NER/Collaborative Research: Manipulation of the Electrospinning of Polymer Fibers Using Applied Magnetic Fields

该提案是响应纳米科学与工程倡议，NSF 04-043，类别纳米探索性研究（NER）。 这项NER研究的目的是增加一个新的自由度，以控制纳米纤维静电纺丝过程中静脉曲张和鞭打不稳定状态之间的过渡。 该方法涉及合成和功能化的磁性纳米粒子与控制的大小，静电纺丝实验与不施加AC和DC磁场，修改定制的静电纺丝装置，以实现连续的纤维摄取，并使用DC磁化和AC磁化率，和修改后的扫描探针显微镜方法的单个纳米纤维的表征。这一合作项目将加强代表性不足的群体在研究活动中的参与，因为来自两个机构的学生将密切合作，交换实验数据，样品和他们独特的专业知识。 此外，该项目的结果将为开发静电纺丝过程的去核策略和控制聚合物纤维内颗粒的几何和磁性分布的新机制提供基础。如果成功的话，这项研究将通过静电纺丝和开发高价值产品的新型防伪措施来提高卷烟生产的产量。开发新的正面识别和防伪设备可以保护美国制造业免受不公平和掠夺性贸易行为的影响，例如禁止非法技术出口，保护知识产权，打击工业盗窃和减少假冒商品。

This proposal was received in response to the Nanoscale Science and Engineering initiative, NSF 04-043, category Nanoscale Exploratory Research (NER). The objective of this NER research is adding a new degree of freedom to control the transition between the varicose and whipping instability regimes during the electrospinning of nanofibers. The approach involves synthesis and functionalization of magnetic nanoparticles with controlled size, electrospinning experiments with and without applied AC and DC magnetic fields, modification of a custom-made electrospinning apparatus to achieve continuous fiber uptake, and characterization of individual nanofibers using DC magnetization and AC susceptibility, and modified scanning probe microscopy methods. This collaborative project will enhance the participation of underrepresented groups in research activities as students from both institutions will work closely exchanging experimental data, samples and their unique expertise. In addition, the results of this project will provide the basis to develop a debottlenecking strategy for the electrospinning process and new mechanisms to control the geometrical and magnetic distribution of particles inside polymeric fibers. If successful, this research would lead to increased throughput in nanofiber production via electrospinning and development of novel anti-counterfeiting measures for high-value products. The development of novel positive identification and anti-counterfeiting devices could protect American manufacturing industries from unfair and predatory trade practices such as interdiction of illegal technology exports, protection of intellectual property rights, counter industrial theft and curtailing of counterfeit goods.