In some embodiments, the present invention is directed to an actuator which includes at least the following: a pre-stretched electro-active polymer film being pre-stretched in a single or biaxial planar directions; at least one first semi-stiff conductor attached to a first surface of the pre-stretched electro-active polymer film, wherein the first surface is parallel to the single or biaxial planar stretch directions; at least one second semi-stiff conductor attached to a second surface of the pre-stretched electro-active polymer film, wherein the second surface is opposite to the first surface; where the semi-stiff conductors are configured to: fix the pre-stretched electro-active polymer film in a pre-stretched state and allow the pre-stretched electro-active polymer film to expand; a pair of mechanical connectors coupled to each end of an active region of the pre-stretched electro-active polymer film.

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.

To provide an article that can be manufactured easily by using a 3D printer and a method for manufacturing the article. A method for manufacturing an article by using a 3D printer, comprising: printing a first resin layer by using the 3D printer; printing a second resin layer on the first resin layer using a material different from a material of the first resin layer by using the 3D printer; printing a third resin layer on the second resin layer using a material different from a material of the second resin layer by using the 3D printer, wherein the first resin layer is in contact with the third resin layer in a partial region of the first resin layer, the first resin layer and the third resin layer are composed of a water-insoluble material, the second resin layer is composed of a water-soluble material, and a single article is formed by the first resin layer and the third resin layer.

A method for manufacturing the mechanoreception fabric for incorporation into a garment or item of apparel sets a liquid substrate to a fabric weave to produce a plurality of protuberances in graticulate array and spaced apart across a surface of the fabric. The plurality of protuberances includes pyramidal nodes, each independent and separate from other nodes, not less than 1 mm apart at the base and not more than 5 mm apart at each apex and 1.5 mm in height. Because the nodes are separated and not in contact with each other, the fabric produced is still stretchable and wearable when incorporated into an item of apparel despite the nodes having a hardness of between Shore A 60 and 80.

A yarn or thread may include a plurality of substantially aligned filaments, with at least ninety-five percent of a material of the filaments being a thermoplastic polymer material. Various woven textiles and knitted textiles may be formed from the yarn or thread. The woven textiles or knitted textiles may be thermal bonded to other elements to form seams. A strand that is at least partially formed from a thermoplastic polymer material may extend through the seam, and the strand may be thermal bonded at the seam. The woven textiles or knitted textiles may be shaped or molded, incorporated into products, and recycled to form other products.

A flexible inner socket is fabricated by forming a pre-socket. The pre-socket includes a body formed with an opening and an enclosed end. The enclosed end is opposite to the opening. The body of the pre-socket has an outer circumference that is smaller than the inner circumference of the rigid prosthetic socket. Different portions of the body may have different thicknesses. The preform socket is heated. After the heating, the flexible inner socket is formed by molding the pre-socket onto the inner surface of the rigid prosthetic socket to form the flexible inner socket. The inner circumference of the rigid prosthetic socket is reduced by a thickness of the flexible inner socket when the flexible inner socket is attached to the inner surface of the rigid prosthetic socket. An opening of the flexible inner socket may be trimmed after the formation to fit contours of an opening of the rigid prosthetic socket.

Methods for manufacturing articles of footwear are provided. In various aspects, the methods comprise utilizing additive manufacturing methods with foam particles. In some aspects, the additive manufacturing methods comprise increasing the temperature of a plurality of foam particles with actinic radiation under conditions effective to fuse a portion of the plurality of foam particles comprising one or more thermoplastic elastomers. Increasing the temperature of the foam particles can be carried out for one or multiple iterations. The disclosed methods can be used to manufacturer articles with sub-regions that exhibit differing degrees of fusion between the foam particles, thereby resulting in sub-regions with different properties such as density, resilience, and/or flexural modulus. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

Methods for manufacturing articles of footwear are provided. In various aspects, the methods comprise utilizing additive manufacturing methods with foam particles. In some aspects, the disclosed methods comprise selectively depositing a binding material on foam particles in a target area such that the binding material coats at least a portion of defining surfaces of the foam particles with the binding material. The binding material is then cured to affix foam particles in the target area to one another. In various aspects, the disclosed methods can be used to manufacturer articles with sub-regions that differential levels of affixing between the foam particles, and thereby resulting in sub-regions with different properties such as density, resilience, and/or flexural modulus. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

Method for manufacturing three-dimensional articles with a flexible wall, by means of a mould (1-2) and a counter-mould (3) between which pieces (4) are arranged that will form the article to be obtained. Between the pieces (4), the mould (1-2) and counter-mould (3) a conduit network (7) and cavities (6) are delimited into which, through first points (8), a plastic material is injected in a melted condition, whereas through one or more second points (9) said conduit network is connected to a vacuum network.

A modified silicone resin foam is obtained by curing a foamable liquid resin composition including: 100 parts by weight of a base material resin (A) composed of 65 to 95 parts by weight of a polymer (a) and 5 to 35 parts by weight of a reactive plasticizer (b); 0.1 to 5 parts by weight of a silanol condensation catalyst (B); and 2 to 40 parts by weight of a chemical foaming agent (C). The polymer (a) contains 1.0 to 2.0 reactive silicon groups in a molecular chain and has a main chain comprising oxyalkylene-based units. The reactive plasticizer (b) is a polymer containing 1.0 or fewer reactive silicon groups at one terminal end of a molecular chain and has a main chain comprising oxyalkylene-based units. A percent elongation of the foam is 300 to 1000% in a 25 C. atmosphere.