Finite element-aided electric field analysis of needleless electrospinning

This chapter focuses on the progress in finite element methods electric field analysis of needleless electrospinning and the influence of spinnerets on electrospinning productivity and fiber quality. Electrospinning has become an efficient technology to produce nano-fibrous materials. It conventionally uses a needle-like nozzle to process polymer fluids into fibrous materials. Electrospinning technology has many advantages such as good versatility in processing different materials, low cost, simplicity, and high efficiency. In rotary needleless electrospinning, when a high voltage is applied, the surface fluctuations of solution layer on the spinneret are amplified, causing the formation of conical spikes on the surface, which can be stretched into fine solution jets. The electric field in needleless electrospinning is highly dependent on the geometric shape of spinnerets, which considerably affects the electrospinning process and productivity. The influence of applied voltage on the electrospinning process, fiber diameter, and productivity for other needleless electrospinning systems is similar to those of disk or cylinder electrospinning.