A method for arranging nanotube elements within nanotube fabric layers and films is disclosed. A directional force is applied over a nanotube fabric layer to render the fabric layer into an ordered network of nanotube elements. That is, a network of nanotube elements drawn together along their sidewalls and substantially oriented in a uniform direction. In some embodiments this directional force is applied by rolling a cylindrical element over the fabric layer. In other embodiments this directional force is applied by passing a rubbing material over the surface of a nanotube fabric layer. In other embodiments this directional force is applied by running a polishing material over the nanotube fabric layer for a predetermined time. Exemplary rolling, rubbing, and polishing apparatuses are also disclosed.

An object of the present invention is to provide a nonwoven fabric that makes it difficult to diffuse liquid in a plane direction and can absorb and transmit liquid in a spot manner, that is, a nonwoven fabric excellent in so-called spot absorbability. The nonwoven fabric according to the present invention is formed by mixing an artificial protein fiber and a hydrophobic synthetic fiber.

The present invention is generally related to a high capacity, high efficiency nonwoven filtration media comprising a gradient pore structure. In particular, the filtration media can comprise thermoplastic synthetic microfibers, fibrillated fibers, staple fibers, and a binder. Furthermore, the filtration media may be produced without the use of glass fibers or microglass fibers. Consequently, the filtration media of the present invention does not cause the same issues as conventional filtration media that comprises glass fibers and/or microglass fibers. Moreover, the filtration media can be used to treat fuel, lubrication fluids, hydraulic fluids, and various other industrial gases.

An uncoated nonwoven fibrous mat having a reduced air porosity is disclosed comprising a first plurality of fibers having a length between about 10 mm and 20 mm and an average diameter between about 9 μm and 15 μm; a second plurality of fibers having a length between about 3 mm and 8 mm and an average diameter between about 5 μm and 8 μm; and a binder composition. The uncoated nonwoven fibrous mat has an air porosity less than about 550 CFM.

A composition is contained a blend zone prior to refining containing non-fibrillated virgin cellulose fibers, waste/recycle cellulose fibers or both; cellulose ester fibers, water, and one or more additives comprising fillers, internal sizing agents, biocides, process anti-foaming agents, colorants, optical modifiers, or a combination thereof. An in-line mixer can be used for adding the additives, and the consistency of the composition is lowered relative to a feed of material from a hydropulper.

There are provided microfibers that generate less formaldehyde and acetaldehyde and have a favorable fiber openness, a fiber molded body using the microfibers, and a method for producing the same. The method for producing a fiber molded body of the present invention is a method for producing a fiber molded body comprising molding of a fiber mixture, wherein the fiber mixture comprises microfibers, wherein the content of the microfibers in the fiber mixture is 5 mass % or more, wherein, in the microfibers, an amount of an oil adhered is 0.1 to 1 mass %, a total amount of ethylene oxide units and propylene oxide units generated is 0.01 to 0.5 mass %, and a single fiber fineness is 0.01 to 0.5 dtex.

There is provided a fiber molded body for sound absorbing/sound insulation materials, which is lightweight and has excellent sound absorption performance. The fiber molded body for sound absorbing/sound insulation materials of the present invention is a fiber molded body for sound absorbing/sound insulation materials comprising uncolored ultrafine chemical fibers and colored fibers or reclaimed fibers, wherein the single fiber fineness of the ultrafine chemical fibers is 0.01 to 0.5 dtex, the content of the ultrafine chemical fibers is 5 to 70 mass % and the content of the colored fibers or the reclaimed fibers is 20 to 60 mass %, in the fiber molded body for sound absorbing/sound insulation materials.

A composition obtained by combining virgin cellulose fibers, cellulose ester (CE) staple fibers having a denier per filament (DPF) of less than 3, and water, and water. The CE staple fibers can also have a short cut length of less than 6 mm and can be crimped. The compositions, when co-refined, are useful to make wet laid products such as paper, cardboard, and filters that have improved water drainage, air permeability, tensile strength, bulk, burst strength, or stiffness, or a combination of these properties.

The present disclosure relates to an absorbent article comprising a topsheet, a backsheet, and a layer of absorbent material disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, wherein the layer of absorbent material comprises superabsorbent polymer, and an intermediate layer comprising a nonwoven web. The intermediate layer is disposed between the layer of absorbent material and the backsheet, wherein the intermediate layer has a MD tensile/basis weight no greater than about 0.75 N/5 cm/g/m.sup.2 as measured according to Tensile Strength Test, and a thickness/basis weight no less than about 0.078 mm/g/m.sup.2, as measured FTT Test.

An enzyme responsive shape memory polymer formed from a glassy, cross-linked shape memory polymer that incorporates ester bonds that are responsive to the present of an enzyme. PCL-based polyurethanes (featuring simple alternation of PCL diol and lysine-based diisocyanate) are degradable by Amano lipase PS. A non-degradable thermoplastic elastomer may be dual electrospun with a polycaprolactone based TPU with the fixing phase compressed so that the composite is ready for enzymatically triggered contraction. Alternatively, the elastomer may be a PCL copolymer-based polyurethane amorphous elastomer that is both degradable and elastomeric and put into compression so that upon enzymatic degradation of the elastomeric phase the scaffold expands.