PFI:AIR - TT: Commercial electrospinning prototype for spider silk

该PFI：AIR技术翻译项目的重点是翻译生产一种能够将重组蜘蛛丝蛋白（rSSp）连续电纺成纱线，然后对其进行后纺处理的设备的能力。这些纤维具有强大的机械性能，将满足医疗器械领域的需求，如缝合线以及防弹衣等应用的防弹线。然而，rSSp的传统湿纺方法尚未产生可扩展到工业水平或导致与天然蜘蛛丝纤维相匹配的纤维机械性能的纺丝方法。该项目将产生一种概念验证的连续静电纺丝设备，该设备还具有对纤维进行后纺处理的能力，这是纺丝蜘蛛丝的关键组成部分，因为该过程被很好地记录下来，以提高纤维的机械能力。 该项目解决了以下技术差距，因为它从研究发现转化为商业应用：1）没有设备存在连续电纺纤维，然后对它们进行后纺处理，2）没有纺制rSSp的方法，导致纤维具有模拟天然蜘蛛丝的机械性能，可以扩展到工业水平。具体的知识差距和解决这些问题的方法是：a）通过修改现有的缠绕芯轴设备来构建静电纺丝装置，以纺制连续纱线。 这将通过结合旋转钟来实现，该旋转钟将收集电纺纤维，然后可以以连续的方式将电纺纤维拉离钟。 B）设置将纱线移动到装置外部的装置。 一个手臂将被设计，将连接到积累的纤维从钟？的表面，并将增长的纱线移动到屏蔽之外。 c）将纱线穿过一系列导丝辊和拉伸浴以进行传统上通过手工穿线完成的加工。 d）在收集线轴上收集rSSp纱线。 在导丝盘和拉伸浴结束时，纱线将积聚在与静电纺丝速率和导丝盘同步的标准线轴上。 生产概念验证装置将允许探索以下的适当条件：i）rSSp纺丝液条件，ii）静电纺丝参数，例如电压和针距，以及iii）rSSp纱线以及rSSp：聚合物共混物的拉伸浴和拉伸参数。参与该项目的人员将包括本科生和研究生，他们不仅将进行研究，还将参与该项目的技术翻译和商业方面，如专利途径，客户发现和许可讨论。

This PFI: AIR Technology Translation project focuses on translating the ability to produce a device that is capable of continuously electrospinning recombinant spider silk proteins (rSSp) into yarns and then post-spin processing them. These fibers, with robust mechanical properties, will solve needs for use in both the medical device field as sutures as well as a ballistic thread for applications such as body armor. However, traditional wet-spinning methodologies of rSSp have yet to yield a method of spinning that scales to industrial levels or results in fiber mechanical properties that match native spider silk fibers. This project will result in a proof-of-concept continuous electrospinning device that also has the ability to post-spin process the fibers, a critical component of spinning spider silk as the process is well documented to improve fiber mechanical ability. This project addresses the following technology gaps as it translates from research discovery toward commercial application: 1) No device exists to continuously electrospin fibers and then post spin process them and 2) There is no method of spinning rSSp that results in fibers with mechanical properties mimetic to native spider silk that can scale to industrial levels. Specific knowledge gaps and methods of addressing them are: a) constructing the electrospinning device by modifying existing rotating-mandrel equipment to spin continuous yarns. This will be accomplished by incorporating a rotating bell that will collect the electrospun fibers which can then be pulled away from the bell in a continuous fashion. b) Incorporating a means by which to move the yarn outside of the device. An arm will be engineered that will attach to the accumulated fibers from the bell?s surface and move that growing yarn outside the shielding. c) Thread the yarn through a series of godets and stretch baths for processing which is traditionally done by hand threading. d) Collecting the rSSp yarn on a collection spool. At the end of the godet and stretch baths, the yarn will be accumulated on a standard spool that is in-synch with both the electrospinning rate and godets. Producing the proof-of-concept device will allow the exploration of appropriate conditions for: i) rSSp dope conditions, ii) electrospinning parameters such as voltage and needle distance and iii) stretch bath and stretch parameters of the rSSp yarn as well as rSSp:polymer blends. Personnel involved with this project will include undergraduate and graduate students who will not only perform the research but will also be involved in the technology translation and commercial aspects of the project such as patent pathways, customer discovery and licensing discussions.