High shear thin film machine for dispersion and simultaneous orientation-distribution of nanoparticles within polymer matrix

Abstract

An improved a device and method for dispersion and simultaneous orientation of nanoparticles within a matrix is provided. A mixer having a shaft and a stator is provided. The shaft may have a rupture region and erosion region. Further, an orienter having an angled stationary plate and a moving plate are provided. The nanoparticles and the matrix are fed into the mixer. A rotational force is applied to the shaft to produce shearing forces. The shearing forces disperse and exfoliate the nanoparticles within the matrix. The dispersed mixture is outputted onto the moving plate. The moving plate is forced across the angled stationary plate to produce fully developed laminar shear flow. The fully developed laminar shear flow or the two-dimensional extensional drag flow orients the dispersed nanoparticles-matrix mixture.

Claims

1. A device to disperse particles within a matrix, the device comprising: a housing having a center axis, an outer surface, an inner diameter, and an inner surface; an inlet in fluid connection with the housing configured to receive a mixture of the particles and the matrix; a shaft within the housing, the shaft having a length defined between the inlet and an outlet of the housing, a substantially constant outer circumference and a center of rotation about the center axis; a rupture portion of the shaft having surface interruptions extending inwardly from the outer circumference; an erosion portion of the shaft between the rupture portion of the shaft and the outlet, the erosion portion of the shaft having a smooth outer surface along the substantially constant outer circumference, wherein the erosion portion of the shaft is greater than the rupture portion of the shaft; and a dispersion of the mixture between the inner diameter of the housing and along substantially an entirety of the length of the shaft between the inlet and the outlet.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising: one or more cooling channels disposed within the housing between the outer surface and the inner surface.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the one or more cooling channels is threaded.

4. The device of claim 1, further comprising: an elongated member removably installed into each of the one or more cooling channels.

5. The device of claim 1, further comprising: a screw groove portion of the shaft proximate to the inlet and having helical channels to force the particles and the matrix towards the rupture portion.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the interior surface of the one or more cooling channels comprise surface irregularities to increase surface area of the interior surface to improve heat dissipation.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the surface irregularities comprise surface undulations.

8. A device to disperse particles within a matrix, the device comprising: a housing having a central axis, an outer surface, an inner diameter, and an inner surface; an inlet connected in fluid communication with the housing configured to receive a mixture of the particles and the matrix; an outlet connected in fluid communication with the housing and the inlet; a shaft disposed within the housing between the inlet and the outlet, the shaft having a center of rotation about the central axis and an outer circumference; a rupture portion of the shaft having surface interruptions extending inwardly toward the center of rotation from the outer circumference, wherein the rupture portion of the shaft is disposed proximate the inlet; and an erosion portion of the shaft between the rupture portion of the shaft and the outlet, the erosion portion of the shaft having a smooth outer surface.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the shaft comprises a substantially constant outer circumference.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the erosion portion comprises a smooth outer surface along the substantially constant outer circumference.

11. The device of claim 9, wherein the one or more cooling channels is threaded.

12. The device of claim 11, further comprising: an elongated member removably installed into each of the one or more cooling channels.

13. The device of claim 11, wherein the interior surface of the one or more cooling channels comprise one or more surface irregularities to increase surface area of the interior surface to improve heat dissipation.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the one or more surface irregularities comprise surface undulations.

15. The device of claim 8, wherein a dispersion of the mixture between the inner diameter of the housing and along substantially an entirety of a length of the shaft between the inlet and the outlet.

16. The device of claim 8, further comprising: one or more cooling channels disposed within the housing between the outer surface and the inner surface.

17. The device of claim 8, further comprising: a screw groove portion of the shaft proximate to the inlet and having helical channels to force the particles and the matrix towards the rupture portion.

