Molding equipment comprising a mold having at least one cavity is disclosed. Each cavity allows the formation of a brick. A brick molding element is installed on top of each cavity to allow the formation of a mortise interlock element. The brick molding element is typically secured in place by mean of a securing mechanism. The molding equipment may be used for molding a variety of inter-engaging stackable brick element.

A method of forming a bladder cast ceramic matrix composite (CMC) article including infiltrating a CMC substrate positioned in a cavity of a mold body with a slurry. The CMC substrate includes reinforcement material defining inner spaces. The slurry includes solid particles and a carrier material. During infiltration, the slurry at least partially fills at least a portion of the inner spaces of the CMC substrate. The method also includes inflating at least one bladder that is coupled to the mold body and disposed within the cavity such that a surface of the at least one bladder in an inflated configuration contacts at least one surface of the CMC substrate. The method also includes drying the slurry to remove at least a portion of the carrier material form an infiltrated CMC and deflating the at least one bladder.

The disclosure relates to a bio-artificial periosteum based on micropatterning of biomimetic mineralized calcium-phosphorus nanoparticles and a method for manufacturing the same. The method includes: first, a micropatterned biomimetic mineralized calcium-phosphorus nanoparticle layer is manufactured on a surface of an inert substrate; then, an organic polymer is cross-linked and solidified on the micropatterned biomimetic mineralized calcium-phosphorus nanoparticle layer; at last, the inert substrate is removed, so that the bio-artificial periosteum based on micropatterning of biomimetic mineralized calcium-phosphorus nanoparticles is obtained. The bio-artificial periosteum not only simulates the composition of natural bone in material components, but also realizes high degree of biomimesis in micro-nano size in structure. Moreover, the distribution of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells can be regulated by the bio-artificial periosteum, so that the cells can be effectively defined on a surface of calcium-phosphorus particle micropattern and a high degree of ordered alignment thereof can be realized.

The invention relates to a casting mold, in particular for use in cold casting methods, which is produced with the aid of a powder-based layering method, the final casting mold having a treated surface.

A concrete test cylinder mold formed of expandable polystyrene and which is used to form geometrically uniform concrete test cylinders that accurately reflect the structural properties of the concrete mix used to form the test cylinders despite fluctuations in temperature to which the test cylinder may be exposed during formation within the mold. The mold is constructed and configured such that compression testing of the concrete test cylinder may be conducted while the cylinder is still in the mold. A specially designed heat shield may be used in unison with the concrete test mold to form, at least in part, a system by which heat further may be retained within the system during formation of the concrete test cylinder.

A concrete test cylinder mold formed of expandable polystyrene and which is used to form geometrically uniform concrete test cylinders that accurately reflect the structural properties of the concrete mix used to form the test cylinders despite fluctuations in temperature to which the test cylinder may be exposed during formation within the mold. The mold is constructed and configured such that compression testing of the concrete test cylinder may be conducted while the cylinder is still in the mold. A specially designed heat shield may be used in unison with the concrete test mold to form, at least in part, a system by which heat further may be retained within the system during formation of the concrete test cylinder.

In exemplary implementations of this invention, a nozzle sprays foam, layer by layer, to fabricate a fabricated object according to a CAD model, and a subtractive fabrication tool removes material from the fabricated object according to a CAD model. The fabricated object comprises a mold or an interior form. The foam may be low-density, high strength and fast-curing. The foam may be used for large-scale 3D printing. For example, the foam may be used to 3D print molds for walls of homes. The foam molds may be left in place, after casting concrete in the molds, to serve as insulation. Or for example, the foam may be used to 3D print on site an internal form for a large wind turbine blade. The wind turbine blade may then be produced on site by depositing fiberglass on the outside of the internal form.

In exemplary implementations of this invention, a nozzle sprays foam, layer by layer, to fabricate a fabricated object according to a CAD model, and a subtractive fabrication tool removes material from the fabricated object according to a CAD model. The fabricated object comprises a mold or an interior form. The foam may be low-density, high strength and fast-curing. The foam may be used for large-scale 3D printing. For example, the foam may be used to 3D print molds for walls of homes. The foam molds may be left in place, after casting concrete in the molds, to serve as insulation. Or for example, the foam may be used to 3D print on site an internal form for a large wind turbine blade. The wind turbine blade may then be produced on site by depositing fiberglass on the outside of the internal form.

The disclosure relates to a bio-artificial periosteum based on micropatterning of biomimetic mineralized calcium-phosphorus nanoparticles and a method for manufacturing the same. The method includes: first, a micropatterned biomimetic mineralized calcium-phosphorus nanoparticle layer is manufactured on a surface of an inert substrate; then, an organic polymer is cross-linked and solidified on the micropatterned biomimetic mineralized calcium-phosphorus nanoparticle layer; at last, the inert substrate is removed, so that the bio-artificial periosteum based on micropatterning of biomimetic mineralized calcium-phosphorus nanoparticles is obtained. The bio-artificial periosteum not only simulates the composition of natural bone in material components, but also realizes high degree of biomimesis in micro-nano size in structure. Moreover, the distribution of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells can be regulated by the bio-artificial periosteum, so that the cells can be effectively defined on a surface of calcium-phosphorus particle micropattern and a high degree of ordered alignment thereof can be realized.

A configurable mold for concrete-casting, methods of use and method using the configurable mold.