METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR FABRICATING NANOFIBER MATERIALS
Systems and methods for creating coating a substrate with nanofiber comprise a dual polarity high voltage power supply, a first wire for wire electrospinning held at positive potential by the power supply, a second wire held at negative potential by the power supply and a spooling system for drawing a substrate between the first wire and the second wire. A slider and a solution chamber in fluidic connection with the slider are used to slide along the first wire delivering solution to the wire.
1 . An electrospinning system comprising:
a dual polarity high voltage power supply;
a first wire for wire electrospinning held at positive potential by the power supply;
a second wire held at negative potential by the power supply; and
a spooling system for drawing a substrate between the first wire and the second wire.
2 . The electrospinning system of claim 1 wherein the power supply comprises a dual polarity power supply.
3 . The electrospinning system of claim 1 wherein the spooling system further comprises:
an uncoated substrate spool configured to hold a spool of the substrate.
4 . The electrospinning system of claim 3 wherein the substrate comprises:
non-woven melt-blow polypropylene.
5 . The electrospinning system of claim 1 wherein the spooling system further comprises:
at least two free spinning spools configured to draw the substrate between the first wire and the second wire.
6 . The electrospinning system of claim 1 wherein the spooling system further comprises:
a motor; and
a driving spool connected to the motor wherein the driving spool pulls the substrate into a roll.
7 . The electrospinning system of claim 1 further comprising:
a slider; and
a solution chamber in fluidic connection with the slider, wherein the slider slides along the first wire delivering a solution to the wire.
8 . The electrospinning system of claim 7 wherein the solution comprises: a co-polymer grade Polyvinylidene fluoride or polyvinylidene difluoride; N,N-dimethylformamide; and Acetone, mixed with a Trifluoroacetic acid.
9 . A method comprising:
holding a first wire at positive potential;
holding a second wire held at negative potential; and
drawing an uncoated substrate between the first wire and the second wire, wherein a solution on the first wire is coated onto the substrate.
10 . The method of claim 9 wherein:
the first wire is held at positive potential with a dual polarity power supply; and
the second wire is held at negative potential with the dual polarity power supply.
11 . The method of claim 9 further comprising:
spooling the uncoated substrate on an uncoated substrate spool.
12 . The method of claim 11 wherein the substrate comprises:
non-woven melt-blow polypropylene.
13 . The method of claim 9 further comprising:
drawing the substrate between at least two free spinning spools configured such that the substrate passes between the first wire and the second wire.
14 . The method of claim 9 further comprising:
pulling the substrate into a roll with a driving spool connected to a motor.
15 . The method of claim 9 further comprising:
sliding a slider connected to a solution chamber along the first wire; and
delivering solution from the solution chamber along the first wire.
16 . The method of claim 15 wherein the solution comprises a co-polymer grade Polyvinylidene fluoride or polyvinylidene difluoride; N,N-dimethylformamide; and Acetone, mixed with a Trifluoroacetic acid.
17 . A method for fabricating a material comprising:
coating a substrate with a nanofiber material;
sandwiching the coated substrate between an outer layer and an inner layer.
18 . The method of claim 17 wherein coating a substrate with a nanofiber material further comprises:
holding a first wire at positive potential;
holding a second wire held at negative potential; and
drawing the substrate between the first wire and the second wire, wherein a solution on the first wire is coated onto the substrate.
19 . The method of claim 17 wherein the outer layer comprises:
melt-blown non-woven spunbound polypropylene filter cloth with an average fiber diameter of up to 10 microns and open porosity of up to 10 microns.
20 . The method of claim 17 wherein the inner layer comprises:
non-woven spunbound polypropylene filter cloth with a diameter between 20 microns and 50 microns.