Abstract: A method includes providing a reservoir of randomly oriented fibers in a solution, dispensing the solution of randomly oriented fibers through a nozzle having an orientation component onto a porous substrate as a solution of aligned fibers, and immobilizing the fibers to form a fiber pre-form. A system includes a porous substrate, a deposition nozzle, a reservoir of randomly oriented fibers in solution connected to the deposition nozzle, the deposition nozzle position adjacent the porous substrate and connected to the reservoir, the nozzle to receive the randomly oriented fibers and output aligned fibers, and a vacuum connected to the porous substrate to remove fluid from the porous substrate as the deposition nozzle deposits the aligned fibers on the porous substrate to produce a fiber pre-form having aligned fibers.

Abstract: Building materials are generated by the simple mixing of cellulose nanofiber (CNF) slurry with typical wood-derived material such as wood meal, optionally with mineral particulate materials, and dried. Particle boards are made with wood meal particulates; wallboards are made with wood particulates and mineral particulates; paints are made with pigment particulates; and cement is made with aggregate particulates. The particle board samples were tested for fracture toughness. The fracture toughness was found to be from 20% higher up to ten times higher than the typical value for similar board, depending on the formulation. For cases of 20% by weight cellulose nanofibers and 80% wood, the fracture toughness was more than double that of typical particle board. The process sequesters carbon and oxygen into the building product for its lifespan—typically decades—and avoid releasing CO2 into the atmosphere.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for producing a thermoformable porous web using a mixture of cellulosic fibers and one or more thermoplastic materials, particularly by foam forming said mixture into a composite foam, and applying the foam into one or more layers on a support to obtain a porous pre-form web. The thus produced porous composite web can be further processed by compression molding to give a rigid high-strength composite structure, which is suitable for use in producing, e.g. panels or plates, packages or hygiene products, insulators or filters, or printed intelligence, electronics or microcellulose products.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an absorptive glass mat (AGM) battery having a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a nonwoven fiber separator positioned between the electrodes. The separator includes a mixture of glass fibers having diameters between about 8 ?m to 13 ?m and glass fibers having diameters of at least 6 ?m and a silane sizing. An acid resistant binder bonds the glass fibers to form the separator. A wetting component is applied to the separator to increase the wettability such that the separator has or exhibits an average water wick height of at least 1.0 cm after exposure to water for 10 minutes. A conductive material is disposed on at least one surface of the separator such that when the separator is positioned adjacent an electrode, the conductive material contacts the electrode. An electrical resistance of less than 100,000 ohms per square enables electron flow about mat.

Abstract: A filter medium of a filter element for filtering a fluid has at least one nonwoven filter layer of synthetic individual fibers. The filter layer has an increasing level of compression in a flow direction of a fluid passing through the filter medium. The filter medium has a degree of separation for particles to be filtered that increases in the flow direction of the fluid through the filter medium. The filter medium is used in a filter element for filtering fluids such as fuel or air. In a method for producing the filter medium, the synthetic fibers are deposited on a support surface in such a way that an increasing level of compression is created in a direction toward the support surface by gravity and suction acting on the fibers.

Abstract: Provided is a multilayered structure comprising at least one fine cellulose fiber nonwoven fabric layer made of a fine cellulose fiber, wherein the multilayered structure is characterized in that the mean fiber diameter of the fine cellulose fiber forming the fine cellulose fiber non-woven fabric layer is 0.005 to 0.5 ?m, and the mean thickness of the multilayered structure is 10 to 200 ?m, the density thereof is 0.10 to 0.90 g/cm3, and the permeability resistance thereof is 2000 s/100 ml or more. Also provided are an energy recovery ventilation sheet made of this multilayered structure, an energy recovery ventilation element using this energy recovery ventilation sheet as a partitioning material for partitioning two types of air flow of different temperature and/or humidity, and a energy recovery ventilator using this energy recovery ventilation element.

Abstract: Flame retardant composite materials are provided which include at least one first paper which comprises carbon nanofibers and graphite oxide particles. The composite materials may further include at least one second paper which comprises carbon nanofibers. The composites may further include one or more structural material layers sandwiched between the first and second papers. Occupant structures are also provided with fire and smoke retardant surfaces composed of carbon nanofibers/graphite oxide particles papers at least partially surrounding occupants of the occupant structures.

