Abstract: A cellulose precursor material for making cellulose-based products including cellulose insulation. The cellulose precursor material for insulation includes a plurality of fibers, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of fibers are cellulose fibers and a binder that joins the fibers together while the precursor material is transported while also allowing at least a portion of the plurality of fibers to be separated from each other to form cellulose insulation. The cellulose insulation may be made at a remote location and the use of the precursor material reduces insulation transportation costs. An apparatus and method for making the insulation from the precursor material are disclosed. An apparatus and method for making the precursor material are also disclosed.

Abstract: An insulation composition including a biomass-derived polymer, a cellulose component, and a fire retardant applied to at least a portion of either or both of the biomass-derived polymer and the cellulose component. The biomass-derived polymer may be used to bind the cellulose component. The cellulose component may be fibers, cellulose dust, nanocrystalline structure, or a combination. The insulation composition may be formed into batts, assemblies, or boards. The insulation composition may be processed in the field by shredding to form loose fill insulation. The composition may be treated with one or more additives, including an expansion component selected to reduce the density of the composition.

Abstract: A cellulose-based laminate product including a first skin, a second skin, and a mat matrix positioned between the first skin and the second skin. The mat matrix includes a plurality of cellulosic fibers formed into agglomerations with voids contained therebetween. The plurality of cellulosic fibers may be Short Fiber Residuals alone or in combination with other fibers, including flexible organic fibers and nanocellulose fibers. The mat matrix may be formed in place between the first and second skins. The first and second skins may be treated for moisture resistance. The laminate product of the present invention can be used to provide thermal and/or impact insulation for a wide array of applications.

Abstract: Compositions useful for the selective removal of silicon nitride materials relative to polysilicon, silicon oxide materials and/or silicide materials from a microelectronic device having same thereon are provided. The compositions of the invention are particularly useful in the etching of 3D NAND structures.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to paperboard having an improved basis weight to bending strength relationship and methods of making paperboard having an improved basis weight to bending strength relationship. In particular, a paperboard provided herein includes a refined cellulose in at least 1 ply.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes for making polymeric composite materials and composite materials made from those processes, the process comprising: providing a mixture, comprising: a liquid, a polymer precursor, and a dispersed-phase precursor; and subjecting the mixture to reaction conditions sufficient: to effect polymerization of the polymer precursor to produce a polymer and a reaction product; and to remove substantially all the liquid and reaction product from the mixture; wherein said reaction conditions comprise: pressure between about 10 millitorr and about 300 torr; and temperature: greater than or equal to the highest boiling point of the liquid and reaction product; less than the decomposition temperature of the polymer; and less than the decomposition temperature of the dispersed-phase precursor.

Abstract: Compositions useful for the selective removal of silicon nitride materials relative to polysilicon, silicon oxide materials and/or silicide materials from a microelectronic device having same thereon are provided. The compositions of the invention are particularly useful in the etching of 3D NAND structures.

Abstract: An improved market pulp and process for making the same by adding a composite material are described. The composite material includes cellulose nanocrystals, cellulose nanofibers, or another high aspect ratio, high surface area cellulose material (or a starch, or both) and a crosslinking compound that crosslinks a portion of the surface hydroxyl groups to form a 3-D matrix. Adding the composite material to market pulp has been shown to improve the strength of twice-dried paper products, made from such an enhanced market pulp. By crosslinking a portion of the surface hydroxyl groups in the market pulp to form a 3-D matrix, a first drying step may be accomplished without loss of benefits afforded when the market pulp is later re-pulped to make a paper product.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes for making polymeric composite materials and composite materials made from those processes the process comprising: providing a mixture, comprising: a liquid, a polymer precursor, and a dispersed-phase precursor; and subjecting the mixture to reaction conditions sufficient: to effect polymerization of the polymer precursor to produce a polymer and a reaction product; and to remove substantially all the liquid and reaction product from the mixture; wherein said reaction conditions comprise: pressure between about 10 millitorr and about 300 torr; and temperature: greater than or equal to the highest boiling point of the liquid and reaction product; less than the decomposition temperature of the polymer; and less than the decomposition temperature of the dispersed-phase precursor.