18. A device to disperse particles within a matrix, the device comprising: a housing having a center axis, an outer surface an inner diameter, and an inner surface; an inlet in fluid connection with the housing configured to receive a mixture of the particles and the matrix; a shaft within the housing, the shaft having a length defined between the inlet and an outlet of the housing, one end of the length disposed at the inlet and an opposing end of the length disposed at the outlet, a substantially constant outer circumference and a center of rotation about the center axis; a rupture portion of the shaft having surface interruptions extending inwardly from the outer circumference, wherein the rupture portion of the shaft is disposed at the inlet of the housing; an erosion portion of the shaft extending along the length of the shaft between the rupture portion of the shaft and the opposing end at the outlet, the erosion portion of the shaft occupying and in communication with the outlet and having a smooth outer surface along the substantially constant outer circumference; one or more cooling channels disposed within the housing between the outer surface and the inner surface; an elongated member removably installed into each of the one or more cooling channels; one or more surface irregularities in the interior surface of the one or more cooling channels to increase surface area of the interior surface to improve heat dissipation; and a dispersion of the mixture between the inner diameter of the housing and along substantially an entirety of the length of the shaft between the inlet and the outlet.

19. The device of claim 18, wherein the one or more cooling channels is threaded.

20. The device of claim 18, further comprising: a screw groove portion of the shaft proximate to the inlet and having helical channels to force the particles and the matrix towards the rupture portion.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Illustrated embodiments of the disclosure are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, which are incorporated by reference herein, and where:

(2) FIG. 1A is a front perspective view of a machine in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

(3) FIG. 1B is a rear perspective view of a machine in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

(4) FIG. 2A is a side elevation view of a machine in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

(5) FIG. 2B is a side elevation view of a machine in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

(6) FIG. 3A is a front perspective view of a mixer in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

(7) FIG. 3B is a front perspective view of a mixer in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

(8) FIG. 3C is a front perspective view of a mixer in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

(9) FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a top portion of a stator in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

(10) FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of the top portion of a stator of FIG. 4 taken along section A-A;

(11) FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the top portion of a stator of FIG. 4 taken along section B-B;

(12) FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view of the top portion of a stator of FIG. 4 taken along section C-C;

(13) FIG. 4D is a cross-sectional view of the top portion of a stator of FIG. 4 taken along section D-D;

(14) FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a middle portion of a stator in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

(15) FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of the middle portion of a stator of FIG. 5 taken along section A-A;

(16) FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the middle portion of a stator of FIG. 5 taken along section B-B;

(17) FIG. 5C is a detailed view of the middle portion of the stator of FIG. 5B within section circle C;

(18) FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a bottom portion of a stator in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

(19) FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of the bottom portion of a stator of FIG. 6 taken along section A-A;

(20) FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of the bottom portion of a stator of FIG. 6 taken along section B-B;

(21) FIG. 6C is a cross-sectional view of the bottom portion of a stator of FIG. 6B taken along section C-C;

(22) FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of a shaft in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

(23) FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view of the shaft of FIG. 7 taken along section A-A;

(24) FIG. 7B is a detailed view of the shaft of FIG. 7 within section circle B;

(25) FIG. 7C is a detailed view of the shaft of FIG. 7A within section circle C;

(26) FIG. 8A is a front elevation view of a seal holder in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

(27) FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view of the seal holder of FIG. 8 taken along section B-B;

(28) FIG. 9A is a front perspective view of a cooling channel modifier in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

(29) FIG. 9B is a front elevation view of a cooling channel modifier in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

(30) FIG. 9C is a cross-sectional view of the cooling channel modifier of FIG. 9B taken along section C-C;

(31) FIG. 9D is a detailed view of the cooling channel modifier of FIG. 9A within section circle D;

(32) FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view of a moving plate in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

(33) FIG. 10A is a cross-sectional view of the moving plate of FIG. 10 taken along section A-A.

(34) FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view of the moving plate of FIG. 10 taken along section line B-B;

(35) FIG. 10C is a front perspective view of a moving plate in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

(36) FIG. 10D is a detailed view of a portion of the moving plate of FIG. 10C within section circle D;

(37) FIG. 10E is a detailed view of a portion of the moving plate of FIG. 10A within section circle E;

(38) FIG. 10F is a detailed view of a portion of the moving plate of FIG. 10A within section circle F;

(39) FIG. 11 is a top plan view of a stationary plate in accordance with an illustrative embodiment; and

(40) FIG. 11A is a cross-sectional view of the stationary plate of FIG. 11 taken along 10 section A-A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(41) FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A and 2B illustrate a high shear thin film machine 10 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The machine 10 includes a frame 12 upon which the components of the machine 10 are mounted. The present disclosure, however, contemplates that the components may be installed on any suitable structure or surface to achieve the objects of the invention.

