Disclosed are a method of manufacturing a polyethylene membrane comprising: stretching a polyethylene film in a first direction during a first stretching; attaching a plurality of rods on side edges of the polyethylene film; attaching a tape on the polyethylene film; stretching the polyethylene film having the rods attached thereto in a second direction during a second stretching; and annealing the polyethylene film after the second stretching. The second direction can be a transverse direction of the first direction, and the first stretching and the second stretching can be performed at the same (or higher) temperature and the same stretching speed as each other.

Disclosed are a method of manufacturing a polyethylene membrane comprising: stretching a polyethylene film in a first direction during a first stretching; attaching a plurality of rods on side edges of the polyethylene film; attaching a tape on the polyethylene film; stretching the polyethylene film having the rods attached thereto in a second direction during a second stretching; and annealing the polyethylene film after the second stretching. The second direction can be a transverse direction of the first direction, and the first stretching and the second stretching can be performed at the same (or higher) temperature and the same stretching speed as each other.

The present disclosure is directed to a film formulation that resulted in a substantially non-migratory cold seal release film with improved blocking resistance. Specifically, the multilayered biaxially oriented polypropylene film can include a core layer of polypropylene homopolymer; a first outer layer on one side of the core layer that can be suitable for sealing, printing, or coating; and a second outer layer on the opposite side of the core layer that is a blocking resistant layer comprising thermoplastic polymers which reduce blocking tendency.

A monolayer multi-axial integral geogrid suitable for stabilizing aggregate includes a plurality of interconnected oriented strands and partially oriented junctions forming a repeating pattern of outer hexagons having an array of openings therein. Oriented ribs extending inwardly from each of said outer hexagons support and surround a smaller inner hexagon having oriented strands thus forming a plurality of trapezoidal openings and a single hexagonal opening. The oriented strands and partially oriented junctions of the outer hexagons form a plurality of linear strong axis strands that extend continuously throughout the entirety of the geogrid and form additional triangular openings. The geogrid thus includes three different repeating geometric shapes. The inner hexagons preferably also can move up and down, out of the plane of the geogrid. The multi-axial integral geogrid thus provides a geometry configured to engage with, confine and stabilize a large variety and quality of aggregates.

A monolayer multi-axial integral geogrid suitable for stabilizing aggregate includes a plurality of interconnected oriented strands and partially oriented junctions forming a repeating pattern of outer hexagons having an array of openings therein. Oriented ribs extending inwardly from each of said outer hexagons support and surround a smaller inner hexagon having oriented strands thus forming a plurality of trapezoidal openings and a single hexagonal opening. The oriented strands and partially oriented junctions of the outer hexagons form a plurality of linear strong axis strands that extend continuously throughout the entirety of the geogrid and form additional triangular openings. The geogrid thus includes three different repeating geometric shapes. The inner hexagons preferably also can move up and down, out of the plane of the geogrid. The multi-axial integral geogrid thus provides a geometry configured to engage with, confine and stabilize a large variety and quality of aggregates.

In some embodiments, the present invention is directed to an actuator which includes at least the following: a pre-stretched electro-active polymer film being pre-stretched in a single or biaxial planar directions; at least one first semi-stiff conductor attached to a first surface of the pre-stretched electro-active polymer film, wherein the first surface is parallel to the single or biaxial planar stretch directions; at least one second semi-stiff conductor attached to a second surface of the pre-stretched electro-active polymer film, wherein the second surface is opposite to the first surface; where the semi-stiff conductors are configured to: fix the pre-stretched electro-active polymer film in a pre-stretched state and allow the pre-stretched electro-active polymer film to expand; a pair of mechanical connectors coupled to each end of an active region of the pre-stretched electro-active polymer film.

A multi-axial geogrid possesses a series of interconnected strands or ribs that are arranged along at least two different axes within the plane of the structure. The strands or ribs have an aspect ratio, defined as the ratio of the thickness to width, of greater than 1.0, thickness being the direction normal to the plane of the structure. The geogrid can be manufactured by modifying the process parameters in order to create high aspect ratio ribs, using any of the various known methods for producing geogrids. A reinforced civil engineering structure, and method therefor, is formed by embedding in soil one or more horizontal layers of geogrid having high aspect ratio ribs. The reinforced structure shows improved rutting performance when subjected to vehicular traffic.

A multi-axial geogrid possesses a series of interconnected strands or ribs that are arranged along at least two different axes within the plane of the structure. The strands or ribs have an aspect ratio, defined as the ratio of the thickness to width, of greater than 1.0, thickness being the direction normal to the plane of the structure. The geogrid can be manufactured by modifying the process parameters in order to create high aspect ratio ribs, using any of the various known methods for producing geogrids. A reinforced civil engineering structure, and method therefor, is formed by embedding in soil one or more horizontal layers of geogrid having high aspect ratio ribs. The reinforced structure shows improved rutting performance when subjected to vehicular traffic.

The present invention discloses a process for forming a biaxially oriented film. The process includes first selecting a polyolefin resin wherein said polyolefin resin comprises a linear low density polyethylene resin characterized by having from 9 to 35 weight percent of the total weight of linear low density polyethylene resin eluting from a CEF at a temperature greater than 97.0° C.; and further characterized by having a CDR of from 33 to 80 and a Mw Ratio of from 0.15 to 0.45. Next a film is formed from the polyolefin resin selected in the first step. Finally the film formed in the second step is oriented in a sequential manner. The films produced by this process are characterized by having an ultimate elongation at least 1.5 times greater in the MD as compared to the CD and the 2% secant modulus is a least 1.25 times greater in the CD as compared to the MD. The films are further characterized by having free residual shrinkage of less than 10% in the MD and less than 10% in the CD when exposed to a temperature of 90° C. for 10 minutes.

In some embodiments, the present invention is directed to an actuator which includes at least the following: a pre-stretched electro-active polymer film being pre-stretched in a single or biaxial planar directions; at least one first semi-stiff conductor attached to a first surface of the pre-stretched electro-active polymer film, wherein the first surface is parallel to the single or biaxial planar stretch directions; at least one second semi-stiff conductor attached to a second surface of the pre-stretched electro-active polymer film, wherein the second surface is opposite to the first surface; where the semi-stiff conductors are configured to: fix the pre-stretched electro-active polymer film in a pre-stretched state and allow the pre-stretched electro-active polymer film to expand; a pair of mechanical connectors coupled to each end of an active region of the pre-stretched electro-active polymer film.