| 2020-YOUN-68912 | |
| Researchers at Purdue University have developed a new method for continuous extrusion of cellulose nanofibers (CNF) in slurries by modeling a polymer extrusion process. Typically, CNF are unable to be extruded because slurries cause excessive pressure during dewatering at both the die and barrel of extrusion equipment. In addition, many current methods for polymer extrusion involve oil-derived synthetic processing, which is are environmentally taxing and inefficient, whereas the polymer melt-process fine-tuned by Purdue researchers is 100% sustainable and can operate continuously. Purdue researchers have been able to extrude CNF into sheet shapes using an anti-dewatering additive and single screw extruder device. These CNF sheets can be calendared, like a polymer, for enhanced surface finish and high strength. Various compositions of pure CNF and CNF mixed with other polymers were evaluated for Young's modulus and material strength, and these results have been used to establish protocols for high efficiency CNF and polymer manufacturing. Advantages -Efficient -Sustainable -Continuous Manufacturing Applications -CNF Extrusion -Polymer Manufacturing |
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Apr 1, 2020
Provisional-Patent
United States
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Mar 2, 2020
Provisional-Patent
United States
(None)
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Purdue Office of Technology Commercialization 1801 Newman Road West Lafayette, IN 47906 Phone: (765) 588-3475 Fax: (765) 463-3486 Email: otcip@prf.org |