Thermoplastics are useful for many types of splints, but most splints made from them position the hand statically and have the disadvantage of limiting the sensory feedback that occurs during normal use and movement. Neoprene is an alternative to thermoplastics when dynamic mobility in splinting is the goal. Neoprene is soft, stretchable, lightweight, durable, nontoxic, machine-washable, and ha...

Research on biodegradable biopolymers has been increasing rapidly during the past few decades due to the environmental concerns related to plastic pollution. Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), the structurally versatile, biodegradable polyoxoesters produced by diverse group of microorganisms as intracellular storage granules have material properties similar to thermoplastics and identified as a prom...

Manufacturing components of fiber-reinforced thermoplastics requires three steps: heating the matrix, forming and consolidation of the composite and terminal cooling the matrix. For the heating process a pre-determined temperature distribution through the layers and the thickness of the pre-consolidated sheets is recommended to enable forming mechanism. Thus, a design for the heating process fo...

Research on biodegradable biopolymers has been increasing rapidly during the past few decades due to the environmental concerns related to plastic pollution. Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), the structurally versatile, biodegradable polyoxoesters produced by diverse group of microorganisms as intracellular storage granules have material properties similar to thermoplastics and identified as a prom...

Increasing demand for lightweight materials is a major driving force the steady growth of continuous fibre-reinforced polymer composite industry. In recent years, strict global targets demanding greater environmental responsibility have led to shift in research focus address end-of-life challenges posed by use thermoset matrices. Thermosets offer lower-cost processibility than thermoplastics, w...