Microstructured materials

A process for creating a polymer filament, said process comprising:

• associating a first thermoplastic polymer and a second thermoplastic polymer in a geometric arrangement to create a preform having at least one orifice extending the length of said filament;
• inserting a thread comprising a material that is different from said first thermoplastic polymer and said second thermoplastic polymer in said at least one orifice extending the length of said filament or preform;
• heating said preform to a drawing temperature;
• and
• pulling said preform under tension to draw said preform down to a filament such that said geometric arrangement is preserved and said thread is included within said at least one orifice extending the length of said filament.

A process for creating a polymer filament, said process comprising:

• heating one or more polymer feedstocks;
• depositing said polymer feedstocks to create, layer-by-layer, a three-dimensional preform comprising two or more polymers in a geometric arrangement having at least one orifice extending the length of said filament;
• inserting a thread comprising a material that is different from said first thermoplastic polymer and said second thermoplastic polymer in said at least one orifice extending the length of said filament or preform;
• heating said preform to a drawing temperature;
• and
• pulling said preform under tension to draw said preform down to a filament such that said geometric arrangement is preserved and said thread is included within said at least one orifice extending the length of said filament.

A device for creating a filament, said device comprising:

• heating elements for heating one or more polymer feedstocks above their flow temperature;
• a deposition system for depositing said polymer feedstocks to create, layer-by-layer, a three-dimensional preform comprising two or more polymers in a regular geometric arrangement;
• an oven for heating said preform to a drawing temperature;
• and
• a take-up mechanism to pull said preform under tension and draw said preform down to a filament such that said regular geometric arrangement is preserved.

A device for creating a filament, said device comprising:

• heating elements for heating one or more polymer feedstocks above their flow temperature;
• a deposition system for depositing said polymer feedstocks to create, layer-by-layer, a three-dimensional preform comprising two or more polymers in a regular geometric arrangement having at least one orifice;
• a spool for introducing a thread into the orifice;
• an oven for heating said preform to a drawing temperature;
• and
• a take-up mechanism to pull said preform under tension and draw said preform down to a filament such that said regular geometric arrangement is preserved and said thread is included within said at least one orifice extending the length of said filament.