Abstract: A treatment apparatus for a vehicle comprises: a housing with at least one wall and a floor forming a treatment chamber; a source of ultraviolet light configured to emit ultraviolet light into the treatment chamber; and a door connected to the housing, the door having (i) an open position providing access to the treatment chamber and (ii) a closed position denying access to the treatment chamber and, together with the housing, preventing emitted ultraviolet light from irradiating beyond the treatment chamber.

Abstract: A method of forming a composite material includes disposing dried plant material, nanoparticles, and a supercritical fluid in a vessel. A cellular structure of the dried plant material expands when disposed in the supercritical fluid and the nanoparticles migrate into and are embedded within the expanded cellular structure of the disposed dried plant material. The disposed dried plant fibers with embedded nanoparticles are removed from the vessel and mixed with a polymer to form a polymer-nanoparticle mixture. A chemical additive can be added to the supercritical fluid and the chemical additive can remove at least one of hemicellulose, lignin and pectins from the dried plant material.

Abstract: A method of forming a composite material includes disposing dried plant material, nanoparticles, and a supercritical fluid in a vessel. A cellular structure of the dried plant material expands when disposed in the supercritical fluid and the nanoparticles migrate into and are embedded within the expanded cellular structure of the disposed dried plant material. The disposed dried plant fibers with embedded nanoparticles are removed from the vessel and mixed with a polymer to form a polymer-nanoparticle mixture. A chemical additive can be added to the supercritical fluid and the chemical additive can remove at least one of hemicellulose, lignin and pectins from the dried plant material.

Abstract: A composite material is provided that includes a polymer matrix and fiber reinforcements within the polymer matrix, the fiber reinforcements including natural fibers having nanoparticles accumulated within a structure of the natural fibers. A method of forming the composite material is also provided that includes accumulating nanoparticles into the structure of the natural fibers to create accumulated natural fibers, drying the accumulated natural fibers, and mixing the accumulated natural fibers within the polymer matrix.

Abstract: A treatment apparatus for a vehicle comprises: a housing with at least one wall and a floor forming a treatment chamber; a source of ultraviolet light configured to emit ultraviolet light into the treatment chamber; and a door connected to the housing, the door having (i) an open position providing access to the treatment chamber and (ii) a closed position denying access to the treatment chamber and, together with the housing, preventing emitted ultraviolet light from irradiating beyond the treatment chamber.

Abstract: A method of forming a composite material includes immersing dried plant matter into an aqueous solution containing nanoparticles and applying a magnetic field and/or an electric field to the aqueous solution. A cellular structure of the dried plant matter expands when immersed in the aqueous solution and the nanoparticles migrate into and are embedded within the expanded cellular structure of the immersed dried plant matter. The method also includes removing at least one of hemicellulose, lignin and pectins from the dried plant matter by adding a chemical additive to the aqueous solution and/or wrapping or tagging the nanoparticles with a magnetic material such as nickel.

Abstract: A composite material is provided that includes a polymer matrix and fiber reinforcements within the polymer matrix, the fiber reinforcements including natural fibers having nanoparticles accumulated within a structure of the natural fibers. A method of forming the composite material is also provided that includes accumulating nanoparticles into the structure of the natural fibers to create accumulated natural fibers, drying the accumulated natural fibers, and mixing the accumulated natural fibers within the polymer matrix.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing method. The method includes mixing a reflective material including fibers with a photopolymer resin to form a resin mixture having a loading of the reflective material of at least 3 wt. %. The method further includes curing the resin mixture using a light source to form first and second individually cured layers and a bridge of a portion of the fibers between the two layers.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing method. The method includes mixing a reflective material including fibers with a photopolymer resin to form a resin mixture having a loading of the reflective material of at least 3 wt. %. The method further includes curing the resin mixture using a light source to form first and second individually cured layers and a bridge of a portion of the fibers between the two layers.

Abstract: Articles, methods of making an article, and resin compositions are disclosed. An article is disclosed that includes a cured light-curable resin having dispersed therein a reflective material that reflects at least 85% of the visible light spectrum. A loading of reflective material may be at least 3 wt. % of the article and the reflective material may comprise over 50 vol. % of a total filler composition of the article. The reflective material may be a white or near-white material, such as cellulose fibers, talc powder, or soy flour. A method is disclosed that includes mixing a reflective material that reflects at least 85% of the visible light spectrum with a photopolymer resin at a loading of at least 3 wt. % to form a resin mixture and curing the resin mixture using a light source in an additive manufacturing process. The disclosed resins may reduce the curing time of additive manufacturing processes.