Method and apparatus for producing metal-coated optical fiber involves providing a length of optical fiber having a glass fiber with or without a carbon layer surrounded by a liquid-soluble polymeric coating. The optical fiber is passed through a series of solution baths such that the fiber will contact the solution in each bath for a predetermined dwell time, the series of solution baths effecting removal of the polymer coating and subsequent electroless plating of metal on the glass fiber. The optical fiber is collected after metal plating so that a selected quantity of the metal-coated optical fiber is gathered, Preferably, the glass fiber passes through the series of solution baths without contacting anything except for the respective solution in each.

Method and apparatus for producing metal-coated optical fiber involves providing a length of optical fiber having a glass fiber with or without a carbon layer surrounded by a liquid-soluble polymeric coating. The optical fiber is passed through a series of solution baths such that the fiber will contact the solution in each bath for a predetermined dwell time, the series of solution baths effecting removal of the polymer coating and subsequent electroless plating of metal on the glass fiber. The optical fiber is collected after metal plating so that a selected quantity of the metal-coated optical fiber is gathered, Preferably, the glass fiber passes through the series of solution baths without contacting anything except for the respective solution in each.

In one aspect, a gypsum panel includes a gypsum core, a fiberglass mat, and a wetting agent deposited across an entire thickness of the fiberglass mat. The wetting agent is deposited onto the first fiberglass mat in an uncoated state of the fiberglass mat such that the wetting agent penetrates the entire thickness of the fiberglass mat.

In one aspect, a gypsum panel includes a gypsum core, a fiberglass mat, and a wetting agent deposited across an entire thickness of the fiberglass mat. The wetting agent is deposited onto the first fiberglass mat in an uncoated state of the fiberglass mat such that the wetting agent penetrates the entire thickness of the fiberglass mat.

A glass based fibrous filler having bioactive particles such as hydroxyapatite deposited on a surface of glass fibers. Methods of preparing the fibrous filler are specified. A resin composite containing a polymerizable system reinforced with the fibrous filler, as well as a biomedical restoration based on the cured resin composite are also provided.

A glass based fibrous filler having bioactive particles such as hydroxyapatite deposited on a surface of glass fibers. Methods of preparing the fibrous filler are specified. A resin composite containing a polymerizable system reinforced with the fibrous filler, as well as a biomedical restoration based on the cured resin composite are also provided.

A manufacturing method of a metal-coated glass fiber according to the present invention includes: drawing a glass fiber from a bushing nozzle of a glass melting furnace; discharging, from an orifice of a metal melting furnace in which a metal for forming a metal coating layer is melted, a molten metal in a dome shape or substantially spherical shape; and bringing the glass fiber into contact with the molten metal, wherein the metal melting furnace has on a wall surface thereof two orifices to discharge two droplets of the molten metal such that end portions of the two droplets abut or overlap each other to define a recess therebetween, and wherein the metal coating layer is formed on the glass fiber by passing the glass fiber downward through the recess and bringing the glass fiber into contact with both of the two droplets.

Methods of making gypsum panels, fiberglass mats, and associated gypsum panels and building sheathing systems are provided. In one aspect, a method of making a gypsum panel includes depositing an aqueous liquid containing a wetting agent onto a fiberglass mat, such that the aqueous liquid penetrates an entire thickness of the fiberglass mat, and depositing a gypsum slurry onto the fiberglass mat onto which the aqueous liquid has been deposited, such that the gypsum slurry penetrates at least a portion of the fiberglass mat. In another aspect, a method of making a gypsum panel includes depositing an aqueous liquid containing a wetting agent onto a fiberglass mat, and depositing a gypsum slurry onto the fiberglass mat onto which the aqueous liquid has been deposited, prior to drying of the aqueous liquid, such that the gypsum slurry penetrates at least a portion of the fiberglass mat.

In one aspect, a method of making a gypsum panel includes depositing an aqueous liquid containing a wetting agent onto a fiberglass mat, such that the aqueous liquid penetrates an entire thickness of the fiberglass mat, and depositing a gypsum slurry onto the fiberglass mat onto which the aqueous liquid has been deposited, such that the gypsum slurry penetrates at least a portion of the fiberglass mat. In another aspect, a method of making a gypsum panel includes depositing an aqueous liquid containing a wetting agent onto a fiberglass mat, and depositing a gypsum slurry onto the fiberglass mat onto which the aqueous liquid has been deposited, prior to drying of the aqueous liquid, such that the gypsum slurry penetrates at least a portion of the fiberglass mat.

In one aspect, a method of making a gypsum panel includes depositing an aqueous liquid containing a wetting agent onto a fiberglass mat, such that the aqueous liquid penetrates an entire thickness of the fiberglass mat, and depositing a gypsum slurry onto the fiberglass mat onto which the aqueous liquid has been deposited, such that the gypsum slurry penetrates at least a portion of the fiberglass mat. In another aspect, a method of making a gypsum panel includes depositing an aqueous liquid containing a wetting agent onto a fiberglass mat, and depositing a gypsum slurry onto the fiberglass mat onto which the aqueous liquid has been deposited, prior to drying of the aqueous liquid, such that the gypsum slurry penetrates at least a portion of the fiberglass mat.