Utilizing Electrostatic Charge, Field, Or Force (e.g., Pinning, Etc.) Patents (Class 264/465)
  • Patent number: 8262980
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are sol-gel compositions for fabricating conductive fibers in an electrospinning process and methods for producing the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Taiwan Textile Research Institute
    Inventors: Yu-Chou Chao, Shang-Ming Lin, Jo-Chun Lin, Yun-Yun Chu, Yi-De Lin
  • Patent number: 8262979
    Abstract: In accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure, a process of forming a prosthetic device is provided. The process includes forming a dispersion of polymeric particles, a fiberizing polymer, and a solvent, the dispersion having a viscosity of at least about 50,000 cPs. A tubular frame is positioned over a tubular polymeric structure. Nanofibers from the dispersion are electrospun onto the tubular frame to form a prosthetic device. The prosthetic device is heated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Zeus Industrial Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce L. Anneaux, Robert L. Ballard
  • Publication number: 20120225358
    Abstract: Provided is an ultrafine fibrous porous separator with heat resistance and high-strength and a manufacturing method thereof, which enables mass-production of a heat-resistant and high-strength ultrafine fibrous separator by using an air-electrospinning (AES) method, and to a secondary battery using the same. The method of manufacturing a heat-resistant and high-strength ultrafine fibrous porous separator includes the steps of: air-electrospinning a mixed solution of 50 to 70 wt % of a heat-resistant, polymer material and 30 to 50 wt % of a swelling polymer material, to thereby form a porous web of a heat-resistant ultrafine fiber in which the heat-resistant polymer material and the swelling polymer material are consolidated in an ultrafine fibrous form; performing drying to control a solvent and moisture that remain on the surface of the porous web; and performing thermal compression on the dried porous web at a temperature of between 170° C. and 210° C. so as to obtain the separator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: AMOGREENTECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: In Yong Seo, Byung Gwang Jo, Yong Sik Jung, Yun Hye Kim
  • Patent number: 8257639
    Abstract: A process for making a stimuli responsive liquid crystal-polymer composite fiber comprising mixing a liquid crystal, a polymer, and a solvent; processing the mixture in the presence of an electric potential across a collection distance; phase separating a polymer and said liquid crystal; and encapsulating said liquid crystal within said polymer. The fiber generally comprises a liquid crystal core and a polymer shell wherein the liquid crystal is responsive to chemical changes, thermal and mechanical effects, as well as electrical and magnetic fields. A liquid crystal containing fiber can be utilized as optical fibers, in textiles, and in optoelectronic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Kent State University
    Inventors: Ebru A. Buyuktanir, Margaret W. Frey, John L. West
  • Patent number: 8257641
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide core-sheath nanofibers produced by coaxial electrospinning, fuser members comprising core-sheath nanofibers, and methods for forming core-sheath nanofibers that can include a core solution comprising a high performance polymer and sheath solutions comprising a solvent-soluble fluoropolymer or solvent-insoluble fluororesins and a sacrificial polymeric binder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Yu Qi, Carolyn Moorlag, Qi Zhang, Nan-Xing Hu
  • Patent number: 8257640
    Abstract: In accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure, a process for forming a multilayered electrospun composite is provided. The process includes forming a dispersion of polymeric particles, a fiberizing polymer, and a solvent, the dispersion having a viscosity of at least about 50,000 cPs. Nanofibers from the dispersion are electrospun onto a first ePTFE layer. A second ePTFE layer is applied onto the nanofibers to form a composite structure. The composite structure is heated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Zeus Industrial Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce L. Anneaux, Robert L. Ballard, David P. Garner
  • Publication number: 20120217681
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing metal oxide nanofibers using a sol-gel precursor. The nanofibers produced by the process according to the invention are notable for an increased metal oxide content compared to the prior art.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: BASF SE
    Inventors: Roman Zieba, Felix Major, Evgueni Klimov, Alexander Traut, Laurence Pottie, Bernd Smarsly, Rainer Ostermann
  • Publication number: 20120214375
