Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a Pickering emulsion comprising cellulose filaments. The heterogeneity of the cellulose filament material is critical and beneficial to the formation of stable emulsions. Emulsions with high stability can be prepared by controlling the CF surface properties. It is provided an emulsion comprising an internal phase dispersed in a continuous external phase and cellulose filaments located at the interface of the internal phase and the external phase, wherein the emulsion comprises 50% in volume or more of the internal phase and a method of producing same.

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: A composite and method for producing the composite by incorporating wood or wood pulp fibres with a suitable thermoplastic polymer and coupling agent are described. Homogeneous, void-free transparent/translucent thermoplastic materials in the form of pellets, films or three-dimensional moldable products are produced. The wood pulp fibres can be discrete natural fibres, and flexible assemblies of nano to micro elements, e.g., assemblies of aggregated carbon nanotubes. It is also possible to use our vacuum-assisted co-extrusion process to produce hybrid composites comprising the wood pulp fibre and a further rigid fibre, like glass or carbon fibres, and a flexible fibre or fibrillar network, like cellulose fibres or cellulose filaments. The thermoplastic resin can be, but not limited to, polyolefins, like polypropylene or polyethylene, or polyesters, like polylactic acid, or co-polymers, like acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene terpolymer.

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 is directed to a Pickering emulsion comprising cellulose filaments. The heterogeneity of the cellulose filament material is critical and beneficial to the formation of stable emulsions. Emulsions with high stability can be prepared by controlling the CF surface properties. It is provided an emulsion comprising an internal phase dispersed in a continuous external phase and cellulose filaments located at the interface of the internal phase and the external phase, wherein the emulsion comprises 50% in volume or more of the internal phase and a method of producing same.

Abstract: A composite and method for producing the composite by incorporating wood or wood pulp fibres with a suitable thermoplastic polymer and coupling agent are described. Homogeneous, void-free transparent/translucent thermoplastic materials in the form of pellets, films or three-dimensional moldable products are produced. The wood pulp fibres can be discrete natural fibres, and flexible assemblies of nano to micro elements, e.g., assemblies of aggregated carbon nanotubes. It is also possible to use our vacuum-assisted co-extrusion process to produce hybrid composites comprising the wood pulp fibre and a further rigid fibre, like glass or carbon fibres, and a flexible fibre or fibrillar network, like cellulose fibres or cellulose filaments. The thermoplastic resin can be, but not limited to, polyolefins, like polypropylene or polyethylene, or polyesters, like polylactic acid, or co-polymers, like acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene terpolymer.

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: 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.