Ann Marie Fox

US Patent:

20040051201, Mar 18, 2004

Filed:

Dec 6, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/313835

Inventors:

Skott Greenhalgh - Perkasie PA, US
Rob Kiefer - Telford PA, US
Ann Fox - Doylestown PA, US

International Classification:

D01D005/30

US Classification:

264/172110

Abstract:

A versatile covering process enabled through the identification and manipulation of a plurality of variables present in the electrospinning method of the present invention. By manipulating and controlling various identified variables, it is possible to use electrospinning to predictably produce thin materials having desirable characteristics. The fibers created by the electrospinning process have diameters averaging less than 100 micrometers. Proper manipulation of the identified variables ensures that these fibers are still wet upon contacting a target surface, thereby adhering with each other to form a cloth-like material and, if desired, adhering to the target surface to form a covering thereon. The extremely small size of these fibers, and the resulting interstices therebetween, provides an effective vehicle for drug and radiation delivery, and forms an effective membrane for use in fuel cells.