Provided are polymeric materials that demonstrate excellent mar resistance as well as clarity and weatherability as well as processes for their manufacture. In some aspects a thermoplastic material includes a light stabilizer at or within the surface of the material and a mar resistant coating material layered directly on the surface, optionally without any intermediate primer layer, adhesion promotion layer or material, or other functional layer.

Provided are polymeric materials that demonstrate excellent mar resistance as well as clarity and weatherability as well as processes for their manufacture. In some aspects a thermoplastic material includes a light stabilizer at or within the surface of the material and a mar resistant coating material layered directly on the surface, optionally without any intermediate primer layer, adhesion promotion layer or material, or other functional layer.

Systems and methods are described herein for manufacturing and using roofing membranes that are faster and easier to install than conventional adhesive-only membrane materials. In some embodiments, membrane materials are surface treated using a plasma flow, e.g., a blown-arc plasma flow, atmospheric plasma, corona plasma, or from portable plasma units, generated by passing a compressed plasma-generating gas through an electrical current to form the plasma-treated roofing membrane. The plasma treatments described herein may be applied as part of the manufacturing process, or in-situ at the site of roof installation. In some embodiments, membrane materials have surface chemistries, roughnesses and other surface characteristics that yield desired adhesion properties.

Aspects described herein are directed to compositions, systems, and methods of manufacturing a polymer-based construction material comprising polymeric resin, filler such as calcium carbonate (CaCO.sub.3), and titanium oxide (TiO.sub.2). A surface of the polymer-based construction material may be treated such that the surface energy is increased from the material's inherent value to a predetermined value of at least 40 dynes/cm.sup.2. Further, the surface energy of the treated surface may persist within 20% of the predetermined value for at least three days.

Aspects described herein are directed to compositions, systems, and methods of manufacturing a polymer-based construction material comprising polymeric resin, filler such as calcium carbonate (CaCO.sub.3), and titanium oxide (TiO.sub.2). A surface of the polymer-based construction material may be treated such that the surface energy is increased from the material's inherent value to a predetermined value of at least 40 dynes/cm.sup.2. Further, the surface energy of the treated surface may persist within 20% of the predetermined value for at least three days.

Methods for forming a coating can include preparing a nanocomposite film including surface modified silicon dioxide nanoparticles, applying an oxygen plasma treatment to the nanocomposite film to form a treated nanocomposite film, and applying a fluorosilane solution to the treated nanocomposite film to form the coating. A coating can include a nanocomposite film including surface modified silicon dioxide nanoparticles, the nanocomposite film having an oxygen plasma treated surface, and a monolayer of a fluoro alkyl chain.

Methods for forming a coating can include preparing a nanocomposite film including surface modified silicon dioxide nanoparticles, applying an oxygen plasma treatment to the nanocomposite film to form a treated nanocomposite film, and applying a fluorosilane solution to the treated nanocomposite film to form the coating. A coating can include a nanocomposite film including surface modified silicon dioxide nanoparticles, the nanocomposite film having an oxygen plasma treated surface, and a monolayer of a fluoro alkyl chain.

A three-dimensional printing apparatus for manufacturing a three-dimensional object includes a controller and a three-dimensional printer. The controller has a signal generator. The three-dimensional printer includes a print head, a part carrier, and a plasma field applicator. The plasma field applicator is disposed on an end of the print head. The controller is in communication with the print head, part carrier, and plasma field applicator. The three dimensional printer builds the three-dimensional object onto the part carrier. The signal generator outputs a signal to the plasma field applicator and the plasma field applicator generates an electromagnetic field and induced current pathway incident to the three-dimensional object on the part carrier.

A process for the nanostructuring of fibers in fiber-composite plastics, where a sulfur-containing nanostructure is formed. Also, a plastics matrix with such nanostructured fibers is disclosed, and also a process for the repair of fibers in a fiber-composite plastic.

The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a hoisting rope, comprising the steps of providing a plurality of elongated composite members, which composite members are made of composite material comprising reinforcing fibers in polymer matrix; and arranging the composite members to form an elongated row of parallel composite members, which row has a longitudingal direction, a thickness direction and a width direction, and in which row the composite members are positioned side by side such that they are parallel to each other, and spaced apart from each other in width direction of the row; and directing plasma treatment on the outer surface of the composite members; and embedding the composite members in fluid polymer material; and solidifying the polymer material wherein the composite members are embedded. The invention relates also to a hoisting rope obtained with the method and an elevator comprising the hoisting rope.