57243results about How to "Improve toughness" patented technology

Various devices and methods are provided with respect to inserting multiple surgical instruments through a single surgical access device. A medical device including a flexible tissue retractor and a releasable insert having multiple instrument openings is disclosed. The insert can be in the form of an insert assembly including multiple components. A method of using the insert is also described.

A drill bit that includes a bit body; and at least one cutting element for engaging the formation disposed on the bit body, the at least one cutting element comprising: a ductile phase; a plurality of carbide particles dispersed in the ductile phase; and a plurality of nanotubes integrated into the cutting element is disclosed.

A solid nanocomposite particle composition for lithium metal or lithium ion battery electrode applications. The composition comprises: (A) an electrode active material in a form of fine particles, rods, wires, fibers, or tubes with a dimension smaller than 1 μm; (B) nano graphene platelets (NGPs); and (C) a protective matrix material reinforced by the NGPs; wherein the graphene platelets and the electrode active material are dispersed in the matrix material and the NGPs occupy a weight fraction wg of 1% to 90% of the total nanocomposite weight, the electrode active material occupies a weight fraction wa of 1% to 90% of the total nanocomposite weight, and the matrix material occupies a weight fraction wm of at least 2% of the total nanocomposite weight with wg+wa+wm=1. For a lithium ion battery anode application, the matrix material is preferably amorphous carbon, polymeric carbon, or meso-phase carbon. Such a solid nanocomposite composition provides a high anode capacity and good cycling stability. For a cathode application, the resulting lithium metal or lithium ion battery exhibits an exceptionally high cycle life.

Prosthetic intervertebral discs and methods for using the same are described. The subject prosthetic discs include upper and lower endplates separated by a compressible core member. The prosthetic discs described herein include one-piece, two-piece, three-piece, and four-piece structures. The subject prosthetic discs exhibit stiffness in the vertical direction, torsional stiffness, bending stiffness in the saggital plane, and bending stiffness in the front plane, where the degree of these features can be controlled independently by adjusting the components of the discs. The interface mechanism between the endplates and the core members of several embodiments of the described prosthetic discs enables a very easy surgical operation for implantation.

A process for producing solid nanocomposite particles for lithium metal or lithium ion battery electrode applications is provided. In one preferred embodiment, the process comprises: (A) Preparing an electrode active material in a form of fine particles, rods, wires, fibers, or tubes with a dimension smaller than 1 μm; (B) Preparing separated or isolated nano graphene platelets with a thickness less than 50 nm; (C) Dispersing the nano graphene platelets and the electrode active material in a precursor fluid medium to form a suspension wherein the fluid medium contains a precursor matrix material dispersed or dissolved therein; and (D) Converting the suspension to the solid nanocomposite particles, wherein the precursor matrix material is converted into a protective matrix material reinforced by the nano graphene platelets and the electrode active material is substantially dispersed in the protective matrix material. For a lithium ion battery anode application, the matrix material is preferably amorphous carbon, polymeric carbon, or meso-phase carbon. Such solid nanocomposite particles provide a high anode capacity and good cycling stability. For a cathode application, the resulting lithium metal or lithium ion battery exhibits an exceptionally high cycle life.

A thermosetting composition comprises a capped poly(arylene ether), an alkenyl aromatic monomer, and an acryloyl monomer. The composition provides good flow properties and fast curing rates. After curing, the composition exhibits good stiffness, toughness, heat resistance, and dielectric properties.

The present invention is directed to an adhesive composition, which comprises an epoxy resin, a coupling agent, filler, and an effective amount of an amine-curing agent or curative for said epoxy resin. Advantageously, tri-functional and / or tetrafunctional epoxy resins and / or acrylate monomers will be incorporated into the adhesive composition in order to reduce open time and enhance substrate adhesion. Advantageously, a mixture of amines will be used in the curative including aliphatic amines, which have low viscosities and efficiently wet the substrate for enhancing adhesion; polyamines, which can be used to manipulate open time and allow for improved ratio tolerance of the adhesive system; and amine-terminated rubbers (ATBN), which can improve impact resistance and the toughness of the cured adhesive. Preferred coupling agents are silanes.

An improved hip prosthesis includes an acetabular cup bearing component constructed from a relatively hard and high strength ceramic material for articulation with a ball-shaped femoral head component which may be constructed from a compatible ceramic or metal material. In one form, the acetabular cup further includes a ceramic porous bone ingrowth surface adhered thereto for secure ingrowth attachment to natural patient bone.

A heterogeneous composite consisting of near-nano ceramic clusters dispersed within a ductile matrix. The composite is formed through the high temperature compaction of a starting powder consisting of a core of ceramic nanoparticles held together with metallic binder. This core is clad with a ductile metal such that when the final powder is consolidated, the ductile metal forms a tough, near-zero contiguity matrix. The material is consolidated using any means that will maintain its heterogeneous structure.

A thermosetting composition comprises a capped poly(arylene ether), an alkenyl aromatic monomer, and an acryloyl monomer. The composition provides good flow properties and fast curing rates. After curing, the composition exhibits good stiffness, toughness, heat resistance, and dielectric properties.

A novel densified fluoropolymer article is described which has a water vapor permeation of about 0.015 g-mm / m2 / day or less, and preferably has a matrix tensile strength of at least 10,000 psi in two orthogonal directions. The articles are made by compressing expanded porous PTFE at pressures, temperatures and times which result in elimination of the pores, and subsequent stretching above the crystalline melt temperature.

Polymer-bioceramic structures are described for use in the repair of bone defects. The composites of the present disclosure are characterized by a polymer disposed in a porous bioceramic matrix. Processes for preparing the composites of the present invention by compression molding are described, including compression molding to induce orientation of the polymer is multiple directions. The composites of the present invention are also useful as drug delivery vehicles to facilitate the repair of bone defects.

A gas diffusion barrier contains a polymer matrix and a functional graphene which displays no signature of graphite and / or graphite oxide, as determined by X-ray diffraction.

A thermosetting composition comprises a capped poly(arylene ether), an alkenyl aromatic monomer, and an alkoxylated acryloyl monomer. The composition provides good flow properties and fast curing rates. After curing, the composition exhibits good stiffness, toughness, and heat resistance.

This invention relates to compositions useful as adhesives and more particularly to the preparation of heat-cured epoxy-based adhesive compositions with improved impact resistance and good adhesion to oily metal substrates.

A multi-ply absorbent towel made from papermaking fiber comprising at least a first ply and a second ply bonded together, the towel having a basis weight of greater than 30 lbs per 3000 ft2 ream (48.8 gsm) and less than 50 lbs per 3000 ft2 ream (81.4 gsm), wherein the plies are selected and adhered together such that the towel typically exhibits (i) a GM TEA, mm-g / mm2 of greater than [0.00125 (GM Tensile, g / 3″)−0.75] and (ii) a GM Tensile Modulus, g / in / %, less than [0.0083 (GM Tensile Strength, g / 3″)+15.4] {(i) a GM TEA, mm g / mm2, of greater than [0.00952 (GM Tensile, g / cm)−0.75] and (ii) a GM Tensile Modulus, g / cm / %, less than [0.0249 (GM Tensile Strength, g / cm)+6.06}.