Abstract: An apparatus for the production of electrospun fibers using an electrospinning solution comprising: at least one threaded rod having an exterior surface and having a longitudinal axis oriented vertically, a grounded collector, an electrospinning solution dispenser feeding electrospinning solution to the exterior surface of the threaded rod, and a high voltage power supply.

Abstract: An apparatus for the production of electrospun fibers using an electrospinning solution comprising: at least one threaded rod having an exterior surface and having a longitudinal axis oriented vertically, a grounded collector, an electrospinning solution dispenser feeding electrospinning solution to the exterior surface of the threaded rod, and a high voltage power supply.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a catalyst-containing nanofiber composition, comprising a ceramic nanofiber having a plurality of metal catalysts wherein the metal catalysts exist as dispersed particles partially embedded in the nanofiber and cover from about 1% to about 90% of the surface area of the ceramic nanofiber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for removing water and/or water-based compounds from organic liquids/fluids. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to methods and apparatus that utilize fibrous media that contains, is impregnated, or is formed from at least one super absorbent compound, where the fibrous media is formed from nanofibers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel method for electrospinning fibers wherein the fiber-spinning solution is infused with gas bubbles which travel through the electrospinning fluid, causing the bubbles to be coated with electrospinning solution. The coated bubbles, in turn, in response to an applied electrical force, generate jets of the electrospinning fluid that travel away from the bubble surface. The invention further relates to the fibers formed by this bubble-jet process and to products made therefrom.

Abstract: Nanofibers modified to alter their optical properties in the infrared part of the electromagnetic spectrum, which nanofibers can be used in applications ranging from identification technology to energy conversion devices (e.g., thermophotovoltaics) to stealth technology. The desired optical properties can be obtained by modifying the fibers with rare earth and other materials and then can be incorporated into garments or other composite structures or can be applied as coatings on solid surfaces, to be used in a number of applications that benefit from selective emission properties.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to methods to provide electrospun polymer/nanoparticle composite-fiber structures for use as lightweight, compliant, porous strain sensors for non-cyclic strain sensing. In one embodiment, the fibers in the nanocomposites comprise, for example, poly(?-caprolactone) (PCL) dielectric polymer matrix with embedded electrically conductive carbon black (CB) nanoparticles. In another embodiment, the composite-fiber structures of the present invention contain at least about 7 weight percent or more of CB and are electrically conducting in the as-spun, un-deformed state, and are thus called conductive polymer composites (CPC). In still another embodiment, the electrical resistance of a nanocomposite structure according to the invention increases with strain, and at sufficiently high strains the structure is rendered non-conductive.

Abstract: Ceramic nanofibers contain nanosize metal catalyst particles on the surface thereof. The catalyst-ceramic nanofibers when supported as by larger fibers form a medium that effectively catalyze various reactions as in fluid flow processes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel method for electrospinning fibers wherein the fiber-spinning solution is infused with gas bubbles which travel through the electrospinning fluid, causing the bubbles to be coated with electrospinning solution. The coated bubbles, in turn, in response to an applied electrical force, generate jets of the electrospinning fluid that travel away from the bubble surface. The invention further relates to the fibers formed by this bubble-jet process and to products made therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to methods to provide electrospun polymer/nanoparticle composite-fiber structures for use as lightweight, compliant, porous strain sensors for non-cyclic strain sensing. In one embodiment, the fibers in the nanocomposites comprise, for example, poly(?-caprolactone) (PCL) dielectric polymer matrix with embedded electrically conductive carbon black (CB) nanoparticles. In another embodiment, the composite-fiber structures of the present invention contain at least about 7 weight percent or more of CB and are electrically conducting in the as-spun, un-deformed state, and are thus called conductive polymer composites (CPC). In still another embodiment, the electrical resistance of a nanocomposite structure according to the invention increases with strain, and at sufficiently high strains the structure is rendered non-conductive.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for improving one or more of the operations of forming, washing, deliquoring, and collecting a filter cake. In this method, a slurry of at least one solid and at least one liquid is drawn through a filter medium having an upstream and a downstream side, such that at least a portion of the at least one solid is collected on the filter medium as a filter cake. To improve the process, at least one nanofiber of a length of at least about one meter is collected upstream of the filter medium at a position selected from the group consisting of (1) downstream of the filter cake, (2) dispersed throughout the filter cake, (3) upstream of the filter cake, and (4) any combination thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating a suspension, comprising a collection vessel; and a cyclone fixably received within the collection vessel, the cyclone having an inlet for receiving the suspension, a wall having at least a filter medium for separating the suspension into at least two components, and a lower underflow outlet for dispensing one of the two components, wherein the filter medium is porous and in communication with a catalyst, a hydrophillic, or hydrophobic material.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating a suspension, comprising a collection vessel; and a cyclone fixably received within the collection vessel, the cyclone having an inlet for receiving the suspension, a wall having at least a porous section for separating the suspension into at least two components, and a lower underflow outlet for dispensing one of the two components, wherein the other of the two components is received by said collection vessel.