Abstract: A method for treating a paper to provide at least a part of it with anisotropic electric conductivity, by i) applying to the paper a dispersion comprising a non-aqueous, liquid dispersing agent and conductive particles, ii) applying an electric field over at least part of the paper, so that a number of the conductive particles are aligned with the field, thus creating conductive pathways, and wholly or partially eliminating the dispersing agent and allowing the paper to dry thereby stabilizing and preserving the conductive pathways in the paper as well as paper so produced. The paper may alternatively be prepared from a cellulose dispersion comprising conductive particles and subjecting the dispersion for similar aligning of the conductive particles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid composition which comprises at least one polymer and at least one ionic liquid, the cations of which are derived from polycyclic amidine bases, and a process for isolating cellulose from cellulose-containing sources using at least one such ionic liquid.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a method comprising contacting a fibrous polymeric material and a carbon material to form a mixture, contacting the mixture with a liquid to form a slurry, and then forming a layer comprising the slurry. Also disclosed are layers formed from the recited methods, electrodes comprising the layers, and electrical devices comprising the layers and/or electrodes.

Abstract: A method for producing a microfibrillated cellulose, which comprises subjecting a slurry containing a pulp having a solids concentration of 1 to 6 wt % to the treatment with a disc refiner repeatedly ten times or more, to thereby prepare a microfibrillated cellulose having a number average fiber length or 0.2 mm or less and an amount of water hold of 10 mL/g or more, the amount representing the volume of water capable of being held by a unit weight of the cellulose fiber. The method allows the production of a microfibrillated cellulose having high quality with stability and with good efficiency.

Abstract: Polymer composite films were prepared by solvent casting suspensions of quantum dots (QDs) in cellulose triacetate (CTA) solution. The films were robust and possessed the optical properties characteristic of QDs. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images of the films revealed that the QDs were well dispersed within the CTA film matrix. The selective alkaline hydrolysis of QD/CTA films in 0.1N NaOH over 24 hours resulted in the surface conversion of CTA to regenerated cellulose. Optical properties of the films were probed both before and after the hydrolysis reaction using fluorescence spectroscopy, and were found generally unaltered. The cellulose surfaces of the alkaline treated films allow for facile incorporation of the films into paper sheets.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for continually producing a suspension of cellulose in an aqueous tertiary amine oxide. The method includes (a) mixing cellulose and an amine oxide-free aqueous phase to form a cellulose suspension in a mass ratio in the range of 1:3 to 1:40, (b) dehydrating the cellulose suspension, wherein the dehydrated cellulose suspension has a cellulose content in the range of 20 to 80 percent-by-mass; (c) mixing the cellulose suspension with an aqueous amine oxide while the cellulose suspension is falling through a vertical fall zone to obtain an aqueous amine oxide-cellulose suspension with an amine oxide content in the range of 70 to 80 percent-by-mass; and (d) conveying the aqueous amine oxide-cellulose suspension through a horizontal shear zone. The invention also relates to a device for carrying out this method.

Abstract: Device and process for applying a liquid or paste-like medium onto a traveling material web of paper or cardboard. In the application of the application medium, the material web is transferred from a first twin wire zone to a second twin wire zone. The second twin wire zone may be more finely meshed than the first twin wire zone to reduce marking and impressions in the web. The application medium may be applied and drained from one side or from both sides of the first twin wire zone or second twin wire zone. Application devices and draining (suction) devices for the application medium may oppose each other across a twin wire zone, or be arranged in alternating fashion along a twin wire zone.

Abstract: Paper that has minute pores, denseness, a high degree of airtightness and is made from cellulose which has superior heat and chemical resistance and is reproducible natural resources. Further, a non-aqueous battery which is improved to a higher level with regards to various characteristics, e.g., heat resistance, electrical characteristics such as ion transmissivity or liquid-holding characteristics, or prevention of an internal short circuit, through use of, as a separator for electronically separating a positively active substance from a negatively active substance, a novel porous highly-airtightened separator which is made from cellulose and has pores and denseness. The separator is manufactured from highly-airtightened porous paper having minute pores made by forming wet paper web from minute cellulose having a fiber diameter of 1 .mu.m or less, and drying the wet paper web while voids in the wet paper web are maintained. The separator is used in a non-aqueous battery or electrolytic capacitor.

Abstract: The instant invention is directed to a process for making a non-woven, wet-laid, superabsorbent polymer-impregnated structure. The process generally comprises the steps of: mixing; deliquifying; and drying. Specifically, fibers, superabsorbent polymers, and a liquid are mixed to form a furnish. The liquid is treated with a means for inhibiting the swelling of the superabsorbent polymer. Then, the furnish is deliquified to form a preformed structure. The preformed structure is dried to form the non-woven, wet-laid, superabsorbent polymer-impregnated structure.

Abstract: A process for forming a highly filled, fibrous-reinforced sheet in which the sheet is formed from an aqueous dispersion of solids which include fibers, filler, and binder and cationic flocculating agent by continuously feeding a stream of such aqueous dispersion onto a moving porous support surface, wherein the filler comprises at least about 50 wt. % of the solids portion of the dispersion, the improvement comprising the use in the aqueous dispersion of a filler consisting essentially of calcium carbonate and a cationic polymeric flocculant having a charge-density of at least about 2 equivalents of cationic nitrogen per kilogram of polymer, and a highly-filled calcium carbonate-containing sheet, and the use of carbon black to impart opacity to paper or sheet that has a white appearance.

