Multiscale manufacturing and characterization of nanofibrous structures

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Nanoscale polymeric fibrous materials are the fundamental building blocks of living systems. From 1.5nm double helix strands of DNA molecules to sensory cells, nanoscale fibers form the extracellular matrices for tissues and organs. Specific junctions between these cells conduct electrical and chemical signals that result from various kinds of stimulation. The signals direct normal functions of the cells such as energy storage, information storage and retrieval, tissue regeneration, and sensing. Inspired by the multifunctional nanofibrous nature of living systems, through the current NSERC Discovery grant, the concept of functional nanofibres has been successfully demonstrated by the development of co-electrospinning processes capable of fabricating composite nanofibres consisting of functional nanoparticles and polymeric matrices. This led to many exciting potential applications in energy, environment and health care industry. However it was also founded that the structural properties such as strength and modulus of the nanofibrous structures are below expectation. There is a lack of fundamental understanding of the structure and properties of nanofibres at the individual fibre level thus impeding our ability for hierarchical/multiscale design/fabrication of nanofibrous structures. It was recognized that an ability to manipulate and characterize nanofibrous materials is needed at the individual fibre level. In order to connect nanofibre properties to higher order structures the translation of nanofibre properties to linear fibre assemblies, planar and 3D fibre assemblies as well as composite structures must be characterized and understood. In order to close the gap between Technology Readiness Levels and turning nanofibre technology from a laboratory curiosity to manufacturing reality the issue of scale up manufacturing must be addressed. Accordingly our objective is to connect the fundamental level knowledge generated in this proposed program to form nano-, micro- and eventually macro-structures that will lead to multifunctional structures for various applications of composite nanofibres related to energy, environment and health care.