Capillary Multi-Jet Nozzle for High-Throughput Nanofiber Fabrication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrospinning nozzles lack the capability to produce high-throughput nanofibers with multiple jets and uniform quality, requiring customization and efficient production processes while minimizing maintenance and fluid wastage.
Innovation Solution
A capillary type multi-jet nozzle with customizable pores and a screw groove system, made of conducting materials like copper or stainless steel, allowing for efficient fluid flow and high-voltage application, and featuring a TEFLON gasket for sealing, enables the production of multiple non-interfering jets for electrospinning, electrojetting, and electrospraying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional electrospinning nozzles are used, then the device structure is simple, but the nanofiber production throughput is low and multiple jets cannot be produced
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle is divided into multiple independent jet outlets (e.g., 2-39 pores) arranged in a specific pattern, allowing each pore to produce a separate nanofiber jet simultaneously. This segmentation enables multi-jet production and significantly increases throughput while maintaining a relatively simple overall nozzle structure consisting of a cap, crew system, and porous plate
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-point jet (0D/1D) to a multi-point array jet (2D arrangement of pores). The pores are arranged in concentric circles or patterns on the porous plate, creating multiple jets in different spatial dimensions simultaneously, thereby increasing productivity without proportionally increasing device complexity
2Ease of operation
If conventional nozzles without syringe capping are used, then the device is simpler, but the ease of operation and fluid control is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The syringe capping structure incorporates a screw groove system that allows dynamic adjustment and secure attachment of the syringe. The cap can be rotated and tightened to different positions, providing both ease of operation for fluid loading and secure sealing for controlled fluid delivery through the multiple pores
Solution Approach 2:
The cap system acts as an intermediary component between the syringe and the porous plate. It provides a user-friendly interface for fluid loading while maintaining secure sealing and proper fluid flow control through the multiple pores, bridging the gap between simple operation and controlled fluid delivery
3Reliability
If multiple jets are produced with large angles between pores, then the jets may interfere with each other, but the nozzle design is simpler
Solution Approach 1:
The pores are arranged in an asymmetric pattern with specific angular relationships (small angles between adjacent pores). This asymmetric arrangement optimizes the spatial distribution of jets to prevent interference while maintaining uniform quality, with pore positions carefully calculated based on requirements for 2-39 or more pores
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the nozzle have optimized pore arrangements tailored to local requirements. The pore distribution and angular positions are locally optimized to ensure non-interfering jets while achieving uniform nanofiber quality across all outlets, with specific angular relationships designed for each pore position
4Productivity
If electrospinning process takes more time, then the nanofiber quality can be improved, but the productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the production into multiple independent jets simultaneously, the system achieves high throughput without compromising quality. Each jet produces uniform nanofibers independently, and the combined output from multiple jets provides both speed and consistency, resolving the trade-off between productivity and manufacturing precision
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The nozzle achieves high-throughput nanofiber and nanoparticle fabrication with reduced time and maintenance demands, ensuring uniform quality and minimizing fluid wastage through efficient electrospinning and electrospraying processes.
Implementation Method 1
fabricating high throughput nanofibers by electrostatic spinning of polymer liquid matrixes
Implementation Method 2
producing nanopowders by electrostatic spraying of polymer liquid matrixes
Data Source
AI summary
A capillary type multi-jet nozzle is provided for fabricating high throughput nanofibers by an electrospinning technique. The capillary type multi-jet nozzle includes a cap system with one or more pores and a crew system with a screw groove system. The cap system and the crew system are connected through a cap and crew system. The pores in the cap system are customized in count based on a requirement. The angle between the pores is reduced to make multiple non-interfering and non-hindering jets in less time. A TEFLON® gasket is used for proper tightening and sealing of the cap system and screw system. The cap system includes knurling at an outer surface for grip. The capillary type multi-jet nozzle is made of a conducting material to with stand a high voltage and is fabricated using micro-machining process.