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start:projects:electrospinner [2011/07/27 15:59] jjanuszkiewicz |
start:projects:electrospinner [2011/07/27 15:59] (current) jjanuszkiewicz |
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| Our electrospinning apparatus consists of three main components: an enclosure, a syringe pump, and a high voltage power source. The enclosure was built to enhance safety as well as to minimize the effects of environmental factors, such as humidity, which can affect fiber formation. The enclosure is made entirely out plastic so it acts as an insulator. The high voltage power supply is used to produce an electric field with a potential difference between 10kV and 20kV. This electric field is produced by connecting the positive lead of the high voltage power supply to the needle of the syringe containing the polymer solution that is to be electrospun. The ground lead of the high voltage power supply is connected either to a metal collector plate or, in our case, a rotating mandrel. Fibers collected by a collector plate are randomly oriented on the plate, whereas fibers collected on a rotating mandrel show higher degrees of alignment at higher speeds (approximately 7000rpm). The syringe pump is used to pump out the polymer solution at the slow speeds (on the order of milliliters per hour) needed to successfully produce fine fibers. Once a droplet of solution forms on the tip of the syringe needle, the high voltage power supply is switched on and the electrospinning process begins. | Our electrospinning apparatus consists of three main components: an enclosure, a syringe pump, and a high voltage power source. The enclosure was built to enhance safety as well as to minimize the effects of environmental factors, such as humidity, which can affect fiber formation. The enclosure is made entirely out plastic so it acts as an insulator. The high voltage power supply is used to produce an electric field with a potential difference between 10kV and 20kV. This electric field is produced by connecting the positive lead of the high voltage power supply to the needle of the syringe containing the polymer solution that is to be electrospun. The ground lead of the high voltage power supply is connected either to a metal collector plate or, in our case, a rotating mandrel. Fibers collected by a collector plate are randomly oriented on the plate, whereas fibers collected on a rotating mandrel show higher degrees of alignment at higher speeds (approximately 7000rpm). The syringe pump is used to pump out the polymer solution at the slow speeds (on the order of milliliters per hour) needed to successfully produce fine fibers. Once a droplet of solution forms on the tip of the syringe needle, the high voltage power supply is switched on and the electrospinning process begins. | ||
| - | For more complete information, check out the original senior project paper: {{:start:projects:electrospinning_snr_paper.doc|}} Also check out the photos and videos at the bottom of this page. | + | For more complete information, check out the original senior project paper: {{:start:projects:electrospinning_snr_paper.doc|}} |
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| + | Also check out the photos and videos at the bottom of this page. | ||
| ====Setup==== | ====Setup==== | ||