Methods and systems for electrospinning using low power voltage converter
An electrospinning system, method, and apparatus comprises a dual polarity high voltage power supply with much less power out for safe operation, a solution dispensing assembly held at high positive potential by the dual polarity power supply, a Corona discharge assembly held at high negative potential by the dual polarity power supply, and a drum collector held at ground potential wherein a solution is drawn from the solution dispensing assembly to the drum collector thereby forming a fiber mat.
1. An electrospinning system comprising:
a power supply;
a solution dispensing assembly held at positive potential by the power supply;
a Corona discharge assembly held at negative potential by the power supply, the Corona discharge assembly comprising an array of at least one micro-tipped needle; and
a collector wherein a solution is drawn from the solution dispensing assembly to the collector forming a fiber mat thereon.
2. The electrospinning system of claim 1 wherein the solution dispensing assembly comprises:
at least one dispensing needle;
a manifold attached to a syringe, the manifold connecting the syringe to the at least one dispensing needle; and
a syringe pump for pumping the solution to the at least one dispensing needle.
3. The electrospinning system of claim 1 wherein the solution dispensing assembly comprises:
a solution tank containing the solution;
a rotating spindle;
at least one solid needle on the rotating spindle; and
a motor for rotating the spindle.
4. The electrospinning system of claim 1 wherein the Corona discharge assembly comprises:
a plate with a knife edge.
5. The electrospinning system of claim 1 wherein the collector comprises a drum collector.
6. The electrospinning system of claim 5 further comprising:
a ground connected to the drum collector.
7. The electrospinning system of claim 1 wherein the collector comprises a conveyor belt assembly.
8. The electrospinning system of claim 7 wherein the conveyor belt assembly further comprises:
a ground plate, the ground plate being held at ground potential; and
a conveyor belt wrapping around the ground plate.
9. The electrospinning system of claim 1 wherein the power supply comprises a dual polarity power supply.
10. An apparatus comprising:
a dual polarity power supply;
a solution dispensing assembly held at positive potential by the dual polarity power supply;
a Corona discharge assembly held at negative potential by the dual polarity power supply, the Corona discharge assembly comprising an array of at least one micro-tipped needle; and
a collector wherein a solution is drawn from the solution dispensing assembly to the collector forming a fiber mat thereon.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the solution dispensing assembly comprises:
at least one dispensing needle;
a manifold attached to a syringe, the manifold connecting the syringe to the at least one dispensing needle; and
a syringe pump for pumping the solution to the at least one dispensing needle.
12. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the solution dispensing assembly comprises:
a solution tank containing the solution;
a rotating spindle;
at least one solid needle on the rotating spindle; and
a motor for rotating the spindle.
13. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the Corona discharge assembly comprises:
a plate with a knife edge.
14. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the collector comprises a drum collector connected to a ground.
15. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the collector comprises:
a ground plate, the ground plate being held at ground potential; and
a conveyor belt wrapping around the ground plate.
16. A method comprising:
holding a solution associated with a solution dispensing assembly at positive potential with a power supply;
holding a Corona discharge assembly at negative potential by the power supply, the Corona discharge assembly comprising an array of at least one micro-tipped needle; and
collecting a fiber mat on a collector wherein the solution is drawn from the solution dispensing assembly to the collector according to a potential difference.
17. The method of claim 16 further comprising:
turning the collector with a motor, the collector comprising a drum collector.
18. The method of claim 16 wherein the power supply comprises a dual polarity power supply.