    Abstract: The present invention has an object of providing the carbon fiber (or the nonwoven fabric configured of the aforementioned carbon fiber) of which the surface area, the graphitization degree, and the fiber diameter are large, high, and small, respectively, and yet of which dispersion is small. The method of producing the carbon fiber nonwoven fabric includes a dispersion liquid preparing step of preparing a dispersion liquid containing resin and pitch, an electrospinning step of producing the nonwoven fabric that is comprised of carbon fiber precursors with electrospinning from the aforementioned dispersion liquid, and a modifying step of modifying the carbon fiber precursors of the nonwoven fabric obtained in the aforementioned electrospinning step into the carbon fiber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: Hiramatsu Sangyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiro Kitano, Fujio Okino
  • Patent number: 8246894
    Abstract: A flexible substrate, a method of manufacturing a display substrate, and a method of manufacturing a display panel. A spinning device is filled with a source solution, and a carrier substrate is arranged such that the spinning device faces the carrier substrate. An electric field is formed between the spinning device and the carrier substrate by supplying a power to the spinning device and the carrier substrate, and a nano-fiber is formed by spraying the source solution toward the carrier substrate. A flexible substrate is formed on the carrier substrate by coating a polymer resin on the nano-fiber, a plurality of display cells are formed on the flexible substrate, and then a display substrate is formed by separating the carrier substrate from the flexible substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics, Ltd.
    Inventors: Myung-Hwan Kim, Nam-Seok Roh, Sang-Il Kim, Woo-Jae Lee, Jung-Hun Noh
  • Publication number: 20120208421
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide core-sheath nanofibers produced by coaxial electrospinning, fuser members comprising core-sheath nanofibers, and methods for forming core-sheath nanofibers that can include a core solution comprising a high performance polymer and sheath solutions comprising a solvent-soluble fluoropolymer or solvent-insoluble fluororesins and a sacrificial polymeric binder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yu Qi, Carolyn Moorlag, Qi Zhang, Nan-Xing Hu
  • Patent number: 8241537
    Abstract: An electrospinning apparatus is described. The electrospinning apparatus has a rotary nozzle mechanism that moves simultaneously along a non-linear track for forming polymeric fibrils, so that the polymeric fibrils can be piled to form a uniform web on a receiving carrier from any receiving angle. Therefore, the electrospinning apparatus resolves problems of the prior polymeric fibrils, such as various distribution and slow production rate. In addition, a method of manufacturing polymeric fibrils in the aforementioned electrospinning apparatus is further described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Taiwan Textile Research Institute
    Inventors: Haw-Jer Chang, Hung-En Chen, Po-Hsiung Huang, Jen-Hsiung Lee, Ching-Hui Tseng
  • Publication number: 20120193836
    Abstract: Devices and methods for high-throughput manufacture of concentrically layered nanoscale and microscale fibers by electrospinning are disclosed. The devices include a hollow tube having a lengthwise slit through which a core material can flow, and can be configured to permit introduction of sheath material at multiple sites of Taylor cone formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: Arsenal Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Upma Sharma, Quynh Pham, John Marini, Xuri Yan, Lee Core
  • Publication number: 20120196078
    Abstract: Described are conjugated polymer fibers and nanofibers, methods of making, and methods of use thereof. The conjugated polymer fibers and nanofibers can be prepared by an electrostatic spinning process followed by crosslinking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventors: Gregory A. Sotzing, Patrick T. Mather
  • Patent number: 8231822
    Abstract: Method for spinning the liquid matrix (38) in electrostatic field between at least one spinning electrode (3) and against it arranged collecting electrode (4), while one of the electrodes is connected to one pole of high voltage source and the second electrode is connected to opposite pole of high voltage source or is grounded, at which the liquid matrix (38) being subject to spinning is to be found in electrostatic field on the active spinning zone (3100) of the cord (310) of the spinning means (31) of the spinning electrode (3). The active spinning zone (3100) of the cord during spinning process has a stable position towards the collecting electrode (4) and the liquid matrix (38) to the active spinning zone (3100) of the cord is delivered either by application to the active spinning zone (3100) of the cord or by motion of the cord (310) in direction of its length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Elmarco, S.R.O.
