In honor of Darrell Reneker, we present herewith our contributions to electro-spinning technology, together with structural studies of ultra-thin cellulose nanofibers by using synchrotron X-ray scattering/diffraction. In addition, we consider scale-up transitions for industrial productions using electro-spinning technology.Breakthrough concepts on fibrous separation membranes for applications to anti-adhesion in biomedical research [1, 2] and water purification, especially for oil-water separations [3,4] have been carried out. Non-woven fibrous mats have unique properties, such as interconnected pores, very large surface-to-volume ratios, and high capacity for surface modifications. These advantages have been utilized in anti-adhesion applications by using polymer blends containing biodegradable polymers. In using nano-fibrous materials composed of different fiber cross sections and surface properties, a unique platform for fibrous separation membranes over a broad range of applications for water purification will be discussed. References 1.    Xinhua Zong, Sean Li, Elliott Chen, Barbara Garlick, Kwangsok Kim, Dufei Fang, Jonathan Chiu, Thomas Zimmerman, Collin Brathwaite, Benjamin S. Hsiao and Benjamin Chu, �Prevention of Post-Surgery-Induced Abdominal Adhesions by Electrospun Bioabsorbable Nanofibrous Poly(lactide-co-glycolide) Based Membranes,� Annals Surg., 240, 910-915 (2004).2.     �Biodegradable and/or Bioabsorbable Fibrous Articles and Methods for Using the Articles for Medical Applications,� inventors:  Benjamin Chu, Benjamin S. Hsiao, Dufei Fang and Collin Brathwaite, issued February 6, 2007, Patent #7,172,765.3.    Hongyang Ma, Christian Burger, Benjamin S. Hsiao and Benjamin Chu, �Highly Permeable  Polymer Membranes containing Directed Channels for Water Purification,� ACS Macro Letters, Viewpoint, 1(6), 723-726, (2012).4.    �Surface Coating on Nanofibrous Scaffolds by Interfacial Polymerization for Ultrafiltration and Desalination Applications.� Inventors:  Benjamin Chu, Benjamin S. Hsiao and Kyunghwan Yoon, U.S. Provisional Application Serial Nos.: 60/872,891 (August 4, 2006) and 60/873,086 (December 06, 2006); or �Articles Comprising a Fibrous Support�, U.S. Patent No. 8,231,013 B2 (2013). 2013 Long Island Patent of the Year Award in the category of Innovation Industry.

Electrospinning technology and its applications to fibrous membranes

247th National Meeting (2014)

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