Abstract: Lignin formulations for making light-selective mulch, methods of making such lignin formulations, light-selective mulches comprising substrates treated with lignin formulations, and methods of making such light-selective mulches. Some methods involve preparing aqueous lignin formulations that can be used as coatings that, in turn, can be applied to a substrate, such as a paper web, to form a biodegradable, light-selective mulch. Some such mulches blocks at least some light in the ultraviolet and blue/green ranges (350 nm to 500 nm) of the visible light spectrum to inhibit weed growth below the mulch, while also transmitting light in the red/infrared ranges to heat the soil below the mulch.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes for making polymeric composite materials and composite materials made from those processes, the process comprising: providing a mixture, comprising: a liquid, a polymer precursor, and a dispersed-phase precursor; and subjecting the mixture to reaction conditions sufficient: to effect polymerization of the polymer precursor to produce a polymer and a reaction product; and to remove substantially all the liquid and reaction product from the mixture; wherein said reaction conditions comprise: pressure between about 10 millitorr and about 300 torr; and temperature: greater than or equal to the highest boiling point of the liquid and reaction product; less than the decomposition temperature of the polymer; and less than the decomposition temperature of the dispersed-phase precursor.

Abstract: Compositions useful for the selective removal of silicon nitride materials relative to polysilicon, silicon oxide materials and/or silicide materials from a microelectronic device having same thereon are provided. The compositions of the invention are particularly useful in the etching of 3D NAND structures.

Abstract: An improved market pulp and process for making the same by adding a composite material are described. The composite material includes cellulose nanocrystals, cellulose nanofibers, or another high aspect ratio, high surface area cellulose material (or a starch, or both) and a crosslinking compound that crosslinks a portion of the surface hydroxyl groups to form a 3-D matrix. Adding the composite material to market pulp has been shown to improve the strength of twice-dried paper products, made from such an enhanced market pulp. By crosslinking a portion of the surface hydroxyl groups in the market pulp to form a 3-D matrix, a first drying step may be accomplished without loss of benefits afforded when the market pulp is later re-pulped to make a paper product.

Abstract: The present invention provides, among other things, methods including the steps of providing a cellulosic biomass, associating the cellulosic biomass with an organic liquid to form a mixture, treating the mixture to reduce the moisture content of the mixture to 30% or below (if necessary), and processing the mixture to produce cellulose nanofibrils in a slurry. In some embodiments, provided methods allow for the production of high solids content slurries containing 4% or more cellulosic nanofibrils.

Abstract: Release base papers with improved surface properties and more efficient manufacturing potential are made using cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) along with high freeness, less refined pulp. Release papers serve as the backing for common adhesive labels, for industrial film coatings, and also for certain food processing uses. The CNF may be added to the furnish and processed to paper, or the CNF may be added as a coating onto a partially dried web of paper. The CNF may optionally be combined with a starch and a starch crosslinker.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to paperboard having an improved basis weight to bending strength relationship and methods of making paperboard having an improved basis weight to bending strength relationship. In particular, a paperboard provided herein includes a refined cellulose in at least 1 ply.

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 disclosure relates to paperboard having an improved basis weight to bending strength relationship and methods of making paperboard having an improved basis weight to bending strength relationship. In particular, a paperboard provided herein includes a refined cellulose in at least 1 ply.

Abstract: Lignin formulations for making light-selective mulch, methods of making such lignin formulations, light-selective mulches comprising substrates treated with lignin formulations, and methods of making such light-selective mulches. Some methods involve preparing aqueous lignin formulations that can be used as coatings that, in turn, can be applied to a substrate, such as a paper web, to form a biodegradable, light-selective mulch. Some such mulches blocks at least some light in the ultraviolet and blue/green ranges (350 nm to 500 nm) of the visible light spectrum to inhibit weed growth below the mulch, while also transmitting light in the red/infrared ranges to heat the soil below the mulch.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention provides methods including the steps of providing cellulosic material, associating the cellulosic material with an organic acid (e.g., lactic acid) to form a mixture, and heating the mixture to a temperature between 100° C. and 120° C. for at least ten minutes to form a treated cellulosic material, wherein the water retention value of the treated cellulosic material is decreased by at least 10% as compared to untreated cellulosic material.