A new twin-screw extruder with microplunger feeder simulates the extrusion process for 20 and 100g batches. Possible end uses include compounding, devolatilization, and reactive extrusion. In addition to segmented screws/barrels, a stainless steel process section, and state-of-the-art control/data acquisition package, the Nano-16 twin-screw extruder has 1.18/1 OD/ID (outer diameter/inner diameter) ratio, resulting in a free volume of 0.9 cu cm/diameter the lowest free volume available for a twin-screw extruder that is scalable to production-class machinery. Instead of starve feeding, this patent-pending twin-screw design effectively meters very small batches, using a microplunger, or piston that slides within a stainless steel tube filled with a 20 to 200 cu cm batch. The piston is mated to the bottom of the feed barrel then pushed upwards for precision feeding at low rates. Since the microplunger feeder is a positive-displacement device, it can meter materials like powders, granules, micropellets, pastes, and water-based slurries. The Nano-16’s manufacturer says the machine mimics the shear-imparting mechanisms of larger scale twin-screw extrusion equipment, producing results that are scalable to a production extrusion process.