Electrospinning apparatus and electrospinning method

Abstract

An electrospinning apparatus for the production of fibrous materials includes a compartment having at least one chamber to contain a substance from which fibers are to be formed. The chamber is electrically charged at a chamber potential. The apparatus also includes a collector to collect the fibers from the chamber. The collector is electrically charged at a ground potential different from the chamber potential, thereby establishing an electric field between the chamber and the collector. The chamber includes a forming layer having a plurality of openings through which the substance is extruded into the fibers.

1 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . An electrospinning apparatus, comprising
 a compartment that comprises at least one chamber adapted to contain a substance from which fibers are to be formed, said at least one chamber being electrically charged at a chamber potential; and   a collector adapted to collect said fibers from said at least one chamber, said collector being electrically charged at a ground potential different from said chamber potential, thereby establishing an electric field between said at least one chamber and said collector,   wherein said at least one chamber comprises a forming layer comprising a plurality of openings through which said substance is extruded into said fibers.   
     
     
         14 . The electrospinning apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein said forming layer is made of an electrically conductive material, said forming layer being electrically charged at said chamber potential. 
     
     
         15 . The electrospinning apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein said at least one chamber comprises heating and/or cooling means configured to heat and/or cool said chamber to a desired temperature. 
     
     
         16 . The electrospinning apparatus according to  claim 13 , further comprising rotation means configured to rotate said compartment with respect to the direction of extrusion of said fibers. 
     
     
         17 . The electrospinning apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein said compartment comprises a plurality of said chambers. 
     
     
         18 . The electrospinning apparatus according to  claim 17 , further comprising voltage regulator means configured to electrically charge independently each of said chambers at a desired different chamber potential. 
     
     
         19 . The electrospinning apparatus according to  claim 17 , further comprising a plurality of heating and/or cooling means configured to heat and/or cool independently each of said chambers to a different desired temperature. 
     
     
         20 . The electrospinning apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein said collector comprises a film of liquid adapted to collect said fibers extruded through said openings of said forming layer. 
     
     
         21 . The electrospinning apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein said collector comprises a solid substance adapted to collect and entrap said fibers extruded through said openings of said forming layer. 
     
     
         22 . The electrospinning apparatus according to  claim 20 , further comprising:
 dragging means configured to remove said fibers collected on said film of liquid from said liquid; and   recirculation means configured to recirculate the liquid of said film of liquid within said collector.   
     
     
         23 . The electrospinning apparatus according to  claim 13 , further comprising cross-linking means adapted to cross-link said fibers collected by said collector. 
     
     
         24 . An electrospinning method, comprising:
 supplying a substance from which fibers are to be formed to at least one chamber of a compartment;   electrically charging said at least one chamber at a chamber potential; and   electrically charging a collector adapted to collect said fibers from said at least one chamber at a ground potential different from said chamber potential, thereby establishing an electric field between said at least one chamber and said collector; and   wherein said substance is extruded into said fibers through a plurality of openings which are present at a forming layer of said at least one chamber.