There are two main manufacturing methods for nanofibers: electrospraying and meltblown. Both methods produce dry nanofilaments that have long been used in industry. North Carolina State University (NCSU) in the United States recently developed another technology for producing nanofibers, called XanoShear?, which they completed in collaboration with the American company Xanofi. It is said that this technology opens up more areas of application for nanometer end-users. The company also said that they have developed the world’s first high-efficiency, liquid-based platform nanofiber production device and are currently undergoing optimization improvements to increase production.
Utilize liquid mechanism to achieve solid state mechanism
As early as the early 2000s, biomolecular experts at North Carolina State University used the colloid processing principles of polymeric microfibers in the chemistry laboratory to develop nanofibers. Sanofi has successfully produced nanofiber non-woven fabrics and has also developed dry and wet jet production technology. Later, they accidentally discovered in practice that the formation mechanism of nanofibers is completely different from that of melt-blown and electrospinning. The production of the latter is based on dry continuous fibers, while the process principle of XanoShear? is that the working environment is liquid. The fibers produced can be dispersed in water, webbed and solidified into the finished product on existing equipment. Other advantages of XanoShear include stretchable, coatable functional processing of fibers and a closed green production system that uses less energy and does not emit any harmful emissions to the environment. Currently, from research and development to commercial production, Sanofi can provide customers with a complete range of semi-finished products that are successfully used in medical, filtration, sound absorption and energy saving.
This production method utilizes a combination of solvents and non-solvents to force the soluble polymer to delay separation into a solid state. At the same time, it forms micro-nano strips during the stretching process when it changes from liquid to solid, turning it into fibers.
Nanofibers produced using this method have several advantages. First, the electrosprayed filament fibers are pre-coated on the surface, while the XanoShear? shaped fibers are distributed in the liquid to form a 2-D or 3-D culture medium, thus creating a discontinuous fiber material. Applications range from 3D printing materials to food processing to liquid or air filtration and ion exchange chromatography. Of course, this technology does not mean that it can replace the main production methods of nanofibers, namely electrospraying and melt-blown methods; rather, it shows that more different nanofiber products can be developed using different methods. Of course, this type of product is more suitable for 3D printing materials.
Original equipment: a resourceful development chain
It is worth noting that the production principle and equipment of this material are very simple. XanoShear? began with test tube technology. Developers originally thought that the commercial machine would be as big as a large washing machine, but in fact it was not. At first, they listed 12 to 13 different production methods under continuous liquid flow. However, one day they made an unexpected discovery, that is, they discovered that the original XanoShear? requires a large equipment to complete the production, using a sprayer Equipment of all sizes can be completed. And they actually did it, using this sprayer to produce nanofibers. Of course, this doesn’t happen overnight, as mass production requires continuity. Soon, they found a container the size of a beer barrel, installed a nozzle and started trial production. At this point, dramatic creation occurred. An automated testing equipment based on the principle of nanofibers was soon launched, and for the first time, a multi-functional automated production equipment was launched, and more spherical handles were transformed according to the production of different materials. As a result, production volume continued to expand. It quickly formed a prototype platform that can produce a variety of different nanofiber products. The company quickly received support from the National Science Foundation after developing a new hardware system for nanofiber production.
Business model: Share achievements with partners
Although the company received a large number of orders after the news broke, they did not sell machinery and nanofiber products. Instead, they planned to adopt a commercial model and find business partners to help them develop more products. They do not want to turn themselves into equipment suppliers, let alone the “Wal-Mart” of nanofiber products; if this is the case, it means that they need to invest heavily in building infrastructure. What they should do is sell the patents at commercial prices and find more new applications for this material. The reason is that they have their own unparalleled development platform. What they expect is to complete 80% to 98% of terminal production and then directly enter the market through another simple production link. They all own the intellectual property and the only thing needed is a commercial sales partner. This product was released in February 2014.
The first product of new nanofibers
The first nanofiber product developed based on this is called XanoMATRIX?, a 3D nanohoneycomb-shaped production frame with completely independent paths. This equipment can automatically expand and deform according to needs. In collaboration with North Carolina State University, they have also collaborated with the University of London and the University of Cambridge to develop other similar products.
Another product developed by Sanofi is a type of chain fluoride called 6C, which is an additive mainly used to improve the properties of fibers.�Water-based. Because its hydrophobicity is less than 30%, it can regain 80% of its hydrophobicity through chemical modification. The production process of C6 chemical additive is simple. If combined with another additive, C6 can regain 95% of its efficacy at a very low price. Other related products are also in development, including corn protein for food processing, which it calls life science products. It was developed using affinity chromatography.
Extended reading: https://www.alltextile.cn/product/product-67-229 .html
Extended reading: https://www.yingjietex.com/ product/DE-18-Memory-Fabric.html
Extended reading: https:/ /www.alltextile.cn/product/product-43-756.html
Extended reading:https://www.yingjietex.com/product/polyester-UV-CUT-Fabric.html
Extended reading: https://www.alltextile.cn/product/product-95-371.htm
