Abstract: Provided herein are protective masks made with polymer-based materials and methods of forming the materials. Methods of forming the interlaced polymer-based materials comprise applying adhesive to a substrate, electrospinning a first polymer solution onto the substrate from a first group of spinning electrodes, electrospinning a second polymer solution onto the substrate from a second group of spinning electrodes, and applying hot air to dry the polymer-based materials electrospun from the first polymer solution and the second polymer solution to form the interlaced polymer-based materials.

Abstract: A novel fibrous membrane comprises at least one substrate layer comprising at least 80% by weight of microfibers that carry positively charged and/or negatively charged functional groups, and at least one layer of filtration material attached to the substrate layer, wherein the layer of filtration material comprises at least 80% by weight of nanofibers that carry negatively charged and/or positively charged functional groups. The fibrous membrane is able to remove or reduce the concentration of bacteria, viruses and heavy metals while maintaining relatively high water flow. A filter comprising the fibrous membrane and a method for manufacturing the fibrous membrane are also provided.

Abstract: A water filtration membrane is provided, capable of removing heavy metal ions, filtering out particulates, filtering out bacteria, as well as removing herbicides and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from water. The membrane is composed of a mat of randomly oriented nanoparticle-coated nanofibers. The nanofibers are covalently bonded to a plurality of substantially uniformly-distributed ceramic nanoparticles embedded in or adhered on the surface of the polymer nanofibers through reactive functional groups. The ceramic nanoparticles have a pattern of deep grooves formed on the nanoparticle surfaces. The bonding of the nanoparticles to the nanofibers is sufficient to retain the nanoparticles on the nanofiber surfaces when water flows through the water filtration membrane. The diameter of the nanofibers is 50-200 nm. The size of the nanoparticles is <40 nm, with a zeta potential of ?40 to ?45 mV in a dispersion medium. The nanoparticle deep grooves have an average size of approximately 1.2 nm or less.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a laminated fabric structure comprising: a fabric layer; a nanofibrous membrane comprising a matrix of nanofibers; and a permeable adhesive layer sandwiched between the fabric layer and the nanofibrous membrane and comprising a filled portion and an unfilled portion. The permeable adhesive layer is able to combine the nanofibrous membrane and fabric layers together to provide significant protection on the nanofibrous membrane without sacrificing on the air permeability of the laminated fabric structure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multi-layered interlaced membrane comprising at least one substrate layer including a plurality of first polymer-based microfibers; at least one nanofibrous layer including a plurality of second polymer-based nanofibers where each of the nanofibers has one or more nano-branches; at least one interlaced layer including a plurality of third polymer-based submicron fibers where each of the submicron fibers has one or more nano-branches and a plurality of fourth polymer-based nanofibers where each of the nanofibers has one or more nano-branches, wherein the third polymer-based submicron fibers are interlaced with the fourth polymer-based nanofibers; at least one submicron fibrous layer including a plurality of fifth polymer-based submicron fibers where each of the submicron fibers has one or more nano-branches.

Abstract: The present invention provides a particle-coated fiber comprising a fiber and particles coated on the fiber, and a method for forming the same. The method comprises: providing a suspension comprising the particles; providing a polymer solution for forming the fiber; electrospraying the suspension toward an area of a collector; and during the electrospraying of the suspension, electrospinning the polymer solution into the fiber and directing the fiber toward the area so as to meet with the suspension on the area and on the way to the area such that the particles are coated on the fiber during and after the formation of the fiber thereby forming the particle-coated fiber on the area. By the present method, the particles can be crowed on the surface of the fiber, and the adhesiveness between the fiber and the particles can be substantially enhanced.

Abstract: Nanomaterials (100) in particular HEPA air filter media. One embodiment is a nanomaterial (100) that includes a plurality of nanofibers (140) that form a randomly interwoven network defining three-dimensional pores (160) therein. The nanomaterial further includes a plurality of beads (120) with a bead diameter of 2-20 ?m that are distributed randomly within the plurality of nanofibers (140). The beads (120) support the nanofibers (140) to prevent the pores (160) from collapsing.

Abstract: A novel fibrous membrane comprises at least one substrate layer comprising at least 80% by weight of microfibers that carry positively charged and/or negatively charged functional groups, and at least one layer of filtration material attached to the substrate layer, wherein the layer of filtration material comprises at least 80% by weight of nanofibers that carry negatively charged and/or positively charged functional groups. The fibrous membrane is able to remove or reduce the concentration of bacteria, viruses and heavy metals while maintaining relatively high water flow. A filter comprising the fibrous membrane and a method for manufacturing the fibrous membrane are also provided.

