A method for modifying the wettability of a surface of an object can comprise forming on the surface of the object one or more arrays of nanofibers, wherein the one or more arrays of nanofibers includes nanofibers spaced along an X-axis and a Y-axis at the same or different intervals along either axis, the one or more arrays of nanofibers is integral with the object, and the nanofibers all have a base portion that is substantially normal to the surface. The intervals, diameter, and length of the nanofibers of the one or more arrays of nanofibers are selected so that the wettability of the surface for one or more predetermined liquids is increased or decreased relative to the wettability of the surface in the absence of the array of nanofibers.

A thermoforming system and related methods for manufacturing thermoplastic parts, such as interior panels for aircraft, may include a roll-to-roll operation and a forming press having at least one selectively rotatable tool. The rotatable tool, which may include a mold and/or a die, may be multifaceted, such that different faces of the tool have different mold arrangements for different forming characteristics.

A method of molding resin on a flexible substrate includes forming discrete regions of resin and forcing resin of at least some of the regions into molding cavities to form a respective array of resin projections extending from a resin base of the regions. Forming the discrete regions of resin includes depositing molten resin directly onto either the substrate or a surface in which the cavities are defined. The resin is deposited as the substrate moves in a processing direction, and the resin is deposited by resin sources spaced from each other along the processing direction.

In an electrode sheet manufacturing device, in a state where an electric potential difference is generated between a gravure roll and a current collecting foil conveyed by a backup roll, a powder mixture made as powder of an electrode active material and powder of a binder are mixed without a solvent is continuously fed into a depressed portion on an outer peripheral surface of the gravure roll, and an electric potential difference is generated between the powder mixture fed into the depressed portion of the gravure roll, and the current collecting foil. Due to electrostatic force acting between the powder mixture and the current collecting foil, the powder mixture is moved from the gravure roll to a surface of the current collecting foil. Circumferential speed of the gravure roll is higher than circumferential speed of the backup roll.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to methods for making large areas of high aspect ratio micro or nanostructured foil using existing extrusion coating equipment. A method is disclosed for producing a high aspect ratio micro- or nanostructured thermoplastic polymer foil, or a nanostructured thermoplastic polymer coating on a carrier foil, comprising at least one high aspect ratio nanostructured surface area. The method comprises applying a high aspect ratio nanostructured surface on an extrusion coating roller and maintaining the temperature of the roller below the solidification temperature of the thermoplastic material. A thermoplastic foil and a thermoplastic coating made by the method is also disclosed.

A process for producing an eyelet for a biomedical electrode (e.g. an electrocardiogram (ECG) electrode) involves: hot pressing an electrically conductive thermoplastic or elastomeric resin to produce a film having a web of eyelets, each eyelet having a post protruding from a first face of the film and a flange at a second face of the film; applying a coating of a non-polarizable conductive material (e.g. a silver-containing material) on to a contact face of the flange; and, cutting the film to produce the eyelets separated from the web. Preferably, the process involves extrusion replication. A web of eyelets for biomedical electrodes has a film of an electrically conductive thermoplastic or elastomeric resin possessing a plurality of posts protruding from a first face of the film, and preferably a layer of a non-polarizable conductive material on a second face of the film. The process may be a one-step continuous process that is cheaper and simpler than current commercial processes.

A retaining device, includes a base (51) extending in a longitudinal direction and presenting a top face (511) and a bottom face (512); and a plurality of retaining elements extending from the top face (511) of the base (51), each of the retaining elements being formed by a stem (52) surmounted by a head (53), the stem (52) having a bottom end (521) connected to the base (51), and a top end (522) opposite from the bottom end (521), the head (53) surmounting the top end (522) of the stem (52), and having a bottom face facing towards the base and a top face opposite from the bottom face.

Provided is a molding apparatus used for manufacturing a molded surface fastener wherein a die wheel driving rotationally has a concentric double cylinder structure provided with an outer side cylindrical body that has provided therethrough a plurality of penetrating holes, and an inner side cylindrical body that has formed, in the outer peripheral surface thereof, a plurality of grooved portions, the grooved portions located in the inner side cylindrical body include a use grooved portion that intersects with the penetrating hole of the outer side cylindrical body and a non-use grooved portion that is covered by the inner peripheral surface of the outer side cylindrical body. By using this molding apparatus obtained is a molded surface fastener in which a plurality of types of engaging elements having different shapes in a plan view are arranged cyclically in a reference direction.

A thermoforming system and related methods for manufacturing thermoplastic parts, such as interior panels for aircraft, may include a roll-to-roll operation and a forming press having at least one selectively rotatable tool. The rotatable tool, which may include a mold and/or a die, may be multifaceted, such that different faces of the tool have different mold arrangements for different forming characteristics.

A method for modifying the wettability of a surface of an object can comprise forming on the surface of the object one or more arrays of nanofibers, wherein the one or more arrays of nanofibers includes nanofibers spaced along an X-axis and a Y-axis at the same or different intervals along either axis, the one or more arrays of nanofibers is integral with the object, and the nanofibers all have a base portion that is substantially normal to the surface. The intervals, diameter, and length of the nanofibers of the one or more arrays of nanofibers are selected so that the wettability of the surface for one or more predetermined liquids is increased or decreased relative to the wettability of the surface in the absence of the array of nanofibers.