    Inventors: David Petras, Miroslav Maly, Martin Kovac, Vit Stromsky, Jan Pozner, Jan Trdlicka, Ladislav Mares, Jan Cmelik, Frantisek Jakubek
  • Publication number: 20120190793
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the production of scaffold materials and/or scaffolds for tissue and/or organ engineering, said method comprising the addition of at least one anchoring unit for a labelling agent, to at least one scaffold material and/or to at least one scaffold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: David Halter, Ralph Kurt, Emiel Peeters, Roel Penterman, Dirk Jan Broer, Rudolf Mathias Johannes Nicolaas Lamerichs
  • Publication number: 20120178332
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fiber comprising a heat curable polyamide resin composition containing both a) a phenolic hydroxy group-containing polyamide and b) an epoxy resin having two or more epoxy groups in one molecule, a nanofiber comprising said resin composition obtained by electrospinning method, a nonwoven fabric obtained by applying heat treatment to a laminate of said nanofiber, a method for producing said nanofiber by electrospinning method and a heat curable polyamide resin composition for fiber. A nonwoven fabric can be obtained only by subjecting a deposit of the nanofiber obtained by electrospinning method to heat treatment, nanofibers in the obtained nonwoven fabric are bonded to each other by heat-curing, and the nonwoven fabric has such characteristics that its mechanical strength, heat resistance and chemical resistance are excellent and that it has a high strength.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: NIPPON KAYAKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Makoto Uchida, Yasumasa Akatsuka, Kazunori Ishikawa, Shigeru Moteki
  • Patent number: 8211352
    Abstract: An electrospinning process and apparatus for forming aligned electrospun fibers. A time-dependent (AC) voltage is applied to a multi-electrode collector in order to temporally control the location and orientation of fiber deposition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Adra Smith Baca, Dean Michael Thelen
  • Patent number: 8211353
    Abstract: A fiber spinning process comprising the steps of providing a polymer solution, which comprises at least one weakly interacting polymer dissolved in at least one weakly interacting solvent to a spinneret; issuing the polymer solution in combination with a blowing gas in a direction from at least one spinning nozzle in the spinneret and in the presence of an electric field; forming fibers and collecting the fibers on a collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Gregory T. Dee, Joseph Brian Hovanec, Jan Van Meerveld
  • Publication number: 20120148493
    Abstract: The invention relates to composite materials comprising polymer nanofibers and polymer nanoparticles, wherein at least one of the two polymer materials is loaded with a substance selected from therapeutic and diagnostic agents. Fibers and nanoparticles can comprise identical or different polymers; the polymer materials are, however, biocompatible in every case. Therapeutic and diagnostic agents can be hydrophilic or lipophilic and the two polymer materials likewise. The at least one polymer material and the substance with which said material is loaded are either both hydrophilic or both lipophilic. The polymer nanoparticles of the composite materials have a diameter of 10 nm to 600 nm. The polymer fibers have diameters of 10 nm to 50 ?m and lengths of 1 ?m to several meters. The invention further relates to a method for producing said composite materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: Justus-Liebig-Universitat Giessen
    Inventors: Thomas Schmehl, Juliane Nguyen, Moritz Beck-Broichsitter, Tobias Gessler, Thomas Kissel, Marcel Thieme
  • Publication number: 20120150205
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a silk nanofiber nerve conduit characterized in that fibroin nanofibers having a diameter of 200 to 400 nm, originated from silk fiber, are stacked layer upon layer to form a porous conduit-shape; and a method for producing thereof, more specifically, to a method for producing a silk nanofiber nerve conduit comprising: (Step 1) preparing a fibrous spinning solution; (Step 2) producing a silk nanofiber of conduit-shape by electrospinning the fibrous spinning solution prepared in step 1 into the cylindrical collecting part coated with polyethyleneoxide; and (Step 3) separating a silk nanofiber of conduit-shape produced in step 2 from the collecting part. The silk nanofiber nerve conduit of the present invention has excellent biocompatibility; allows the body fluid to be exchanged inter in and out of conduit through pores of the conduit, as well; has a proper elasticity, tensile strength, and tear strength.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: SNU R&DB FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Young Hwan Park, Chang Seok Ki, Hyun Jeung Kim, Sook Young Park
  • Publication number: 20120145632