(42) A motor 14 mounted on the frame 10 is operably connected to a mixer 16. A preferred embodiment includes a high horsepower electric motor, but the present disclosure contemplates the motor 14 may be powered by petrochemical, solar, stream, and the like. In the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the motor 14 is connected to the mixer 16 through a chain 18. The present disclosure envisions other means of connection, including belts, cables, gear box, and the like. In an alternate embodiment, the output shaft of the motor 14 may be coupled directly to the mixer 16, thereby eliminating the need for a chain, belt, and the like.

(43) The mixer 16 may be secured to the frame 12 through any means commonly known in the art. For example, in the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A and 2B, a plurality of frame mounts 20 may connect with frame mount holes 22 (FIG. 4A) within a top portion of the stator 26. A plurality of connecting rods 28 may secure additional components of a motor column, including but not limited to, the coupler 30 and chain connection 32.

(44) Referring to FIGS. 3A-3C, the mixer 16 may be comprised of the stator 26 and a shaft 34. The stator 26 may be comprised of the top portion 36, a middle portion 38, and a bottom portion 40. The stator 26 may be constructed from American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) 1018 steel to decrease slippage between the boundary of the molten PNCs and shaft 34 due to higher surface tension on the boundary. The present disclosure contemplates other suitable materials, including but not limited to mild to low carbon steels and cold-rolled steels such as 304 stainless steel and 12L14 carbon steel.

(45) The top portion 36, the middle portion 38, and the bottom portion 40 may be connected through a bolt 42 that extends through the three portions, as shown illustratively in FIG. 3B. The bolt 42 extends through corresponding assembly holes 24 in each of the three portions. Further, the precise alignment of the top portion 36, the middle portion 38, and the bottom portion 40 may be ensured through alignment pins 41 engaging alignment holes 43 in each of the three portions. While the illustrated embodiment shows a stator 26 comprised of three portions, the present disclosure contemplates that any number of portions may be implemented. For example, the stator 26 may be of unitary construction, particularly with advances and/or refinement in the manufacturing processes used to construct the stator 26.

(46) The top portion 36 of the stator 26 is shown illustratively in FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D. The top portion 36 includes an outer circumference 44, a first inner circumference 46, and a second inner circumference 48. In an exemplary embodiment, the outer circumference 44, the first inner circumference 46, and the second inner circumference 48 are coaxial to one another, resulting in a cylinder with a tiered interior. The second inner circumference 48 is sized and shaped to the outer surface of the shaft 34. The first inner circumference 46 is sized and shaped to the outer surface of a seal holder 94, which is discussed in detail below.

(47) With a top surface 50 of the top portion 36 of the stator 26 is a plurality of axial mounting holes 52. The plurality of axial mounting holes 52 are adapted to connect the coupler 30 shown illustratively in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A and 2B. In an exemplary embodiment, the top portion 36 has four axial mounting holes 52 disposed at twelve o'clock, three o'clock, six o'clock and nine o'clock positions when the top portion 36 of the stator 26 is viewed from above. However, the present disclosure contemplates any number and/or arrangement of axial mounting holes without deviating from the objects of the present disclosure.

(48) The top portion 36 of the stator 26 also has an inlet 54 for the polymer and/or nanoparticles. The location of the inlet 54 on the machine 10 is also shown illustratively in FIGS. 1A and 2A. The inlet 54 is connected to means for providing the polymer and/or nanoparticles. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the inlet 54 is connected to a screw extruder that provides the polymer-nanoparticle mixture. In an alternate embodiment, a second inlet (not shown) may be associated with the mixer 16, wherein an inlet receives the polymer and the other inlet receives the nanoparticles. Further, the present disclosure contemplates that the polymer and nanoparticles may be directly fed into the mixer of the machine 10 without the need of a screw extruder. Other means may include but are not limited to pneumatics, hydraulics, and the like.

