Publications

Aug, 2026

Journal

Strengthening poly(lactic acid) composites with poly(methyl methacrylate) functionalized flax nanofibrils

Biobased reinforcements for poly(lactic acid) (PLA) are needed for more additive manufacturing applications requiring higher strength and sustainability. Flax nanofibrils (FNFs) produced through mechanical refining were explored as a lower energy alternative to cellulose nanofibril (CNF) reinforcements. To compatibilize the FNFs for the PLA matrix, a grafting-through surfa…

Jul, 2026

ORNL Report

Development of in-situ polymerized intrinsically conductive resin and low-cost carbon pigments offering high conductivity for sensing, EMI shielding and lighting protection

Jun, 2026

Journal

High-loading 3D-printed open-cell zeolite catalysts with enhanced structural integrity

3D-printed catalysts with open-celled structures can significantly reduce mass and heat transfer resistance compared with traditional pellet counterparts. However, current 3D printing techniques typically achieve only about 70 wt% zeolite loading. While higher loading is desirable to improve catalyst performance, it also increases slurry viscosity, leading to printing chal…

Jun, 2026

Journal

Citric Acid Functionalized Natural Fibers to Enhance Thermal Stability and Moisture Resistance in Polylactic Acid Composites

Cellulosic fibers can impart many unique benefits into composite applications, such as reduced weight or structural reinforcement, however, these materials also increase hygro-scopicity and decrease thermal stability – restricting broader application. The present work adapted an experimental process for functionalizing the cellulose surface using cit-ric acid (CA). Functio…

May, 2026

Conference Paper

HYBRID COMPOSITES VIA CO-EXTRUSION ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING-COMPRESSION MOLDING FOR PERFORMANCE OPTIMIZATION

The growing demand for hybrid polymer composites with multifunctional properties has led to the development of various hybridization techniques, such as multi-material compounding and controlled laminate stacking sequence. In this study, a novel hybrid manufacturing approach was used by integrating a multiplexing extrusion system (MExS) based on additive manufacturing with…

May, 2026

Journal

Cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment of advanced composite panels incorporating CO2-derived multi-walled carbon nanotubes and hemp fiber for sustainable building applications

Advanced composite panels represent a promising pathway to reducing carbon emissions in the construction industry, yet comprehensive environmental impact assessments remain limited. In this study, we conduct a life cycle assessment (LCA) to evaluate the environmental impacts of innovative composite panels produced from multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), hemp fiber (HF…

May, 2026

Journal

Engineering mechanical and thermomechanical performance in additive manufacturing–Compression molded composites through multiplexed extrusion

Traditional extrusion-based additive manufacturing is limited to single material systems, restricting the multifunctional properties of composites. To overcome this limitation, multiplexed additive manufacturing–compression molding (AM-CM) was employed to fabricate multi-material thermoplastic composites with spatially tailored architectures. Neat acrylonitrile butadiene s…

Mar, 2026

Journal

Effect of fiber sizing and glass fiber laminate hybridization on vibration damping and mechanical properties of banana fiber reinforced polypropylene composites

Modern automotive applications demand lightweight, multifunctional materials to reach mileage goals and natural fiber reinforced composites (NFRCs) are one of the classes of materials proposed as a solution. NFRCs exhibit good vibration damping properties and have low density, but are often limited by processing challenges, poor-fiber matrix compatibility and variable perf…

Mar, 2026

Conference Paper

Multiplexing core & sheath extrusion system development for additive manufacturing for inner-bead multi-material capability

Single-feed polymer extruders are widely used in large-format additive manufacturing (AM) systems; however, the increasing demand for multi-material functionality within a single part has driven significant innovation in this field. One approach involves robotic pick-and-place operations, while another explores mechanical switching of feed lines during extrusion. Although…

Dec, 2025

Journal

Sizing comingled CF/PA 6 fibers with cellulose nanofibrils for enhanced performance properties

Compatibility between the reinforcing phase and the polymer matrix is critical to achieving the desired mechanical and thermal performance of composite materials. Several mechanisms can enhance this interfacial interaction, including surface treatments (e.g., oxidation, plasma, or irradiation), in-situ nanoparticle deposition, and fiber sizing. In this study, cellulose nan…

Dec, 2025

ORNL Report

3D Printing Catalysts for Improved Efficiency and Selectivity: Converting Waste to Jet Fuel

Oct, 2025

Journal

Elucidating the Impact of Fiber Source on Polypropylene/Hemp Composite Performance for the Automotive Industry

Given their high strength-to-weight ratio, there is an ever-increasing volume of plastics being used in the automotive industry as plastics aid in the charge to lightweight vehicles for improved fuel efficiency. However, these plastics are often landfilled at their end-of-life, which has given rise to the demand for sustainable materials and waste management alternatives c…