Described herein is a multilayer microporous film or membrane that may exhibit improved properties, including improved dielectric break down and strength, compared to prior monolayer or tri-layer microporous membranes of the same thickness. The preferred multilayer microporous membrane comprises microlayers and one or more lamination barriers. Also disclosed is a battery separator or battery comprising one or more of the multilayer microporous films or membranes. The inventive battery and battery separator is preferably safer and more robust than batteries and battery separators using prior monolayer and tri-layer microporous membranes. Also, described herein is a method for making the multilayer microporous separators, membranes or films described herein.

A composite board comprising (i) a first foam region; (ii) at least one fragile insulating material; and (iii) a second foam region, where said second foam region is substantially devoid of hydrocarbons.

Described is a carbon fibre fabric comprising an interlacement (2) of carbon fibre yarns (3) and polymer fibre yarns (4).

The invention relates to a hot melt adhesive composition comprising a polymer component, the polymer component comprising at least one styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer P having a styrene content from 35 to 50% by weight; a styrene-butadiene diblock content from 50 to 80% by weight; and a viscosity of a 15% by weight toluene solution at 25° C. of 20 to 40 mPa.s, and at least one styrene block copolymer other than a styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer, wherein said styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer P is at a content from 10 to 40% by weight relative to the total weight of the polymer component. The invention also relates to the use of said composition as an adhesive for bonding two substrates, and to articles comprising at least one interior or exterior surface coated with said composition.

A thermal vacuum insulation element (10) comprising a first planar limiting part (12) and a second planar limiting part (14). The limiting parts are spaced apart from each other and define an evacuated space (16) between them. The evacuated space (16) is sealed by means (26) for sealing. The vacuum insulation element includes first support elements (18) extending away from the first limiting part (12) into the evacuated space (16) and second support elements (20) extending away from the second limiting part (14) into the evacuated space (16), the limiting parts (12, 14) being arranged with the support elements (18, 20) such that the first support elements (18) and the second support elements (20) protrude beyond and are spaced from each other. The first support elements (18) are spaced from the second limiting part (14), and the second support elements (20) are spaced from the first limiting part (12). A fiber structure (22) interconnects the first support elements (18) and the second support elements (20). The fiber structure (22) has a low thermal conductivity and is configured to absorb at least the pressure caused by the vacuum on the first and second limiting parts (12, 14).

Provided herein are a controllable liquid transport material, a controllable liquid transport system and a method for preparing a controllable liquid transport material, where a first region of the controllable liquid transport material is treated to be hydrophobic, while a plurality of second regions partially contacted or completely separated with different shapes are treated to have a gradient or varied wettabilities and/or pore sizes for passively controllable liquid transport, and/or integrated with a smart material for actively controllable liquid transport driven by an external force, allowing efficiently and controllably directional transport of a liquid e.g., sweat. The controllable liquid transport system comprises a controllable liquid transport material used as a liquid transport layer and a breathable, waterproof protective layer.

Functionalized textile materials are provided. At least a portion of a textile surface in includes a ceramic material, such as a binderless porous structured ceramic, and optionally, one or more functional layer is applied, resulting in a textile material with one or more desirable functional properties, such as hydrophilicity, hydrophobicity, flame retardancy, photocatalysis, anti-fouling, and/or deodorant properties.

The present invention describes various methods for manufacturing gel composite sheets using segmented fiber or foam reinforcements and gel precursors. Additionally, rigid panels manufactured from the resulting gel composites are also described. The gel composites are relatively flexible enough to be wound and when unwound, can be stretched flat and made into rigid panels using adhesives.

Multifunctional surfacing materials for use in composite structures are disclosed. According to one embodiment, the surfacing material includes (a) a stiffening layer, (b) a curable resin layer, (c) a conductive layer, and (d) a nonwoven layer, wherein the stiffening layer (a) and the nonwoven layer (d) are outermost layers, and the exposed surfaces of the outermost layers are substantially tack-free at room temperature (20° C. to 25° C.). The conductive layer may be interposed between the curable resin layer and the stiffening layer or embedded in the curable resin layer. According to another embodiment, the surfacing material includes a fluid barrier film between two curable resin layers. The surfacing materials may be in the form of a continuous or elongated tape that is suitable for automated placement.

A composite material having at least two layers of reinforcing fibers impregnated with a curable resin; an interlaminar region formed between adjacent layers of reinforcing fibers; and a combination of polymeric toughening particles and fire-retardant particles in the interlaminar region.