(49) Referring to FIGS. 3B, 3C, 4C and 40, the stator 26 may contain one or more cooling channels 56 disposed within the wall of the stator 26. The cooling channels 56 address viscous dissipation heating due to the high viscosity of the nanocomposite melts. Each of the cooling channels 56 is associated with a port 58. The port 58 may be an inlet port or an outlet port. As shown illustratively in FIGS. 2A and 2B, each of ports 58 connected to a coupler 64, which is connected to a tube (not shown) adapted to either supply or receive fluid. A pump (not shown) may pump a fluid (e.g., coolant, water, air, etc.) through the couplers 64 into the ports 58, after which the fluid travels down the cooling channels 56 to cool the receive the viscous dissipated heat within the wall of the stator 26. The cooling channels 56 extend from the top portion 36, through the middle portion 38, to the lower portion 40 of the stator 26. In the illustrated embodiment, the cooling channels 56 are comprised of three overlapping holes that effectively comprise a slot. The present disclosure contemplates cooling channels 56 of any size and shape without deviating from the objects of the present disclosure. For example, the cooling channels 56 may be of rectangular cross section to provide for additional fluid flow. Further, each of the cooling channels 56 may be threaded 66 to not only increase the heat transfer surface area of the channels 56, but also promote turbulence of the fluid within the channels 56. The threading 66 is illustrated in detail in FIGS. 5B and 5C.

(50) Furthermore, each of the cooling channels 56 may receive a cooling channel modifier 68, as shown illustratively in FIGS. 9A, 98, 9C and 90. The cooling channel modifier 68 may be sized and shaped to be inserted into a cooling channel 56. The cooling channel modifier 68 is designed to increase the velocity of pumped fluid and further increase the turbulence of the same. In the illustrated embodiment, the cooling channel modifier 68 has a rectangular cross section. The cooling channel modifier 68 is comprised of a piece metal crimped at one end, as detailed in FIG. 9D. The present disclosure contemplates any number of cooling channel modifiers consistent with the objects of the present disclosure. For example, the cooling channel modifier 68 may be comprised of a threaded bolt-like structure to further increase surface heat and fluid turbulence. In another example, the cooling channel modifier 68 may be a spring-like device to maximize the amount of fluid pumped while promoting fluid turbulence. In yet another example, the cooling channel modifier 68 may be formed integrally with the stator 26.

(51) Referring to FIGS. 5, 5A and 58, the middle portion 38 of the stator 26 may be comprised of an outer circumference 70 and an inner circumference 72. The inner circumference 72 of the middle portion 38 corresponds to the second inner circumference 48 of the top portion 36. As previously discussed herein, the middle portion 38 may include alignment holes 43 adapted to receive alignment pins 41, assembly holes 24 adapted to receive assembly bolts 42, and cooling channels 56 adapted to receive a cooling channel modifiers 68.

(52) A lower portion 40 in accordance of an exemplary embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 6, 6A, 6B and 6C. As previously discussed herein, the lower portion 40 may include alignment holes 43 adapted to receive alignment pins 41, assembly holes 24 adapted to receive assembly bolts 42, and cooling channels 56 adapted to receive a cooling channel modifiers 68. Further, the lower portion contains an outlet hole 74. In an exemplary embodiment, the outlet hole 74 is eccentrically placed from the center of an inner circumference 76 of the lower portion 40. The present disclosure, however, contemplates the outlet hole 74 may be centered as well. The outlet hole 74 may be associated with a funneling channel 78 that tapers from the inner circumference 76 to the outlet hole 74. The funning channel 78 may be the frustum of a cone, as shown illustratively in the figures. The present invention contemplates other types of outlet holes 74, including but not limited to slits, coat hanger dies, and the like, to promote a thin aspect ratio at the outlet.

(53) Referring back to FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C, the shaft 34 is disposed within the stator 26. An exemplary shaft 34 is illustrated in FIGS. 7, 7A, 7B and 7C. The shaft 34 may contain a neck portion 80, a middle portion 82, and a main portion 84. The main portion 84 is sized and shaped to create a small gap with the second inner circumference 48 of the top portion 36, the inner circumference 72 of the middle portion 38, and the inner circumference 76 of the lower portion 40. In a preferred embodiment, the gap is 0.1 millimeters. Thus, the present disclosure contemplates gaps of similar dimensions without deviating from the invention.

(54) The main portion 84 of the shaft 34 may contain a knurled region (or rupture region) 86 and a smooth region (or erosion region) 88. The knurled region 86 is disposed proximate to the inlet 54 relative to the smooth region 88. The knurled region 86 produces higher and more chaotic shearing forces to create aggressive mixing with higher flow rate. In a preferred embodiment, the knurled region 86 is approximately one-fourth the length of the main portion 84 of the shaft 34. The rupture region 86 was created shorter than the erosion region 88 because rupturing the agglomerations requires higher shear force and less time than erosion. In the erosion region, primary nanoparticle is continuously peeled apart from smaller aggregates in the erosion region, which requires more time and less energy. As mentioned above, the gap between the erosion region 88 and the stator 26 may be 0.1 millimeters. A gap between rupture region 86 and stator 26 may be a slightly smaller (e.g., approximately 0.02 millimeters smaller). In addition, the knurled region 86 assists in increasing the flow rate of the NPC within the mixer 16.

