Electrospinning at an Angle

Method of Electrospinning at an Angle

Electrospinning at an angle is a technique used to create nano- and microfibers with controlled alignment and orientation. The process involves applying a high voltage to a polymer solution or melting it while it is extruded through a needle. The resulting electric field creates a charged jet that is pulled towards a grounded collector at a specific angle, causing the fibres to align in that direction.

Advantages of Electrospinning at an Angle

One advantage of electrospinning at an angle is the ability to create fibrous scaffolds with anisotropic properties, which can mimic the structural properties of natural tissues such as muscle and bone. By controlling the angle of the collector and the flow rate of the polymer solution, the alignment and diameter of the fibres can be tuned to produce scaffolds with varying mechanical and biological properties.

Electrospinning at an angle also allows for the deposition of fibres onto complex three-dimensional structures, such as microscale channels or the surfaces of medical implants. This technique has potential applications in tissue engineering, drug delivery, and wound healing.

Disadvantages associated with Electrospinning at an Angle

However, there are challenges associated with electrospinning at an angle, including the formation of defects and variations in fibre alignment due to fluctuations in the electric field. Additionally, the production of fibres at an angle requires specialised equipment and precise control over the electrospinning process.

Video 01: Electrospinning and Viscoelasticity