OTHER DEVELOPMENTS

Due to the need for brevity, a number of other developments will not be detailed herein; rather, a listing is provided for the interested reader:

• production of mixed thermoplastic mats using hybrid glass and carbon fiber with a polyamide fiber yarn (Nylon 6, PA) as the matrix
• photochromic liquid crystal polymers
• inclusion-type photochromatic materials
• photosensitive polymers (including laser-sensitive) used for promoting radical polymerization when attached to polymer backbones and used for reduction of thick-section composite cure-related problems
• composite hollow fiber membranes consisting of a polysulfone substrate and coated functional polymer layer
• thermo-responsive polymer gels to be used in smart composites as actuators
• extruded thermo-tropic polyesters and composites
• polymer whiskers (crystals of polyoxymethylene) for use in composites with acoustic applications
• high-performance matrices using crystals of two-dimensionally cross-linked polymers. These are synthesized by the solid-state polymerization of diacetylene-nylon salts and can be reaction molded to yield composite surfaces with hardnesses exceeding 188ñ28 (Vickers), i.e. exceeding that of iron.