A manufacturing method of a mold, the mold having at its surface a plurality of recessed portions whose two-dimensional size is not less than 10 nm and less than 500 nm when viewed in a direction normal to the surface, the method including: (a) providing a mold base, (b) partially anodizing an aluminum alloy layer, thereby forming a porous alumina layer which has a plurality of minute recessed portions; and (c) after step (b), bringing the porous alumina layer into contact with a first etching solution, thereby enlarging the plurality of minute recessed portions of the porous alumina layer. Step (a) of providing the mold base includes (a1) providing a metal base, (a2) forming an aluminum alloy layer on the metal base, and (a3) forming a surface protection layer on the aluminum alloy layer. Step (a2) and step (a3) are performed in a same chamber.

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.

Multiple processes for preparing porous articles are described. The porous articles can be in a wide array of shapes and configurations. The methods include providing a soluble material in particulate form and forming a packed region from the material. The methods also include contacting a flowable polymeric material with the packed region such that the polymeric material is disposed in voids in the packed region. The polymeric material is then at least partially solidified. The soluble material is then removed such as by solvent washing to thereby produce desired porous articles. Also described are systems for performing the various processes.

Multiple processes for preparing porous articles are described. The porous articles can be in a wide array of shapes and configurations. The methods include providing a soluble material in particulate form and forming a packed region from the material. The methods also include contacting a flowable polymeric material with the packed region such that the polymeric material is disposed in voids in the packed region. The polymeric material is then at least partially solidified. The soluble material is then removed such as by solvent washing to thereby produce desired porous articles. Also described are systems for performing the various processes.

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.

Multiple processes for preparing porous articles are described. The porous articles can be in a wide array of shapes and configurations. The methods include providing a soluble material in particulate form and forming a packed region from the material. The methods also include contacting a flowable polymeric material with the packed region such that the polymeric material is disposed in voids in the packed region. The polymeric material is then at least partially solidified. The soluble material is then removed such as by solvent washing to thereby produce desired porous articles. Also described are systems for performing the various processes.

Multiple processes for preparing porous articles are described. The porous articles can be in a wide array of shapes and configurations. The methods include providing a soluble material in particulate form and forming a packed region from the material. The methods also include contacting a flowable polymeric material with the packed region such that the polymeric material is disposed in voids in the packed region. The polymeric material is then at least partially solidified. The soluble material is then removed such as by solvent washing to thereby produce desired porous articles. Also described are systems for performing the various processes.

Provided are a hydraulic transfer film capable of manufacturing a decorated molded product that expresses a design with a concavo-convex feeling by a hydraulic transfer method and having excellent transfer processability and a method for manufacturing a decorated molded product using the same. The hydraulic transfer film includes a water-soluble film having thereon a design layer, wherein the design layer has a low-gloss portion and a high-gloss portion; the low-gloss portion and the high-gloss portion are present at least within a plane on the water-soluble film side of the design layer; the low-gloss portion contains a binder resin and a deglossing agent; and the high-gloss portion is composed of a resin composition containing an acrylic polymer polyol and/or a cured product thereof.

Provided are a hydraulic transfer film capable of manufacturing a decorated molded product that expresses a design with a concavo-convex feeling by a hydraulic transfer method and having excellent transfer processability and a method for manufacturing a decorated molded product using the same. The hydraulic transfer film includes a water-soluble film having thereon a design layer, wherein the design layer has a low-gloss portion and a high-gloss portion; the low-gloss portion and the high-gloss portion are present at least within a plane on the water-soluble film side of the design layer; the low-gloss portion contains a binder resin and a deglossing agent; and the high-gloss portion is composed of a resin composition containing an acrylic polymer polyol and/or a cured product thereof.

A continuous reinforced cold water pipe (CWP) for an Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) system is formed from a sequential series of molded pipe sections, which are formed from a series of rigid frame sections and a curable material to form the continuous reinforced CWP. Each molded pipe section is formed by moving a rigid frame section into a mold, enclosing at least a portion of the rigid frame section in the curable material, and curing the curable material. As each molded pipe section is moved out of the mold, the next sequential rigid frame section, which is connected to the previous rigid frame section, is moved into the mold. The cycle is repeated as many times as required to form the continuous reinforced CWP having a desired length.