3D Near Field e-Writing with Submicron Resolution

该奖项支持基础研究，通过喷射空间控制的创新，将近场电写过程的能力提高到亚微米分辨率的三维分层结构。这种电写入工艺的工作原理基于近场静电纺丝工艺，其中连续聚合物纤维从溶液或熔体静电喷射到附近的收集器。这一新工艺的独特之处在于，将在喷丝头附近添加一个压电驱动的辅助电极，以聚焦和精确操纵射流；将监测聚合物油墨的电导率；将进行不稳定性分析和纤维直径建模，以解开这一新工艺的基本原理。三位 PI 将结合他们在设备工程、机器动力学、材料化学和加工、力学和不稳定性分析方面的专业知识来分析基本的过程力学。新工艺可以以前所未有的精度创建复杂的层次结构，这将有利于生物医学、微电子和能源领域的许多应用。从建模工作中获得的知识将增加对亚微米纤维生成/演化物理学、其与接收基底的相互作用以及通过外部电场的操纵和控制的理解。研究生和本科生都将通过研究和教育活动接受培训，成为在行业中实施新工具和能力的下一代劳动力。静电纺丝技术将作为一个平台引入本科生课程，以支持学生驱动的课程项目创新，这些项目可以分拆到本科生研究中。结果将通过出版物和公开讲座向社区传播。

This award supports fundamental research to advance capabilities of the Near Field Electro-Writing process towards three-dimensional hierarchical structures with sub-micron resolution through innovation in spatial control of the jet. The working principal of this electro-writing process is based on near-field electrospinning process, in which a continuous polymer fiber is electrostatically jetted from solution or melt to a collector in close proximity. Unique to this new process, a piezo-actuated auxiliary electrode will be added near the spinneret to focus and precisely manipulate the jet; conductivity of polymer inks will be monitored; and instability analysis and fiber diameter modeling will be conducted to unlock the fundamentals of this new process. The three PIs will combine their expertise in device engineering, machine dynamics, materials chemistry and processing, mechanics, and instability analysis to analyze the fundamental process mechanics. The new process could create complex hierarchical structures with unprecedented accuracy that will benefit many applications in biomedical, micro-electronics, and energy fields. The knowledge obtained from the modeling work will add to the understanding of the physics of sub-micron fiber generation/evolution, its interaction with receiving base and its manipulation and control through external electric fields. Both graduate and undergraduate students will be trained through research and education activities to become the next generation work force implementing the new tools and capabilities in industry. Electrospinning techniques will be introduced to undergraduate courses as a platform to support student-driven innovations for course projects, which can be spun off to undergraduate research. Results will be disseminated to the community through publications and public lectures.