Preface

This book revolves around the central theme of electrospinning, and discusses in greater detail the recent developments in design, process parameters, polymer selection, application areas and alternative electrospinning processes. Electrospinning produces continuous ultrafine fibers in the semi-micro to nano-diameter range from polymer solution/melt with the help of an electrostatic force. The technology was first patented by Formhals in 1931 and since then a series of technological advancements has established it as one of the most popular semi-micro to nano-fabrication processes. In the past few decades, electrospun non-woven matrices/membranes have been successfully exploited by researchers across a wide variety of applications including tissue engineering, nanocatalysis, clothing, biomedical/pharmaceutical/healthcare, filtration, optical electronics, biosensors, defense and environmental protection, just to name a few. In contrast to existing literature and books available on electrospinning and nanofibers, which are introductory and more fundamental in nature, this book focuses on recent developments in various aspects of the electrospinning process. The primary target is to encompass various approaches for successful implementation of this fabrication process towards commercialization from basic research and development.

The book has 10 chapters. In Chapter 1, the historical journey of the electrospinning process towards its establishment in laboratory practice is explained. Although fine fibers made by electrostatic force have been discussed, investigated and patented for a long time, until the 1980s potential applications for such fibers were restricted by different technological limitations. In 1995, Doshi and Reneker reworked and simplified the electrical spinning process. The first chapter details these historical developments. Chapter 2 discusses the encroachment of traditional electrospinning by process modifications. Higher fiber production rates, better alignment, and uniform diameter of fibers can only be achieved by continuous improvements of the electrospinning process. Chapter 3 deals with electrospun composites that are biocompatible and bioactive in nature. Their uses, compatibilization strategies, possible modifications, utilization and recent commercialization are discussed. Chapter 4 discusses cell electrospinning and technology transfer from lab to market scale. The authors describe methods, challenges, opportunities, current research works, key aspects and market potentials of cell electrospinning in this chapter. Chapter 5 is about health care and wound care textiles obtained through the electrospinning process. A detailed discussion of their recent developments, essential aspects, basic functions, specific characteristics, market potentials, and recent success is presented. This chapter is focused on the applications of electrospinning techniques specific to nanomedicine. Chapter 6 focuses on several general methods of bioprinting, with an emphasis on hybrid systems that involves both 3D printing and electrospinning. Future improvements in bioprinting technologies and indications on potential markets are summarized. Chapter 7 is about the industrial applications of super-hydrophobic surfaces obtained through electrospinning processes on a large scale in filtration/sorbents applications. Electrospun mats have unique properties that make them suitable for water filtration, oil clean-ups and greenhouse gas sorbents. This chapter presents various materials and methods used for this purpose and comments on the large-scale production feasibility of electrospun fibers. In Chapter 8, the authors discuss the perspectives of the electrospinning process for electronics and sensors. Chapter 9 shows that electrospinning has opened up new applications in energy applications such as proton exchange membrane fuel cells and water electrolysis, etc. This chapter describes the recent advancements in the field along with the materials used, methods applied, and future application possibilities. Chapter 10 discusses recent developments and the latest trends in packaging involving electrospun ultrathin fibers, focusing on their technological impact and its potential scale-up and market introduction.

We hope that we have presented our theme in a very easy, understandable and continuous manner. The contributing authors are experts in their particular fields and come from different parts of the world. To gain commercial insight not just from academia, authors from industry are also involved.

We thank and acknowledge the kind assistance of our reviewers, whose timely review and expert comments have helped us in accomplishing our goal. We would also like to thank Connor Shephard and Leanne Marle for their editorial assistance. We also take the opportunity to thank Dr Hanna Maria and Dr Aniruddha Chandra who helped to form the initial proposal. A further acknowledgment goes to the COST Networking Action MP1206 on electrospinning, which was helpful in promoting the technological basis, especially for Chapters 1, 2, 9 and 10, for describing and elucidating the latest trends in these application fields.

Erich Kny, Kajal Ghosal and Sabu Thomas