Apparatus for producing a three dimensional nanofiber structure includes (1) at least two spaced electrodes; (2) a spinner adapted to rotate the at least two spaced electrodes; (3) a syringe assembly adapted to eject a polymer solution from a syringe of the syringe assembly towards the at least two spaced electrodes while the at least two spaced electrodes are rotated by the spinner; and (4) a power supply assembly for providing the two spaced electrodes at a first electric potential, and for providing the syringe at a second electric potential which is different from the first electric potential. A composition of matter may include (1) a least one layer of nanofibers in which a distribution of angles of fibers is aligned; and (2) at least one gel layer, wherein the at least one layer of microfibers and the at least one gel layer alternate to form a laminate.

In blow mold apparatus, the emergence of a parison from an extruder may be controlled (the parison supported), such as by pulling on the parison or resisting gravity pull to tailor parison wall thickness, overall and locally. The process may proceed discontinuously, such as by stopping extrusion before a parison has achieved its full desired length and continuing pulling. After molding the parison, it may be filled with a material (solid, liquid or gas). A subsequent parison may be molded onto a previously formed parison. Various elements or devices (such as needles, caps, stoppers, valves, plungers) may be incorporated into the part during the molding process.

Processes for decrosslinking crosslinked plastic and devulcanizing vulcanized rubber include advancing such materials through single screw or twin screw extruders including special ultrasonic treatment zones wherein threadless shaft (single screw) or shafts (twin screw) rotate under an ultrasonic horn having a distal end aligned with the shaft or shafts and being shaped complimentary thereto. Special arcuate (single screw) or double-arcuate ultrasonic treatment flow paths confine the materials to flow under the horn where the material is subjected to ultrasonic waves to decrosslink the material, in the case of crosslinked plastic, or devulcanize the material, in the case of vulcanized rubber, with the extrudate leaving the die as a continuous stream or rope as is typical of virgin plastic or rubber.

A web. The web includes an array of discrete polymeric tubes; a plurality of spacer segments between at least a plurality of adjacent polymeric tubes; wherein polymeric tubes are hollow polymeric tubes; wherein the web is a continuous web.

According to one embodiment, a spinning apparatus includes a nozzle head, a power generating, and a first atmosphere controller. The nozzle head dispenses a source material liquid from a tip portion toward a collector. The power generating unit generates an electric potential difference between the tip portion and the collector. The first atmosphere controller controls an atmosphere of a first space at a periphery of the nozzle head.

Some embodiments include a method of preparing polymer nanofiber composites using a cross-linkable polymer precursor solvated with a solvent, and forming a nanofiber precursor by mixing with a metal-organic-framework (MOF) crystal material that includes a metal ion coupled to at least one multidentate ligand. Further, the method can include forming a plurality of nanofibers by electro-spinning the nanofiber precursor, where at least a portion of the nanofibers includes a dispersion of the first MOF crystal material. The method can include crosslinking the plurality of nanofibers by irradiating the plurality of nanofibers with UV light, IR light, visible light, gamma radiation, and/or electro-beam radiation. Further, the method can include applying a second MOF crystal material between the cross-linked nanofibers and the first MOF material.

A system for electrospinning a fiber matrix on a tubular member includes at least one nozzle, a tubular member in a spaced relationship to the at least one nozzle, and a fluid source for pressurizing a lumen of the tubular member. An electrical potential is applied between the at least one nozzle and either the tubular member or fluid from the fluid source. The electrical potential draws at least one fiber from the at least one nozzle to the tubular member.

In an example of a method for forming a catalyst, a polymeric solution including a platinum group metal (PGM) is exposed to electrospinning to form carbon-based nanofibers containing PGM nanoparticles therein. An outer surface of the carbon-based nanofibers containing the PGM nanoparticles is coated with a metal oxide or a metal oxide precursor. The carbon-based nanofibers are selectively removed to form metal oxide nanotubes having PGM nanoparticles retained within a hollow portion thereof.

Ophthalmic suture materials made from biocompatible and biodegradable polymers with high tensile strength for use in drug delivery, methods of making them, and method of using them for ocular surgery and repair have been developed. The suture materials are made from a combination of a biodegradable, biocompatible polymer and a hydrophilic biocompatible polymer. In a preferred embodiment the suture materials are made from a poly(hydroxyl acid) such as poly(1-lactic acid) and a polyalkylene oxide such as poly(ethylene glycol) or a polyalkylene oxide block copolymer. The sutures entrap (e.g., encapsulate) one or more therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic agents and provide prolonged release over a period of at least a week, preferably a month.

An electrospinning device includes a rotatable carrier, a collector unit including at least one collector bar, a dispenser for dispensing a polymer composition, and a power supply. The collector bar is disposed on the rotatable carrier and is rotatable about a longitudinal axis. The power supply is configured to produce a potential difference between the dispenser and the collector bar so as to permit the polymer composition to erupt from the dispenser as a jet of the polymer composition toward the collector bar to thereby permit the resultant electrospun fibers to be collected on the collector bar. By rotating the rotatable carrier at a relatively fast speed, the electrospun fibers are drawn to be arranged along the longitudinal axis.