In various aspects, the present disclosure pertains to thermoformed webs that comprise polymer films having one or more thermoformed cavities contained therein, the polymer films comprising a polymer blend of amorphous polyethylene terephthalate (APET), polyethylene furanoate (PEF), and a copolyester that comprises (a) dicarboxylic acid residues (e.g., dicarboxylic acid residues that comprise terephthalic acid residues and, optionally, one or more additional dicarboxylic acid residues) and (b) diol residues (e.g., diol residues comprising ethylene glycol residues and, optionally, one or more additional diol monomer residues). Other aspects of the disclosure pertain to methods of forming such thermoformed webs, packaged products comprising such thermoformed webs, and methods of recycling such thermoformed webs.

Assay cartridges are described that have a detection chamber, preferably having integrated electrodes, and other fluidic components which may include sample chambers, waste chambers, conduits, vents, bubble traps, reagent chambers, dry reagent pill zones and the like. In certain embodiments, these cartridges are adapted to receive and analyze a sample collected on an applicator stick. Also described are kits including such cartridges and a cartridge reader configured to analyze an assay conducted using an assay cartridge.

A method and system are disclosed. A method of printing onto a base having an upper surface spaced from a lower surface by a base thickness includes dispensing a yarn from a nozzle of a printing system and selectively attaching the yarn to a first attachment region. The step of dispensing the yarn includes dispensing a heat-moldable material and a melt-resistant material. The step of selectively attaching the yarn to the first attachment region includes moving the nozzle into the first attachment region. The step of moving the nozzle into the first attachment region reduces the base thickness by a prodding distance. The heat-moldable material bonds to the first attachment region.

A nozzle for producing material extrusion in a three-dimensional printer includes a shank including an internal flow passage, where the shank is constructed of a first material having a first thermal conductivity. The nozzle also includes a shank barrel mechanically coupled to the shank. The shank barrel is constructed of a second material having a second thermal conductivity. The first thermal conductivity of the first material is different from the second thermal conductivity of the second material to create a first heat break between the shank and the shank barrel, where the first heat break reduces heat transfer between the shank and the shank barrel.

A production method for a low molecular weight polymer suitable for a melt-blown non-woven fabric and a production device for melt-blown non-woven fabric, with which a high molecular weight polymer can be reduced in molecular weight by applying a shear force to the high molecular weight polymer without adding an additive. The low molecular weight polymer and the melt-blown non-woven fabric are produced using a continuous high shearing device that applies a shear force to the high molecular weight polymer serving as a raw material by rotation of a screw body to reduce the molecular weight of the high molecular weight polymer so as to obtain a low molecular weight polymer, and cools the low molecular weight polymer by passing the low molecular weight polymer through a passage arranged in the axial direction inside the screw body.

An illustrative example embodiment of a method of making a concrete expansion joint insert includes moving a material including a resin having a melt temperature through a die having a flow passage that ends in an exit having a selected geometry, increasing a temperature of only a segment of the die near the exit to an elevated temperature that is at least 1.5 times the melt temperature, and increasing the temperature of a portion of the material to an increased temperature above the melt temperature through contact with the segment having the elevated temperature.

Provided are a molded article that contains a polyarylene sulfide (PAS) resin and a glass fiber and allows a decrease in mechanical strength to be suppressed even in a hot water environment and under acidic conditions, a PAS resin composition capable of providing such a molded article, and methods for producing the same. More specifically, provided are a PAS resin composition including, per 100 parts by mass of a PAS resin, 10 to 100 parts by mass of a glass fiber having, in the glass fiber, a ZrO.sub.2 content of 16 mass % or more, a TiO.sub.2 content of 5 to 10 mass % or less, and a CaO content of 0.1 to 5 mass %, and 0.01 to 10 parts by mass of a silane coupling agent (C) blended as essential components; a molded article; and methods for producing the same.

Provided are a molded article that contains a polyarylene sulfide (PAS) resin and a glass fiber and allows a decrease in mechanical strength to be suppressed even in a hot water environment and under acidic conditions, a PAS resin composition capable of providing such a molded article, and methods for producing the same. More specifically, provided are a PAS resin composition including, per 100 parts by mass of a PAS resin, 10 to 100 parts by mass of a glass fiber having, in the glass fiber, an MgO content of 6 mass % or more, a CaO content of 16 mass % or less, and an R.sub.2O content (the R.sub.2O content representing the total content of LiO.sub.2, Na.sub.2O, and K.sub.2O) of 1 mass % or less, and 0.01 to 10 parts by mass of a silane coupling agent (C) blended as essential components; a molded article; and methods for producing the same.

A method and system are disclosed. A method of printing onto a base having an upper surface spaced from a lower surface by a base thickness includes dispensing a yarn from a nozzle of a printing system and selectively attaching the yarn to a first attachment region. The step of dispensing the yarn includes dispensing a heat-moldable material and a melt-resistant material. The step of selectively attaching the yarn to the first attachment region includes moving the nozzle into the first attachment region. The step of moving the nozzle into the first attachment region reduces the base thickness by a prodding distance. The heat-moldable material bonds to the first attachment region.

Disclosed are an entrained polymer or an entrained polymer composition, and a method for forming and adhering an entrained polymer structure to a substrate using the entrained polymer or an entrained polymer composition. The method includes providing a substrate configured to receive application of a molten entrained polymer. A particulate entrained polymer in molten form is applied in a predetermined shape, to a surface of the substrate, to form a solidified entrained polymer structure on the substrate. The entrained polymer includes a monolithic material formed of at least a base polymer and a particulate active agent. The surface of the substrate is compatible with the molten entrained polymer so as to thermally bond with it. In this way, the entrained polymer bonds to the substrate and solidifies upon sufficient cooling of the entrained polymer.