Abstract: A water filtration membrane is provided, capable of removing heavy metal ions, filtering out particulates, filtering out bacteria, as well as removing herbicides and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from water. The membrane is composed of a mat of randomly oriented nanoparticle-coated nanofibers. The nanofibers are covalently bonded to a plurality of substantially uniformly-distributed ceramic nanoparticles embedded in or adhered on the surface of the polymer nanofibers through reactive functional groups. The ceramic nanoparticles have a pattern of deep grooves formed on the nanoparticle surfaces. The bonding of the nanoparticles to the nanofibers is sufficient to retain the nanoparticles on the nanofiber surfaces when water flows through the water filtration membrane. The diameter of the nanofibers is 50-200 nm. The size of the nanoparticles is <40 nm, with a zeta potential of ?40 to ?45 mV in a dispersion medium. The nanoparticle deep grooves have an average size of approximately 1.2 nm or less.

Abstract: A membrane for skin comprising a plurality of randomly oriented core-shell nanofibers is provided in the present invention, where each of said core-shell nanofibers comprises at least an active-ingredient-loaded polymeric core and a non-polymeric shell consisting of active ingredients only surrounding the core. Related fabrication method of said membrane is also provided in the present invention.

Abstract: A filtration barrier comprises at least one barrier layer which includes polymeric nanofibers interlaced with microfibers, and at least one substrate layer which includes polymeric microfibers. The filtration barrier can be made by electrospinning process.

Abstract: The present invention provides a protective mask with an ultrafine fibrous coating. The ultrafine fibrous coating includes partially gelled submicron fibers interweaved with nanofibers and a biocide encapsulated in, surface-attached onto, blended with, physically trapped, and/or chemically linked to the submicron fibers and nanofibers. In an example, a microfibrous substrate with the coating assembles with other microfibrous substrates to form a protective mask having N95 level of protection and bacteria-killing capability.

Abstract: A filtration barrier comprises at least one barrier layer which includes polymeric nanofibers interlaced with microfibers, and at least one substrate layer which includes polymeric microfibers. The filtration barrier can be made by electrospinning process.

Abstract: A filtration barrier comprises at least one barrier layer which includes polymeric nanofibers interlaced with microfibers, and at least one substrate layer which includes polymeric microfibers. The filtration barrier can be made by electrospinning process.

Abstract: A membrane for skin comprising a plurality of randomly oriented core-shell nanofibers is provided in the present invention, where each of said core-shell nanofibers comprises at least an active-ingredient-loaded polymeric core and a non-polymeric shell consisting of active ingredients only surrounding the core. Related fabrication method of said membrane is also provided in the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a biodegradable microdepot delivery system for topical delivery of active ingredients through the skin surface of a subject. The configuration, dimension, and chemical composition of the microdepots allow a relatively short dissolution time of less than 5 minutes while insertion ratio of the microdepots can reach more than 60%, some of which can even reach about 97%, under exertion of a relatively low pressing force. The present invention also provides a method for fabricating the biodegradable microdepot delivery system and a polymeric solution for forming the same.

Abstract: A filtration barrier comprises at least one barrier layer which includes polymeric nanofibers interlaced with microfibers, and at least one substrate layer which includes polymeric microfibers. The filtration barrier can be made by electrospinning process.

Abstract: A filtration barrier comprises at least one barrier layer which includes polymeric nanofibers interlaced with microfibers, and at least one substrate layer which includes polymeric microfibers. The filtration barrier can be made by electrospinning process.

Abstract: The present invention provides a protective mask comprising an ultrafine fibrous coating comprising partially gelled submicron fibers interweaved with nanofibers and a biocide encapsulated in, surface-attached onto, blended with, physically trapped, and/or chemically linked to said submicron fibers and nanofibers. In an example, a microfibrous substrate with the coating assembles with other microfibrous substrates to form a protective mask having N95 level of protection and bacteria-killing capability.

Abstract: The present invention provides a biodegradable microdepot delivery system for topical delivery of active ingredients through the skin surface of a subject. The configuration, dimension, and chemical composition of the microdepots allow a relatively short dissolution time of less than 5 minutes while insertion ratio of the microdepots can reach more than 60%, some of which can even reach about 97%, under exertion of a relatively low pressing force. The present invention also provides a method for fabricating the biodegradable microdepot delivery system and a polymeric solution for forming the same.