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of polyamide nanofibers by electrospinning, wherein the process is a multi-nozzle electrospinning process with the use of a multi-nozzle device or a nozzle-free electrospinning with the use of nozzle free device, comprising steps wherein a high voltage is applied, a polymer solution comprising a polymer and a solvent is fed to the multi-nozzle device or the nozzle free device and transformed under the influence of the high voltage into charged jet streams the jet streams are deposited on a substrate or taken up by a collector, and the polymer in the jet streams solidifies thereby forming nanofibres, and wherein the polymer comprises a semi-crystalline polyamide having a C/N ratio of at most 5.5 and a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of at most 35,000. The invention also relates polyamide nanofibers made by the electrospinning process, as well as to products made thereof and use thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventors: Konraad Albert Louise Hector Dullaert, Markus Johannes Henricus Bulters, Rudy Rulkens, Arnaud David Henri Chiche
  • Patent number: 8187520
    Abstract: The present invention provides a nonwoven fabric for filters which is excellent in dust collection efficiency and exhibits low pressure drop and excellent mechanical characteristics and rigidity, and a method of producing the nonwoven fabric. A nonwoven fabric for filters of the present invention is a nonwoven fabric for filters which is a long fiber nonwoven fabric, consisting of thermoplastic continuous filaments and formed by partially thermocompression bonding the thermoplastic continuous filaments, wherein the nonwoven fabric has a QF value (Pa?1) of 0.02 to 0.08 and stiffness of 2 to 80 mN.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Takano, Masashi Ito, Makoto Nishimura
  • Patent number: 8178629
    Abstract: Described are conjugated polymer fibers and nanofibers, methods of making, and methods of use thereof. The conjugated polymer fibers and nanofibers can be prepared by an electrostatic spinning process followed by crosslinking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: University of Connecticut
    Inventors: Gregory A. Sotzing, Patrick T. Mather
  • Patent number: 8178030
    Abstract: An improved process for forming a PTFE mat is described. The process includes providing a dispersion with PTFE, a fiberizing polymer and a solvent wherein said dispersion has a viscosity of at least 50,000 cP. An apparatus is provided which comprises a charge source and a target a distance from the charge source. A voltage source is provided which creates a first charge at the charge source and an opposing charge at the target. The dispersion is electrostatically charged by contact with the charge source. The electrostatically charged dispersion is collected on the target to form a mat precursor which is heated to remove the solvent and the fiberizing polymer thereby forming the PTFE mat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Zeus Industrial Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce L. Anneaux, Robert Ballard, David P. Garner
  • Patent number: 8178029
    Abstract: The invention relates to a nanofiber web preparing apparatus and method via electro-blown spinning. The nanofiber web preparing method includes feeding a polymer solution, which is a polymer dissolved into a given solvent, toward a spinning nozzle, discharging the polymer solution via the spinning nozzle, which is charged with a high voltage, while injecting compressed air via the lower end of the spinning nozzle, and collecting fiber spun in the form of a web on a grounded suction collector under the spinning nozzle, in which both of thermoplastic and thermosetting resins are applicable, the solution does not need to be heated and electrical insulation is readily realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Yong Min Kim, Young Bin Sung, Rai Sang Jang, Kyoung Ryoul Ahn
  • Patent number: 8177938
    Abstract: A method of making regenerated cellulose microfibers includes forming segmented fibers with multiple longitudinally-extending segments of slightly different composition such that there is defined splittable interfaces between juxtaposed segments of the fibers which are then split into microfibers at yields of greater than 50%. Fibers so produced may be incorporated into absorbent sheet with other papermaking fibers to provide strength, softness, bulk and absorbency to tissue, towel, and personal care products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LP
    Inventor: Daniel W. Sumnicht
  • Publication number: 20120115386
