The supramolecular structure of cellulose includes amorphous and crystalline regions. The crystalline regions are up to several µm long and a few nm wide. Because of their dimensions i.e. their high aspect ratio they can be regarded as nano-whiskers. It is further possible to isolate these nano-crystals in the form of independent particles. The size of the cellulose nano-whiskers is controlled by the size of the crystalline regions in the cellulose and therefore by the biomass sources.
It has been shown that cellulose nano-particles can be used as reinforcing phase in thermoplastics and due to their ability to form liquid crystalline phases as novel paints. Of further interest is their ability to align in magnetic fields for NMR-spectroscopy and their potential for viscosity control.