Jet Assisted Wet Spinning of Photopolymerizable Material

Jet Assisted Wet Spinning of Photopolymerizable Material

Princeton Docket # 22-3931-1

Jet Assisted Wet Spinning (JAWS), an innovative fiber manufacturing technology developed by Princeton University researchers, offers unparalleled control and versatility in producing photopolymerized fibers. The process enables precise diameter tuning, allowing for the creation of fibers ranging from hundreds of microns down to less than 10 microns, providing exceptional flexibility for diverse applications. This unique photopolymerization method eliminates common clogging issues and is a major improvement when compared to similar fiber production methods such as electrospinning apparatuses. JAWS is also designed for easy scalability; multiple precursor jets can be integrated without the need for significant additional equipment, facilitating cost-effective scaling of production capacity. The technology also allows for the customization of fiber shapes, including dumbbell, looped, and hollow configurations, which expands the potential applications of the resulting materials. Importantly, JAWS is fully biocompatible, making it ideal for biomedical and tissue engineering applications. JAWS-produced fibers are suitable for a wide range of industries, including cell culture materials, advanced textiles, optical devices, and biomedical engineering.

 

Applications
•    Material scaffolding synthesis for cell culture
•    Fibers for optical devices
•    Advanced textiles
 

Advantages
•    Precise fiber dimension
•    Clogging-free
•    Simple set up and scalable production
•    Custom fiber shapes
 

Stage of development
This fiber production method and machine has successfully created fibers ranging from the micron scale.

 

Publication
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-36860-y

 

Inventors

Zehao Pan is a postdoctoral research associate in the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department at Princeton University. He currently conducts research in the Stone Lab and specializes in microfluidics.

Janine Nunes is a lecturer and research scholar in the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering department at Princeton University.

Howard Stone Ph.D. is a Donald R. Dixon '69 and Elizabeth W. Dixon Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Princeton University. He earned his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the California Institute of Technology, and most of his current research focuses on fluid dynamics and biomaterials.

 

Intellectual Property & Development status

Patent protection is pending.

Princeton is currently seeking commercial partners for the further development and commercialization of this opportunity.

 

Contact

Prabhpreet Gill

Princeton University Office of Technology Licensing • (609)258-3653 • psgill@princeton.edu

Patent Information: