Compositions-of-matter comprising a matrix made of one or more, preferably two or more elastic layers and one or more viscoelastic layer are disclosed. The compositions-of-matter are characterized by high water-impermeability and optionally by self-recovery. Processes of preparing the compositions-of-matter and uses thereof as tissue substitutes or for repairing damaged tissues are also disclosed.

The present invention provides a method for producing a non-woven fiber fabric by spinning a molten polymer. Thus, a non-woven fiber fabric which is substantially free from a solvent, different from the case of spinning a polymer solution, but yet has an extremely small fiber size (diameter of 0.5 m or less) is provided. The non-woven fiber fabric comprises an olefin-based thermoplastic resin fiber, said fiber having an average fiber size of 0.01-0.5 m, and said non-woven fiber fabric having an average pore size of 0.01-10.0 m and being free from a solvent component.

Traditionally, the manufacturing of ceramic metal oxide membranes is often expensive and extremely labor intensive due to the often necessary post-processing steps. The present invention discloses to a novel single-step process, to produce ceramic metal oxide membranes. More specifically, this invention relates to reactive electrospinning where a sol-gel solution containing alkoxides is electrically charged and formed a Taylor cone at the tip of a needle in an environment controlled chamber, and the Taylor cone rejects a continuous stream of alkoxide nanofibers which polymerized to form a ceramic metal oxide membrane (with and without a polymer substrate present). The manufactured membranes may be used for various applications, including dye sensitized solar cells and for carbon dioxide capturing.

A method for preparing a high temperature melt integrity separator, the method comprising spinning a polymer by one or more of a mechanical spinning process and an electro-spinning process to produce fine fibers.

Polymer pellets are formed using air to influence the separation of polymer from a polymer melt. In accordance with one or more embodiments, a polymer material is extruded through a nozzle to form a polymer melt extending from the nozzle. A non-uniform thickness is generated in the polymer melt using a gas or gasses to apply a drag force to the polymer melt. This drag force reduces a thickness of a portion of the polymer melt adjacent the nozzle, and the polymer melt is fractured into discrete droplets at the reduced thickness. The discrete droplets are then solidified to form pellets.

Silicone tube structures are formed having a particular dimensional accuracy. In one embodiment, a silicone tube structure can include an extruded hollow body having an inner bore. The extruded hollow body can have an inner diameter, an outer diameter, and a length of at least approximately 20 m. The extruded hollow body can also have a dimensional accuracy that is measured by the standard deviation of the inner diameter being no greater than approximately 0.8% of an average inner diameter of the extruded hollow body over the length. In an embodiment, the silicone tube structure can be cut to form a number of silicone tubes.

Ophthalmic suture materials made from biocompatible and biodegradable polymers with high tensile strength for use in drug delivery, methods of making them, and method of using them for ocular surgery and repair have been developed. The suture materials are made from a combination of a biodegradable, biocompatible polymer and a hydrophilic biocompatible polymer. In a preferred embodiment the suture materials are made from a poly(hydroxyl acid) such as poly(l-lactic acid) and a polyalkylene oxide such as poly(ethylene glycol) or a polyalkylene oxide block copolymer. The sutures entrap (e.g., encapsulate) one or more therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic agents and provide prolonged release over a period of at least a week, preferably a month.

A structure of aligned (e.g., radially and/or polygonally aligned) fibers, and systems and methods for producing and using the same. One or more structures provided may be created using an apparatus that includes one or more first electrodes that define an area and/or partially circumscribe an area. For example, a single first electrode may enclose the area, or a plurality of first electrode(s) may be positioned on at least a portion of the perimeter of the area. A second electrode is positioned within the area. Electrodes with rounded (e.g., convex) surfaces may be arranged in an array, and a fibrous structure created using such electrodes may include an array of wells at positions corresponding to the positions of the electrodes.

A structure of aligned (e.g., radially and/or polygonally aligned) fibers, and systems and methods for producing and using the same. One or more structures provided may be created using an apparatus that includes one or more first electrodes that define an area and/or partially circumscribe an area. For example, a single first electrode may enclose the area, or a plurality of first electrode(s) may be positioned on at least a portion of the perimeter of the area. A second electrode is positioned within the area. Electrodes with rounded (e.g., convex) surfaces may be arranged in an array, and a fibrous structure created using such electrodes may include an array of wells at positions corresponding to the positions of the electrodes.

Aspects of triboelectric fibers and methods of manufacture of the fibers are described. In one example, a method of manufacture of a fiber for generating energy using the triboelectric effect includes forming a preform tube, heating the preform tube in a furnace, feeding a wire through the preform tube and the furnace during the heating, and pulling the wire through the furnace to form a fiber. The methods described herein can be relied upon to manufacture fibers long enough for industrial-scale textile manufacturing, including for use with industrial-scale looms. In one example, forming the preform tube can include providing a polypropylene tube and wrapping the polypropylene tube with a housing layer of amorphous film, such as acrylic film. The acrylic film can be relied upon to maintain the form and integrity of the polypropylene as the wire is pulled, and the acrylic film can be easily removed after the pulling.