Described is a method of making a densified fiber batt that includes the steps of: a) providing a fiber batt comprising a first plurality of fibers having a first melting point and a second plurality of fibers having a second melting point different from the first melting point; b) subjecting the fiber batt to heat, thereby producing a heated fiber batt; and c) after step b) subjecting the heated fiber batt to pressure in a static press, thereby forming a densified fiber batt having a first surface and an opposed second surface, wherein the densified fiber batt comprises at least 30% by weight of the first plurality of fibers being a plurality of multi-component fibers. Also disclosed is a layered composite article comprising such a fiber batt.

Some embodiments comprise membranes comprising a first layer comprising a porous graphene-based material; a second layer comprising a porous graphene-based material; a channel positioned between the first layer and the second layer, wherein the channel has a tunable channel diameter; and at least one spacer substance positioned in the channel, wherein the spacer substance is responsive to the environmental stimulus. In some cases, the membranes have more than two layers of porous graphene-based material. Permeability of a membrane can be altered by exposing the membrane to an environmental stimulus. Membranes can be used in methods of water filtration, immune-isolation, timed drug release (e.g., sustained or delayed release), hemodialysis, or hemofiltration.

A transaction instrument comprising a metal-filled biodegradable polymer. The biodegradable polymer is a plant-based polymer, a protein-based polymer, or a combination thereof. The metal of the blended composite of metal and biodegradable polymer is a heavy-gravity compound. The transaction instrument is biodegradable in whole or in part. A method(s) for making a transaction instrument comprising a blended composite of metal and a biodegradable polymer is also provided.

The present invention provides a composite molded article in which aliphatic polyester-based resin expanded beads and a thermosetting resin cured product containing a reinforcing fiber, which is formed between the expanded beads, are integrally fixed, wherein the aliphatic polyester-based resin is a polylactic acid-based resin, and a flexural modulus E (MPa) of the composite molded article and a density (kg/m.sup.3) of the composite molded article satisfy Expression (1): E.sup.1/3/0.02 [(MPa).sup.1/3(kg/m.sup.3).sup.1], and a composite molded article and a laminate having more improved strength.

A glueless dustless composite flooring material system providing PVC-based flooring having layers providing different qualities of hardness, wear-resistance, sound deadening, and decorative patterns, avoiding the use of moisture-susceptible compressed dust filler, with layers fused together, avoiding the manufacturing complexity and delamination risks of using glue or adhesive, with a quickly-cured, UV-cured top coating providing long-lasting high performance and shortening and simplifying the manufacturing, which can be done in a sheet-form, essentially continuous-run manner, with an ability to quickly and simply change the optional design printing and texturing produced, and having an optional underlayment layer.

An all-solid-state battery, including an all-solid-state battery laminate including at least one all-solid-state unit cell in which a positive electrode current collector layer, a positive electrode active material layer, a solid electrolyte layer, a negative electrode active material layer, and a negative electrode current collector layer are laminated in this order, and a resin layer covering a side surface of the all-solid-state battery laminate. At least one surface of at least one of the positive electrode current collector layer and the negative electrode current collector layer includes a laminated part and an extending part. The laminated part is a portion which overlaps another adjacent layer, and the extending part is a portion which extends beyond the other adjacent layer. The surface roughness of the extending part is greater than the surface roughness of the laminated part.

A cementitious composite includes a cementitious mixture of cementitious materials and non-cementitious materials. Prior to the in-situ hydration, V.sub.b=M.sub.c/.sub.c.Math.(1+F.sub.v)+.sub.i.sup.n(M.sub.nc.sub.i/.sub.nc.sub.i) where V.sub.b is the bulk volume of the cementitious mixture per unit area of the cementitious composite, M.sub.c is a mass of the cementitious materials of the cementitious mixture per unit area of the cementitious composite, .sub.c is a density of the cementitious materials of the cementitious mixture, M.sub.nc.sub.i is a mass of each constituent type of the non-cementitious materials of the cementitious mixture per unit area of the cementitious composite, .sub.nc.sub.i is a density of each constituent type of the non-cementitious materials of the cementitious mixture, and F.sub.v is a ratio of the volume of the voids within the cementitious mixture relative to the volume of the cementitious materials of the cementitious mixture per unit area of the cementitious composite. F.sub.v is between 0.64 and 1.35.

Systems and methods are provided for protective devices. A protective equipment device may include a high mass member; and a nanoparticle shock wave attenuating material layer disposed on the high mass member. The nanoparticle shock wave attenuating material layer may include a gradient nanoparticle layer including a plurality of nanoparticles of different diameters that are arranged in a gradient array; and a carbon allotrope layer disposed in proximity to the gradient nanoparticle layer, the carbon allotrope layer comprising a plurality of carbon allotrope members suspended in a matrix.

Systems and methods for heat dissipation are described. Systems and methods may include a gradient nanoparticle structure applied to a substrate, such as electrical transmission, distribution lines, to photovoltaic cells, and/or batteries of transportation vehicles and electronic devices.

A multi-layer thermal barrier may be applied to a surface of components within an internal combustion engine. The multi-layer thermal barrier provides low thermal conductivity and low heat capacity insulation that is sealed against combustion gasses. The multi-layer thermal barrier includes two, three, or more layers, bonded to one another, e.g., a first (bonding) layer, a second (insulating) layer, and a third (sealing) layer. The insulating layer is disposed between the bonding layer and the sealing layer. The bonding layer is bonded to the component. The insulating layer includes hollow microstructures that may be sintered together to form insulation that provides a low effective thermal conductivity and low effective heat capacity. The sealing layer may be formed of a ceramic material, and the insulating layer may include deformed microstructures having a greater width than height.