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing nano-fiber non-woven fabrics is provided. The method comprises preparing a polyurethane solution by dissolving polyurethane in an organic solvent, producing an electrospinning solution by adding far infrared ray emitting particles, antibacterial inorganic particles, and deodorization inorganic particles to the polyurethane solution, and electrospinning the electrospinning solution to form the nano-fiber non-woven fabric. The far infrared ray emitting particles may be obtained by adding a metal oxide to ceramics and sintering the metal oxide-added ceramics. The antibacterial inorganic particles may be obtained by impregnating a zirconium-based carrier with silver ions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicants: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, Soongsil University Research Consortium techno-Park, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Phil Jung Jeong, Seung Soo Ryu, Jun Mo Ku, Hee Jun Jeong, Joo Yong Kim, Min Ki Choi, Jung Yeol Kim
  • Publication number: 20120114722
    Abstract: A method of preparing antimicrobial-containing polymeric products is provided, the method involving electrospinning a dispersion comprising a dispersible polymer, a fiberizing polymer, and one or more antimicrobial agents. The electrospun material is heated to remove solvent and the fiberizing polymer, giving a nonwoven polymeric material having antimicrobial agent incorporated therein. The material can be in the form of, for example, a non-woven sheet, tube, or covering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: Robert L. Ballard, Bruce L. Anneaux, Joshua L. Manasco
  • Publication number: 20120107194
    Abstract: A device is made by forming sacrificial fibers on a substrate mold. The fibers and mold are covered with a first material. The substrate mold is removed, and the covered fibers are then removed to form channels in the first material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: Cornell University
    Inventors: Leon M. Bellan, Harold G. Craighead, Elizabeth A. Strychalski
  • Publication number: 20120107900
    Abstract: The present invention provides electrospun polymer fibers comprising bacteria-containing hydrogel particles. Bacteria-containing hydrogel particles are produced by crosslinking water-soluble polymers to form hydrogels and mixing them with a bacteria suspension. The crosslinking is suitable to be carried out either chemically before the addition of the bacteria suspension or physically before or after this addition. Subsequently, these hydrogel particles are electrospun together with an electrospinnable polymer solution to form fibers or fibre non-wovens. The bacteria which are located in these hydrogel particles or in the electrospun polymer fibers comprising these particles, respectively, are capable of surviving for a long period (several months) without the supply of water or cell-culture media and are simultaneously protected against the effect of solvents, for example alcohols, acetone, chlorinated hydrocarbons, ethers and toluene, which would otherwise kill said bacteria.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: Philipps-Universitat Marburg
    Inventors: Andreas Greiner, Seema Agarwal, Marco Gensheimer
  • Patent number: 8163227
    Abstract: A nanofiber spinning method and device for producing a high strength and uniform yarn made of nanofibers. The device includes: a nanofiber producing unit (2) which produces nanofibers (11) by extruding polymer solution, prepared by dissolving polymeric substances in a solvent, through small holes (7) and charging the polymer solution, and by allowing the polymer solution to be stretched by an electrostatic explosion, and which allows the nanofibers to travel in a single direction; a collecting electrode unit (3) to which an electric potential different from that of the charged polymer solution is applied, and which attracts the produced nanofibers (11) while simultaneously rotating and twisting the nanofibers, and gathers them for forming a yarn (20) made of the nanofibers (11); and a collecting unit (5) which collects the yarn (20) passed through the center of the collecting electrode unit (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroto Sumida, Takahiro Kurokawa, Kazunori Ishikawa, Mitsuhiro Takahashi, Mikio Takezawa, Yoshiaki Tominaga
  • Publication number: 20120093717
    Abstract: Provided are compositions that include polymeric fibers and microspheres entrapped within the fibers, the compositions being capable of controlled delivery of one or more agents while also maintaining their structural properties. Also provided are related methods of fabricating these compositions and methods of utilizing the compositions to deliver agents to a subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania
    Inventors: Robert Mauck, Lara Ionescu, Jason Alan Burdick, Brendon Baker
  • Publication number: 20120086154
    Abstract: A near field electrospinning system includes a spinneret that provides a plurality of fibers and a collector positioned relative to the plurality of spinnerets. The electrospinning system also includes a coagulant flowing along the collector. The coagulant is configured to receive a plurality of fibers from the spinneret(s) and move the plurality of fibers away from the spinneret(s). The electrospinning system also includes a roller configured to collect the plurality of fibers from the coagulant as a substantially untwisted bundle of continuous fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: Physical Sciences, Inc.
