Described herein are methods and systems for forming composite stringer assemblies or, more specifically, for shaping composite charges while forming these stringer assemblies. A system comprises a bladder, having a bladder core, and a bladder skin. The bladder core is formed from foam. The bladder skin is formed from an elastic material and encloses the bladder core. When a composite stringer assembly is formed, the bladder is positioned over a charge base. The charge base later becomes a stringer base, such as a fuselage section or a wing skin. A charge hat is then positioned over the bladder and is conformed to the bladder. A combination of the bladder skin and the bladder core provides support during this forming operation and later while the stringer assembly is cured. In some examples, the bladder core is collapsible for the removal of the bladder from the cavity of the stringer assembly.

Described herein are methods and systems for forming composite stringer assemblies or, more specifically, for shaping composite charges while forming these stringer assemblies. A system comprises a bladder, having a bladder core, and a bladder skin. The bladder core is formed from foam. The bladder skin is formed from an elastic material and encloses the bladder core. When a composite stringer assembly is formed, the bladder is positioned over a charge base. The charge base later becomes a stringer base, such as a fuselage section or a wing skin. A charge hat is then positioned over the bladder and is conformed to the bladder. A combination of the bladder skin and the bladder core provides support during this forming operation and later while the stringer assembly is cured. In some examples, the bladder core is collapsible for the removal of the bladder from the cavity of the stringer assembly.

A method of forming a composite part from a mufti-ply prepreg composite charge comprises reducing pressure inside a bladder, located in a chamber that is at atmospheric pressure, below the atmospheric pressure. The method also comprises placing the multi-ply prepreg composite charge, having a first shape, in the chamber and reducing pressure inside the chamber below the atmospheric pressure. The method additionally comprises, while maintaining pressure inside the chamber below the atmospheric pressure, expanding the bladder within the chamber by increasing pressure inside the bladder to the atmospheric pressure, so that the multi-ply prepreg composite charge is compressed between the bladder and a forming tool, which is located inside the chamber, and the multi-ply prepreg composite charge is configured by the forming tool to a second shape, different from the first shape. The method also comprises curing the multi-ply prepreg composite charge, having the second shape.

According to one implementation, a composite material structure includes a corrugated stringer and a panel. The corrugated stringer has a corrugated structure including portions each having hat-shaped cross section. The corrugated stringer is made of a composite material. The panel is integrated with the corrugated stringer. The panel is made of a composite material. Further, according to one implementation, a manufacturing method of a composite material structure includes: setting a textile on a laminated body of prepregs; and producing the composite material structure by covering the laminated body with a bagging film, forming a vacuum state in a space covered with the bagging film, impregnating the textile with the resin, and thermal curing of the laminated body of the prepregs. The laminated body is a panel before curing. The textile has a structure corresponding to a corrugated stringer.

According to one implementation, a composite material structure includes a corrugated stringer and a panel. The corrugated stringer has a corrugated structure including portions each having hat-shaped cross section. The corrugated stringer is made of a composite material. The panel is integrated with the corrugated stringer. The panel is made of a composite material. Further, according to one implementation, a manufacturing method of a composite material structure includes: setting a textile on a laminated body of prepregs; and producing the composite material structure by covering the laminated body with a bagging film, forming a vacuum state in a space covered with the bagging film, impregnating the textile with the resin, and thermal curing of the laminated body of the prepregs. The laminated body is a panel before curing. The textile has a structure corresponding to a corrugated stringer.

An object of the present invention is to provide a microneedle array in which the stability of influenza vaccine during production is satisfactory and the utilization efficiency of the influenza vaccine is high, and a method of producing the same. According to the present invention, provided is a self-dissolving microneedle array including a sheet portion, and a plurality of needle portions which are present on an upper surface of the sheet portion, in which the needle portion contains a saccharide, influenza vaccine, a natural amino acid or a salt thereof, and a surfactant and the influenza vaccine is administered into a body by dissolution of the needle portions.

An object of the present invention is to provide a microneedle array in which the stability of influenza vaccine during production is satisfactory and the utilization efficiency of the influenza vaccine is high, and a method of producing the same. According to the present invention, provided is a self-dissolving microneedle array including a sheet portion, and a plurality of needle portions which are present on an upper surface of the sheet portion, in which the needle portion contains a saccharide, influenza vaccine, a natural amino acid or a salt thereof, and a surfactant and the influenza vaccine is administered into a body by dissolution of the needle portions.

A method for manufacturing thin, multi-bend optics includes placing an optical substrate and a protective sheet into a compression mold and closing the compression mold to deform the optical substrate and to deform the protective sheet. The optical substrate can include an optical surface and the protective sheet can be disposed between the compression mold and the optical surface of the optical substrate. The compression mold can include a mold contact surface that is characterized by a surface roughness. The compression mold can be held in a closed position for a compression time period, during which, the protective sheet contacts the mold contact surface and provides a buffer layer between the mold contact surface and the optical surface thereby mitigating against transfer of the surface roughness of the mold contact surface onto the optical surface.

A method for manufacturing thin, multi-bend optics includes placing an optical substrate and a protective sheet into a compression mold and closing the compression mold to deform the optical substrate and to deform the protective sheet. The optical substrate can include an optical surface and the protective sheet can be disposed between the compression mold and the optical surface of the optical substrate. The compression mold can include a mold contact surface that is characterized by a surface roughness. The compression mold can be held in a closed position for a compression time period, during which, the protective sheet contacts the mold contact surface and provides a buffer layer between the mold contact surface and the optical surface thereby mitigating against transfer of the surface roughness of the mold contact surface onto the optical surface.

A method of and apparatus for sinter forging a precursor powder to form a film may reduce or eliminate the stress in the film and may facilitate processing of continuous length of films such as ceramic films for use in batteries. The precursor powder can be provided on a substrate and is simultaneously heated and pressed in a pressing direction parallel to a thickness of the film so as to sinter and densify the precursor powder to form the film in a sinter forging area. Notably, in a plane perpendicular to the pressing direction, there are no lateral constraints on the sinter forging area or the material received therein.