Abstract: A method for making a dry composite material that exhibits contraction in one or more dimensions when initially hydrated includes preparing a mixture of dry, compressible, hydrophilic polymer elements and hydrophobic, thermoplastic polymer, forming the mixture into a mat, heating the mat to a temperature that is greater than the melting-point of the hydrophobic, thermoplastic polymer such that the hydrophobic, thermoplastic polymer melts and forms a continuous phase around the compressible hydrophilic polymer elements, molding the hot mat into a desired shape, and cooling the mat to a temperature that is less than the congealing-point of the hydrophobic, thermoplastic polymer.

Abstract: An insulated composite board includes a first composite board including a first layer including a plurality of cellulosic fragments and a plurality of plastic fragments and an insulation layer including a first face coupled to the first composite board, the insulation layer comprising a foam material.

Abstract: A method may include measuring, by an NIR device, a first near-infrared (NIR) spectrum at an edge of a composite panel formed using a blend of paper fragments and plastic fragments, measuring, by the NIR device, a second NIR spectrum at the edge of the composite panel, aggregating, by a controller of the NIR device, the first and second spectra to obtain an aggregated spectrum, and comparing the aggregated spectrum to calibration data to determine a plastic composition of the composite panel.

Abstract: A method may include measuring, by an NIR device, a first near-infrared (NIR) spectrum at an edge of a composite panel formed using a blend of paper fragments and plastic fragments, measuring, by the NIR device, a second NIR spectrum at the edge of the composite panel, aggregating, by a controller of the NIR device, the first and second spectra to obtain an aggregated spectrum, and comparing the aggregated spectrum to calibration data to determine a plastic composition of the composite panel.