    Inventor: John D. Lennhoff
  • Publication number: 20120085262
    Abstract: The present invention concerns stable aqueous protein dispersions comprising in an aqueous phase at least one self-assembling protein in dispersed form and also at least one specific dispersant for the self-assembling protein; processes for producing such stable aqueous dispersions; processes for electrospinning self-assembling proteins using such stable aqueous dispersions; processes for producing fibrous sheet bodies or fibers from such aqueous dispersions; the use of such aqueous dispersions for coating surfaces; the use of the materials produced by electrospinning in the manufacture of medical devices, hygiene articles and textiles; and also fibrous or fibrous sheet bodies produced by an electrospinning process of the present invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicants: Freudenberg Forschungsdienste KG, BASF SE
    Inventors: Evgueni Klimov, Burghard Liebmann, Thomas Subkowski, Martin Möller, Doris Klee, Artem Davidenko, Wiebke Voigt, Gunter Scharfenberger
  • Publication number: 20120083037
    Abstract: The invention relates to a non-viral transfection agent comprising polymer/nucleic acid complexes and nanofibers, wherein the polymer/nucleic acid complexes are composed of at least one nucleic acid and at least one cationic polymer. The nanofibers carry the polymer/nucleic acid complexes, wherein the non-viral transfection agent is advantageously produced by means of electrospinning. The cationic polymer is favorably a polyimine or polyethyleneimine and can be modified with one or more hydrophilic polymers coupled thereto. It can also be advantageous to couple the cationic polymer with one or more carbohydrates and/or with a receptor-specific ligand. The nucleic acid is a DNA or an RNA, or a DNA or RNA derivative, advantageously a therapeutically active nucleic acid. The nanofibers are composed of biodegradable, biocompatible polymers. The nanofibers or the entire transfection agent can be provided with a polymer coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: Philipps Universitat Marburg
    Inventors: Joachim H. Wendorff, Achim Aigner, Ronald Dersch, Sabrina Höbel, Markus Rudisile
  • Publication number: 20120077032
    Abstract: A method for producing one or more nanofibers includes providing (a) a solution comprising a polymer and a solvent, (b) a nozzle for ejecting the solution, and (c) a stationary collector disposed a distance d apart from the nozzle. A voltage is applied between the nozzle and the stationary collector, and a jet of the solution is ejected from the nozzle toward the stationary collector. An electric field intensity of between about 0.5 and about 2.0 kV/cm is maintained, where the electric field intensity is defined as a ratio of the voltage to the distance d. At least a portion of the solvent from the stream is evaporated, and one or more polymer nanofibers are deposited on the stationary collector as the stream impinges thereupon. Each polymer nanofiber has an average diameter of about 500 nm or less and may serve as a precursor for carbon fiber production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventors: Ioannis Chasiotis, Mohammad Naraghi, Salman N. Arshad
  • Publication number: 20120058174
    Abstract: Methods of fabricating a substantially interconnected model vasculature, as well as compositions formed from such methods are provided. In some embodiments, the methods may comprise forming a non-woven fiber network comprising a plurality of fibers and a void space; backfilling the void space of the fiber network; and removing the fibers to form a substantially interconnected vascular network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Inventors: Jennifer L. West, Christopher S. Chen, Jordan S. Miller, Michael T. Yang
  • Patent number: 8124001
    Abstract: Disclosed are composite materials that can more closely mimic the mechanical characteristics of natural elastic tissue, such as vascular tissue. Disclosed materials include a combination of elastic nanofibers and non-elastic nanofibers. Also disclosed are a variety of methods for forming the composite materials. Formation methods generally include the utilization of electrospinning methods to form a fibrous composite construct including fibers of different mechanical characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Clemson University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Xuejun Wen, Vince Z. Beachley, Vladimir A. Mironov, Vladimir A. Kasyanov