(55) The main portion 84 of the shaft 34 may include a screw groove region 90. The screw groove region 90 may be disposed adjacent to the knurled region 86 opposite the smooth region 88. The screw groove region 90 may further be disposed proximate to the inlet 54 relative to the knurled region 86. The screw groove region 90 assists in moving the polymer-nanoparticle mixture downwardly into the mixture (i.e., towards the knurled region 86). In an exemplary embodiment gap between shaft 34 and stator 26 in this screw groove region 90 may be a slightly smaller (e.g., approximately 0.03 millimeters smaller) than the rupture region.

(56) The middle portion 82 of the shaft 34 may be operable connected to a seal 92 and seal holder 94, as shown illustratively in FIGS. 3A and 3C. The seal 92 is required to withstand the demands of the application. In particular, the application may have temperatures exceeding 230° C. and pressures of approximately one thousand kilopascals. In a preferred embodiment, the seal 92 may be an O-ring comprised of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The present disclosure contemplates other seals comprised of Kalrez perfluoroelastomer, spring-loaded single lips, and the like.

(57) An exemplary seal holder 94 is illustrated in FIGS. 8A and 8B. The seal holder 94 may include a first outer circumference 96 sized to fit within the first inner circumference 46 of the top portion 38 of the stator 26, and a second outer circumference 98 sized to fit within the second inner circumference 48 of the top portion 38 of the stator 26. The seal holder 94 may further include a first inner portion 100 sized to accommodate the middle portion 82 of the shaft 34, a second inner portion 102 sized to accommodate the seal 92, and a third inner portion 104 sized to accommodate a portion of the neck 80 of the shaft 34. In an exemplary embodiment, the seal holder 94 may be constructed from AISI 1018 steel but the present disclosure contemplates other suitable materials, including but not limited to mild to low carbon steels and cold-rolled steels such as 304 stainless steel and 12L14 carbon steel. Referring back to FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C, one or more ball bearings 106 may be disposed within the top portion 38 of the stator 26 adjacent to and above the seal holder 94. The one or more ball bearings 106 provide radial stability to the neck 80 of the shaft 34. Further, one or more needle bearings 108 may be disposed within the top portion 38 of the stator 26 adjacent to and above the one or more balling bearings 106. The one or more needle bearings 108 provide axial stability to the shaft 34. Still further, a snap ring 110 may be configured to secure to a ridge 112 on the neck 80 of the shaft 34. Still yet further, an axial ridge 114 proximate to an end of the shaft 34 is configured to engage to the means for powering the mixer 16.

(58) In operation, a polymer nanoparticle (NPC) mixture (or separately) are fed into the inlet 54 of the stator 26. The motor 14 provides a rotational force to the shaft 34 via the interface at the axial ridge 114. The shaft 34 rotates at a high frequency. In an exemplary embodiment, the shaft 34 rotates at a frequency of 17,800 Hertz. The NPC mixture encounters the screw groove region 90 of the shaft 34, which forces the NPC mixture towards the knurled region 86. In the knurled region 86, the agglomerations within NPC mixture experience extraordinary shearing forces that rupture the same. Due to forces from NPC mixture present in the screw groove region 90 above, the NPC mixture is further forced down into the smooth region 88. The NPC mixture undergoes extremely efficient erosion, whereby the NPC mixture becomes highly exfoliated. Thereafter, the NPC mixture is discharged from the outlet 74 of the stator 26 and to the orienter, which is discussed in detail below.

(59) While in operation, fluid is pumped from a reservoir through couplers 64 and into the ports 58 of the top portion 36 of the stator 26. The fluid enters the cooling channels 56, wherein it encounters threading 66 and the cooling channel modifier 68. The fluid experiences heat transfer due to the increased surface area and turbulent now, thereby cooling the stator 26.

