A graded-index optical element may include a nanovoided material including a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The nanovoided material may be transparent between the first surface and the second surface. Additionally, the nanovoided material may have a predefined change in effective refractive index in at least one axis due to a change in at least one of nanovoid size or nanovoid distribution along the at least one axis. Various other elements, devices, systems, materials, and methods are also disclosed.

An apparatus for applying an asphalt binder composition to a roadway during construction or repair of an asphalt pavement which apparatus include: a mobile vehicle having a chassis extending in a longitudinal direction which longitudinal direction is aligned with a forward/rearward direction of travel of said mobile vehicle; at least one storage tank supported on the chassis containing an asphalt binder composition; and at least one spray nozzle configured to dispense the asphalt binder composition from the at least one storage tank in a longitudinal strip or band having a width that is no greater that a width of the asphalt binder composition dispensed by one of the at least one spray nozzle. The at least one spray nozzle can include a plurality of spray nozzles that are coupled to a common spray bar. According to one embodiment the asphalt binder composition is a void reducing asphalt membrane composition that is provided between adjacent asphalt pavement passes.

Methods for encasing bodies including smokeless tobacco or a tobacco substitute with a polymeric casing can include coating a compressed body with microfibers, applying tubular casings to compressed bodies, printing netting and webs on compressed bodies, injection molding around compressed bodies, applying a webbing to compressed bodies, placing compressed bodies into a skin forming bath, and including thermoplastic polymers in a compressed body.

A flexible and stretchable integrated electronic device comprising a substrate having a stiffness gradient, wherein a rigid electronic device is embedded within the substrate. The stiffness gradient within the substrate prevents delamination at the interface between the substrate and the embedded device. A method of fabricating an integrated electronic device having a stiffness gradient comprises applying a curing agent to an uncured polymer base material.

An apparatus for applying an asphalt binder composition to a roadway during construction or repair of an asphalt pavement which apparatus include: a mobile vehicle having a chassis extending in a longitudinal direction which longitudinal direction is aligned with a forward/rearward direction of travel of said mobile vehicle; at least one storage tank supported on the chassis containing an asphalt binder composition; and at least one spray nozzle configured to dispense the asphalt binder composition from the at least one storage tank in a longitudinal strip or band having a width that is no greater that a width of the asphalt binder composition dispensed by one of the at least one spray nozzle. The at least one spray nozzle can include a plurality of spray nozzles that are coupled to a common spray bar. According to one embodiment the asphalt binder composition is a void reducing asphalt membrane composition that is provided between adjacent asphalt pavement passes.

The invention relates to ahydrolysable binder based on an ABAB type polysiloxane copolymer suitable for the preparation of coating compositions with an improved anti-adhesive and/or dirt-repellent surface.

The disclosure provides a metal protective layer, sequentially comprising an organic powder coating, a high-gloss organic coating, a ductile periodic variable alloy protective film and a transparent powder coating, wherein the base powder layer is an epoxy resin or pure polyester powder coating; the high-gloss organic coating is an epoxy resin powder coating, a polyester powder coating, or a polybutadiene organic coating; the ductile periodic variable alloy protective film is formed by direct current magnetron sputtering with two targets in a high vacuum environment, and the material of the targets is composed of a NiCr alloy layer and pure Cr; and the transparent powder layer is an acrylic powder coating or a polyester transparent powder coating.

The present invention provides technical varnishes comprising polystyrene, especially recycled polystyrene, and biofuels such as fatty acid alkyl esters and/or aliphatic softeners such cyclohexane-dialkyl esters. The technical varnishes are useful, for example, in conjunction with printing inks, especially lithographic inks, and coatings and protective lacquers, and overprint varnishes for sheet-fed inks.

A disposable toothbrush having a toothpaste composition distributed over the bristles of the toothbrush without the use of metal graft initiators and catalysts, and in which the toothpaste and the flavoring is maintained for an extended period of time.

A mixture of a lacquer and carbon nanotubes that form a cross-linked network to convert excitation energy into non-chemistry inducing energy in a cured lacquer.