  • Publication number: 20120040461
    Abstract: Disclosed are composite arrays and methods of forming the arrays. Composite arrays include a hydrogel-forming polymeric network and a network of electrospun fibers embedded within the polymeric network. For instance, the polymeric network can include one or more extracellular matrix proteins. The network of electrospun fibers can describe an open configuration that incorporates sufficient space between adjacent fibers to allow for cellular ingrowth between and among individual fibers. Disclosed composite arrays can be utilized as a supporting scaffold for living cells, for instance in development of bioengineered tissue constructs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventors: Vince Z. Beachley, Xuejun Wen
  • Patent number: 8114325
    Abstract: A fluidized mixture is issued from a nozzle comprising a fan jet at the outlet, causing the mixture to spread as it is issued. The issued material is collected on a moving collection surface located a distance of between 0.25 and 13 cm from the outlet of the nozzle, prior to the onset of large scale turbulence in the fluid jet. The resulting product has good basis weight uniformity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Jack Eugene Armantrout, Robert Anthony Marin, Larry R. Marshall
  • Publication number: 20120034512
    Abstract: A carbon/nanoparticle nanofiber includes a carbon base structure and a plurality of nanoparticles that include a lithium alloy or a lithium alloy precursor. One or more nanofibers may be formed into a nonwoven fabric. The fabric may be utilized as an electrode, such as for example in a battery. The carbon/nanoparticle composite nanofiber may be fabricated by forming a polymer/nanoparticle nanofiber, such as for example by a spinning technique, and carbonizing the polymer/nanoparticle nanofiber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Xiang-wu Zhang, Peter S. Fedkiw, Saad A. Khan
  • Publication number: 20120034461
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for electrospinning, electrojetting and/or electrospraying are disclosed. The apparatus includes a nozzle for the formation of a fluid jet from a fluid cone, the nozzle having a plurality of ducts arranged for supplying a plurality of fluids for use in the formation of the fluid jet. The ducts may issue onto one or more openings, for example, concentric openings for the production of core-shell nanofibres and particles, or core- multishell nanofibres and particles. The apparatus may also include a manifold for supplying the fluids to the nozzle from one or more fluid reservoirs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: THE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FACILITIES COUNCIL
    Inventor: Robert Stevens
  • Patent number: 8110136
    Abstract: Nanofibers are formed from a polymer material by rotating a conductive rotating container having a plurality of small holes while supplying a polymer solution formed by dissolving a polymer material in a solvent into the rotating container, charging the polymer solution discharged from the small holes of the rotating container by charging means, and drawing the discharged filamentous polymer solution by centrifugal force and an electrostatic explosion resulting from evaporation of the solvent. The nanofibers from this production step are oriented and made to flow from one side toward the other side in a shaft center direction of the rotating container by a reflecting electrode and/or blowing means, or those nanofibers are deposited, to produce a polymer web. The nanofibers and the polymer web using these nanofibers can be produced uniformly by a simple configuration with good productivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Takahashi, Mikio Takezawa, Yoshiaki Tominaga, Takahiro Kurokawa, Kazunori Ishikawa, Hiroto Sumida
  • Publication number: 20120029654
