A method of manufacturing a cover layer for a vehicle interior component includes forming a mold cavity via a first surface and a second surface spaced apart from one another by a distance. The first surface is configured to form a show surface of the cover layer, the second surface is configured to form a rear surface of the cover layer, and the distance is less than or equal to 1 mm. The method of manufacturing the cover layer also includes heating the first surface and/or the second surface, and flowing liquid polyvinyl chloride into the mold cavity to form the cover layer.

The present disclosure provides a method of fabricating curvature-defined (C-D) or shape-defined (S-D) concave and convex polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) surfaces and a method of fabricating C-D or S-D convex and concave gel surfaces for use in cell and tissue culturing and in other surface and interface applications, and provides a method of using C-D or S-D convex and concave surfaces with varying curvatures to direct cell attachment, spreading, and migration.

Gelatinous materials combined with the Colloidal Silver additive to formulate an antimicrobial product having cushioning properties. Embodiments of the present invention can include gelatinous materials selected from a group consisting of thermosetting polymer, Styrene-Ethylene-Butadiene-Styrene polymer (SEBS), Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE), and Polyurethane (PU) gelatin with and without a raised geometry on an outer surface.

A method of fabricating a casting, the method including applying a substrate to a sacrificial mold, the sacrificial mold including a shaped non-planar receiving surface to receive the substrate and provide a casting of the substrate having a shaped structure corresponding to the receiving surface; and subjecting the sacrificial mold and casting to freeze drying conditions and sublimating the sacrificial mold from the casting to form a cast article including the shaped non-planar structure.

A composition comprising an insulin-polymer conjugate and an insulin aptamer-glucagon conjugate is described. Depending upon the amount of insulin in the environment surrounding the composition, the insulin aptamer of the insulin aptamer-glucagon conjugate can bind to insulin in the insulin-polymer conjugate to form a non-covalent conjugate. When the amount of insulin in the surrounding environment rises, the insulin aptamer-glucagon conjugate can be released. Thus, the composition can be used to deliver glucagon in an insulin responsive manner. The composition can be loaded into microneedles, for example, to prepare microneedle arrays for skin patches. Methods of delivering glucagon to a subject are also described.

A rotor includes a rotor core, a first magnet, a second magnet, and a holder made of resin. Both a radially inner surface and a radially outer surface of the first magnet are covered with the rotor core. The second magnet includes a radially inner surface covered with the rotor core, and a radially outer surface exposed from the rotor core. The holder includes a first inner pressing portion and a second inner pressing portion. The first inner pressing portion presses the first magnet radially outward from a radially inner side of the first magnet. The second inner pressing portion presses the second magnet radially outward from a radially inner side of the second magnet. Accordingly, the first magnet and the second magnet are accurately positioned for the rotor core.

This disclosure provides a retractor for use in repairing vaginal tears following birth. The retractor is formed as a sheet of soft rubber, plastic or silicone and is rolled or folded for vaginal insertion; the retractor is resilient so as to provide a spring force which urges the vaginal canal open to a degree that facilities visualization and obstetric repair while avoiding unnecessary strain on the tissues being repaired. An optional flange structure can be provided so as to provide a structure for the surgeon/OB to reposition the retractor in-situ, and also to serve as a stop or retainer to hold the retractor in place. The disclosed retractor is self-retaining, such that both of a surgeon's hands can be freed for other tasks.

A method and apparatus for positioning an end effector relative to a fuselage assembly. The end effector is positioned relative to an expected reference location for a reference point on the fuselage assembly using data from a first metrology system. After positioning the end effector relative to the expected reference location, an actual reference location for the reference point on the fuselage assembly is identified using data from a second metrology system. The end effector is positioned at an operation location based on the actual reference location identified.

A matrix for the cultivation of biological cells and differentiation into neuronal cells consists of a polymer base body having a structured surface with a microstructure and a nanostructure embedded therein.

A lip balm applicator product comprises upper and lower portions that are connectable together to define the applicator product being of a substantially spherical shape. A support platform is located in the lower portion and accommodates a quantity of lip balm having an arcuate surface. A lip balm comprises a composition of waxes and oils in solid form and formed to have an arcuate surface. The composition is formed to have the arcuate surface using a hot pour process. A method of manufacturing a lip balm comprises providing a receptacle having a concave arcuate surface. A lip balm material in a heated, liquefied phase is poured into the receptacle. Once poured, the heated, liquefied phase is allowed to solidify such that a surface of the solidified lip balm material has an arcuate configuration that corresponds to the concave arcuate surface of the receptacle.