Branched aramid nanofibers (ANFs) can be made by controlled chemical splitting of micro and macroscale aramid fiber by adjusting the reaction media containing aprotic component, protic component and a base. Branched ANFs have uniform size distribution of diameters in the nanoscale regime (below 200 nm) and high yield exceeding 95% of the nanofibers with this diameter. The method affords preparation of branched ANFs with 3-20 branches per one nanofiber and high aspect ratio. Branched ANFs form hydrogel or aerogels with highly porous 3D percolating networks (3DPNs) frameworks that are made into different shapes. Polymers and nanomaterials are impregnated into the 3DPNs through several methods. Gelation of branched ANFs facilitates layer-by-layer deposition in a process described as gelation assisted layer-by-layer deposition (gaLBL). A method of manufacturing battery components including ion conducting membranes, separators, anodes, and cathodes is described. The method of manufacturing of materials with high mechanical performance based on branched ANFs and 3DPNs from them is disclosed.

A composite nanofiber aerogel (CNA) is formed from aramid nanofibers (ANFs) combined with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). These nanoscale constituents of the aerogel form 3D networks with high nodal connectivity and strongly welded connectivity joints between fibrils so that the structure has high stiffness and strength compared to other polymeric aerogels and successive breakage of crosslinks at the connectivity nodes affords energy dissipation while maintaining the overall structural integrity. A specific class of CNA with a specific solid content may be used to form a thin firm with a composite nanofiber framework (CNFF) that is useful in the manufacture of kirigami wearable electronics.

A method of producing a film is provided. The film includes a base material layer which is shrunk by heat and a functional layer which is dried while being restricted by the base material layer. The method involves heating the film while applying a tensile force in a direction of a length of the film so as to convey the film, and subjecting the film to a heat treatment while, in a distribution along a width of the film, a center part is higher in temperature than end parts. A center part sample of the film is smaller in curling amount with respect to the width of the film than an end part sample, or a standard deviation in curling amount with respect to the width is not more than 1 mm between two samples from respective end parts and a sample from the center part of the film.

A foamable composition comprising at least one cellulose acetate, a plasticizer, a nucleating agent, either a chemical blowing agent or a physical blowing agent, and natural fibers is disclosed. The foamable composition is melt-processable, thermoformable, and biodegradable. The composition is formed into foamed articles that are biodegradable.

A foamable composition comprising at least one cellulose acetate, a plasticizer, a nucleating agent, either a chemical blowing agent or a physical blowing agent, and natural fibers is disclosed. The foamable composition is melt-processable, thermoformable, and biodegradable. The composition is formed into foamed articles that are biodegradable.

A method of manufacturing a composite film, the method including: a coating step including coating a coating liquid containing a resin on one surface or both surfaces of a porous substrate to form a coating layer; a solidification step including solidifying the resin by bringing the coating layer into contact with a solidifying liquid to obtain a composite film including the porous substrate and a porous layer that is formed on one surface or both surfaces of the porous substrate and that includes the resin; a water washing step including washing the composite film with water; and a drying step including drying by removing water from the composite film while transporting the composite film at a transport speed of 30 m/min or more using a drying apparatus including a drying device including a contact type heating device and a hot air blowing device, wherein the composite film is brought into contact with a contact type heating device as well as exposed to hot air blown from a hot air blowing device, to remove water from the composite film being performed by bringing.

The embodiment according to the present disclosure provides a method of manufacturing a composite film. This method includes: subjecting a porous substrate containing a thermoplastic resin to a heat treatment at a temperature T which satisfies the Formula: Tg+60 C.temperature TTm (wherein Tg represents a glass transition temperature ( C.) of the thermoplastic resin; and Tm represents a melting point ( C.) of the thermoplastic resin); coating a coating liquid containing at least a resin and a solvent on one surface or both surfaces of the porous substrate, which has been subjected to the heat treatment, to form a coating layer, with a tensile stress in a machine direction in the porous substrate adjusted to be within a range in which an elongation of the porous substrate is 2% or less; and solidifying the coating layer to obtain a composite film including the porous substrate and a porous layer containing at least the resin formed on one surface or both surfaces of the porous substrate.

A masterbatch composition of elastomer and from 20 to 100 parts per hundred parts elastomer of fibrous micropulp wherein the micropulp has fibers with a volume weighted average fiber length of from 20 to 200 micrometers as measured by laser diffraction, a relative specific surface area of from 30 to 600 square meter per gram as measured by nuclear magnetic resonance and the fibers selected from the group consisting of aromatic polyamide, aromatic copolyamide, polyacrylonitrile and polyazole.

A resin sheet includes a binder resin; a fibrous filler having a fiber length of equal to or longer than 15 mm and equal to or shorter than 100 mm; and pulp.

A desired drying capability is achieved while damage to a film is prevented. A film production method is arranged such that: a production process including a drying step is operated by setting a drying condition, under which to carry out the drying step, for each of at least two periods, the two periods being a first period and a second period later than the first period; the drying condition is changed in at least a part of the first period so as to be enhanced with time; and the drying condition is maintained in the second period so as to be substantially fixed.