Abstract: A multi material extrusion system includes a first polymer extruder configured to extrude a first polymer, and a second polymer extruder configured to extrude a second polymer. A nozzle includes a first polymer inlet in fluid connection with the first extruder, a second polymer inlet in fluid connection with the second extruder, and a merging nozzle conduit having a merging nozzle conduit surface. The merging nozzle conduit terminates in a merging nozzle conduit outlet opening. The nozzle further includes a first polymer flow conduit in fluid communication with the first polymer inlet and a second polymer flow conduit in fluid communication with the second polymer inlet. The first polymer flow conduit is configured to deliver the first polymer to the merging nozzle conduit and the second polymer flow conduit is configured to deliver the second polymer to the merging nozzle conduit, to create a multi-material bead comprising the first polymer in contact with the second polymer.

Abstract: A process for producing dried, vinyl carboxylate surface-modified microfibrillated cellulose having improved mechanical properties and a microfibril structure and a process for producing a vinyl carboxylate, surface-modified microfibrillated cellulose-thermoplastic polyester or thermoplastic polyolefin composite material having improved mechanical strength properties utilizing dried, vinyl carboxylate surface-modified microfibrillated cellulose.

Abstract: A method of depositing material for additive manufacturing of an object includes providing a printhead configured to move linearly along a flat x-y plane parallel to a build surface for the object and configured to simultaneously move in a vertical z-direction that is perpendicular to the x-y plane. The method further includes forming a layer of the object by extruding material from the printhead while simultaneously operating the printhead to move in a printing pattern that includes both a linear component in the x-y plane and a vertical component in the z-direction to deposit a layer of material along a path of the printing pattern. The printing pattern is sinusoidal, sinusoidal-like, partially sinusoidal, or partially sinusoidal-like. The printing pattern compensates for material contraction upon solidification of the formed object, thereby reducing one or both of residual stress in the formed object and distortion of the formed object.

Abstract: A method for fractionating biomass material according to ash content, the method comprising: grinding the biomass material to produce a ground biomass and sieving the ground biomass through a first screen to yield: a) a first fraction of biomass particles that does not pass through the first screen and which has a first particle size, and b) a second fraction of biomass particles that passes through the first screen and which has a second particle size, wherein the second particle size is smaller than the first particle size, and wherein the second fraction of biomass particles has a higher ash content than the first fraction of biomass particles; and optionally further comprising: passing the second fraction of biomass particles through a second screen having a finer mesh size to produce a third fraction having a smaller particle size and a higher ash content than the second fraction of biomass particles.

Abstract: A method for fractionating biomass material according to ash content, the method comprising: grinding the biomass material to produce a ground biomass and sieving the ground biomass through a first screen to yield: a) a first fraction of biomass particles that does not pass through the first screen and which has a first particle size, and b) a second fraction of biomass particles that passes through the first screen and which has a second particle size, wherein the second particle size is smaller than the first particle size, and wherein the second fraction of biomass particles has a higher ash content than the first fraction of biomass particles; and optionally further comprising: passing the second fraction of biomass particles through a second screen having a finer mesh size to produce a third fraction having a smaller particle size and a higher ash content than the second fraction of biomass particles.

Abstract: A improved method of additive manufacturing of a recycled granulate is provided. The method comprises providing a starting article. A shredder shreds the starting article to give a shredded product. A granulator shreds the shredded product to give a recycled granulate. The recycled granulate is fed into an additive manufacturing machine. The additive manufacturing machine prints a printed article using the recycled granulate. The method does not comprise a step of compounding the recycled granulate using a twin screw extruder. The starting article, the shredded product, and the recycle granulate each comprise a fiber reinforced polymer composite.

Abstract: A method of forming a catalyst is provided herein. The method comprises combining a binder, a support, and an active metal to form a slurry composition. The method further comprises applying the slurry composition using an additive manufacturing process to form a green part. The method further comprises exposing the green part to heat at a temperature of from about 10° C. to about 150° C. to form the hardened part. The method further comprises applying a ceramic-based coating material to the hardened part to form the catalyst.

Abstract: A method of forming a catalyst is provided herein. The method comprises combining a binder, a support, and an active metal to form a slurry composition. The method further comprises applying the slurry composition using an additive manufacturing process to form a green part. The method further comprises exposing the green part to heat at a temperature of from about 10° C. to about 150° C. to form the hardened part. The method further comprises applying a ceramic-based coating material to the hardened part to form the catalyst.

Abstract: A process for producing dried, vinyl carboxylate surface-modified microfibrillated cellulose having improved mechanical properties and a microfibril structure and a process for producing a vinyl carboxylate, surface-modified microfibrillated cellulose—thermoplastic polyester or thermoplastic polyolefin composite material having improved mechanical strength properties utilizing dried, vinyl carboxylate surface-modified microfibrillated cellulose.

Abstract: A silane-modified polyester blend comprising a polyester polymer homogeneously blended with silane molecules containing two or three alkoxy groups bound to the silicon atom, wherein said silane molecules are present in said polyester blend in an amount of 0.05-20 wt % (or, e.g., 0.05-10 wt %, 0.05-5 wt %, or 0.05-2 wt %). The polyester polymer may, in particular embodiments, be a polyhydroxyalkanoate, terephthalate-based polyester, adipate-based, or succinate-based polyester. The silane molecule may be according to the formula (R2O)2SiR3R4, wherein R2 groups are independently selected from alkyl groups containing 1-4 carbon atoms; and R3 and R4 are independently selected from OR2 groups and alkyl groups containing 1-12 carbon atoms, provided that at least one of R3 and R4 is an alkyl group, wherein the alkyl group optionally includes one or more heteroatoms selected from oxygen, nitrogen, halogen, sulfur, phosphorus, and silicon. Methods for producing the silane-modified polyester blend are also described.

Abstract: A silane-modified polyester blend comprising a polyester polymer homogeneously blended with silane molecules containing two or three alkoxy groups bound to the silicon atom, wherein said silane molecules are present in said polyester blend in an amount of 0.05-20 wt % (or, e.g., 0.05-10 wt %, 0.05-5 wt %, or 0.05-2 wt %). The polyester polymer may, in particular embodiments, be a polyhydroxyalkanoate, terephthalate-based polyester, adipate-based, or succinate-based polyester. The silane molecule may be according to the formula (R2O)2SiR3R4, wherein R2 groups are independently selected from alkyl groups containing 1-4 carbon atoms; and R3 and R4 are independently selected from OR2 groups and alkyl groups containing 1-12 carbon atoms, provided that at least one of R3 and R4 is an alkyl group, wherein the alkyl group optionally includes one or more heteroatoms selected from oxygen, nitrogen, halogen, sulfur, phosphorus, and silicon. Methods for producing the silane-modified polyester blend are also described.