A removable fluid barrier comprises a generally planar flexible body fabricated of at least one resilient material and encapsulating a plurality of permanent magnets. The flexible body has an outer face defining a sealing surface of the removable fluid barrier.

A method for manufacturing a cosmetic stick having at least two different colored portions includes inserting a pin into at least one mold cavity of a mold body, filling the mold cavity containing the pin with a first cosmetic material of a first color, and then recovering the excess first cosmetic material from a top surface of the mold body. The pin is removed from the mold cavity leaving a void in the mold cavity, and a guard plate is placed over the top surface of the mold body, the guard plate having a hole over the mold cavity. The void in the mold cavity is filled with a second cosmetic material, the second cosmetic material being a second color that is different than the first color. The excess second cosmetic material is then recovered from a top surface of the guard plate.

A device for manufacturing a support for the human body, of the type including a mold including a lower female portion and an upper male portion capable of being coupled with one another so as to define at least one cavity between them inside which at least one material in the fluid state intended to make the support can be poured. The female portion of the mold includes at least one mobile block including at least two different surfaces suitable for making up respective different bottoms of said cavity for separate pouring steps of at least one material in the fluid state foreseen in the support. A process for manufacturing a support for the human body is moreover presented.

A computer-assisted method (and a computer system implementing a design tool and skin fabricated according to these designs) for designing elastomeric skin for robots and robotic devices. The skin design tool is configured to facilitate the optimal navigation of the design space spanned by an animatronic or robotic device skin. The skin design tool includes a soft body simulator that is differentiable with respect to control and design parameters, which enables the skin design tool to provide one or more of the following applications: (1) automated identification of an optimal neutral pose for the skin that minimizes peak stresses when the skin is brought into extreme poses; (2) automated optimization of the skin thickness and shape of a skin to meet a time-varying artistic target; and (3) automated optimization of a skin to achieve a desired behavior if the skin is allowed to slide along an underlying rigid shell.

An improved composite paver is provided specifically designed to overcome the limitations of conventional concrete pavers. The paver comprises a base layer made from a mixture of concrete and epoxy in an eight-to-two ratio by volume, providing enhanced durability and resistance to cracking. An appearance layer, consisting of colorful vinyl flakes, is applied atop the base layer, adding texture and visual appeal. The paver is further encapsulated with an additional layer of epoxy mixed with clear sand, offering slip resistance and protection against environmental factors. The unique combination of materials and the manufacturing process results in a paver that is not only aesthetically pleasing but also significantly more durable and low maintenance compared to traditional options. The composite paver is suitable for various applications, including outdoor spaces such as patios, driveways, and walkways, providing a long-lasting and visually attractive paving solution.

Disclosed herein are simulated fibrous tissue models of anatomical parts for surgical training. The non-dissolvable simulated fibrous tissue model is made of a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and fibrous material composite to simulate realistic tissue properties and behaviors. The simulated fibrous tissue model may be a standalone model of an anatomical part or may be used in a complementary anatomical simulation kit to provide a more comprehensive training approach.

Vascular prosthetic assemblies (e.g., heart valves), such as those, for example, configured to be deployed percutaneously.

A tile made of hard objects, such as stones, that are enclosed in epoxy and a method to fabricate such tiles are disclosed. The method includes placing a predetermined volume of sand of a predetermined coarseness into a mold of a predetermined size; leveling the sand in the mold; placing a first predetermined volume of stones of a first predetermined size range over the sand in the mold; placing a second predetermined volume of stones of a second predetermined size range over the sand in the mold; pouring a predetermined amount of self-leveling epoxy material over the stones and sand; and curing the epoxy material. A top coat is next applied to ensure that the bigger stones that sit proud of the epoxy are wetted to give the brilliant color of wet stones as seen at the lakeshore.

Superhydrophobic films from plastic waste and a fabrication method thereof are provided. Superhydrophobic films with variable thickness, comprising a base and top layer, can be created using semi-crystalline polymers, including virgin, recycled, or waste forms. The fabrication process utilizes 60% of total plastic waste, resulting in films with contact angles between 120? to 160?, tensile strength ranging from 1 MPa to about 70 MPa, and thickness ranging from 20 ?m to about 5 mm. Superhydrophobic films may impart protective water-repellent properties against the elements.

Superhydrophobic films can be prepared from a stream of plastic waste (i.e., derived from post-consumer and/or industrial waste) by a method comprising: dissolving first semi-crystalline polymers in a solvent to form solution1; pre-heating a solid substrate to below a boiling point of the solvent; applying solution1 onto the substrate using spin-casting to obtain a porous blended-polymer layer with fragile structure; annealing the porous blended-polymer layer to above the melting point of the first semi-crystalline polymers to strengthen the porous blended-polymer layer's internal structure by closing pores and decreasing surface roughness, thereby obtaining a strong non-porous base support layer; and dissolving second semi-crystalline polymer in a solvent to form solution2; pre-heating the non-porous base layer to a temperature below a boiling point of the solvent; applying solution2 onto the non-porous base layer to obtain a top porous layer crosslinked with the non-porous base layer; and peeling off the freestanding superhydrophobic film.