Expanded, nanofiber structures are provided as well as methods of use thereof and methods of making.

A network of microfibers are fabricated with a core-shell construction from sustainable materials, where the core includes a phase-change material, such as coconut oil, and the shell includes a biomass, such as cellulose. The microfibers are made via a wet-wet electrospinning process utilizing a coaxial spinneret with an inner conduit and an outer conduit. The biomass and the phase-change material are coaxially extruded into a coagulation bath including a mixture of ethanol and water. The collected microfibers exhibit a beaded structure of PCM aggregates and biomass connecting regions between the aggregates and are effective to aid in the thermoregulation of the immediate environment surrounding the network. The microfibers are suitable for use in a variety of sustainable products such as wearable thermoregulating textiles, wall/ceiling panels, insulation, packaging material, and more.

Methods for reaction electrospinning are provided to form collagen fibers. The method can include: acidifying a collagen in an acidic solvent to form an acidic collagen solution; electrospinning the acidic collagen solution within an alkaline atmosphere (e.g., including ammonia vapor) to form collagen fibers; and collecting the collagen fibers within a salt bath (e.g., including ammonium sulfate). The acidic solvent can include water and an alcohol, and can have a pH of about 2 to about 4 (e.g., including a strong acid, such as HCl). An albumin rubber is also provided, which can include albumin crosslinked with glutaraldehyde.

A nanofiber comprising a cross-linkable protein polymer and a transglutaminase. A method for producing a nanofiber, the method comprising: combining a first solution comprising a cross-linkable protein polymer and a second solution comprising a transglutaminase to produce a liquid electro spinning mixture (LEM) characterized by an environment that is unsuitable for the transglutaminase to be enzymatically active on the cross-linkable protein polymer; and electro spinning the LEM to form a nanofiber comprising the TGase and the cross-linkable protein polymer.

The invention features a system for preparing composite collagen microfiber scaffolds and biomaterials with a broad range of mechanical properties and uses. Using low cost materials, rapid fabrication techniques, and accessible software tools, the system provides a customizable, automated, biomaterial fabrication platform with broad accessibility.

A stent or other prosthesis may be formed by coating a single continuous wire scaffold with a polymer coating. The polymer coating may consist of layers of electrospun polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Electrospun PTFE of certain porosities may permit endothelial cell growth within the prosthesis.

A stent or other prosthesis may be formed by coating a single continuous wire scaffold with a polymer coating. The polymer coating may consist of layers of electrospun polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Electrospun PTFE of certain porosities may permit endothelial cell growth within the prosthesis.

A bone-regeneration material that contains calcium phosphate particles in biodegradable fibers of PLGA manufactured by electrospinning. A PLGA resin is heated in a kneader until the resin viscosity becomes 10.sup.2 to 10.sup.7 Pa.Math.s. A powder of calcium phosphate fine particles is added while the blade is rotated. The mixture is kneaded by continuous rotation of the blade in the heated state to disperse the calcium phosphate fine particles to obtain a composite having calcium phosphate fine particles dispersed in the PLGA resin. The composite is dissolved by a solvent, and the PLGA resin is completely dissolved by agitation for a prescribed duration to prepare a spinning solution in which the calcium phosphate fine particles are dispersed. Electrospinning is performed on the spinning solution to manufacture biodegradable fibers having therein the calcium phosphate fine particles substantially uniformly dispersed.

A coaxial nanocomposite including a core, which includes fibers of a first organic polymer, and a shell, which includes fibers of a second organic polymer, the first polymer and the second polymer forming a heterojunction.

A method for preparing hydrophobic fibers by electrospinning of polymer is provided, which may include the following steps: providing a polymer material including poly(methyl methacrylate); providing a solvent including 2-propanol and water; adding the polymer material into the solvent to form a mixed solution; heating and stirring the mixed solution; electrospinning the mixed solution to generate polymer fibers.