Three dimensional molded objects are produced from a plurality of expandible elements deposited in a mold by heating and moving the expandible elements during heating in the mold. The expandible elements have at least one layer of vertically lapped material held in a pre-compressed state during or before they are deposited in the mold. Movement is achieved by physically moving the mold continuously or periodically during heating, by blowing air or other gas into the mold continuously or periodically during heating, or by heating and depositing and moving the expandible objects at the same time.

Adaptive smart textiles that facilitate reduced energy consumption are described. In one implementation, a dual pane fabric arrangement includes a first pane of fabric and a second pane of fabric separated by an intra-layer gap, and an insert layer disposed in the intra-layer gap, wherein the insert layer causes a thickness of the intra-layer gap to change responsive to changes in ambient temperature.

A gas tank liner comprises: a cylindrical section formed using a first resin; and a dome section formed using a second resin, the dome section being arranged at each axially opposite end of the cylindrical section, wherein either one of the first resin or the second resin has a higher linear expansion coefficient and higher yield strain than the other, the yield strain being the threshold of strain that, when met, makes the first resin or the second resin incapable of restoring its original state if the first resin or the second resin strains and yields in response to the application of external force.

A gas tank liner comprises: a cylindrical section formed using a first resin; and a dome section formed using a second resin, the dome section being arranged at each axially opposite end of the cylindrical section, wherein either one of the first resin or the second resin has a higher linear expansion coefficient and higher yield strain than the other, the yield strain being the threshold of strain that, when met, makes the first resin or the second resin incapable of restoring its original state if the first resin or the second resin strains and yields in response to the application of external force.

Methods of manufacturing composite workpieces that include positioning a heat-generating element proximate to an uncured composite workpiece, triggering the heat-generating element to produce an exothermic chemical reaction or exothermic physical reaction so that the temperature of the uncured composite workpiece is raised to a predetermined first temperature, and curing the composite workpiece while it is at a temperature that is at least the predetermined first temperature.

Methods of manufacturing composite workpieces that include positioning a heat-generating element proximate to an uncured composite workpiece, triggering the heat-generating element to produce an exothermic chemical reaction or exothermic physical reaction so that the temperature of the uncured composite workpiece is raised to a predetermined first temperature, and curing the composite workpiece while it is at a temperature that is at least the predetermined first temperature.

A shaping system includes: a printing device that prints an image using predetermined ink on a thermal expansion sheet having a thermal expansion layer on one side; and an expansion device that performs: a drying process of heating the thermal expansion sheet to an extent that allows the thermal expansion layer to maintain a non-expansion state, to dry the image printed by the printing device using the predetermined ink; and an expansion process of, after the drying process, heating the thermal expansion sheet to an extent that allows the thermal expansion layer to expand, to expand the thermal expansion layer.

A shaping system includes: a printing device that prints an image using predetermined ink on a thermal expansion sheet having a thermal expansion layer on one side; and an expansion device that performs: a drying process of heating the thermal expansion sheet to an extent that allows the thermal expansion layer to maintain a non-expansion state, to dry the image printed by the printing device using the predetermined ink; and an expansion process of, after the drying process, heating the thermal expansion sheet to an extent that allows the thermal expansion layer to expand, to expand the thermal expansion layer.

A shaping system includes: a printing device that prints an image using predetermined ink on a thermal expansion sheet having a thermal expansion layer on one side; and a heating device that performs: an identifier detection process of detecting an identifier provided on the thermal expansion sheet; a heating condition setting process of setting a heating condition for heating the thermal expansion sheet, based on the identifier; and a heating process of heating the thermal expansion sheet based on the set heating condition.

A shaping system includes: a printing device that prints an image using predetermined ink on a thermal expansion sheet having a thermal expansion layer on one side; and a heating device that performs: an identifier detection process of detecting an identifier provided on the thermal expansion sheet; a heating condition setting process of setting a heating condition for heating the thermal expansion sheet, based on the identifier; and a heating process of heating the thermal expansion sheet based on the set heating condition.