­Nanofiber usage/production has increased in recent years as a result of this materials superior mechanical/strength properties with the primary fabrication technique being electrospinning. Nanofibers can be assembled into highly ordered yarns through twisting of individual nanofibers to form a more durable material, increasing the materials surface area as well as product performance. The major technical issue with creation of staple nanofiber yarns is production of such material in a continuous configuration from fixed end/individual segments of aligned nanofiber materials. Production and use of nanofiber yarns is an emerging technical field with broad application across a range of manufacturing sectors including textile production, biosensors, medical devices/appliance, and electronics, with their use limited by not having a commercial electrospinning apparatus capable of forming continuous lengths of the material.

Investigators have developed an automated track system capable of spinning continuous staple, nanofiber yarns from fixed end, ordered polymer nanofibers. The device employs a roving belt/assembly to shear, and transfer aligned nanofibers from an automated track onto the roving belt. Fibers are then used to create an aligned non-woven fiber mesh which is transferred from the roving belt to a take up wheel for twisting and winding into a continuous nanofiber yarn product.  

Competitive Advantages

• Compatible with a range of nanofiber materials
• Alleviates the requirement to sort and align fibers for processing
• Allows for use of distinct/different lengths of nanofibers
• Produces continuous nanofiber yarns

Opportunity

The global staple fiber production sector was valued at $161.5 billion in 2016 and is expected to reach $207 billion by 2023.  The global textile market is expected to grow to $1.5 trillion by 2027.

Rowan University is looking for a partner for further development and commercialization of this technology through a license. The inventor is available to collaborate with interested companies.