Mass production of aligned fibers using stable jet

Application
Mass production of nanofibers

Objective
To create a method for mass production of aligned nanofibers using electrospinning by reducing bending instability

Background
Currently, most focus on mass producing electrospun fibers is to construct non-woven structure. Very little effort has been channeled to the development of mass producing aligned fibers which is perceived to be much more challenging due to the apparent difficulty of mass producing fibers in the non-woven form. One of the key challenges to mass producing electrospun fibers is the electric field interference between the spinning jets which limits the number of jets on a spinning surface. Generally, electrospinning jet will enter the state of bending instability as it departs from the spinning surface. The repulsion between the spinning jets and the subsequent constriction on the center jet by the neighboring jets tends to give rise to poor fiber quality or reduced electrospinnability (See figure 1). The bending instability have the dual effects of reducing fiber alignment and potentially limits the spinning jet density at the point of initiation. However, if the electrospinning jet is relatively stable, the electrospinning jet will travel from the tip to the collector without interference from neighbouring jets.(See figure 2) A high jet density may be possible while allowing mass fabrication of aligned nanofibers.

Figure 1. Interference between electrospinning jets with large bending instabilities.	Figure 2. Stable electrospinning jets may allow closer packing of spinning nozzles or jet density.

Hypothesis

• Stable electrospinning jet favors higher spinning jet density which leads to greater productivity
• Stable electrospinning jet allows for the construction of aligned nanofibers on a large scale

Experimental status/request

• Invitation to comment
• Request for result of successful demonstration
• Request for collaboration to test concept

 

Contributor
Wee-Eong TEO
Email: weeeong@yahoo.com

[+]

[-] comments powered by Disqus