Scalable manufacturing process developed for producing core-sheath nanofibers

Core-sheath polymer nanofibers are novel structures with possible applications in healthcare areas such as tissue engineering, drug delivery, and wound dressing. Alenezi et al. successfully designed and constructed a pressurized gyration vessel to produce these versatile nanofibers.

Separating and protecting the core from a volatile environment, controlling drug release time, and increasing mechanical strength are some of the crucial reasons for producing core-sheath structures. Successful production results in functionality that is concentrated on the surface, or sheath, of the nanofiber.

“In any application where there is functionality, you need the functional material on the surface only, significantly increasing effectiveness and decreasing cost,” explained co-author Mohan Edirisinghe.

A method of mass production of these nanofibers would accelerate their use in highly technical medical applications. The researchers found using a combination of pressurization and gyration made it possible to create bundles of nanofibers with a core-sheath configuration.

It is feasible that this process and system can be scaled up from the laboratory to manufacturing environments.

“Getting the structure repeatedly in the nanoscale is the biggest coup,” said Edirisinghe. “This will have many technological ramifications.”

Research continues in this field. Current and future focus is on the development of multi-layered fibers, which will allow for further control of various properties of the nanostructures.

Source: “Core-sheath polymer nanofiber formation by the simultaneous application of rotation and pressure in a novel purpose-designed vessel,” by Hussain Alenezi, Muhammet Emin Cam, and Mohan Edirisinghe. Applied Physics Reviews (2021). The article can be accessed at https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0071257 .