Background
Electrospinning is an established method of producing nanofibres from a wide variety of natural and synthetic polymers. A polymer solution is injected at a constant feed rate though a nozzle or needle which is charged to a high voltage, typically 10 to 30 kV. The applied voltage induces a charge on the surface of the liquid droplet and when this is sufficiently high, the hemispherical surface of the fluid elongates and a Taylor cone is established. On increasing the applied voltage further, a charged liquid jet is ejected from the Taylor cone and attracted to the earthed collector, which is positioned at a fixed distance from the needle. During this process the solvent evaporates from the polymer solution, leaving dry polymer fibres on the collector.
SEM Images of our electrospun PLLA scaffolds, (A) top and (B) cross section showing consistent 2µm fibre diameter. Pore size is tuned to fit cell diameter by controlling fibre size.
Our Technology
Reproducibility is key to producing a useful nanofibre product.
Our electrospinning equipment incorporates many sophisticated facilities to ensure batch to batch reproducibility. We achieve precise control of fibre diameter and even the surface texture of the fibre. Each batch is checked under a scanning electron microscope (SEM) before shipment to the customer.
Advanced Fibre Capabilities
Co-axial (Concentric) Fibre
For applications such as drug delivery, fibres made from two different polymers or polymer blends can be made such that one or both of the layers in the fibre release the bioactive material at a pre-defined rate.
Aligned Fibre
Classical electrospinning produces randomly orientated fibres. We can also manufacture aligned fibres using high speed rotating collectors. Applications include the production of scaffolds which mimic aligned fibres found in the spinal cord and in the human eye.
Electrospray Coatings
In addition to nanofibres, we can produce nanocoatings using the related process of electrospray to coat three dimensional objects.
