Manufacturing of Thin Polymer Fibers by Electrospinning

小行星9523022 本项目的目标是对聚合物溶液和熔体静电纺丝成纤维的过程进行全面的实验和理论研究。 静电纺丝使得可以纺出非常细的聚合物纤维，其直径小至普通纺织纤维直径的1/100，即约50纳米。 这种纤维现在还不容易买到。 这项研究将为开发实验方法和设备提供科学背景，以控制可以经济地生产的纤维的几何参数，微观结构和性能。 该项目将在两所大学实施。 一个将集中在机电模型的过程中，对纤维的机械性能的评价，机电控制的纤维的位置成有用的模式，并在机械分析的结构与这些罚款，纳米纤维。 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，演示在空气中成功纺丝，其他气体和真空。 将探索在特殊环境中纺纱所需的工艺修改，例如在向植物施用杀虫剂或在太空中创建结构时会遇到的工艺修改。 一些独特的现象，如纤维张开，加速的射流由交变场，多个射流相互作用，和电气手段的纤维放置将首次进行分析。 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制造相结合。 这两所大学将参与教育学生，并将该项目中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;催化剂和酶的基质;将杀虫剂投放到植物中的新方法;改进纺织品;和先进的过滤器。 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.