Abstract: A nozzle assembly for a printer head of a 3D printer includes a guide held in a fixed position relative to the printer head and extending from a first end to a second end along a longitudinal axis. A drive mechanism extends from a feed end to a discharge end along the longitudinal axis. The feed end defines a feed opening for receiving a filament from a feed system, and the discharge end defines a discharge opening for discharging the filament from the nozzle assembly. The drive mechanism is movable relative to the guide, and the drive mechanism includes a drive surface for engaging the filament and causing the filament to move from the feed opening to the discharge opening, in response to the drive mechanism moving relative to the printer head. The nozzle assembly further includes a motor for moving the drive mechanism relative to the printer head.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a polymer coated cellulose nanocrystal composite material begins with an aqueous cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) suspension mixture. The aqueous CNC suspension mixture is dried to remove the liquid solvent from the aqueous CNC suspension mixture to form a dry CNC powder. Diethylenetriamine (DETA) is combined with melted Maleated-anhydride Polypropylene (MAPP) to form a DETA-functionalized MAPP (MA) mixture. The MA mixture is cooled and pelletized to form MA pellets. The MA pellets, the dry CNC powder, and a neat polypropylene (PP) are combined to form a CNC-PP mixture. The CNC-PP mixture is compounded by melting, subsequently cooled and pelletized to form CNC-PP pellets.

Abstract: A system for manufacturing a multiple layer filament produces a multiple layer filament including a continuous core, a first layer and a second layer. The continuous core includes one of a continuous fiber, a braided strand, a metal wire and a narrow gauge filament. The materials for the first and second layers of the multiple layer filament are chosen from a plurality of materials with each of the plurality of materials providing a specific function or multiple functions that are required for the particular application of the three-dimensional object manufactured using the multiple layer filament.

Abstract: A reinforced polymer composite includes a polymer matrix, a strengthening agent, and a dispersing agent. The strengthening agent is a natural fiber having an aspect ratio between 6 and 12 and is included in the composite in amounts up to 30 wt %. The dispersing agent is coconut shell powder having an aspect ratio between 1 and 3 and is included in the composite in amounts up to 10 wt %.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a polymer coated cellulose nanocrystal composite material begins with an aqueous cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) suspension mixture. The aqueous CNC suspension mixture is dried to remove the liquid solvent from the aqueous CNC suspension mixture to form a dry CNC powder. Diethylenetriamine (DETA) is combined with melted Maleated-anhydride Polypropylene (MAPP) to form a DETA-functionalized MAPP (MA) mixture. The MA mixture is cooled and pelletized to form MA pellets. The MA pellets, the dry CNC powder, and a neat polypropylene (PP) are combined to form a CNC-PP mixture. The CNC-PP mixture is compounded by melting, subsequently cooled and pelletized to form CNC-PP pellets.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a polymer coated cellulose nanocrystal composite material begins with an aqueous cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) suspension mixture. The aqueous CNC suspension mixture is dried to remove the liquid solvent from the aqueous CNC suspension mixture to form a dry CNC powder. Diethylenetriamine (DETA) is combined with melted Maleated-anhydride Polypropylene (MAPP) to form a DETA-functionalized MAPP (MA) mixture. The MA mixture is cooled and pelletized to form MA pellets. The MA pellets, the dry CNC powder, and a neat polypropylene (PP) are combined to form a CNC-PP mixture. The CNC-PP mixture is compounded by melting, subsequently cooled and pelletized to form CNC-PP pellets.

Abstract: A reinforced polymer composite includes a polymer matrix and a strengthening agent. The strengthening agent includes highly crystalline cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) and a stabilizing agent. The crystalline cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) have dimensions of about 3 to 5 nm in width and about 100 to 300 nm in length and a density of about 1.6 g/cm3 and the stabilizing agent may be one of Boehmite nanoclay (Boe) and Cetyltrimethylammonium Bromide (CTAB) or a combination of both.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a polymer coated cellulose nanocrystal composite material begins with an aqueous cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) suspension mixture. The aqueous CNC suspension mixture is dried to remove the liquid solvent from the aqueous CNC suspension mixture to form a dry CNC powder. Diethylenetriamine (DETA) is combined with melted Maleated-anhydride Polypropylene (MAPP) to form a DETA-functionalized MAPP (MA) mixture. The MA mixture is cooled and pelletized to form MA pellets. The MA pellets, the dry CNC powder, and a neat polypropylene (PP) are combined to form a CNC-PP mixture. The CNC-PP mixture is compounded by melting, subsequently cooled and pelletized to form CNC-PP pellets.

Abstract: A reinforced polymer composite includes a polymer matrix, a strengthening agent, and a dispersing agent. The strengthening agent is a natural fiber having an aspect ratio between 6 and 12 and is included in the composite in amounts up to 30 wt %. The dispersing agent is coconut shell powder having an aspect ratio between 1 and 3 and is included in the composite in amounts up to 10 wt %.

Abstract: A reinforced polymer composite includes a polymer matrix and a strengthening agent. The strengthening agent includes highly crystalline cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) and a stabilizing agent. The crystalline cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) have dimensions of about 3 to 5 nm in width and about 100 to 300 nm in length and a density of about 1.6 g/cm3 and the stabilizing agent may be one of Boehmite nanoclay (Boe) and Cetyltrimethylammonium Bromide (CTAB) or a combination of both.