Abstract: This invention describes a type of all-organic piezoelectric material based on cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs). This type of material is flexible and transparent, and its properties can be tuned by adjusting the composition and ionic strength. The fabrication of this type of piezoelectric material can be carried out entirely in an aqueous medium and does not require high temperature poling and stretching treatment. It renders possible a commercially viable route to producing inexpensive, sustainable, eco-friendly high piezo-electric-response organic materials for sensors, transducers, actuators, and energy harvest applications.

Abstract: It is provided a microspherical structure comprising an external shell of structured cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and at least one polymer, and a core, wherein the core can be hollow or filled with an immiscible medium. It is also provided a method for producing the same comprising spray-drying the mixture of CNCs and polymer through an atomizer and into a drying chamber forming droplets, wherein the solvent used to suspend the CNCs is evaporated and the microspherical structures are formed. These microstructural spheres can have wide industrial, medical and pharmaceutical applications, whereby their ingredients and structure are tuned and controlled.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a scalable, green process for producing non-toxic, all-cellulose super absorbent hydrogels that form instantly after cross-linking. A super absorbent hydrogel can be produced by physical mixing of water-soluble carboxyalkyl polysaccharides such carboxymethyl cellulose and negatively-charged cellulose nanocrystals resulting in instantaneous gelation. Cellulose nanocrystals act as effective cross-linkers when physically mixed with carboxymethyl cellulose in an aqueous medium. The resulting hydrogel possesses excellent absorption properties, and has applications in a wide range of products from hygiene products to medical and industrial super absorbent products.

Abstract: The present describes a chiral nematic cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) film comprising: cellulose nanocrystals that self-assemble to form an iridescent CNC structure, wherein the self-assembled structure comprises a finger-print pattern of repeating bright and dark regions, defining a pitch of the iridescent film, where the pitch variable. Also described are conductive polymer nanocomposite based on the CNC film. Further described is the electrophoretic method of producing the chiral nematic cellulose nanocrystal film as well as the polymer nanocomposites and the apparatus used.

Abstract: Nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC)-based supramolecular materials, a method for their preparation and their use in thermoplastic and thermoset polymer composites are disclosed. Supramolecular materials of NCC and one or two polymers are synthesized by in situ surface graft copohmerization in a multitude of solvent systems, including water. The nano-scale size supramolecular materials are engineered to have a unique combination of lower polarity and high hydrophobicity and function as copohmers for demanding pohmeric systems such as, but not limited to, polyolefins and polyesters. Nanocomposite materials of enhanced functionality and mechanical properties are produced by compounding the NCC-based supramolecular materials with polymer matrices. The supramolecular materials are used in composite development for packaging materials, structural composites for automotive and construction, as sandwiched foam composites or, combined with biocompatible polymers, in medical applications.

Abstract: The present describes a chiral nematic cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) film comprising: cellulose nanocrystals that self-assemble to form an iridescent CNC structure, wherein the self-assembled structure comprises a finger-print pattern of repeating bright and dark regions, defining a pitch of the iridescent film, where the pitch variable. Also described are conductive polymer nanocomposite based on the CNC film. Further described is the electrophoretic method of producing the chiral nematic cellulose nanocrystal film as well as the polymer nanocomposites and the apparatus used.

Abstract: Nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC)-based supramolecular materials, a method for their preparation and their use in thermoplastic and thermoset polymer composites are disclosed. Supramolecular materials of NCC and one or two polymers are synthesized by in situ surface graft copohmerization in a multitude of solvent systems, including water. The nano-scale size supramolecular materials are engineered to have a unique combination of lowr polarity and high hydrophobicity and function as copohmers for demanding pohmeric systems such as, but not limited to, polyolefins and polyesters. Nanocomposite materials of enhanced functionality and mechanical properties are produced by compounding the NCC-based supramolecular materials with polymer matrices. The supramolecular materials are used in composite development for packaging materials, structural composites for automotive and construction, as sandwiched foam composites or, combined with biocompatible polymers, in medical applications.

Abstract: A new approach is conceived for the development of sustainable biomaterials comprising nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) and polylactic acid (PLA) nanocomposites. The invention deals with advancing a method based on in situ ring opening polymerization of L-lactide in the presence of NCC particles to form NCC-PLA supramolecular nanocomposite materials. This material is hydrophobic and compatible with a wide range of synthetic and natural polymers. NCC-PLA nanocomposites have enhanced functionality (e.g. gas barrier), rheological and mechanical performance, as well as dimensional stability (i.e. less hygroexpansivity) relative to PLA. They are made from entirely renewable resources, and are potentially biocompatible as well as recyclable. NCC-PLA supramolecular nanocomposites can be suspended in most organic solvents or dried to form a solid substance. They can be processed using conventional polymer processing techniques to develop 3-dimensional structures, or spun into fibers, yarns or filaments.

