Electrospinning (ES) provides the technical community with a readily available method to produce polymer fibers ranging from nanoscale to microscale. Here, we present a novel “hybrid electrospirming apparatus,” whereby, modifications to a melt electrospinner have allowed fabrication of core-sheath fibers with polymer sheaths and solution-based cores. These modifications include a split polymer melt heating block, coaxial block spinneret equipped with heaters and multiple feed ports for core and sheath material, and a wiring system for heat which requires multiple switches for safety and on-demand heat activation. Successful demonstration of coaxial fiber fabrication is demonstrated using polycaprolactone-polyethylene oxide blend shell and fluorescent gelatin core materials.

Electrospinning (ES) provides the technical community with a readily available method to produce polymer fibers ranging from nanoscale to microscale. Here, we present a novel “hybrid electrospirming apparatus,” whereby, modifications to a melt electrospinner have allowed fabrication of core-sheath fibers with polymer sheaths and solution-based cores. These modifications include a split polymer melt heating block, coaxial block spinneret equipped with heaters and multiple feed ports for core and sheath material, and a wiring system for heat which requires multiple switches for safety and on-demand heat activation. Successful demonstration of coaxial fiber fabrication is demonstrated using polycaprolactone-polyethylene oxide blend shell and fluorescent gelatin core materials.

There is provided a process and system for producing carbon fiber products. The process can involve deasphalting a heavy hydrocarbon feedstock, which can contain native asphaltenes, to produce a solid asphaltene particulate material, which can be further treated to produce the carbon fiber products. In some implementations, the solid asphaltene particulate material can be extruded in the presence of a polymer. In some implementations, the solid asphaltene particulate material can be chemically treated with a chemical agent including a Lewis acid, an oxidizing agent and/or a reducing agent before extrusion. In some implementations, the process can further produce activated carbon fibers.

There is provided a process and system for producing carbon fiber products. The process can involve deasphalting a heavy hydrocarbon feedstock, which can contain native asphaltenes, to produce a solid asphaltene particulate material, which can be further treated to produce the carbon fiber products. In some implementations, the solid asphaltene particulate material can be extruded in the presence of a polymer. In some implementations, the solid asphaltene particulate material can be chemically treated with a chemical agent including a Lewis acid, an oxidizing agent and/or a reducing agent before extrusion. In some implementations, the process can further produce activated carbon fibers.

A method for producing a sheet having nanofibers that contain a piezoelectric polymer material. The method including dissolving a piezoelectric polymer material into a solvent so as to prepare a spinning solution; preheating a target board before nanofibers are formed by electrospinning the spinning solution; and, after the heating of the target board, receiving the nanofibers formed by electrospinning onto the heated target board so as to form the nanofibers into a sheet on the heated target board.

A method for producing a sheet having nanofibers that contain a piezoelectric polymer material. The method including dissolving a piezoelectric polymer material into a solvent so as to prepare a spinning solution; preheating a target board before nanofibers are formed by electrospinning the spinning solution; and, after the heating of the target board, receiving the nanofibers formed by electrospinning onto the heated target board so as to form the nanofibers into a sheet on the heated target board.

One embodiment of the present disclosure provides a spinning pack, a yarn manufacturing apparatus including the spinning pack, a yarn manufacturing method using the yarn manufacturing apparatus, and yarn manufactured by the manufacturing method. The spinning pack includes a spinneret having a nozzle unit, a heating unit for heating the nozzle unit, a pack body surrounding at least a part of the spinneret, and a spinning block surrounding the pack body, wherein the spinneret includes a first surface which defines a storage space while facing at least one surface of the spinning block, and a second surface facing the first surface, wherein the nozzle unit includes a plurality of discharge holes and protrudes from the second surface; and wherein the heating unit is disposed at the outer side of the nozzle unit.

One embodiment of the present disclosure provides a spinning pack, a yarn manufacturing apparatus including the spinning pack, a yarn manufacturing method using the yarn manufacturing apparatus, and yarn manufactured by the manufacturing method. The spinning pack includes a spinneret having a nozzle unit, a heating unit for heating the nozzle unit, a pack body surrounding at least a part of the spinneret, and a spinning block surrounding the pack body, wherein the spinneret includes a first surface which defines a storage space while facing at least one surface of the spinning block, and a second surface facing the first surface, wherein the nozzle unit includes a plurality of discharge holes and protrudes from the second surface; and wherein the heating unit is disposed at the outer side of the nozzle unit.

A handheld portable electrostatic device for electrostatically applying a treatment solution to a treatment site of a patient, including a housing and a cartridge removably disposed in the housing. The cartridge includes a cartridge housing and a nozzle for applying the treatment solution. An electrostatic module is provided to electrostatically charge and ionize molecules of the treatment solution of the cartridge. The treatment solution is configured to flow toward the nozzle whereby at least one electrode electrically connected to the electrostatic module physically contacts the treatment solution as it flows therethrough and applies an electrical charge to the treatment solution.

A handheld portable electrostatic device for electrostatically applying a treatment solution to a treatment site of a patient, including a housing and a cartridge removably disposed in the housing. The cartridge includes a cartridge housing and a nozzle for applying the treatment solution. An electrostatic module is provided to electrostatically charge and ionize molecules of the treatment solution of the cartridge. The treatment solution is configured to flow toward the nozzle whereby at least one electrode electrically connected to the electrostatic module physically contacts the treatment solution as it flows therethrough and applies an electrical charge to the treatment solution.