Low-Voltage Near-Field Electrospinning Enables Controlled Continuous Patterning of Nanofibers on 2D and 3D Substrates
Current state-of-the-art fabrication methods for polymeric nanofibers fail to deliver precise, inexpensive, fast and continuous patterning capabilities. These deficiencies continue to hinder mass scale manufacturability and improvements in advanced applications of polymeric nanofibers. This inexpensive, low voltage method allows for seamless electrospinning with superior control of nanofiber thickness and alignment, effectively reducing the patterning perturbations ordinarily dominant in higher voltage ranges of conventional near-field and far-field electrospinning. In this setup, the voltage can be manipulated to directly control the thickness of the nanofibers. Operation at such low voltages effectively reduces the diameter of the jet, enabling unprecedentedly thin nanofibers. Furthermore, this method enables smooth continuous transitions between nanofibers of different thickness via adjustment of stage velocity.
This fabrication ability will permit the use of electrospun nanofiber based wiring of structural and functional components in MEMS, microelectronics, optoelectronics, and sensor devices. Other applications may potentially include customized patterning of specialized polymeric nanofibers for production of advanced fabrics and improved bio-mimicry for scaffoldsin tissue engineering.
The superelastic polymer ink formulation enables continuous electrospinning at a voltage of 200V, nearly an order of magnitude lower than conventional near-field electrospinning. At such low voltages, perturbations in the deposition pattern due to bending instabilities are reduced, thereby increasing control of the resulting polymer jet and resulting nanofiber. These qualities allowed for improved precision over the patterning capability of the nanofibers.
Patent Number: US20120244291A1
Application Number: US13415758A
Inventor: Bisht, Gobind S. | Canton, Giulia | Madou, Marc | Mirsepassi, Alireza | Dunn-Rankin, Derek
Priority Date: 23 Mar 2011
Priority Number: US20120244291A1
Application Date: 8 Mar 2012
Publication Date: 27 Sep 2012
IPC Current: B05D000104 | B05B0005025 | B05D000302
US Class: 427458 | 118621
Title: LOW VOLTAGE NEAR-FIELD ELECTROSPINNING METHOD AND DEVICE
Usefulness: LOW VOLTAGE NEAR-FIELD ELECTROSPINNING METHOD AND DEVICE
Summary: Used as an electrospinning method.
Novelty: Electrospinning method comprises applying a first voltage to a nozzle (fluidically coupled to a source of a polymer ink) to initiate electrospinning of the polymer ink onto a substrate which is adjacent to the nozzle
Chemical/Material
Chemical/Material Application
8586148
Additional Technologies by these Inventors Tech ID/UC Case 21459/2011-622-0 Related Cases 2011-622-0
USA
