Multi-nozzle gas-assisted electrospinning apparatuses

Abstract

Provided herein are electrospinning systems, apparatuses, components, and processes for the preparation of nanofibers, including high throughput systems, apparatuses, and processes for producing high performance nanofibers.

1 - 30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . A system comprising a manifold, a plurality of nozzles, and one or more power source,
 the one or more power source being configured to provide a voltage to each of the plurality of nozzles,   the manifold comprising (i) a first manifold inlet and a first manifold supply chamber, the first manifold inlet being in fluid contact with the first manifold supply chamber, and (ii) a second manifold inlet and a second manifold supply chamber, the second manifold inlet being in fluid contact with the second manifold supply chamber, the manifold comprising a first manifold body, a second manifold body, and a third manifold body, the first, second and third manifold bodies being in a stacked configuration, the first manifold supply chamber being formed between the first manifold body and the second manifold body, and the second manifold supply chamber being formed between the second manifold body and the third manifold body,   the ratio of the distance between adjacent nozzles to the second diameter being about 0.5 to about 10, and   each of the plurality of nozzles comprising:
 a first conduit, the first conduit being enclosed along the length of the conduit by a first wall having an interior surface and an exterior surface, the first conduit having a first inlet end and a first outlet end, the first inlet end being in fluid contact with the first manifold supply chamber, and the first conduit having a first diameter; and 
 a second conduit, the second conduit being enclosed along the length of the conduit by a second wall having an interior surface, the second conduit having a second inlet end and a second outlet end, the second inlet end being in fluid contact with the second manifold supply chamber, and the second conduit having a second diameter, 
 the first and second conduit having a conduit overlap length, wherein the first conduit is positioned inside the second conduit, the exterior surface of the first wall and the interior surface of the second wall being separated by a conduit gap, the first outlet end protruding beyond the second outlet end by a protrusion length, and wherein the ratio of the conduit overlap length-to-second diameter is about 10 or more 
   
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the first and second walls are substantially parallel at the first outlet end. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the second conduit is in surrounding relation to the first conduit. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein the second conduit is in surrounding relation to the first conduit. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the first and second conduits are cylindrical. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein the first and second conduits are cylindrical. 
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the first conduit and the first wall, taken together, form a first needle, and the second conduit and the second wall, taken together, form a second needle. 
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein each of the plurality of nozzles have a ratio of the average conduit gap-to-second diameter of about 0.25 or less. 
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein each of the plurality of nozzles have a ratio of the average conduit gap-to-second diameter of about 0.25 or less. 
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein each of the plurality of nozzles have a ratio of the average conduit gap-to-second diameter of about 0.25 or less. 
     
     
         41 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the ratio of the conduit overlap length-to-second diameter is about 13 or more. 
     
     
         42 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein the ratio of the conduit overlap length-to-second diameter is about 13 or more. 
     
     
         43 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the ratio of the conduit overlap length-to-second diameter is about 13 or more. 
     
     
         44 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein each of the plurality of nozzles have a ratio of the protrusion length-to-second diameter of about 0.3 or less. 
     
     
         45 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the first diameter being about 0.05 mm to about 3 mm and the second diameter being about 0.1 mm to about 5 mm. 
     
     
         46 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein the first diameter being about 0.05 mm to about 3 mm and the second diameter being about 0.1 mm to about 5 mm. 
     
     
         47 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the first diameter being about 0.05 mm to about 3 mm and the second diameter being about 0.1 mm to about 5 mm. 
     
     
         48 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the conduit gap is on average 0.5 mm or less. 
     
     
         49 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the system is configured for manufacturing nanofibers. 
     
     
         50 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the first and second walls are substantially parallel at the first outlet end, the second conduit is in surrounding relation to the first conduit, the average conduit gap-to-second diameter ratio is about 0.25 or less, and the conduit overlap length-to-second diameter ratio is about 13 or more.