Nanofibres spun like candyfloss
2 Jul 2010 by Evoluted New Media
A machine hailed as the cross between a high-speed centrifuge and a candyfloss machine could revolutionise the production of nanofibres which may have a use in the medical and textile field.
A machine hailed as the cross between a high-speed centrifuge and a candyfloss machine could revolutionise the production of nanofibres which may have a use in the medical and textile field.
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Candy floss has inspired a new machine for spinning nanofibres |
The device spins, stretches and pushes out 100 nanometre-diameter polymer-based threads using a rotating drum and a nozzle, exactly like a candy floss machine and was developed by scientists at Harvard.
“This is a vastly superior method to making nanofibres as compared to typical methods, with production outputs many times greater,” said Kit Parker, co-author and associate professor of bioengineering. “Our technique will be highly desirable to industry, as the simple machines could easily bring nanofibre production into any laboratory. In effect, with this technique we can mainstream nanotextiles.”
By quickly feeding and rotating the polymer material inside a reservoir on top of a controllable motor the device offers more control and a greater yield. The nanofibres are extruded through a nozzle by a combination of hydrostatic and centrifugal pressure.
The researchers tested the device using a variety of synthetic and naturally occurring polymers, including polylactic acid in chloroform. When spun, the material stretches like molten sugar and begins to dry into thin, silky ribbons.
“The new system offers fabrication of naturally occurring and synthetic polymers as well as a lot of control over fibre alignment and web porosity, hierarchical and spatial organisation of fibrous scaffold and three-dimensional assemblies” said lead author Mohammad Reza Badrossamay, a postdoctoral fellow.
The rapid spinning method offers a high degree of flexibility as the diameter of the fibres can be readily manipulated and the structures can be integrated into three-dimensional structure depending on how they are collected. The fibre shape can also be changed from beaded to textured to smooth.
The technology has been used by Parker in his Disease Biophysics Group in rats to form tissue engineering scaffolds and artificial structures upon which tissue can form and grow.
The researchers expect to further refine the process for tissue engineering and other textile applications.
