Mandrel-less electrospinning processing method and system, and uses therefor
Inventors
D'Amore, Antonio • Wagner, William R.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11680341-B2
Publication Date
2023-06-20
Expiration Date
Abstract
A system and method are provided for manufacturing filamentous polymer matrices, comprising electrospinning a polymer fiber into a gap between two or more spaced-apart electrodes.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a mandrel-less electrodeposition system for use in preparing a filament. The system includes two static or rotating target electrodes with opposing, spaced-apart tips electrically connected to an electrical power source, where the opposing tips define a deposition target axis. A nozzle electrically connected to a second electrical power source is spaced apart from the target electrodes and the deposition target axis. A reservoir delivers a polymer composition through the nozzle to the deposition target axis and not wholly onto a physical target surface.
During preparation of the filament, the electrodes and/or the nozzle move or rotate relative to each other. In certain embodiments, the nozzle and the target electrodes have different electrical charges to create an electric field, including a voltage gap, that causes fibers of the polymer composition to align along the target deposition axis between the target electrodes. This alignment results in formation of a primary filament between the target electrodes.
In addition, the invention includes filament-making methods in which a polymer composition is fed through a nozzle into the deposition axis without wholly depositing onto a physical target surface, while the nozzle and/or target electrodes are moved or rotated. The method can further include generating filament branching, including by using a needle electrode, and rotating the filament as it is being formed.
Claims Coverage
The document contains three independent claims. Across these independent claims, the inventive coverage centers on a mandrel-less electrodeposition system using opposing electrode tips and a nozzle to form a filament without wholly depositing onto a physical target surface, an electric-field driven fiber alignment along a deposition target axis, and relative movement or rotation, including filament rotation and branching via a needle electrode.
Mandrel-less electrodeposition system with opposing electrode tips and nozzle delivery to a deposition target axis
Two static or rotating target electrodes having opposing, spaced-apart tips electrically-connected to an electrical power source define a deposition target axis; a nozzle electrically-connected to a second electrical power source is spaced apart and a reservoir delivers a polymer composition through the nozzle to the deposition target axis and not wholly onto a physical target surface; the two electrodes and/or the nozzle move or rotate relative to each other during preparation of the filament.
Electric-field fiber alignment along a deposition target axis defined by spaced electrode tips
Feeding a first polymer composition through a first nozzle having a first electrical charge into a target deposition axis defined by spaced-apart tips of a first target electrode and a second target electrode; first and second target electrodes have a different electrical charge from the first nozzle charge to produce an electric field that causes fibers of the polymer composition to align along the target deposition axis between the target electrodes, thereby forming a primary filament.
Rotating the filament as it is being formed
Feeding a first polymer composition through a first nozzle into a target deposition axis defined by spaced-apart tips of a first target electrode and a second target electrode and using the different electrical charges to produce an electric field that causes fibers to align along the target deposition axis between the target electrodes, thereby forming a primary filament; rotating the filament as it is being formed.
Overall, the independent claims collectively cover a mandrel-less electrodeposition approach where a nozzle and opposing spaced-apart electrodes define a deposition axis, polymer fibers align along that axis due to different electrical charges and an electric field, and relative motion or rotation is used, including rotation of the filament during formation in one independent claim.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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