The devices and systems described herein generally relate to magnetic field chambers and reversibly hardenable ferrofluids. The reversibly hardenable ferrofluid can include a magnetically responsive fluid and a reversible hardening agent. The reversibly hardenable ferrofluid can achieve a first shape using one or more magnetic fields, such as delivered from a magnetic field chamber. Once the first shape is achieved, the reversibly hardenable ferrofluid can be cured or otherwise hardened. The hardened reversibly hardenable ferrofluid can be used for the intended purpose and then returned to a liquid state once the task is completed, allowing for reuse. The steps of hardening and liquifying can be mediated by the magnetic field chamber, as described in embodiments herein.

A method of forming a device of composite material includes providing a mold having an internal space forming a cavity with an inner surface, the cavity having a shape corresponding to an inner shape of the device to be formed, placing inserts at one or more pre-defined positions along the inner surface, holding the inserts at the one or more positions, introducing removable material into the cavity of the mold to form a pattern having the inserts fixed therein when the removable material is in solid form, and removing the pattern having the inserts fixed therein from the mold.

The present application relates to a resin composition for 3D printing, a 3D printing method using the same, and a three-dimensional shape comprising the same, and provides a resin composition which is capable of precisely forming a three-dimensional shape and implementing uniform curing properties of a three-dimensional shape.

A system and method for authenticating a physical object. The method may include the steps of: (1) encoding a feed material with randomized information; (2) forming the object with the feed material such that one or more portions of the object have respective randomized signatures based upon at least some of the randomized information of the feed material; (3) reading the respective randomized signatures at the one or portions of the object; (4) creating a profile of the respective randomized signatures at the one or more portions of the object based upon information from the reading; (5) transporting the physical object to an authenticator, and transmitting the profile to the authenticator; (6) reading the respective randomized signatures at the one or more portions of the object by the authenticator; and (7) comparing the reading by the authenticator to the profile received by the authenticator to thereby authenticate the physical object.

A heating apparatus for heating an object having a cylindrical outer peripheral surface includes: a support member for supporting the object to be heated; a covering member movable in the vertical directions relative to the support member and having inner wall surfaces with an open lower end, the inner wall surfaces defining an accommodation space for accommodating the object to be heated; the covering member closing the accommodation space when the covering member is disposed on the support member; the covering member allowing loading or unloading of the object to be heated when the covering member is separated from the support member; and a plurality of ring-shaped light sources each provided to surround the cylindrical outer peripheral surface of the object to be heated and arranged in the vertical direction in the accommodation space and radiating light for heating the object to be heated.

A pivoting fastener assembly for securely fastening a panel in spaced relation to a support backing, and a method of manufacturing the same. The fastener assembly includes: a magnet-carrier assembly that includes a magnet that is fixed to a carrier member; and a base member that includes a base portion and a pivoting portion. The pivoting portion includes a head, a trunk, and an extension portion that is connected to the base portion. The extension portion includes a top side that connects a first peripheral surface to a second peripheral surface of the extension portion. A first end of the trunk is connected to the top side of the extension portion and a second end of the trunk is connected to the head. The base member is a unitary piece, and the head of the pivoting portion engages and retains the carrier member of the magnet-carrier assembly.

The invention relates to a method for forming an article comprising a pathway of particles wherein a termination of the pathway of particles is exposed. The method comprises arranging the particles by applying an electric field and/or a magnetic field at an interface between a water soluble or a non-water soluble matrix and a matrix comprising a viscous material and particles. After fixating the viscous material, the termination is exposed by dissolving the water soluble or non-water soluble matrix. The invention also relates to articles obtainable by said method, and to the use of said method in various applications.

An anti-fouling surface having micron scale pillars embedded with Fe.sub.3O.sub.4 nanoparticles is designed. The pillars may be repeatedly induced to move according to a predetermined frequency, such as one that mimic that of the beating movement of natural cilia, through the application of a magnetic field. When square-shaped pillars with a height of 10 μm, width of 2 μm, and inter-pattern distance of 5 μm actuated for three minutes, more than 99.9 percent of biofilm cells were detached and via gentle rinsing from the surface having the pillars. The anti-fouling surface enables effective prevention of biofilm formation and removal of established biofilms, and can be applied to a broad spectrum of polymers.

Aspects of this disclosure include a method for repairing a component having narrow passage, a three-dimensional printer, and composition for three-dimensional printing. One embodiment of the method may comprise mixing a filler material for three-dimensional printing with a carrier fluid, and applying a controlled electromagnetic field to bias the filler material towards a repair location in a narrow passage of a component. The method may further comprise coating a ferromagnetic material with the filler material to form a microcapsule, wherein the ferromagnetic material is adapted to interact with the controlled electromagnetic field to attract the microcapsule to the repair location. 3D printing techniques may be used to coat the ferromagnetic core with the filler material.

The present invention relates to a composite component including a metal component having a substantially cylindrical shape or a substantially annular shape, and a ring-shaped bonded magnet disposed on the outer periphery of the metal component, the ring-shaped bonded magnet containing a thermoplastic resin, magnetic particles, and rubber particles.