Abstract: Nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) is employed as the cross-linker and reinforcement domain for developing nanocomposite hydrogels possessing high strength and improved diffusion property; the resulting nanocomposite hydrogels are shown to have high mechanical properties, reversible swelling ability, and are biodegradable and biocompatible; the approach relies on free radical polymerization to form the hydrogels using a variety of hydrophilic vinyl monomers. These hydrogels are suitable for developing highly absorbent hygiene products, as well as for applications in medicine, engineering materials and sensors.

Abstract: A method is conceived for producing hydrophobic lignocellulosics based on the graft copolymerisation of vinyl-type monomers onto the lignocellulosic backbone initiated by a redox couple initiator in aqueous medium. The green modification process can be carried out on any lignocellulosic material, for example, chemical, chemi-thermomechanical or thermo-mechanical pulps, bleached or unbleached. The technology disclosed in this invention yields individual lignocellulosic entities, for instance, hydrophobic pulp fibers, that can be used in combination with other fibers or polymers to produce nonwoven fibrous materials or composites. A significant aspect of the invention is that the modified lignocellulosic material possesses an efficient hydrophobic barrier and minimum interfacial energy to generate optimum adhesion when introduced to polymer resins.

Abstract: A green approach for the development of nanocomposite materials comprising nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) and appropriate vinyl polymers is conceived. The approach deals with the in-situ graft co-polymerization of hydrophobic vinyl monomers, such as vinyl acetate and methyl methacrylate, onto the NCC surface in an aqueous medium. The resulting material is significantly more hydrophobic and thermally stable than the starting NCC. The nanocomposite material can be suspended in appropriate solvents, dried and molded with other materials using conventional polymer processing techniques to develop yet new materials with new characteristics. These nanocomposites have wide ranging applications from industrial to medical use.

Abstract: A method is conceived for producing hydrophobic lignocellulosics based on the graft copolymerisation of vinyl-type monomers onto the lignocellulosic backbone initiated by a redox couple initiator in aqueous medium. The green modification process can be carried out on any lignocellulosic material, for example, chemical, chemi-thermomechanical or thermo-mechanical pulps, bleached or unbleached. The technology disclosed in this invention yields individual lignocellulosic entities, for instance, hydrophobic pulp fibres, that can be used in combination with other fibres or polymers to produce nonwoven fibrous materials or composites. A significant aspect of the invention is that the modified lignocellulosic material possesses an efficient hydrophobic barrier and minimum interfacial energy to generate optimum adhesion when introduced to polymer resins.

Abstract: A green approach for the development of nanocomposite materials comprising nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) and appropriate vinyl polymers is conceived. The approach deals with the in-situ graft co-polymerization of hydrophobic vinyl monomers, such as vinyl acetate and methyl methacrylate, onto the NCC surface in an aqueous medium. The resulting material is significantly more hydrophobic and thermally stable than the starting NCC. The nanocomposite material can be suspended in appropriate solvents, dried and moulded with other materials using conventional polymer processing techniques to develop yet new materials with new characteristics. These nanocomposites have wide ranging applications from industrial to medical use.

Abstract: A new approach is conceived for the development of sustainable biomaterials comprising nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) and polylactic acid (PLA) nanocomposites. The invention deals with advancing a method based on in situ ring opening polymerization of L-lactide in the presence of NCC particles to form NCC-PLA supramolecular nanocomposite materials. This material is hydrophobic and compatible with a wide range of synthetic and natural polymers. NCC-PLA nanocomposites have enhanced functionality (e.g. gas barrier), rheological and mechanical performance, as well as dimensional stability (i.e. less hygroexpansivity) relative to PLA. They are made from entirely renewable resources, and are potentially biocompatible as well as recyclable. NCC-PLA supramolecular nanocomposites can be suspended in most organic solvents or dried to form a solid substance. They can be processed using conventional polymer processing techniques to develop 3-dimensional structures, or spun into fibres, yarns or filaments.

Abstract: Nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) is employed as the cross-linker and reinforcement domain for developing nanocomposite hydrogels possessing high strength and improved diffusion property; the resulting nanocomposite hydrogels are shown to have high mechanical properties, reversible swelling ability, and are biodegradable and biocompatible; the approach relies on free radical polymerization to form the hydrogels using a variety of hydrophilic vinyl monomers. These hydrogels are suitable for developing highly absorbent hygiene products, as well as for applications in medicine, engineering materials and sensors.