A multi-laminar electrospun nanofiber scaffold for use in repairing a defect in a tissue substrate is provided. The scaffold includes a first layer formed by a first plurality of electrospun polymeric fibers, and a second layer formed by a second plurality of electrospun polymeric fibers. The second layer is combined with the first layer. A first portion of the scaffold includes a higher density of fibers than a second portion of the scaffold, and the first portion has a higher tensile strength than the second portion. The scaffold is configured to degrade via hydrolysis after at least one of a predetermined time or an environmental condition. The scaffold is configured to be applied to the tissue substrate containing the defect, and is sufficiently flexible to facilitate application of the scaffold to uneven surfaces of the tissue substrate, and to enable movement of the scaffold by the tissue substrate.

A molding apparatus defining a processing direction includes multiple molding modules spaced apart in a lateral direction perpendicular to the processing direction and a common reaction surface. Each molding module includes a frame and a mold roll that defines molding cavities. Each mold roll defines a respective pressure zone in cooperation with the reaction surface and each mold roll is movable with respect to the reaction surface by controlled operation of the frame. Molten resin is introduced into the pressure zones and forced into the molding cavities to form arrays of fastener elements extending from base layers of resin formed on the surfaces of the mold rolls. The fastener elements are withdrawn from the cavities while stripping the base layers from the peripheral surfaces.

The present invention discloses an LCP film production apparatus and method. The apparatus includes: a rack; a screw extrusion device; a T-shaped material port; a squeezing assembly, where the squeezing assembly includes a first roller wheel, a second roller wheel, and a third roller wheel, the first roller wheel and the second roller wheel are fixedly mounted directly below the T-shaped material port side by side, and the third roller wheel is fixedly mounted next to the second roller wheel side by side; and an electromagnetic field generator, fixedly connected to the T-shaped material port and mounted around the T-shaped material port in a circle by means of bolts, where the screw extrusion device is fixedly mounted at the top of the rack, and the T-shaped material port is fixedly mounted on one end of the screw extrusion device. According to the present invention, a field generated by the electromagnetic field generator can disrupt the ordered arrangement of LCP molecules, thereby alleviating or even eliminating the anisotropic problem of transverse and longitudinal tensile strength thereof.

The invention relates to a method and a device for producing large-volume container trays of plastic. A tubular preform is guided over a mold frame which is facing two blow molds. During the closure of the blow molds, an encircling flange is formed on the outer edge of the container trays. After blow molding, the container trays are cut free from the mold frame along said mold frame.

Provided are a nanofiber-nanowire composite and a method for producing the same. The method includes preparing a nanoparticle using a dipolar solvent, producing a nanofiber-nanoparticle composite in an electrospinning synthesis solution including the nanoparticle through electrospinning, and growing a nanowire from the nanoparticle by hydrothermally synthesizing a dried nanofiber-nanoparticle composite.

Systems and methods are provided for fabricating carbon nanostructures by low voltage near-field electromechanical spinning (LV-NFEMS). Processes described herein can produce 2-5 nm carbon nanowires with ultrahigh electrical conductivity using top-down and controlled reductive techniques from a polymer. Configurations are also provided to allow for deposition control and fiber elongation/alignment. One embodiment uses a low voltage near-field electromechanical spinning process to produce a polymer fiber from a polymer solution. Another embodiment of the method uses pyrolysis to convert the produced polymer fiber into a 2-5 nm carbon nanowire. System configurations provide advancements in polymer droplet control and control of a sustained jet of polymer solution with the use low voltages. Systems and processes described herein can include use of an array of polymer precursor nanofibers suspended onto a silicon substrate and converted to carbon nanowires. In another embodiment, ultra-thin carbon fibers can be integrated onto a carbon electrode scaffold.

A system and method for an improved material flow through an extrusion machine by altering the material properties in a magnetic field are provided. The electromagnetic extrusion system includes a ram that is moved into a chamber containing an extrusion material to force the extrusion material out of an opening defined, at least in part, by a die to create an extrusion with a cross-sectional shape corresponding to the predetermined shape of the opening. An electromagnetic winding of electrically conductive material is embedded within a tool retainer block surrounding the container and is helically wound about the chamber and carries a DC electrical current to generate a magnetic field having a magnetic flux density of at least 2 Tesla within the extrusion material to dissipate dislocation defect structures in the extrusion material being extruded via the magnetoplasticity effect. The magnetic field therefore provides for reduced flow stress on the tooling.

A film casting apparatus includes a die which has a non-zero angled discharge direction relative to a horizontal plane. A chill roll is positioned downstream of the die. A film displacement device is positioned proximate to the chill roll and is configured to position the molten polymer on the chill roll and establish the thickness of the film. The non-zero discharge angle is of a predetermined magnitude to gravity assist delivery of the molten polymer to the chill roll. The chill roll is positioned to gravity support the polymer film along a first length of a first side of the polymer film. A first polishing roll is positioned downstream of the chill roll and engages and cools a second length of a second side of the polymer film which is opposite the first side. The first length is substantially equal to the second length.

Example methods and articles of manufacture related to electrospun aramid nanofibers are provided. One example method may include forming a resultant solution by reacting a solution of aramids dissolved in a solvent with an electrophile. In this regard, the electrophile may perform a side chain substitution on the dissolved aramids. The example method may further include electrospinning the resultant solution to form an aramid nanofiber.

A device for processing thermoplastic plastic includes a storage container for receiving pieces of plastic particles or a conveying line for conveying the pieces of plastic particles, and a conveying screw following the storage container/the conveying line at a transfer opening. The device also includes an extruder following the conveying screw and an air outlet arranged opposite the transfer opening and directed at this opening. In a method for operating the device, an air stream is aligned with the transfer opening. The strength and/or the direction of the air stream is adjusted or controlled as a function of a load on the extruder.