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US 2019/0145022 A1Published application
Devices and methods for producing aligned nanofibers
OwnerDave Jao, Vince Beachleyinventors
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Abstract
The invention provides systems and methods for forming nanofibers and nanofiber arrays in a continuous and efficient manner, without the use of electrospinning. In certain embodiments, the systems and methods allow for simultaneous pulling and elongation of the nanofibers through the use of two rotating belts.
Claims24
A system for forming a nanofiber, the system comprising:
- a first automated track apparatus comprising a first rotating belt spanning at least two first rollers;
- a second automated track apparatus comprising a second rotating belt spanning at least two second rollers;
- and
- a vessel containing a nanofiber precursor material;
- wherein:
- the first rotating belt and the second rotating belt are disposed facing each other and define a contact point where the first rotating belt and the second rotating belt are in contact with each other or are at their closest point to each other;
- the first rotating belt, second rotating belt and contact point define an internal cavity where the first rotating belt and second rotating belt face each other at a distance from each other;
- the first automated track apparatus is adapted and configured to rotate the first rotating belt around the at least two first rollers and the second automated track apparatus is adapted and configured to rotate the second rotating belt around the at least two second rollers, such that the first rotating belt and the second rotating belt move in the same direction away from the contact point, towards the internal cavity;
- the vessel is adapted and configured to deliver the nanofiber precursor material to the contact point and the first rotating belt and the second rotating belt are adapted and configured to contact the nanofiber precursor material at the contact point such that the nanofiber precursor material adheres to the first rotating belt and the second rotating belt, such that the nanofiber precursor material spans from the first rotating belt to the second rotating belt;
- the vessel does not comprise an electrospinning nozzle;
- the nanofiber precursor material is not an electrospun material;
- and
- wherein, when the first rotating belt and second rotating belt move away from the contact point, the nanofiber precursor material is carried into the internal cavity and is elongated while moving through the internal cavity, thereby forming a nanofiber.
10 more elements
A method of forming a nanofiber, the method comprising:
- contacting a nanofiber precursor to a contact point defined by a first rotating belt and a second rotating belt, the contact point being where the first rotating belt and the second rotating belt are in contact or are nearly in contact, wherein the nanofiber precursor adheres to both the first rotating belt and the second rotating belt;
- moving the first rotating belt and the second rotating belt such that the nanofiber precursor is moved away from the contact point and into an internal cavity defined by the contact point, the first rotating belt and the second rotating belt, wherein the nanofiber precursor forms a linear nanofiber having one end adhered to the first rotating belt and the opposite end adhered to the second rotating belt;
- wherein the nanofiber precursor is not electrospun.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.