Method, apparatus, and system of a fibrillated nanocellulose material
Embodiments of the invention overcome the shortcomings of prior technologies by infusing nanocellulose in a fibrillated form to enhance the properties of cellulose pulp. These properties may include, for example, the mechanical and barrier properties, i.e., tensile strength, liquid, and gas impermeability such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, and oil, may be improved substantially. Another embodiment of the invention further provide a fibrillated cellulose composite material that include properties of being a strength-enhancing agent, an oligomer, carboxylic acid, plasticizer, an antimicrobial agent, water repellant, and/or a transparent composite.
1 . An apparatus for generating a biodegradable material comprising:
a first device for receiving a first material;
wherein the first device comprises a mesh for catching a portion of fibers in the first material;
a second device for engaging the portion of the fibers, wherein the second device comprises a container containing the first material;
a third device for engaging a second material with the portion of the fibers, the second material and the portion of the fibers form a third material; wherein the third device comprises another container;
a water removing device for reducing water content in the third material; wherein the water removing device comprises a vacuum or a heater; and
wherein the first device, the second device, and third device form a vertical and/or horizontal system, wherein the first and second devices are configured to rotate a mold to be oriented upwards or downwards via an axis, wherein the third device further carries the second material to engage contents of the another container.
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a shaper comprises a mold for shaping the third material after the water removing device, wherein the shaper is configured to be connected to a heater or a vacuum to apply heat and pressure to the third material.
3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first material comprise a pulp suspension.
4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second material comprises a fibrillated cellulose slush after grinding.
5 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the heating element is configured to maintain a temperature of the second material at least about 40 degrees Celsius.
6 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the heating element is configured to warm a temperature of the second material at least about 40 degrees Celsius when the surface material engages the first material.
7 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the third material is generally free from chemical additives adapted for improving tensile strength, enhanced oil barrier, gas and/or liquid impermeability, a tensile modulus, or a tensile index.
8 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the third material comprises properties of:
an oxygen transmission rate of about 8000 cm 3 m 2 24 h −1 or less,
a water vapor transmission rate of 3000 g m −2 24 h −1 or less,
a dry tensile strength of about 30 MPa or higher,
a dry tensile modulus of about 4 GPa or higher, and
a dry tensile index of about 45 Nm g −1 or higher.
9 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the third material comprises additional properties of:
a wet tensile strength of about 5 MPa or higher,
a wet tensile modulus of about 0.4 MPa or higher, and
a wet tensile index of about 5 Nm g −1 or higher.
10 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the third material comprises the fibrillated cellulose with a diameter of about 1-10000 nanometer (nm).
11 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the third material comprises the fibrillated cellulose having about 0.1-1000 micrometers, about 10-500 micrometers, about 1-25 micrometers, or about 0.2-100 micrometers.
12 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the third material comprises a planar sheet.
13 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the third material comprises a container for edible items.
14 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the third material comprises a fibrillated mixture.
15 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the third material comprises a film with a thickness of about 0.01-3.0 millimeter (mm).
16 . A system for generating a biodegradable material comprising:
a first device for receiving a first material, wherein the first device comprises a mesh for catching a portion of fibers in the first material;
a second device for engaging the portion of the fibers, wherein the second device comprises a container containing the first material;
a third device for engaging a second material with the portion of the fibers, the second material and the portion of the fibers form a third material; wherein the third device comprises another container;
a water removing device for reducing water content in the third material; wherein the water removing device comprises a vacuum or a heater; and
a robotic arm and/or a track component for moving the first device, the second device, and third device vertically and/or horizontally, wherein the robotic arm is configured to rotate the first device to be oriented upwards or downwards via an axis, wherein the robotic arm is configured to move the first device or the second device to engage the second material in the third device.