2 Head centrifuge electrospinning device with integrated 3D printer

• Subject Area: Production Technology ; Materials Science ; Mechanics and Constructive Mechanical Engineering
• Term: Funded in 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 432076721

Our research focusses on analysis and characterization of structural proteins and their application as innovative high performance materials for medical devices. In the center of our research is the materials as well as methods development to provide scaffolds for regenerative medicine amongst others. Processing technologies for the protein materials encompass methods to produce fibers, nonwoven meshes, films, foams, particles as well as hydrogels. Amongst the fiber production techniques are wet, electro, biomimetic and microfluidic spinning setups. The need to generate 2D and 3D scaffolds for applications as drug carrier systems, tissue scaffolds and biofabrication is high. Therefore, it is necessary to overcome existing problems e.g. concerning the flexibility of the desired morphologies (such as high resolution 3D structures) or the processing speed of traditional electrospinning. Further, it is necessary to combine various techniques such as e-spinning and 3D printing within one device. The solution is a novel type of centrifuge electrospinning device to be used for (bio)polymeric spinning dopes. The new device combines 2 spinning heads with a 3D printer with an included melt electro writing device, as well as a post treatment chamber. Online analytics tools such an inline rheometry, high-speed cameras and a digital process control software allow for the best possible parameter control. Centrifuge electrospinning (CES) is a fiber processing technique combining centrifugal, electrostatical and gravimetric forces, which all operate on the spinning jet. In case these forces are higher than the surface tension and the viscosity resistance, the jet will be fully elongated and ultra-thin fibers are produced. CES therefore combines the advantages of two techniques in one. To enable new functional nonwoven materials within hierarchically structured 3D scaffolds, the novel 2 head CES with an integrated 3D printer combines 2 spinning heads for simultaneously spinning 2 individual spinning dopes and allows for the continuous production as well as a detailed online analysis of relevant parameters. Neither the University of Bayreuth nor any of our collaboration partners have such machine.

• DFG Programme: Major Research Instrumentation
• Major Instrumentation: 2 Kopf-Zentrifugen-Elektrospinnanlage mit integriertem 3D-Drucker
• Instrumentation Group: 2230 Textilmaschinen
• Applicant Institution: Universität Bayreuth
• Leader: Professor Dr. Thomas Scheibel