Manufacturing of Thin Polymer Fibers by Electrospinning

该项目的目的是对静电纺丝聚合物溶液和熔体成纤维的过程进行全面的实验和理论研究。静电纺丝使纺丝非常薄的聚合物纤维成为可能，其直径只有普通纺织纤维直径的1/100，也就是大约50纳米。这种纤维现在并不容易获得。本研究将为开发控制纤维几何参数、微观结构和性能的实验方法和设备提供科学背景。这个项目将在两所大学实施。一个将集中在过程的机电模型，在纤维力学性能的评估，在机电控制的位置的纤维成有用的模式，并在力学分析与这些精细的纳米级纤维创建的结构。另一所大学将设计和建造改进的静电纺丝设备，收集数据以改进过程的建模，使用扫描探针和电子显微镜测量单个纤维的直径、形状和分子取向，选择要纺丝的聚合物，演示在空气、其他气体和真空中成功纺丝。在特殊环境中进行纺纱所需的工艺修改，例如在对植物施用杀虫剂或在太空中创建结构时可能遇到的工艺修改将被探索。一些独特的现象，如纤维展开，由交变场加速射流，多射流相互作用，和光纤放置的电手段将首次进行分析。所产生的实验和理论数据将构成未来集成制造技术的基础，该技术将纤维纺丝与三维纤维组件的自动化制造相结合。两所大学将参与教育学生，并将该项目开发的信息转移到工业、农业、空间通信或其他可以使用的领域。对薄聚合物纤维的兴趣是广泛的。潜在的应用包括改进的增强复合材料；催化剂和酶的底物；植物施用农药的新方法提高纺织品;还有高级过滤器。更奇特的应用包括用于太空推进的太阳帆、大型太空天线、反射透镜和镜子等。这项研究是理解和利用纳米技术独特性的更广泛努力的一部分。

9523022 Dzenis The objective of this project is a comprehensive experimental and theoretical study of the process of electrospinning polymer solutions and melts into fibers. Electrospinning makes it possible to spin very thin polymer fibers, with diameters as small as 1/100 the diameter of ordinary textile fibers, that is about 50 nanometers. Such fibers are not readily available now. This research will provide a scientific background for the development of experimental methods and devices to control the geometrical parameters, microstructure, and properties of fibers that can be produced economically. This project will be carrier out at two universities. One will concentrate on electromechanical models of the process, on the evaluation of fiber mechanical properties, on the electromechanical control of the placement of the fibers into useful patterns, and in the mechanical analysis of structures created with these fine, nanoscale fibers. The other university will design and build improved electrospinning apparatus, collect data to improve the modeling of the process, measure diameters, shapes and molecular orientation in individual fibers using scanning probe and electron microscopy, select polymers to be spun, demonstrate successful spinning in air, other gases and vacuum. Process modifications needed for spinning in special environments, such as would be encountered in applying pesticides to plants, or creating structures in space will be explored. A number of unique phenomena, such as fiber splaying, acceleration of the jet by an alternating field, multiple jet interaction, and electrical means of fiber placement will be analyzed for the first time. Experimental and theoretical data generated will constitute a fundamental basis for the future integrated manufacturing technologies combining fiber spinning with an automated fabrication of three dimensional fiber assemblies. Both universities will be involved in educating students and transferring information developed in this proj ect to industrial, agricultural, space communications, or other areas where it can be used. The interest in thin polymer fibers is broad. Potential applications include improved reinforced composites; a substrate for catalysts and enzymes; a new way to place pesticide to plants; improve textiles; and advanced filters. More exotic applications include solar sails for propulsion in space, large space antennas, reflecting lenses and mirrors, and others. This research is part of a broader effort to understand and exploit the uniqueness of nanoscale technologies.