A thermal sensor wire. The thermal sensor wire may include a thermal sensing portion extending along a wire axis of the thermal sensor wire; and a carrier portion, the carrier portion extending along the wire axis, adjacent to the thermal sensing portion, the thermal sensing portion comprising a polymer positive temperature coefficient (PPTC) material or a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) material.

Aspects of the disclosure are directed to methods and apparatus involving the extrusion of polymers or other materials. As may be implemented in accordance with various embodiments, a polymer is delivered into an inlet of a nozzle structure having the inlet and an outlet. The polymer is viscously heated and melted by rotating the nozzle structure about an axis extending through the inlet and the outlet, therein facilitating extrusion of the melted polymer through the nozzle structure outlet. A polymer supply may deliver the polymer into the nozzle structure inlet, and a coupler may facilitation rotation of the nozzle structure. A driver may further operate to control rotation of the nozzle structure relative to the coupler, for instance by generating a rotational output that causes rotation of the nozzle structure.

In an aspect, an extrusion printer is provided comprising a print head comprising one or more nozzles suited for 3D printing of a pharmaceutical product. A metering pump is coupled to the print head and is arranged to control a flow to said print head and an extruder device comprises an input arranged to receive a powder or pellet material. A three-way pressure valve is fitted between the metering pump and the extruder device to automatically distribute a constant output flow from the extruder to an input flow directed towards the metering pump and a remainder flow directed towards the overflow outlet.

In an aspect, an extrusion printer is provided comprising a print head comprising one or more nozzles suited for 3D printing of a pharmaceutical product. A metering pump is coupled to the print head and is arranged to control a flow to said print head and an extruder device comprises an input arranged to receive a powder or pellet material. A three-way pressure valve is fitted between the metering pump and the extruder device to automatically distribute a constant output flow from the extruder to an input flow directed towards the metering pump and a remainder flow directed towards the overflow outlet.

The notched Izod impact toughness and tensile elongation of poly(lactic acid) (PLA)-homopolymers are increased by about 2 to about 4 times by blending therewith a PLA-copolymer having a difunctional flexible middle segment such as a polysiloxane or a polyether from about 0.6 wt. % to about 20 wt. %. The PLA-homopolymer-PLA-copolymer blend having a difunctional flexible polymer from about 0.5 wt. % to about 10 wt. % is thermally annealed to provide impact toughness of at least about 5 kJ/m.sup.2 and tensile elongation of greater than 12%. This exceptional improvement observed in the PLA blend is a synergistic effect of the addition of the difunctional flexible polymer of the copolymer and thermal annealing. The improvement observed in the mechanical properties with high PLA homopolymer content above about 90 to about 98 wt. % is unusual and results in an increased scope of molding and thermoforming applications. The annealed PLA-copolymers having a difunctional flexible middle segment have also been found to have improved notched Izod impact properties.

The present disclosure relates to a spinneret for producing hollow fiber membranes in a phase inversion process.

The present disclosure relates to a spinneret for producing hollow fiber membranes in a phase inversion process.

Disclosed are an entrained polymer or an entrained polymer composition, and a method for forming and adhering an entrained polymer structure to a substrate using the entrained polymer or an entrained polymer composition. The method includes providing a substrate configured to receive application of a molten entrained polymer. A particulate entrained polymer in molten form is applied in a predetermined shape, to a surface of the substrate, to form a solidified entrained polymer structure on the substrate. The entrained polymer includes a monolithic material formed of at least abase polymer and a particulate active agent. The surface of the substrate is compatible with the molten entrained polymer so as to thermally bond with it. In this way, the entrained polymer bonds to the substrate and solidifies upon sufficient cooling of the entrained polymer.

Disclosed are an entrained polymer or an entrained polymer composition, and a method for forming and adhering an entrained polymer structure to a substrate using the entrained polymer or an entrained polymer composition. The method includes providing a substrate configured to receive application of a molten entrained polymer. A particulate entrained polymer in molten form is applied in a predetermined shape, to a surface of the substrate, to form a solidified entrained polymer structure on the substrate. The entrained polymer includes a monolithic material formed of at least abase polymer and a particulate active agent. The surface of the substrate is compatible with the molten entrained polymer so as to thermally bond with it. In this way, the entrained polymer bonds to the substrate and solidifies upon sufficient cooling of the entrained polymer.

A process for the production of spunbonded nonwoven (1) and a device for this purpose are shown, wherein a spinning mass (2) is extruded through a plurality of nozzle holes of at least one spinneret (3) to form filaments (4) and the filaments (4) are charged with a drawing air stream to be drawn in an extrusion direction, wherein the filaments (4) are deposited on a perforated conveying device (9) to form a spunbonded nonwoven (1) and wherein the spunbonded nonwoven (1) is subsequently subjected to at least one washing (10) and one drying (12) by means of hot air (15), with, in each case, one exhaust air stream (18, 19) being discharged during the drawing and washing (10). So as to be able to reduce the energy consumption in the process during the drying of the spunbonded nonwoven without decreasing the product quality, it is suggested that the hot air (15) for drying (12) is generated at least partially by preheating an air stream (16) by means of one of the exhaust air streams (18, 19) from the drawing and washing (10).