    Abstract: Disclosed are an artificial dura mater and manufacturing method thereof. The artificial dura mater includes electrospun layers prepared by electrostatic spinning, at least one of which is a hydrophobic electrospun layer. Further, above the hydrophobic electrospun layer, there can be at least one hydrophilic electrospun layer. A transition layer can be further included between the hydrophobic and the hydrophilic electrospun layers. Additionally, cytokines and/or medicines can be affixed to either or both of the hydrophobic and the hydrophilic electrospun layers, by way of bio-printing. The disclosed artificial dura mater shows good biocompatibility, enhances dural tissue regeneration, achieves excellent repairing effects, prevents adhesion, allows complete absorption, has good mechanical properties, ensures low infection rates, and can be loaded with therapeutic agents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: Tao Xu, Yuyu Yuan
  • Publication number: 20120028116
    Abstract: This invention relates to a composition for producing a cathode for an electricity storage device, including carbon nanofibers prepared by electrospinning a spinning solution including a cathode active material, a conductive material and a carbon fiber precursor; and a binder, and to a cathode for an electricity storage device made with the composition and to an electricity storage device including the cathode. The composition for producing a cathode includes carbon nanofibers instead of part or all of a conductive material, a dispersant and/or a binder, so that the cathode has remarkably increased specific surface area and electrical conductivity (decreased resistance), thus maximizing the efficiency of the cathode active material and the capacity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: Won-Gil Choi, Kim Pyung-Kyu, Jun-Hwan Jeong, Byeong-Sun Lee, Song-Yi Choi, Jung-Ae Kim, Byung-Jun Lee
  • Publication number: 20120013046
    Abstract: An electrospinning manufacture for drug carriers is disclosed. The method comprises a preliminary step mixing a predetermined drug, an alginate, and a saline to obtain a mixture; an electric field establishing step providing a collection plate and an emitter filled with divalent cation agent and the mixture individually, wherein an electric field is applied to the collection plate and the emitter to form a voltage therebetween; and an electrospinning step sequentially dropping the mixture from the emitter into the divalent cation agent filled in the collection plate via the driving of the electric field, triggering a crosslinking-gelating reaction between the divalent cation and the alginate, wherein a plurality of gel particles is produced for a coating of the predetermined drug presenting a drug carrier performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Inventors: Chih-Hui YANG, Keng-Shiang Huang, Yung-Sheng Lin
  • Publication number: 20120013047
    Abstract: A nanofiber manufacturing apparatus (100) which produces nanofibers (301) by electrically stretching a solution (300) in space, includes: an effusing body (115) having effusing holes (118) for effusing the solution (300) into the space, a tip part (116) in which openings (119) at ends of the effusing holes (118) are one-dimensionally arranged at given intervals, and two side wall parts (117) provided extending from both sides of the tip part (116) so that the effusing holes (118) are located between the side wall parts (117) and distance between the side wall parts (117) increases with distance from the tip part (116); a charging electrode (121) disposed at a given distance from the effusing body (115); and a charging power supply (122) which applies a given voltage between the effusing body (115) and the charging electrode (121).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Inventors: Kazunori Ishikawa, Hiroto Sumida, Takahiro Kurokawa, Masanobu Miyata, Takatoshi Mitsushima
  • Publication number: 20120009841
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel polyethylene polymer fiber obtainable by melt-spinning of a polymer, the use of the fiber, a process for the manufacture of the fiber, and products comprising said fiber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: BAUMHUETER EXTRUSION GMBH
    Inventor: Ingo Knack
  • Publication number: 20120004199
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wound dressing comprising an electrospun scaffold. The scaffold comprises a biodegradable polymer or co-polymer and a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Inventors: Sheila Mcneil, Anthony Ryan
  • Publication number: 20120003893
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to, in one embodiment, a composite nanofiber having a plurality of nanoparticles retained on the surface of the nanofiber, and a process for forming such composite nanofibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Inventor: Kelly D. Branham