Control of Particle Properties in Thermally-Induced Precipitation of Polyetherimide.

The feasibility of thermally-induced phase separation and crystallization for the production of semi-crystalline polyetherimide (PEI) microparticles from an amorphous feedstock has been reported recently. Here, we investigate process parameter dependencies for designing and control of particle properties. A stirred autoclave was used to extend the process controllability, as the applied process parameters, e.

Three-dimensional printing of hierarchical liquid-crystal-polymer structures.

Fibre-reinforced polymer structures are often used when stiff lightweight materials are required, such as in aircraft, vehicles and biomedical implants. Despite their very high stiffness and strength, such lightweight materials require energy- and labour-intensive fabrication processes, exhibit typically brittle fracture and are difficult to shape and recycle. This is in stark contrast to lightweight biological materials such as bone, silk and wood, which form by directed self-assembly into complex, hierarchically structured shapes with outstanding mechanical properties, and are circularly integrated into the environment.