• The nano scale poses important manufacturing challenges such as

the dispersion of the nanoparticles and the close interaction of

the nanoparticles with the host polymer matrix.

• For mechanical reinforcement, every nanoparticle should be

separated from each other to maximize the interface between the
matrix and the nano-reinforcement, thus enhancing the available
area for stress transfer to the nano-reinforcement.

• The maximum volume concentration (Vf,max) of cylindrical particles

in a hexagonal packed arrangement is expressed as a function of
the ratio (r) of the diameter of the cylinders (d) over the
separation distance (c) between them.

Vf,max= where r=d/c.

√

• The interface zone is a certain thickness around nanoparticles

where the polymer conformation is influenced by the
nanoparticle. The value of the polymer radius of gyration is
commonly employed to gage this distance.

• Advantages over Nanoscale Manufacturing:

1. The material needed is reduced when the cost is an issue.

2. The microstructures manufacturing techniques allow a better

control on the nanoparticle disposition due to their microscale
confinement.

3. High aspect ratio nanoparticles, such as CNTs, can align

themselves along the flow direction with the help of the high
shear achievable in small-scale manufacturing. Several techniques
are used to produce nano composite at the microscale.