Electric field analysis of spinneret design for needleless electrospinning of nanofibers

Concentrated electric field is crucial in generation of needleless electrospinning; the electric field profile together with electric field intensity of the spinneret directly affect the needleless electrospinning performance. Understanding the electric field of different spinnerets would definitely benefit the design and optimization of needleless electrospinning. Three-dimensional (3D) finite element analysis has been used to analyze the electric field profile and electric field intensity of different spinnerets for needleless electrospinning by using the simulation software COMSOL Multiphysics 3.5a. It has been found that evolution of the spinneret of needleless electrospinning from cylinder to multiple disks and then to multiple rings results in stronger and more concentrated electric field. The analysis based on 3D simulation of the electric field could benefit further development of needleless electrospinning in which the production rate and quality of as-spun nanofibers are of great importance.