Glass-fiber mats for lead-acid batteries are described. The glass-fiber mats may include a plurality of glass fibers held together with a binder. The binder may be made from a binder composition that includes (i) an acid resistant polymer, and (ii) a hydrophilic agent. The hydrophilic agent increases the wettability of the glass-fiber mat such that the glass-fiber mat forms a contact angle with water or aqueous sulfuric acid solution of 70° or less. Also described are methods of making the glass-fiber mats that include applying a binder composition to the glass fibers, and including a hydrophilic agent in the glass fiber mat that increases the wettability of the mat. The hydrophilic agent may be added to the binder composition, applied to the glass-fiber mat, or both.

Glass-fiber mats for lead-acid batteries are described. The glass-fiber mats may include a plurality of glass fibers held together with a binder. The binder may be made from a binder composition that includes (i) an acid resistant polymer, and (ii) a hydrophilic agent. The hydrophilic agent increases the wettability of the glass-fiber mat such that the glass-fiber mat forms a contact angle with water or aqueous sulfuric acid solution of 70° or less. Also described are methods of making the glass-fiber mats that include applying a binder composition to the glass fibers, and including a hydrophilic agent in the glass fiber mat that increases the wettability of the mat. The hydrophilic agent may be added to the binder composition, applied to the glass-fiber mat, or both.

A method for the preparation of a composite material having a pre-designed structure and properties according to the intended use of said composite material is provided. The method includes generating data for dispensing two or more different interface materials having different properties into at least two different phases; selectively depositing said two or more different interface materials having different properties from two or more corresponding dispensers to form layers according to the data generated, each interface material being dispensed from a different dispenser to form at least two different phases of interface materials; and curing or solidifying the dispensed layers to obtain a composite material with pre-designed structure and properties.

Disclosed are methods for forming and adhering an entrained polymer structure to a substrate. The methods include providing a substrate (114) configured to receive application of a molten entrained polymer (118). A mineral entrained polymer in molten form is applied in a predetermined shape, to a surface of the substrate, to form a solidified entrained polymer structure on the substrate. The entrained polymer includes a monolithic material formed of at least a base polymer (25) and a mineral active agent (30) to absorb excess moisture. The surface of the substrate is compatible with the molten entrained polymer so as to thermally bond with it. In this way, the entrained polymer bonds to the substrate and solidifies upon sufficient cooling of the entrained polymer. The polymer can have a channeling or foaming agent (35), eg polyglycol. To apply the polymer is provided a hot melt dispensing apparatus comprising: a feeder (102) (optionally an extruder or loader) for providing a flow of mineral entrained polymer in molten form; one or more hoses (104), each of which having an internal lumen in fluid communication with an exit (106) of the feeder to receive flow of the mineral entrained polymer in molten form, the lumen terminating at an applicator (110) to which the entrained polymer in molten form is conveyed; the applicator comprising a dispenser (112) for applying the entrained polymer in the predetermined shape to the surface of the substrate. The hose and the dispenser can be heated.

Disclosed are methods for forming and adhering an entrained polymer structure to a substrate. The methods include providing a substrate (114) configured to receive application of a molten entrained polymer (118). A mineral entrained polymer in molten form is applied in a predetermined shape, to a surface of the substrate, to form a solidified entrained polymer structure on the substrate. The entrained polymer includes a monolithic material formed of at least a base polymer (25) and a mineral active agent (30) to absorb excess moisture. The surface of the substrate is compatible with the molten entrained polymer so as to thermally bond with it. In this way, the entrained polymer bonds to the substrate and solidifies upon sufficient cooling of the entrained polymer. The polymer can have a channeling or foaming agent (35), eg polyglycol. To apply the polymer is provided a hot melt dispensing apparatus comprising: a feeder (102) (optionally an extruder or loader) for providing a flow of mineral entrained polymer in molten form; one or more hoses (104), each of which having an internal lumen in fluid communication with an exit (106) of the feeder to receive flow of the mineral entrained polymer in molten form, the lumen terminating at an applicator (110) to which the entrained polymer in molten form is conveyed; the applicator comprising a dispenser (112) for applying the entrained polymer in the predetermined shape to the surface of the substrate. The hose and the dispenser can be heated.

A composite structure including a composite body having an outer surface, wherein the composite body is elongated along a span axis, and a detection layer connected to the outer surface of the composite body, the detection layer including a plurality of strips, wherein each strip comprises a plurality of glass fibers embedded in a matrix material, is elongated along a detection axis, the detection axis being substantially aligned with the span axis, and is spaced a non-zero distance apart from adjacent strips such that a discontinuity is defined between adjacent strips.

A composite structure including a composite body having an outer surface, wherein the composite body is elongated along a span axis, and a detection layer connected to the outer surface of the composite body, the detection layer including a plurality of strips, wherein each strip comprises a plurality of glass fibers embedded in a matrix material, is elongated along a detection axis, the detection axis being substantially aligned with the span axis, and is spaced a non-zero distance apart from adjacent strips such that a discontinuity is defined between adjacent strips.

Provided is a method for producing a lithium ion cell having an outer container composed of a resin molded article, and the method for producing a lithium ion cell includes a current collector forming process of forming, on the inner side of an outer container, each of a first electrode current collector and a second electrode current collector composed of an electrically conductive polymer composition by using a molding die.

Provided is a method for producing a lithium ion cell having an outer container composed of a resin molded article, and the method for producing a lithium ion cell includes a current collector forming process of forming, on the inner side of an outer container, each of a first electrode current collector and a second electrode current collector composed of an electrically conductive polymer composition by using a molding die.

The disclosure relates to acoustic panels and methods for preparing them. The disclosure relates more particularly to panels having a nonwoven facing and to methods for making such panels. A method for preparing an acoustic panel comprises providing a base structure. The base structure has one or more edges, an outward major surface having total area, and an inward major surface opposing the outward major surface. The base structure has a noise reduction coefficient (NRC) of at least about 0.3. The method includes disposing directly against the outward major surface of the base structure a sprayable mixture comprising a plurality of fibers, one or more binders, and a dispersive medium. The method includes drying the disposed mixture to provide a facing layer disposed on the outward major surface of the base structure, the facing layer having an exterior major surface opposing the outward major surface of the base structure.