How hard could it be to make a collapsible silicone container? Turns out, it’s really, really hard — collapsible containers have rigid guidelines. Just ask [Eric Strebel], who failed dozens of times ...

A gellike 30 Shore 00 Versaflex TPE is engineered to serve as ultrasoft cushions in bicycle seats, shoes, and furniture as well as nontacky grips on personal care products and sports equipment.

Measuring the “hardness” of soft, spongy elastomers—foams—is an inexact science. There is usually a surprisingly broad spread in the data normally provided by devices such as a durometer, a tool for ...