an auger rotatably mounted in the interior chamber and having a plurality of radially extending protrusions along a length thereof, the radially extending protrusions including angled surfaces to displace the material received in the interior chamber along a length of the interior chamber to fall through the opening into the mold cavities.

In embodiments, a flexible mat forming system includes a rotating drum having a plurality of mold cavities; a hopper that receives a hardenable paste and deposits the hardenable paste into the mold cavities as the drum rotates relative to the hopper; and a sheet of mesh material that is fed between the hopper and the mold cavities facing the hopper. The hopper includes a plurality of side walls and a bottom panel having an opening, wherein the plurality of walls and the bottom panel define an interior chamber; and an auger rotatably mounted in the interior chamber and having a plurality of radially extending protrusions along a length thereof, the radially extending protrusions including angled surfaces to displace the material received in the interior chamber along a length of the interior chamber to fall through the opening into the mold cavities.

A method of forming an architectural concrete structure having a desired look (i.e., color) and texture, wherein the method generally includes pouring a base concrete layer using conventional concrete. A surface concrete mixture is prepared and includes a mixture of sand and small aggregates to give the surface concrete mixture the desired color and texture for the architectural concrete structure. The base concrete layer provides strength and durability to the concrete structure, while the surface concrete layer provides the desired look and texture of the concrete surface. The surface concrete mixture preferably includes small aggregates to create a smooth and uniform texture.

Embodiments relate to a polyimide-based composite film, which comprises a base film comprising a polyimide-based resin; and a functional layer disposed on the base film, wherein when the side of the functional layer located opposite to the side in contact with the base film is referred to as a first side and when the side of the base film in contact with the functional layer is referred to as a second side, the leveling index represented by Equation 1 is less than 0.75.

Embodiments relate to a polyimide-based composite film, which comprises a base film comprising a polyimide-based resin; and a functional layer disposed on the base film, wherein when the side of the functional layer located opposite to the side in contact with the base film is referred to as a first side and when the side of the base film in contact with the functional layer is referred to as a second side, the leveling index represented by Equation 1 is less than 0.75.

Barriers including molecules covalently bonded to amphiphilic molecules, and methods of making the same, are provided herein. In some examples, a barrier between first and second fluids includes one or more layers comprising a plurality of amphiphilic molecules; and a first layer comprising a plurality of molecules covalently bonded to amphiphilic molecules of the plurality of amphiphilic molecules.

Barriers including molecules covalently bonded to amphiphilic molecules, and methods of making the same, are provided herein. In some examples, a barrier between first and second fluids includes one or more layers comprising a plurality of amphiphilic molecules; and a first layer comprising a plurality of molecules covalently bonded to amphiphilic molecules of the plurality of amphiphilic molecules.

A method of forming an architectural concrete structure having a desired look (i.e., color) and texture, wherein the method generally includes pouring a base concrete layer using conventional concrete. A surface concrete mixture is prepared and includes a mixture of sand and small aggregates to give the surface concrete mixture the desired color and texture for the architectural concrete structure. The base concrete layer provides strength and durability to the concrete structure, while the surface concrete layer provides the desired look and texture of the concrete surface. The surface concrete mixture preferably includes small aggregates to create a smooth and uniform texture.

The invention provides a method of forming porous polyurethane polishing pad that includes feeding liquid polyurethane onto a web sheet with a doctor blade while back tensioning the web. Coagulating liquid polyurethane onto the web sheet forms a two-layer substrate. The two-layer substrate has a porous matrix wherein the porous matrix has large pores extending upward from a base surface and open to an upper surface. Spring-arm sections connect lower and upper sections of the large pores.

A casting apparatus for manufacturing polymer film includes a die for discharging a molten polymer and having discharge direction oriented at a discharge angle offset from horizontal. The apparatus includes a first chill roll having a first diameter and a second chill roll having a second greater diameter. There is a first gap between the first chill roll and the second chill roll. The discharge angle is of a predetermined magnitude to gravity assist delivery of the molten polymer to the first gap. The second chill roll is positioned to gravity support the film exiting the first gap along a first length of a first side of the film. A first polishing roll is positioned downstream first and second chill rolls. The first polishing roll engages and cools a second length of a second opposite side of the film. The first length is substantially equal to the second length.