Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for assembling particles having a long axis, a short axis and an average aspect ratio of 10-10,000. The method includes agitating a combination of a first solution, a second solution and the particles in any order to form a mixture wherein one of the first solution and the second solution is in the form of droplets dispersed in the other of the first solution and the second solution and the long axis of the particles is longer than a diameter of the droplets in the mixture, and continuing the agitation until the particles assemble into aggregates of particles with at least 30% of the particles aligned in parallel along the long axis. Aggregate or aggregate composites form by the method are also described.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method of using the apparatus for separating individual particles from a collection of clumps (or bundles or aggregates) of particles. The apparatus has n number of separation columns, wherein each separation column is connected at an upper portion thereof to at least one fluid connection, and a particle collector. A pressurized fluid flows through the apparatus and 1) suspends a portion of the clumps within the separation column and/or the at least one fluid connection thereby separating at least some clumps into smaller clumps and/or individual particles; and 2) conveys a portion of the clumps and/or individual particles to the next separation column in the series of separation columns, or, in the case of the nth separation column conveys individual particles to the particle collector.

Abstract: Typical commercial surface treatments for continuous carbon fibers are often unavailable for discontinuous fibers. As such, there is little variety of chopped fiber surfaces leading to non-ideal coating solutions which result in poor interfacial compatibility between fibers and a composite matrix. A method of applying a highly effective coating using a high throughput technique for chopped carbon fibers. The method provides the ability to tune both the coating thickness and chemical functionality using processing parameters. The coatings are evaluated using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) for uniformity and composition. Using this technique, thermoplastic composites are highlighted showing an increase in interfacial shear strength (IFSS) of 25 MPa. This process shows promise for increasing the throughput of surface treatment of chopped fiber on the industrial scale.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a filament stretching rheometer for measuring rheological and/or mechanical properties of a sample, comprising: a pair of opposed surfaces for holding the sample therebetween; an actuator configured to provide a controlled axial displacement of at least one of said opposed surfaces; and a sample scanning unit for measuring a diameter of said sample, the sample scanning unit configured for measuring said sample diameter at an axial position controlled independently of the displacement of the opposed surfaces, the sample scanning unit configured for being positioned at a starting point before said controlled axial displacement, wherein the starting point is selected from a position where a minimum diameter of the said sample is determined by said sample scanning unit.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a filament stretching rheometer for measuring rheological and/or mechanical properties of a sample, comprising: a pair of opposed surfaces for holding the sample therebetween; an actuator configured to provide a controlled axial displacement of at least one of said opposed surfaces; and a sample scanning unit for measuring a diameter of said sample, the sample scanning unit configured for measuring said sample diameter at an axial position controlled independently of the dis placement of the opposed surfaces, the sample scanning unit configured for being positioned at a starting point before said controlled axial displacement, wherein the starting point is selected from a position where a minimum diameter of the said sample is determined by said sample scanning unit.