Periodic extensional flow reactor

An apparatus for producing oriented polymer films, comprising:

• a curved enclosure having a surface;
• and
• a flow obstacle having a first end and a second end, the second end of the flow obstacle extending over the surface of the curved enclosure and the first end of the flow obstacle rigidly coupled to a mounting plate, wherein a position of the flow obstacle is adjustable so that the flow obstacle contacts the surface of the curved enclosure;
• wherein a gap is defined between the surface of the curved enclosure and the flow obstacle, where a material is disposed.

A method of producing oriented polymer films comprising:

• introducing a material into a curved enclosure, the curved enclosure having an exterior surface and an interior surface defining an interior volume, wherein an opening extends through the curved enclosure and into the interior volume;
• adjusting a position of a flow obstacle such that the flow obstacle contacts the interior surface of the curved enclosure, the flow obstacle having a first end and a second end, the second end of the flow obstacle extending through the opening and within the interior volume of the curved enclosure and the first end of the flow obstacle rigidly coupled to a mounting plate;
• and
• rotating the curved enclosure to generate an extensional flow within the material;
• wherein a gap is defined between the interior surface of the curved enclosure and the flow obstacle, where the material is disposed.

An apparatus for producing oriented polymer films, comprising:

• a curved enclosure having a surface;
• and
• a flow obstacle having a first end and a second end, the flow obstacle extending over the surface of the curved enclosure and the first end and second end of the flow obstacle each rigidly coupled to a mounting plate, wherein a position of the flow obstacle is adjustable so that the flow obstacle contacts the surface of the curved enclosure;
• wherein a gap is defined between the surface of the curved enclosure and the flow obstacle, where a material is disposed.

An apparatus for producing oriented polymer films, comprising:

• a curved enclosure having a surface;
• and
• a flow obstacle having a first end and a second end, the flow obstacle extending over the surface of the curved enclosure and the first end and second end of the flow obstacle each rigidly coupled to a mounting plate, wherein a position of the flow obstacle is adjustable;
• wherein a gap is defined between the surface of the curved enclosure and the flow obstacle, where a material is disposed.