In an embodiment, an operating system for a computer system assigns each independently-schedulable code sequence to an activity. An activity may thus be associated with a group of related code sequences, such as threads that communicate with each other (whether or not they are part of the same program). When a code sequence is ready to be scheduled and it is not part of the current activity, it may preempt the current activity if the activity for the code sequence is not enabled and is not masked by the enabled activities. Each activity may define which other activities it masks. A flexible scheduling scheme may be devised based on the mask assignments for each activity.

The present disclosure relates to a three-dimensionally (3D) printed tissue engineering scaffold for tissue regeneration and a method for manufacturing the 3D printed tissue engineering scaffold. The 3D printed tissue engineering scaffold may be fabricated at least in part from a composite material having an insoluble component and soluble component. The three-dimensional tissue scaffolds of the disclosure may be fabricated via a rapid prototyping machine. In some instances, the three-dimensional shape of the fabricated tissue engineering scaffold may correspond to a three-dimensional shape of a tissue defect of a patient.

Implantable devices for orthopedic, including spine and other uses are formed of porous reinforced polymer scaffolds. Scaffolds include a thermoplastic polymer forming a porous matrix that has continuously interconnected pores. The porosity and the size of the pores within the scaffold are selectively formed during synthesis of the composite material, and the composite material includes a plurality of reinforcement particles integrally formed within and embedded in the matrix and exposed on the pore surfaces. The reinforcement particles provide one or more of reinforcement, bioactivity, or bioresorption.

A precursor composition comprising, before cure, an acrylic ethylene monomer (AEM), a foaming agent, and one or more of a strengthening additive, a thermal ablation additive, or a reflectivity additive. The precursor composition is cured to form a protective article comprising a foamed protective material. A method of forming a protective article is also disclosed, as is an aerospace structure comprising the foamed protective material.

A polyvinylidene difluoride membrane is provided. The polyvinylidene difluoride membrane including polyvinylidene difluoride having a melt viscosity of 35 to 60 (k poise), and the surface of the polyvinylidene difluoride membrane has a pore size of 0.1 m to 5 m. A method of manufacturing a porous polyvinylidene difluoride membrane and a method of purifying brine are also provided. The method of purifying brine includes the above-mentioned polyvinylidene difluoride membrane.

The present disclosure relates to a three-dimensionally (3D) printed tissue engineering scaffold for tissue regeneration and a method for manufacturing the 3D printed tissue engineering scaffold. The 3D printed tissue engineering scaffold may be fabricated at least in part from a composite material having an insoluble component and soluble component. The three-dimensional tissue scaffolds of the disclosure may be fabricated via a rapid prototyping machine. In some instances, the three-dimensional shape of the fabricated tissue engineering scaffold may correspond to a three-dimensional shape of a tissue defect of a patient.

In accordance with one aspect of the presently disclosed inventive concepts, a product includes a porous three-dimensional (3D) printed polymer structure having elastomeric shape memory, where the structure includes a material comprising a plurality of gas-filled microballoons. The 3D printed polymer structure has hierarchical porosity.

A low density foam material and methods for making such, comprising self-assembled graphene oxide in foam is described having high performance acoustic absorption as well as increased moisture insulation and fire-retardant properties. The graphene oxide material is inserted or distributed within openings of open cell/pore foam material resulting in a novel foam material that has increased acoustic absorption properties.

Polymer foam and a method for preparing the same are disclosed. In the present disclosure, the method sequentially comprises the following steps: providing a polymer body; performing a pressure-induced flow (PIF) process on the polymer body at a first predetermined temperature and a first predetermined pressure for a pressure holding time, to obtain a polymer sheet; and performing a foaming process on the polymer sheet by using a foaming agent at a second predetermined temperature and a second predetermined pressure for a saturation time, to obtain polymer foam.

A novel Aromatic Thermosetting Copolyester (ATSP) fully dense sheets can be processed by recycling the foam structure with unique combination of properties including mechanical strength and high temperature performance (compared to PEEK) to help improve part functionality, gain long-term reliability and cost savings. ATSP machinable plates can be used in valves, fittings, bearing, bushing, seals, aerospace parts and pump components.