16. Applications and Implications

Electrospinning machine

What will it do?

Electrospinning is a technique to produce polymeric micro-and nanofibers. The basic equipment consists of an injection pump connected to a capillary needle, a source of high voltage and collector.

Operation: The polymer solution is injected into the needle. Between the needle and the collector plate establishes an electric field by applying a potential difference. At the end of the needle form a drop. When superficial tension is overcome by the electric field, the drop is distorted, forming the Taylor cone. This distortion produces an electrically charged polymer jet towards the collector, forming polymeric fibers aligned.

Who has done what beforehand?

There are many enterprises, universities and people that have developed an electrospinning machine. Such as:

• Electrospinning Machine 30kV | Demonstration.
• The NLI Basic Electrospinning Series: Electrospinning for nanofibers production.
• Homemade electrospinning machine.
• Diseño y construcción de una máquina de electrohilado vertical de 0 a 15 KV para generar nanofibras a base del polímero polisiloxano.
• Construcción de un sistema de electrospinning para la obtención de fibras poliméricas: control y caracterización.
• Recent progress in cellulose-based electrospun nanofibers as multifunctional materials. [GREAT LINK!]

What will you design?

I will design an electrospinning machine for small-scale production needs. This include:

• A high-voltage power supply (minimum 10kV)
• A syringe pump for precise control of the polymer solution flow rate.
• A grounded collector plate.
• Control system for motors (speed)

What materials and components will be used?

• High-voltage power supply: Capable of generating up to 10 kV.
• Syringe pump: steal smooth rod, linear bearings, lead screw, motor mount, sliding piece, syringe holder, syringe clamp and pillow block bearing.
• Needles and syringes
• Collector plate: aluminum tube, motor brushes and acrylic.
• Electrical components: Wires, motors, buttons, maybe a potentiometer.
• Microcontroller: For parameter control and monitoring.
• Vinyl for letters and signs

Where will they come from?

From Amazon, Mercado Libre or physical stores.

How much will they cost?

1. High-voltage power supply $157 mexican pesos = $9.45 dollars.
2. Syringe pump
   • 2 Steel smooth rods 8mm: $200 mexican pesos = $12 dollars.
   • Linear bearings: $20 mexican pesos = $1.2 dollars.
   • Endless screw: $209 mexican pesos = $12.5 dollars.
   • Pillow block bearing: $69 mexican pesos = $4.15 dollars.
3. Syringe and Needle: $12 mexican pesos = $0.72 dollars.
4. Rotatory collector plate
   • Aluminum tube 3 inches: $200 mexican pesos = $12 dollars.
   • Motor brushes: $150 mexican pesos = $9 dollars.
5. Electrical components
   • 2 Stepper motors: $500 mexican pesos = $30.12 dollars.
   • I already have wires and a potentiometer.
6. MCU: Xiao RP2040: $365 mexican pesos = $22 dollars.

TOTAL: $1890 mexican pesos = $114 dollars.

What parts and systems will be made?

• Syringe pump.
• Collector plate.
• Control system for motors.

What processes will be used?

2D design

Letters or signs for vinyl cutting.

3D design

Syringe pump and collector plate.

Computer-controlled cutting

Vinyl cutting.

Acrylic pieces.

3D printing

• Motor mount
• Sliding piece
• Syringe holder
• Syringe clamp

Electronics design and production

A XIAO board for the motors, drivers, buttons and more.

Embedded microcontroller programming.

Move and control the speed of motors.

Produce a biopolymer.

• PVA + Water
• Expanded Polystyrene + Paint Thinner
• Latex + Water + Acetone
• Maybe other...

What questions need to be answered?

What specific polymers and solvents will be used, and how will they affect the machine's design?

How will be evaluated?

Evaluating visually the uniformity and quality of the nanofibers produced in a microscope. In other words, if it produces a thin fabric.