Abstract: A wet-laid nonwoven fabric comprises a blend of 1 to 50% by weight of fibres of a water-swellable water-insoluble superabsorbent polymer and 99 to 50% by weight of less absorbent fibres, for example fibres having an absorbency of less than 10 g/g measured by retention to centrifuging of a 0.9% by weight saline solution.

Abstract: Novel cellulosic fiber with improved resistance to abrasion and increased permeability to chemicals characterized by highly stable crystalline cellulose III and cellulose IV forms is disclosed. Cellulose selected from either fiber, yarn, fabric, cotton, or mercerized cotton is treated with ammonia vapors at from about ambient to 140.degree. C. and from about 100 psi to 1700 psi for sufficient time to alter the interatomic planar distances and produce stable crystalline cellulose III polymorph. Crystalline cellulose III can also be immersed in ethylenediamine and then boiled in dimethylformamide to completely convert the III to cellulose IV.

Abstract: A process for producing fiber aggregate which comprises the steps of coating a conductive material which is insoluble in a dielectric fluid on the surface of fibers; dispersing the fibers into the dielectric fluid to obtain a fiber suspended fluid; introducing the fiber suspended fluid into an electric field which is generated in a space between a positive electrode and a negative electrode, whereby causing individual fibers to electrostatically and one-dimensionally orient; and aggregating the oriented fibers. The conductive material contributes to charge-transfer, and it causes the fibers in the electric filed to orient stably.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing fiber aggregate which comprises a dispersion step of dispersing fibers in the form of short fiber, whisker, or a mixture thereof into a dielectric fluid; an orientation step of placing the dielectric fluid containing said fibers dispersed therein in a space between a positive electrode and a negative electrode across which a high voltage is applied, whereby causing individual fibers in the dielectric fluid to electrostatically orient, with one end pointing to the positive electrode and the other end pointing to the negative electrode; and an aggregating step of aggregating the statically oriented fibers while keeping the oriented step, whereby producing fiber aggregate in which said fibers are mostly one-dimensionally oriented. Small amounts of surface active agent in the dielectric liquid promote fiber orientation in addition to dispersing the fibers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing fiber aggregate which includes an orientation step of placing the dielectric fluid containing fibers in the form of short fiber, whisker, or a mixture thereof dispersed therein in a space between a pair of electrodes across which an AC voltage is applied, whereby causing individual fibers in the dielectric fluid to electrostatically orient, with one end pointing to one of electrodes and the other end pointing to the other electrode; and an aggregating step of aggregating the electrostatically oriented fibers while keeping the oriented step, whereby producing fiber aggregate in which the fibers are substantially one-dimensionally oriented.

Abstract: Novel cellulosic fiber with improved resistance to abrasion and increased permeability to chemicals characterized by highly stable crystalline cellulose III and cellulose IV forms is disclosed. Cellulose is selected from either fiber, yarn, fabric, cotton, or mercerized cotton treated with ammonia vapors at from about ambient to 140.degree. C. and from about 100 psi to 1700 psi for sufficient time to alter the interatomic planar distances and produce stable crystalline cellulose III polymorph. Crystalline cellulose III can also be immersed in ethylenediamine and then boiled in dimethylformamide to completely convert the III to cellulose IV.

Abstract: The feature of the present invention is that a fiber mixture of silicon carbide or silicon nitride whiskers and alumina or alumina-silica short fibers with 1 to 45 volume percent of the short fibers in relation to the total volume of the whiskers and short fibers is used in the following steps for producing a fiber aggregate: a dispersion step of dispersing whiskers and short fibers into a dielectric fluid; an orientation step of placing the dielectric fluid containing the fibers dispersed therein in a space between a positive electrode and a negative electrode across which a high voltage is applied, whereby causing individual fibers in the dielectric fluid to electrostatically orient, with one end pointing to the positive electrode and the other end pointing to the negative electrode; and an aggregating step of aggregating the electrostatically oriented fibers while keeping the oriented step. The fiber mixture is used in order to grow the bridgings of whiskers around the short fibers as cores.

Abstract: Continuous elimination of at least part of the liquid contained in a layer formed by depositing a liquid compound having a low solid matter content on a mobile, continuous, liquid-porous support, is effected by dripping, pressing and evaporation while the layer is maintained on the formation support without transfer. Evaporation means include means for passing a heated, gaseous flux through the layers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing fiber aggregate which comprises a dispersion step of dispersing fibers in the form of short fiber, whisker, or a mixture thereof into a dielectric fluid; an orientation step of placing the dielectric fluid containing said fibers dispersed therein in a space between a positive electrode and a negative electrode across which a high voltage is applied, whereby causing individual fibers in the dielectric fluid to statistically orient, with one end pointing to the positive electrode and the other end pointing to the negative electrode; and an aggregating step of aggregating the statically oriented fibers while keeping the oriented step, whereby producing fiber aggregate in which said fibers are mostly one-dimensionally oriented.

