Electrospray Neutralization Process and Apparatus for Generation of Nan-Aerosol and Nano-Structured Materials

Abstract

The claimed invention describes methods and apparatuses for manufacturing nano-aerosols and nano-structured materials based on the neutralization of charged electrosprayed products with oppositely charged electrosprayed products. Electrosprayed products include molecular ions, nano-clusters and nano-fibers. Nano-aerosols can be generated when neutralization occurs in the gas phase. Neutralization of electrospan nano-fibers with molecular ions and charged nano-clusters may result in the formation of fibrous aerosols or free nano-mats. Nano-mats can also be produced on a suitable substrate, forming efficient nano-filters.

1 . A device comprising:
 a. a plurality of nano-fibers forming a nano-structured material;   b. said nano-structured material configured to capture at least one aerosol at least from air.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , comprising said plurality of nano-fibers over a perforated structure. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein at least one of said plurality of nano-fibers is attached to at least one of the periphery and the edge of said perforated structure. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein at least one of said plurality of nano-fibers is glued to at least one of:
 a. another of said plurality of nano-fibers; and   b. said perforated structure.   
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of nano-fibers comprise fibers of varying thickness. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein said varying thickness comprises a relatively thicker plurality of nano-fibers proximate a perforated structure and a relatively thinner plurality of nano-fibers proximate said relatively thicker plurality of nano-fibers. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of nano-fibers comprise neutralized nano-fibers. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein said neutralized nano-fibers are configured to reach a perforated structure in neutral form. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said nano-structured material comprises a water-soluble polymer. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein said water-soluble polymer comprises at least one of:
 a. a polymer including a temperature dependent water-solubility;   b. a polymer including a pH dependent water-solubility; and   c. a polymer including a counter-ion dependent water-solubility.   
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein said water-soluble polymer comprises a humidity resistant polymer configured to from a reversible intermolecular covalent bond. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein said reversible intermolecular covalent bond comprises at least one of a disulfide bond and a diol bond. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the surface of at least one of said nano-fibers comprises at least one surface modifier. 
     
     
         14 . A method comprising:
 a. providing a plurality of nano-fibers forming a nano-structured material; and   b. contacting said nano-structured material with at least one aerosol at least from air to capture said at least one aerosol.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said plurality of nano-fibers are provided over a perforated structure. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , comprising gluing at least one of said plurality of nano-fibers to at least one of:
 a. another of said plurality of nano-fibers; and   b. said perforated structure.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said plurality of nano-fibers are provided in neutral form by neutralizing said nano-fibers in air. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said plurality of nano-fibers are provided including varying fiber thickness. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein:
 a. said nano-structured material comprises a water-soluble polymer; and   b. said nano-structured material is at least partially dissolved to liberate at least one of said at least one captured aerosol.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said air comprises at least one of:
 a. naturally convected air;   b. wind powered air;   c. machine powered air; and   d. exhaled air.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said exhaled air comprises breathe.