A successful initial setup was built using a syringe pump, positioned above a water bath, which served as the propulsion system for the cellulose solution. While the extrusion capacity of the pump covers a broad range of linear forces, these values were proved insufficient for processing high concentrations of cellulose. To address this limitation, a new propulsion system was designed and fabricated. This updated setup features a stepper motor driving a piston within a stainless-steel body, generating a constant material flow through the nozzle. It also supports the use of commercial single-hole nozzles with various diameters. With this enhancement, the system is now capable of extruding highly concentrated polymeric solutions under mild conditions.
