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 spooling assembly configured to spool a substrate;
a wire held at a voltage above the spooling assembly;
a bar held at an opposite voltage below the spooling assembly the bar comprising:
a projection portion;
a first trough on a first side of the projection portion; and
a second trough on a second side of the projection portion; and
a slider for distributing solution on the bar, wherein solution is drawn from the bar to the substrate via a potential difference between the wire and the bar, forming a fiber mat on the substrate.
2 . The electrospinning system of claim 1 wherein the spooling assembly comprises:
a rotating substrate spool;
at least one spinning spool; and
nanofiber substrate spool.
3 . The electrospinning system of claim 1 wherein the slider comprises:
a slider frame, wherein the bar is mounted below the slider frame;
a bottom rail of the slider frame;
a pulley configured in the bottom rail; and
a motor operably connected to the pulley configured to change a position of the slider frame.
4 . The electrospinning system of claim 1 further comprising:
a solution tank configured to supply solution to a syringe fitted with a needle.
5 . The electrospinning system of claim 4 wherein the solution comprises a polymer solution.
6 . The electrospinning system of claim 1 wherein the substrate comprises a non-woven melt-blown polypropylene.
7 . The electrospinning system of claim 1 further comprising:
at least one reflector plate, positioned below the bar.
8 . The electrospinning system of claim 7 wherein the at least one reflector plate is held at a voltage matching that of the bar.
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 spooling assembly configured to spool a substrate;
a wire held at a voltage above the spooling assembly;
a bar held at an opposite voltage below the spooling assembly the bar comprising:
a projection portion;
a first trough on a first side of the projection portion; and
a second trough on a second side of the projection portion; and
a syringe attached to a needle for distributing solution on the bar, wherein solution is drawn from the bar to the substrate via a potential difference between the wire and the bar, forming a fiber mat on the substrate.
11 . The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the apparatus comprises:
a solution tank;
a pump; and
tubing connecting the pump to the syringe.
12 . The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the spooling assembly comprises:
a rotating substrate spool;
at least one spinning spool; and
nanofiber substrate spool.
13 . The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a slider, wherein the slider comprises:
a slider frame, wherein the bar is mounted below the slider frame;
a bottom rail of the slider frame;
a pulley configured in the bottom rail; and
a motor operably connected to the pulley configured to change a position of the slider frame.
14 . The apparatus of claim 13 further comprising:
a pair of risers connecting the bottom rail to a top dispenser bar mount.
15 . The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the substrate comprises a non-woven melt-blown polypropylene.
16 . The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising:
at least one reflector plate, positioned below the bar.
17 . The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the at least one reflector plate is held at a voltage matching that of the bar.
18 . An electrospinning system comprising:
a dual voltage power supply;
a spooling assembly configured to spool a substrate;
a wire connected to the dual voltage power supply and held at a voltage above the spooling assembly;
a bar connected to the dual voltage power supply and held at an opposite voltage below the spooling assembly;
at least one reflector plate, positioned below the bar and held at a voltage matching that of the bar; and
a slider for distributing solution on the bar, wherein solution is drawn from the bar to the substrate via a potential difference between the wire and the bar, forming a fiber mat on the substrate.