A method and material for 3D printing objects containing heat-sensitive molecules are disclosed. The composition consists of a water-saturated, polar thermoplastic polymer, such as highly hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), into which functional moleculesproteins, peptides, pharmaceuticals, fragrances, or living cellsare dispersed. The polymer is first hydrated to form a gel, extruded and cut into pellets, then partially dried through a multi-stage dehydration process that leaves a moisture-rich core and a dry outer shell. During extrusion at typical FDM nozzle temperatures (200 C.), entrapped water within the material vaporizes at 100 C., providing in situ evaporative cooling and maintaining the temperature of the functional molecules below their degradation point. The process enables additive manufacturing of structurally sound objects that preserve the activity of heat-sensitive additives, opening new applications for 3D-printed consumables, pharmaceuticals, and bio-functional components.

A method and material for 3D printing objects containing heat-sensitive molecules are disclosed. The composition consists of a water-saturated, polar thermoplastic polymer, such as highly hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), into which functional moleculesproteins, peptides, pharmaceuticals, fragrances, or living cellsare dispersed. The polymer is first hydrated to form a gel, extruded and cut into pellets, then partially dried through a multi-stage dehydration process that leaves a moisture-rich core and a dry outer shell. During extrusion at typical FDM nozzle temperatures (200 C.), entrapped water within the material vaporizes at 100 C., providing in situ evaporative cooling and maintaining the temperature of the functional molecules below their degradation point. The process enables additive manufacturing of structurally sound objects that preserve the activity of heat-sensitive additives, opening new applications for 3D-printed consumables, pharmaceuticals, and bio-functional components.

The present invention provides a transversely uniaxially oriented polymeric shrink film that comprises both an inorganic opacifying agent and an organic polymeric cavitating agent in a cavitated layer thereof.

The present invention provides a transversely uniaxially oriented polymeric shrink film that comprises both an inorganic opacifying agent and an organic polymeric cavitating agent in a cavitated layer thereof.

Disclosed is a cellulose derivative with improved productivity, which includes cellulose; and a fatty acid ester bonded as a side chain to the cellulose by a branching reaction. The branching reaction is performed through a radical reaction using an initiator and a catalyst. Also disclosed is a method for producing dry nanocellulose, which includes mixing cellulose with a reaction composition including a radical initiator, a catalyst, and a reaction medium; and plasticizing the cellulose mixture by stirring and heating.

Disclosed is a cellulose derivative with improved productivity, which includes cellulose; and a fatty acid ester bonded as a side chain to the cellulose by a branching reaction. The branching reaction is performed through a radical reaction using an initiator and a catalyst. Also disclosed is a method for producing dry nanocellulose, which includes mixing cellulose with a reaction composition including a radical initiator, a catalyst, and a reaction medium; and plasticizing the cellulose mixture by stirring and heating.

A method of manufacturing bulked continuous carpet filament from a plurality of polymer flakes comprises: (1) providing an extruder; (2) melting and purifying the plurality of polymer flakes into a polymer stream using the extruder; (3) providing a static mixing assembly downstream of the extruder; (4) adding a first liquid colorant to a center of the polymer stream at a first location before the static mixing assembly or along a length of the static mixing assembly; (5) adding a second liquid colorant to the polymer stream at a second location before the static mixing assembly or along a length of the static mixing assembly; (6) using the static mixing assembly to mix the polymer stream with the first and second liquid colorant to create a colored polymer stream; and (7) forming the colored polymer stream into bulked continuous carpet filament.

The invention is directed to a method for producing an upgraded polymer product from recycled polyvinyl butyral, to a polymer product obtainable by said method, to a construction material comprising such polymer product, and to a use of an extruder vacuum pump. The method of the invention comprises feeding a polymer feed stream to an extruder, wherein said polymer feed stream comprises a recycled polyvinyl butyral; melting said polymer feed stream in the extruder to produce polymer melt and passing said polymer melt through one or more degassing zones connected to a vacuum pump; measuring the melt flow index of the polymer product,
wherein the vacuum pump is operated at a pressure that is controlled by the measured melt flow index of the polymer product.

The invention is directed to a method for producing an upgraded polymer product from recycled polyvinyl butyral, to a polymer product obtainable by said method, to a construction material comprising such polymer product, and to a use of an extruder vacuum pump. The method of the invention comprises feeding a polymer feed stream to an extruder, wherein said polymer feed stream comprises a recycled polyvinyl butyral; melting said polymer feed stream in the extruder to produce polymer melt and passing said polymer melt through one or more degassing zones connected to a vacuum pump; measuring the melt flow index of the polymer product,
wherein the vacuum pump is operated at a pressure that is controlled by the measured melt flow index of the polymer product.

A method comprising: resizing Post Consumer Recycle (PCR) material and Post Commercial/Post Industrial material to 270 mesh particles; mixing the resized material into a homogeneous blend, wherein the blend comprises at least 10% Post Consumer Recycle (PCR) material and at least 10% Post Commercial/Post Industrial material; heating the homogeneous blend to a temperature greater than 110 F.; extruding the homogeneous blend through an orifice between 2.0 mm and 10.0 mm in diameter to form a rope; and cutting the rope into pellets at least 5.0 mm in length. A pellet comprising: at least 10% Post Consumer Recycle (PCR) material and at least 10% Post Commercial/Post Industrial material; and having a diameter between 2.0 mm and 15.0 mm and a length of between 2.0 mm and 25.0 mm.