Abstract: Absorbent, retentive pulp is described which is capable of retaining good absorbency even after having been highly compressed. The pump is produced by subjecting a microfibrillated pulp slurry to pore generation by means of freezing and solvent exchange and to cross-linking with a cross-linking agent.

Abstract: The distribution and orientation of the fibers in a short fiber fleece is improved by flowing the fiber suspension onto the surface of a rotating drum through a plurality of relatively narrow channels formed in a chute. The channels may be parallel partition walls extending in the flow direction or the channels may be formed by hoses or pipes placed one next to the other on the chute. The flow speed at the exit end of the chute may be increased by narrowing the exit end cross-sectional area.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing a non-woven boron nitride (BN) fiber felt. Boron nitride fibers are blended with a lesser amount of boron oxide fibers and a nondissolving, anhydrous liquid medium to form a homogeneous slurry. The slurry is deposited on the moving screen of a Fourdrinier machine where the liquid content is gradually reduced until sufficient fiber to fiber contact is made to provide internal cohesiveness, to form a felt. The felt may be further treated by heating it in an anhydrous gas atmosphere at a sufficient temperature to soften the boron oxide binder to fuse the BN fibers together, and then converting the interstitial boron oxide into boron nitride. The resulting boron nitride-bonded boron nitride felt may be used as an electric cell separator in a lithium sulfide battery.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing a non-woven, boron nitride-bonded boron nitride fiber mat, suitable for use as an electric cell separator in a lithium-sulfide battery. Molten boron oxide is centrifugally spun into strands and attenuated by an annular gas stream into fibers which are compacted at a controlled relative humidity into a bundle and heated in an anhydrous ammonia atmosphere to convert boron oxide in the fibers to boron nitride (BN). The BN fibers are blended with a lesser amount of boron oxide fibers and a nonaqueous liquid medium to form a slurry. The slurry is processed through a Fourdrinier machine to form a felt; and, the felt is calendered by passing it through the nip of a pair of calender rolls at an appropriate temperature and pressure to soften the boron oxide binder to fuse the BN fibers together. The interstitial boron oxide then is converted to boron nitride.

Abstract: Diaphragms for electrolytic cells are prepared by depositing onto a cathode screen, discrete thermoplastic fibers. The fibers are highly branched, and which, when deposited form an entanglement or network thereof, which does not require bonding or cementing.

Abstract: Polyolefin fibers containing at least 70% by weight of polypropylene fibers having a denier of at least 0.5 and a birefringence of at least 2.5 .times. 10.sup.-.sup.2 are formed into a sheet. The sheet is then frictionally calendered in the dry state at a frictional ratio of at least 15% and at a temperature in the range from 90.degree.C to 160.degree.C whereby an insulating paper having excellent air-impermeability and oil-resistance is obtained.

Abstract: A polyolefin micro-flake aggregation which is easily micro-flakable from the aggregation into a plurality of irregularly shaped micro-flakes suitable for producing synthetic paper, is manufactured from a solution of 5 - 40% by weight of polyolefin such as polyethylene and polypropylene in a solvent such as hydrocarbons and chlorinated hydrocarbons in the presence of a surface active compound of at least 0.01% based on the weight of the polyolefin by spraying the solution which is at a temperature of at least 100.degree.C from a closed container into atmosphere through an orifice.A polyolefin synthetic paper is formed from a suspension of the micro-flakes in an organic liquid such as hydrocarbons and chlorinated hydrocarbons which can swell or partially dissolve the polyolefin.

Abstract: Aligned fibre mats are produced by passing a continuously accelerating or decelerating stream of fibre dispersion over a permeable surface and simultaneously withdrawing a limited proportion of the dispersion liquid through the permeable surface to deposit aligned fibres thereon. Mats having a wide variety of shapes and alignment patterns may readily be produced and may subsequently be impregnated with resins, metals etc. to form fibre-reinforced composite materials.

Abstract: A polyolefin micro-flake aggregation which is easily micro-flakable from the aggregation into a plurality of irregularly shaped micro-flakes suitable for producing synthetic paper, is manufactured from a solution of 5 - 40% by weight of polyolefin such as polyethylene and polypropylene in a solvent such as hydrocarbons and chlorinated hydrocarbons in the presence of a surface active compound of at least 0.01% based on the weight of the polyolefin by spraying the solution which is at a temperature of at least 100.degree.C from a closed container into atmosphere through an orifice.A polyolefin synthetic paper is formed from a suspension of the micro-flakes in an organic liquid such as hydrocarbons and chlorinated hydrocarbons which can swell or partially dissolve the polyolefin.