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Waqas M, Keirouz A, Sanira Putri MK, Fazal F, Diaz Sanchez FJ, Ray D, Koutsos V, Radacsi N. Design and development of a nozzle-free electrospinning device for the high-throughput production of biomaterial nanofibers. Med Eng Phys 2021; 92:80-87. [PMID: 34167715 DOI: 10.1016/j.medengphy.2021.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 04/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
This technical note provides a step-by-step guide for the design and construction of a temperature-controlled nozzle-free electrospinning device. The equipment uses a rotating mandrel partially immersed within a polymer solution to produce fibers in an upward motion by inducing the formation of multiple Taylor cones and subsequently multi-jetting out of an electrified open surface. Free-surface electrospinning can overcome limitations and drawbacks associated with single and multi-nozzle spinneret configurations, such as low yield, limited production capacity, nonuniform electric field distribution, and clogging. Most importantly, this lab-scaled high-throughput device can provide an alternative economical route for needleless electrospinning research, in contrast to the high costs associated with industrially available upscaling equipment. Among the device's technical specifications, a key feature is a cryo-collector mandrel, capable of collecting fibers in sub-zero temperatures, which can induce ultra-porous nanostructures, wider pores, and subsequent in-depth penetration of cells. A multi-channel gas chamber allows the conditioning of the atmosphere, temperature, and airflow, while the chamber's design averts user exposure to the high-voltage components. All the Computer-Aided Design (CAD) files and point-by-point assembly instructions, along with a list of the materials used, are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Waqas
- School of Engineering, Institute for Materials and Processes, The University of Edinburgh, Robert Stevenson Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3FB, United Kingdom
| | - Antonios Keirouz
- School of Engineering, Institute for Materials and Processes, The University of Edinburgh, Robert Stevenson Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3FB, United Kingdom
| | - Maria Kana Sanira Putri
- School of Engineering, Institute for Materials and Processes, The University of Edinburgh, Robert Stevenson Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3FB, United Kingdom
| | - Faraz Fazal
- School of Engineering, Institute for Materials and Processes, The University of Edinburgh, Robert Stevenson Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3FB, United Kingdom.; Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, (city campus) Pakistan
| | - Francisco Javier Diaz Sanchez
- School of Engineering, Institute for Materials and Processes, The University of Edinburgh, Robert Stevenson Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3FB, United Kingdom
| | - Dipa Ray
- School of Engineering, Institute for Materials and Processes, The University of Edinburgh, Robert Stevenson Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3FB, United Kingdom
| | - Vasileios Koutsos
- School of Engineering, Institute for Materials and Processes, The University of Edinburgh, Robert Stevenson Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3FB, United Kingdom
| | - Norbert Radacsi
- School of Engineering, Institute for Materials and Processes, The University of Edinburgh, Robert Stevenson Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3FB, United Kingdom..
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