(60) The present disclosure also contemplate that the mixer 16 can used as a continuous heterogenic catalyst reactor, if shaft outside surface and the stator inside surface are coated with catalyst. In such an embodiment, the catalyst will not be fouled due to self-cleaning by the high shear stress.

(61) When the dispersed and exfoliated NPC mixture exits the outlet 74 of the stator 26, the mixture enters the orienter 120. Orientation does not require the high energy necessary for dispersion. In order to orient HARNPs within a polymer matrix requires fully developed steady laminar shear flow (FDSLSF). However, 10 get the FDSLSF is complicated due to surface roughness at the nanoscale. The orienter 120 of the present disclosure achieves FDSLSF by moving a moving plate 122 across a stationary plate 124 at a slight angle 121. In particular, the NPC mixture is disposed on a top surface 126 of the moving plate 122, after which the moving plate 122 travels at a slight angle 121 across the stationary plate 126 to orient the NPC based on the combination of shearing and extensional two-dimensional, drag-force-driven flow.

(62) An exemplary embodiment of the orienter 120 is illustrated in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A and 2C. The orienter 120 is comprised of a track 128 mounted on the frame 12. The track 128 is configured to movably connect to five moving plates 122. The orienter 120 may further include a motor 130 connected to a drive gear 132. The drive gear 132 is configured to movably be coupled to teeth 134 on a lower surface 136 of the moving plate 122. Referring to FIGS. 10, 10A, 10B and 10C, a moving plate of an exemplary embodiment is illustrated. The moving plate 122 may be comprised of the upper surface 126 and the lower surface 136. One or more rows of the teeth 134 may be connected to the lower surface 136 of the moving plate 122. The moving plate 122 may be constructed of aluminum or any other metal commonly known in the art without deviating from the objects of the present disclosure.

(63) The stationary plate 124 is mounted on the frame 12. As illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 11A, the stationary plate 124 one or more arms 138 that are rigidly connected to the frame 12. The stationary plate 124 further comprises a lower surface 140. The stationary plate 124 may be constructed of aluminum or any other metal commonly known in the art without deviating from the objects of the present disclosure.

(64) The inlet side distance between the moving plate 122 and stationary plate 124 may be 0.24 mm while the outlet side distance may be 0.1 mm. Further, the moving plate 122 may decline at approximately a three-degree angle 121 relative to horizontal, or may be parallel.

(65) The orienter 120 is in concurrent operation with the mixer 16 of the machine 10. In operation, the orienter 120 may receive a dispersed and exfoliated NPC mixture from mixer 16. The NPC mixture may descend onto the top surface 126 of the moving plate 122 through the force of gravity. The motor 130 drives the drive gear 132 that forces the moving plate 122 across the stationary plate 124, thereby exposing the NPC mixture to FDSLSF and/or to two-dimensional extending drag flow, thereby orienting the nanoparticles with the polymer mixture.

(66) In the illustrated embodiment, the cycling process of the moving plates 122 is not automated; i.e., an individual must manually remove the moving plate 122 from an end of the track 128 and replace it at a beginning of the track 128. The present disclosure envisions a fully automated system.

(67) Further, the moving plates lose heat during the continuous cycle. The moving plates need to cycle in closed area to prevent loose heat. The present disclosure envisions an enclosure that minimizes heat loss of the orienter 120.

(68) The resulting NPC is dispersed, exfoliated, and oriented. The examples of improved physical properties (and other testing results) are discussed in Appendix A, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

(69) The disclosure is not to be limited to the particular embodiments described herein. In particular, the disclosure contemplates numerous variations in the type of ways in which embodiments of the disclosure may be applied to disperse, exfoliate and orient high aspect nanoparticles with a polymer matrix. Further, the present disclosure contemplates that the mixer 16 and the orienter 120 of the HSTFM may be utilized separately as an independent mixer and orienter. The foregoing description has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list or limit any of the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed. It is contemplated that other alternatives or exemplary aspects that are considered included in the disclosure. The description is merely examples of embodiments, processes or methods of the disclosure. It is understood that any other modifications, substitutions, and/or additions may be made, which are within the intended spirit and scope of the disclosure. For the foregoing, it may be seen that the disclosure accomplishes at least all that is intended.

(70) The previous detailed description is of a small number of embodiments for implementing the disclosure and is not intended to be limiting in scope. The following to claims set forth a number of the embodiments of the disclosure with greater particularity.