Electrostatic Nanofiber Collector with Segmented Electrodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing apparatuses for producing microfibers and nanofibers are limited in producing larger 2D and thicker 3D materials with regular structures, as they result in random fiber arrangement due to unstable polymer jet trajectories and electrostatic field degradation, restricting the practical application of these materials.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising a set of spinning nozzles connected to a first potential, a set of electrodes arranged at regular spacing connected to a second potential, and a collecting plate that can be moved at an angle relative to the electrodes, allowing for controlled deposition of micro- or nanofibers between adjacent electrodes, enabling the formation of larger 2D or 3D materials with oriented fibers by manipulating the electrostatic forces and movement of the collecting plate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If plate collecting electrodes are used with high voltage electrostatic field, then microfibers and nanofibers can be formed, but the fibers are deposited at random without preferred direction
Solution Approach 1:
The collecting electrode is divided into multiple conductive parts separated by non-conductive gaps. This segmentation creates distinct electrostatic field regions that guide fiber trajectories, enabling controlled orientation while maintaining the overall simplicity of the deposition process
Solution Approach 2:
Non-conductive gaps act as intermediaries between conductive electrode parts, shaping the electrostatic field lines and directing fiber trajectories through the gaps. This intermediary structure enables precise fiber orientation control without complicating the deposition mechanism
2Volume of moving object
If divided collector with conductive and non-conductive areas is used, then oriented fibers can be deposited, but the production is restricted to individual oriented fibers only and cannot produce larger 2D and thicker 3D materials
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from producing individual oriented fibers to creating two-dimensional sheets and three-dimensional voluminous materials with regular structures. By arranging multiple conductive electrode parts in specific patterns and controlling the deposition area, the system enables production in additional spatial dimensions while maintaining fiber orientation
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically controls the electrostatic field distribution across the electrode assembly, allowing adaptation to produce materials of varying sizes and thicknesses. The field configuration can be adjusted to maintain regular structure control as material dimensions increase
3Quantity of substance
If substrate is positioned on divided collector, then material collection is enabled, but the structured electrostatic forces are degraded
Solution Approach 1:
Non-conductive gaps serve as intermediaries that allow substrate positioning without degrading the electrostatic field structure. The gaps provide physical support points while maintaining field integrity, enabling efficient fiber collection on the substrate without compromising orientation control
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
This solution allows for the production of micro- or nanofibrous materials with improved morphological, mechanical, and chemical properties, enabling the creation of larger, oriented 2D or 3D structures with maintained fiber orientation, overcoming the limitations of previous technologies.
Implementation Method 1
Hitherto known apparatuses for production of microfibers and nanofibers working on principle of electrostatic field of very high intensity, the effects of which form melt or solution of polymers into fibrous structures
Implementation Method 2
The trajectory of the polymer jet is determined by these electrostatic forces and fibers falling onto the gathering collector are deposited parallel to each other in preferred direction
Implementation Method 3
a collecting plate for collecting microfibers or nanofibers settled between couples of adjacent electrodes
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for a production of two-dimensional or three-dimensional fibrous materials of microfibers or nanofibers containing a set of spinning metal nozzles connected to a first potential, a set of electrodes of a collector facing the set of the nozzles, arranged at regular spacing and connected to a second potential, and a collecting plate or a collecting cylinder for collecting microfibers or nanofibers settled between couples of adjacent electrodes of the collector. The substance of the invention is as follows: the set of the electrodes of the collector contains at least two electrodes of the collector arranged in a plane and the collecting plate in line of its intersection or a tangent to the collecting cylinder, that is perpendicular to a contact line with the plane of the electrodes of the collector, form with the plane of the electrodes of the collector an angle α, the size of which ranging between 0° and 90°, the collecting plate or the collecting cylinder being supported movably in relation to the electrodes of the collector in a direction lying in the plane that is perpendicular to the plane of the electrodes of the collector and in which the axis of the electrode lies, the direction of the collecting plate or the collecting cylinder movement forming with this electrode axis an angle β, the size of which ranging between 0° and 90°. Such arrangement enables creating of large areal and voluminous objects of ordered nanofibers.