A method of determining a health status of a mixing system may comprise establishing a flow loop via a pump, a flow control valve, and a flow rate sensor. The method may also include performing a diagnostic test that includes positioning the flow control valve in a first position, operating the pump to communicate a fluid via the flow loop at a first speed, measuring a first periodic dataset while the fluid is communicated via the flow loop, and recording the first periodic dataset. The method may also include comparing a result of the diagnostic test to an operational indicator set, determining the health status based upon the comparison of the result of the diagnostic test and the operational indicator set, and outputting, by the unit controller, indicia of the health status of the mixing system via the input output device.

A device or system includes a mixer comprising a three-dimensional lattice defining a plurality of tortuous, interconnecting passages therethrough. The mixer is in communication with sources or streams of at least two separate components which, when mixed, form a combined fluid stream. The sources or streams may be, at least initially, on opposite sides of the mixer, or the sources or streams may be on the upstream side of the mixer with an outlet disposed downstream of the mixer. A related method may include providing a mixer comprising a three-dimensional lattice defining a plurality of tortuous, interconnecting passages therethrough, and selecting a material for the mixer based on physical characteristics of said material, said characteristics including a selected one or more of mean flow pore size, thickness and porosity volume.

A device or system includes a mixer comprising a three-dimensional lattice defining a plurality of tortuous, interconnecting passages therethrough. The mixer is in communication with sources or streams of at least two separate components which, when mixed, form a combined fluid stream. The sources or streams may be, at least initially, on opposite sides of the mixer, or the sources or streams may be on the upstream side of the mixer with an outlet disposed downstream of the mixer. A related method may include providing a mixer comprising a three-dimensional lattice defining a plurality of tortuous, interconnecting passages therethrough, and selecting a material for the mixer based on physical characteristics of said material, said characteristics including a selected one or more of mean flow pore size, thickness and porosity volume.

A micro-fluidic flow device and method. The device includes a conduit having an inlet and an outlet distal from the inlet. The conduit further includes a plurality of constrictions each having a reduction in a cross-sectional area of the conduit in a direction from the inlet to the outlet. The constrictions are arranged in series and the reduction in cross-sectional area at each of the constrictions is sufficient to induce extensional flow in a fluid travelling therethrough, such that the maximum strain rate in the extensional flow region is at least 500 s.sup.−1.

A method of determining a health status of a mixing system may comprise establishing a flow loop via a pump, a flow control valve, and a flow rate sensor. The method may also include performing a diagnostic test that includes positioning the flow control valve in a first position, operating the pump to communicate a fluid via the flow loop at a first speed, measuring a first periodic dataset while the fluid is communicated via the flow loop, and recording the first periodic dataset. The method may also include comparing a result of the diagnostic test to an operational indicator set, determining the health status based upon the comparison of the result of the diagnostic test and the operational indicator set, and outputting, by the unit controller, indicia of the health status of the mixing system via the input output device.

A micro-fluidic flow device and method. The device includes a conduit having an inlet and an outlet distal from the inlet. The conduit further includes a plurality of constrictions each having a reduction in a cross-sectional area of the conduit in a direction from the inlet to the outlet. The constrictions are arranged in series and the reduction in cross-sectional area at each of the constrictions is sufficient to induce extensional flow in a fluid travelling therethrough, such that the maximum strain rate in the extensional flow region is at least 500 s.sup.1.

A device or system includes a mixer comprising a three-dimensional lattice defining a plurality of tortuous, interconnecting passages therethrough. The mixer is in communication with sources or streams of at least two separate components which, when mixed, form a combined fluid stream. The sources or streams may be, at least initially, on opposite sides of the mixer, or the sources or streams may be on the upstream side of the mixer with an outlet disposed downstream of the mixer. A related method may include providing a mixer comprising a three-dimensional lattice defining a plurality of tortuous, interconnecting passages therethrough, and selecting a material for the mixer based on physical characteristics of said material, said characteristics including a selected one or more of mean flow pore size, thickness and porosity volume.

Presented herein for the first time are novel and highly efficient methods for producing CNCs. In exemplary embodiments, the method comprises mixing in a single reaction vessel a cellulose pulp, an acidic solution; and sodium chlorite, wherein the sodium chlorite reacts to form a bleaching agent, chlorine dioxide, wherein bleaching and acid hydrolysis of the cellulose pulp occurs in the single reaction vessel. In alternative or additional embodiments, the method comprises mixing with a resonant acoustic mixer a high consistency cellulose pulp with an acidic solution in a reaction vessel. Related methods, compositions, and articles of manufacture are further provided herein.

A device or system includes a mixer comprising a three-dimensional lattice defining a plurality of tortuous, interconnecting passages therethrough. The mixer is in communication with sources or streams of at least two separate components which, when mixed, form a combined fluid stream. The sources or streams may be, at least initially, on opposite sides of the mixer, or the sources or streams may be on the upstream side of the mixer with an outlet disposed downstream of the mixer. A related method may include providing a mixer comprising a three-dimensional lattice defining a plurality of tortuous, interconnecting passages therethrough, and selecting a material for the mixer based on physical characteristics of said material, said characteristics including a selected one or more of mean flow pore size, thickness and porosity volume.