A polymer multilayer includes two or more laminated layers of ultra-drawn, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene or high density polyethylene. A transparent laminated structure may include such a polymer multilayer disposed between a pair of transparent substrates. The polymer multilayer may be configured to induce a compressive stress in a near surface region of each transparent substrate, which may improve the toughness and fracture resistance of the laminated structure. A photothermal dye may be incorporated into the polymer matrix and the compressive stresses may be achieved using photothermal actuation of the dye-containing polyethylene layers.

The present disclosure relates to stretching apparatus and method for aligning microfibrils. Specifically, the present disclosure provides an apparatus for aligning microfibrils along a single direction, which includes: a first elastic substrate onto which a composition containing microfibrils is loaded; and a stretching module which stretches the width of the elastic substrate. In accordance with the apparatus the present disclosure, microfibrils or cells may be aligned along a particular direction simply by pulling and then releasing the elastic substrate. The present disclosure is also useful for culturing of the aligned cells because the physiological activity of the cells can be maintained and cytotoxicity can be prevented.

The present disclosure relates to stretching apparatus and method for aligning microfibrils. Specifically, the present disclosure provides an apparatus for aligning microfibrils along a single direction, which includes: a first elastic substrate onto which a composition containing microfibrils is loaded; and a stretching module which stretches the width of the elastic substrate. In accordance with the apparatus the present disclosure, microfibrils or cells may be aligned along a particular direction simply by pulling and then releasing the elastic substrate. The present disclosure is also useful for culturing of the aligned cells because the physiological activity of the cells can be maintained and cytotoxicity can be prevented.

A laminated film having a resin layer laminated on at least one surface of a base film. The laminated film is characterized by: the base film being a semi-aromatic polyamide film that has been at least uniaxially stretched; the resin layer having a thickness of 0.03 to 0.5 μm; and the close adhesion between the base film and the resin layer, according to the cross-cut method described in JIS K 5600, being 95% or more.

This disclosure provides an investigation of the kinetic uptake properties of water in amorphous PEF and PET across the entire water activity interval at various temperatures, and also investigates the corresponding equilibrium uptake properties at the same conditions. Uptake data were measured using three independent and complementary methodologies, and excellent agreement was observed among all three methodologies. Accordingly, this disclosure provides for methods of plasticizing poly(ethylene furanoate) film by cold water sorption, and provides a plasticized poly(ethylene furanoate) (PEF) film made according to the disclosed methods. Methods for making thin films of PEF are also provided.

This disclosure provides an investigation of the kinetic uptake properties of water in amorphous PEF and PET across the entire water activity interval at various temperatures, and also investigates the corresponding equilibrium uptake properties at the same conditions. Uptake data were measured using three independent and complementary methodologies, and excellent agreement was observed among all three methodologies. Accordingly, this disclosure provides for methods of plasticizing poly(ethylene furanoate) film by cold water sorption, and provides a plasticized poly(ethylene furanoate) (PEF) film made according to the disclosed methods. Methods for making thin films of PEF are also provided.

A process for producing a surface covering with an embossed printed surface is described. A substrate (16) is continuously moved through a production line, and this substrate (16) is first provided, in a printing equipment (12), with a printed pattern and thereafter, in an embossing equipment (14), with an embossed pattern, which is registered with the printed pattern. The printing equipment (12) produces the printed pattern in-line with the production of the embossed pattern. During printing in the printing equipment (12), the printed pattern is stretched or compressed, dynamically responsive to indicators of misalignments between the printed pattern and the embossed pattern, so as to correct or prevent the misalignments. A production line for carrying out this process is also proposed.

Provided is a molded article comprising a resin, wherein the resin comprises a methacrylic resin comprising a structural unit derived from a methacrylic acid ester and a structural unit derived from a silica particle having an average primary particle diameter of 1 nm or more and 50 nm or less and comprising at least one polymerizable functional group, and the molded article has an absolute value of degree of orientation in the thickness direction of 0.02 or more and satisfies the requirement (I): (I) When the free induction decay curve (X) obtained by measuring the molded article by a solid echo method at 150° C. using a pulse nuclear magnetic resonance measurement apparatus is approximated by the least square method using the formula (F1), the sum (B+C) of the component fractions of two components having different spin-spin relaxation times in the free induction decay curve (X) is 4% or more.

Provided is a molded article comprising a resin, wherein the resin comprises a methacrylic resin comprising a structural unit derived from a methacrylic acid ester and a structural unit derived from a silica particle having an average primary particle diameter of 1 nm or more and 50 nm or less and comprising at least one polymerizable functional group, and the molded article has an absolute value of degree of orientation in the thickness direction of 0.02 or more and satisfies the requirement (I): (I) When the free induction decay curve (X) obtained by measuring the molded article by a solid echo method at 150° C. using a pulse nuclear magnetic resonance measurement apparatus is approximated by the least square method using the formula (F1), the sum (B+C) of the component fractions of two components having different spin-spin relaxation times in the free induction decay curve (X) is 4% or more.

Disclosed is a multilayer film structure, comprising, in order, a puncture resistant layer comprising at least one cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) and at least one ionomer or polyolefin, a tie layer and a sealant layer. The structure can be coextruded and can be prepared using a triple bubble process.