A bendable panel comprising a substrate layer, wherein the panel is provided with a mechanism enabling the panel to bend. The mechanism enabling the panel to bend is at least one groove or cut, and the depth of the groove or cut is no longer than the panel thickness. The substrate layer is prepared by the following materials with the following mass ratio: 100 parts of PVC resin or PVC powder, 30-55 parts of a styrene based elastomer, 150-300 parts of stone powder, sawdust or rock, 1-10 parts of an additive, and 1-4 parts of an elastomer coupling agent. The panel may be bent during the installation, and several panels can be seamlessly installed.

Parts made by additive manufacturing are often structural in nature, rather than having functional properties conveyed by a polymer or other component. Printed parts having piezoelectric properties may be formed using a composite filament comprising a plurality of piezoelectric particles dispersed in a thermoplastic polymer. The composite filaments may be formed through melt blending and extrusion. The composite filament is compatible with fused filament fabrication and has a length and diameter compatible with fused filament fabrication, and the piezoelectric particles are substantially non-agglomerated and dispersed along the length of the composite filament. The piezoelectric particles may remain substantially non-agglomerated when dispersed in the thermoplastic polymer through melt blending. Additive manufacturing processes may comprise heating such a composite filament at or above a melting point or softening temperature thereof to form a softened composite material, and depositing the softened composite material layer by layer to form a printed part.

A method for preparing a rooting plug is disclosed. The method calls for mixing a composition comprising (i) 0.2%-10% w/w bio-degradable polymer and (ii) an organic non-hydroxylic solvent with a plug mix. The resulting method prepares a rooting plug.

A method for preparing a rooting plug is disclosed. The method calls for mixing a composition comprising (i) 0.2%-10% w/w bio-degradable polymer and (ii) an organic non-hydroxylic solvent with a plug mix. The resulting method prepares a rooting plug.

Methods of reducing salt precipitation from a binder composition are described. The methods may include the steps of providing an aqueous binder solution having one or more carbohydrates. They may also include adding a sequestrant for one or more multivalent ions to the aqueous binder solution. The sequestrant reduces a precipitation rate for the multivalent ions from the binder composition. The binder composition may include a polymerization catalyst. Exemplary sequestrants may include polycarboxylic acids or anhydrides. Exemplary sequestrant concentrations may range from about 2 wt. % or less of the aqueous binder solution.

Methods of reducing salt precipitation from a binder composition are described. The methods may include the steps of providing an aqueous binder solution having one or more carbohydrates. They may also include adding a sequestrant for one or more multivalent ions to the aqueous binder solution. The sequestrant reduces a precipitation rate for the multivalent ions from the binder composition. The binder composition may include a polymerization catalyst. Exemplary sequestrants may include polycarboxylic acids or anhydrides. Exemplary sequestrant concentrations may range from about 2 wt. % or less of the aqueous binder solution.

Methods for applying a polyhydroxyalkaonate (PHA) film to a substrate. The substrate is coated with an aqueous PHA emulsion or dispersion to form a PHA coating. Photonic energy is then applied to the PHA coating on the substrate to remove solvent and melt the PHA to form a continuous film.

Methods for applying a polyhydroxyalkaonate (PHA) film to a substrate. The substrate is coated with an aqueous PHA emulsion or dispersion to form a PHA coating. Photonic energy is then applied to the PHA coating on the substrate to remove solvent and melt the PHA to form a continuous film.

The invention relates to polyelectrolyte multilayer coatings and, methods for their preparation and application to substrates to enhance the bioactivity and corrosion protection of the substrates' surface. The invention is particularly suitable for coating substrates employed for medical applications, such as but not limited to medical implant devices for drug and/or biologics delivery in a patient. The substrate has a positive or negative charge. The polyelectrolyte multilayer coatings include at least a first polymer layer and a second polymer layer. The first polymer and second polymer have opposite charges. Each of the polymer layers is individually applied using a layer-by-layer such that an alternating charge multilayer coating is formed.

The invention relates to polyelectrolyte multilayer coatings and, methods for their preparation and application to substrates to enhance the bioactivity and corrosion protection of the substrates' surface. The invention is particularly suitable for coating substrates employed for medical applications, such as but not limited to medical implant devices for drug and/or biologics delivery in a patient. The substrate has a positive or negative charge. The polyelectrolyte multilayer coatings include at least a first polymer layer and a second polymer layer. The first polymer and second polymer have opposite charges. Each of the polymer layers is individually applied using a layer-by-layer such that an alternating charge multilayer coating is formed.