The invention relates to a method to cast a sheet (2) of a material containing alkaloids, the method comprising: Providing a container (6) having an aperture; providing a casting blade (9); Providing a movable support (3) running below the aperture of the container (6); Filling the container (6) with slurry (5); Casting the sheet (2) of tobacco material containing alkaloids material by means of the casting blade (9) onto the movable support (3); Sensing variations in a height of the movable support (3); and changing a height of the casting blade (9) if such variations in the height of the movable support (3) are present.

A shaped article comprising a polymer-based resin derived from cellulose, wherein the polymer-based resin has an HDT of at least 95° C., a bio-derived content of at least 20 wt %, a notched izod impact strength of greater than 80 J/m and at least one of the following properties chosen from: flexural modulus of greater than 1900 MPa; a spiral flow length or at least 3.0 cm; a flex creep deflection of less than 12 mm; a transmission of at least 70%; a ΔE value of less than 25; or an L* color of at least 85.

A novel cutting-edge structure and method and apparatus for manufacturing the cutting-edge structure is provided. The cutting-edge structure is comprised of naturally derived or renewable material at greater than 50% by volume fraction. In one embodiment, the naturally derived material is a cellulose nanostructure such as a cellulose nanocrystal. The cellulose nanocrystal is processed using a base or mold structure to provide a cutting edge of any shape such as linear or circular edge structures. The process includes dual cure steps to produce an optimal cutting-edge structure without shrinkage. The formed cutting-edge structure can be utilized as a razor blade as it is formed with very sharp tip and edge suitable for cutting hair. The base structure can form one or more cutting-edge structures simultaneously.

The present disclosure provides a method for preparing a self-floating transparent nano ultrathin film. According to the present disclosure, the MXene film layer and the nano ultrathin film layer are sequentially subjected to suction filtration on the substrate material by utilizing a vacuum suction filtration technology, and thus a double-film structure is loaded on the substrate material; then an oxidant is subjected to oxidizing and bubbling on the MXene film layer in a permeation way, and thus the substrate material and the nano ultrathin film layer can be separated in a physical isolating manner. Finally, the nano ultrathin film is completely separated in a liquid phase floating separation manner. The nano ultrathin film prepared by the method provided by the present disclosure has a specific thickness and light transmittance through different loading capacities, and the substrate material can be repeatedly utilized.

The present disclosure relates to a wood-plastic coated metal composite profile and a production process, and belongs to the technical field of composite profiles. The wood-plastic coated metal composite profile includes a metal core material, a wood-plastic surface layer and an intermediate layer provided between the metal core material and the wood-plastic surface layer. The intermediate layer includes unsaturated carboxylic acid modified polyolefin and thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer, inorganic filler, polyurethane prepolymer. In the present disclosure, an intermediate layer is provided between the wood-plastic surface layer and the metal core material for bonding. The intermediate layer has excellent performance when bonding with the metal, and at the same time, it can blend with the wood-plastic surface layer to a certain extent during co-extrusion. Thereby, a stable structure with core material-intermediate layer-wood-plastic surface layer is formed, and the intermediate layer has good elasticity and impact resistance, and can maintain good bonding under various environments.

The present disclosure provides a method for preparing a self-floating transparent nano ultrathin film. According to the present disclosure, the MXene film layer and the nano ultrathin film layer are sequentially subjected to suction filtration on the substrate material by utilizing a vacuum suction filtration technology, and thus a double-film structure is loaded on the substrate material; then an oxidant is subjected to oxidizing and bubbling on the MXene film layer in a permeation way, and thus the substrate material and the nano ultrathin film layer can be separated in a physical isolating manner. Finally, the nano ultrathin film is completely separated in a liquid phase floating separation manner. The nano ultrathin film prepared by the method provided by the present disclosure has a specific thickness and light transmittance through different loading capacities, and the substrate material can be repeatedly utilized.

The present invention is directed to a continuous process for producing a foamable celluloid product by introducing a solid component (comprising nitrocellulose, chemical blowing agent (CBA), stabilizer and alcohol) and a liquid component (comprising camphor and acetone) into a mixer/devolatilizer machine where the chamber is under atmospheric pressure and having significant overhead space. The chamber is comprised of two zones wherein the first zone has a temperature that is less than the second zone and at least one rotor comprising hollow, temperature-controlled arms having a tilted angle affixed to the rotors. The rotors of the mixer/devolatilizer machine act to mix the solid and liquid components under lower shearing forces, lower mechanical stress and longer residence times than those used by twin-screw extruders.

The present disclosure relates to support structures for three dimensional (3D) printing, methods of preparing the support structures, and methods of using the support structures. In particular, the support structures comprise a hydrogel comprised of a cellulose derivative. Preferably, the support structures are biodegradable and easily removed without generating toxic waste.

Presented herein are materials, methods, and systems for the improved 3D printing improved 3D printing of materials that include polypropylene. In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a composite comprising a polymer matrix and a plurality of fibers for improved 3D printing. For example, the polymer matrix may have a composition that includes a polymer blend of polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) (e.g., high density polyethylene (HDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE)), impact modified polypropylene copolymer and/or polypropylene random copolymer with a plurality of fibers. In some embodiments, the plurality of fibers comprises cellulosic nanofibers (e.g., natural cellulosic nanofibers, e.g., cellulose nanofibrils). In some embodiments, filaments are prepared from the composites by melt compounding the polymer matrix (e.g., PP copolymers and/or PP/PE pellets) with a plurality of fibers and extruding the mixture.

Polymer-based sheet materials having a variegated appearance are provided. The polymer-based-sheet material may have a core with one or more caps. The cap(s) may be on a first primary surface, a second primary surface, and/or sides. The variegation may be within and/or on the cap and/or the core. Methods, systems, articles, and materials effective for a polymer-based sheet material having a variegated appearance are provided.