| Antecedents: Nowadays electrospinning and other nanofiber techniques are becoming more and more important as these polymer fibers have unique properties and are having possible applications in composites, smart materials, sensors, pharmaceutical applications. The technology has some issues hindering the industrial applications such as the very limited productivity, and the hardly-known mechanical and physical properties of fibers.
b.) Aim of research: The aim of the research is to develop high-efficiency technologies for nanofiber production and make unique nanofiber structures.
c.) Tasks, main items, necessary time:
• Literature review in the field of electrospun nanofibers, different needleless electrospinning technologies, modelling the behaviour of the process, nanofiber’s mechanical properties and related measurement techniques (approx. 9 month).
• Development of high-efficiency and high-throughput nanofiber spinning system for generating nanofiber webs (approx. 12 month) and yarns (approx. 6 month).
• Modelling the electrospinning process, theoretical considerations, process optimization, investigation of the effect of spinning parameters on the mechanical and morphological properties. (approx. 15 month).
• Pilot device development. Production of nanofiber reinforced polymer matrix composites, investigation and modelling their properties and fracture mechanics. (approx. 12 month)
d.) Required equipment: The necessary equipment is available at the laboratory of the Department; besides some devices are to be developed and built as a part of the research.
e.) Expected scientific results: Elaboration of a novel, high productivity nanofiber process for nanofiber webs and yarns, pilot device for testing and manufacturing nanofibers, improved performance of fibers and composite materials, electrospinning process optimization models. |
