Method and apparatus for manufacturing polymer fiber shells via electrospinning

A method for forming a liquefied polymer into a non-woven polymer fiber shell, the method comprising:

• (a) charging the liquefied polymer thereby producing a charged liquefied polymer;
• (b) subjecting said charged liquefied polymer to a first electric field;
• (c) dispensing said charged liquefied polymer within said first electric field in a direction of a precipitation electrode, said precipitation electrode being designed and configured for generating the polymer fiber shell thereupon;
• (d) providing a second electric field being for reducing non-uniformities in said first electric field;
• and
• (e) using said precipitation electrode to collect said charged liquefied polymer thereupon, thereby forming the non-woven polymer fiber shells.

An apparatus for manufacturing a polymer fiber shell from liquefied polymer, the apparatus comprising:

• (a) a dispenser, for:
• (i) charging the liquefied polymer thereby providing a charged liquefied polymer;
• and
• (ii) dispensing said charged liquefied polymer;
• and
• (b) a precipitation electrode being at a potential relative to said dispenser thereby generating an electric field between said precipitation electrode and said dispenser, said precipitation electrode being for collecting said charged liquefied polymer drawn by said electric field, to thereby form the polymer fiber shell thereupon, wherein said precipitation electrode is formed from a combination of electroconductive and non-electroconductive materials so as to reduce non-uniformities in said electric field.