The Spraybase electrospinning device offers a complete solution to users investigating electrospraying and electrospinning applications. Designed to be compact and easy to use, the Spraybase electrospinning device fits in any laboratory and is useable by all researchers with varying levels of experience in science and engineering. Compatible with many different electrospray and electrospinning applications, the Spraybase electrospinning device can be used to form colloids and fibres depending on a client s specification or application. Figure 1: The Spraybase electrospinning device The Spraybase electrospinning device provides an innovative and robust solution to the key elements required for achieving a successful electrospinning experiment: electronics, fluidics, positioning and monitoring. The CE marked control unit allows the user to generate and control potential differences capable of producing Taylor cones as well as other spray modes in a safe and regulated manner. High accuracy current output monitors the total current carried by the spray which can be related to the applied voltage by the user. A pressure based fluid driver delivers pulseless flows to the emitter which is critical for achieving a stable electrospray in the μl/min flow rate range. For viscous liquids, low tolerance glass syringes and highly accurate positive displacement syringe pumps can be used to achieve the same characteristics.
High quality fluidic connections minimise dead volume in the system and ensure smooth transition of the sample from source to target. A high accuracy Z stage allows precise positioning of the emitter over the target area. A compact light safely illuminates the Taylor Cone in a way that is visible by eye and by a CCD camera. Software allows the recorded Taylor cone to be saved as either a still image or a movie. Spraybase Electrospinning Starter Kit: The Standard starter kit equipment offered by Spraybase includes the following items and accessories: 1. Spraybase power supply Controller: Figure 2: The Spraybase power supply Controller The Spraybase controller includes the High voltage power supply and laser controls. i) High Voltage Control: A high voltage power supply with options of 10, 20 and 30 kv from the emitter (or emitter) to the collector. The voltage is controlled using a ten turn potentiometer dial located at the front panel, which provide the user with a more accurate control of the process. There is a Locking ON OFF toggle switch for safety. Higher voltage units are available by request.
ii) Illumination Control A light is used to illuminate the plume/taylor cone for visualisation. The illumination control is by potentiometer and user focusable and there is a Locking ON OFF toggle switch. 2. Fluidic Control Syringe pump module Our syringe pump module, shown in figure 3, is included in our starter kit and multiple modules can be added to maximise your research needs. These modules are software controlled and allow the user to control the flow rate to the emitter. An infusion rate of 0.75 ul/hr to a maximum 2100 ml/hr can be controlled using our syringe pump module. Maximum syringe sizes are 60 cc. These syringe pump modules can be used in conjunction with our pressure over fluid system or with multiple syringe pump modules to aid in co-axial and tri-axial technologies. Figure 3: The Spraybase syringe pump module 3. Spraybase Platform i) Collector A ground target collection vessel which is a 90mm Circular Stainless Steel collector is included (as shown in figure 4). This dish is reusable and durable for everyday use and can be autoclaved. ii) Spraybase Safety cover The transparent safety hood allows the visualization of the process and the door which allows an easy access to the cabinet is equipped with a HV lockout which will terminate the high when the door is opened. The only input required to operate the equipment is electricity. iii) Tubing fittings and emitters of different diameters
A 18 G x 25 mm stainless steel single needle (emitter) is supplied to operate in our standard unit. Different emitter sizes (from 32 G to 16 G) may be supplied depending on your application. Spraybase Safety Cover HV emitter Z manual Manipulator HV Lockout Switch Grounded flat plate collector Camera Figure 4: Spraybase Platform and Safety Cover iv) Taylor cone visualization system Our camera which is utilised to visualise the Taylor cone or plume at the tip of the emitter is a USB 2.0 digital video camera, it has a high sensitivity monochrome CCD sensor, combined with a hi-speed USB 2.0 digital interface, making it ideal for your imaging needs. The presence of the camera aids in ensuring reliable and reproducible data. Some specifications of the camera include 1.3 MP, 1/3 CCD, monochrome camera Maximum Frame Rate is 1296 px x 964 px at 18 frames per second. Pixel size is 3.75 um x 3.75 um pixel area, the camera comes with its own software which is USB 2.0 interface. v) Z positioning system The emitter position, the distance and angle from the collector, is completely adjustable with our manual manipulator. vi) Electrospinning Base The electrospinning base is the platform on which the HV emitter and grounded target platform are mounted on. The base is made of a chemical resistant material.
To optimise your electrospinning capabilities the following parts/services can be added to complete your customized Spraybase unit. 1. Fluidic Control Pressure over fluid For aqueous solutions and solutions with a low viscosity the fluid over pressure system to drive the fluid is ideal. The fluidic control is again controlled using a ten turn potentiometer dial located on the front panel of the controller. The maximum fluidic capacity is 250 ml. The pressure output is 0.000 1.000 bar. There is a Locking ON OFF toggle switch. Figure 5: Spraybase pressure over Fluid controller i) Co-axial Addition of a second syringe pump module along with one of our co-axial emitters can enhance the research aspects of the Spraybase. A co-axial needle/emitter can be supplied to operate in coaxial electrospinning mode. Different emitter sizes are available, please see our web store for more details. http://www.spraybase.com/new-products/ Figure 6: Spraybase Co-axial Set up
ii) Tri-axial. Addition of a third syringe pump module along with one of our tri-axial emitters can enhance the research aspects of the Spraybase. A tri-axial needle/emitter can be supplied to operate in tri-axial electrospinning mode. Different emitter sizes are available, please see our web store for more details. http://www.spraybase.com/new-products/ Figure 7: Spraybase Tri-axial Set up 2. High voltage Power supply If higher voltage outputs are required we can customise your Spraybase for your own individual requirements up to 35 kv. We also offer negative power supplies should your research require this. 3. Translational Stage The Spraybase platform can be equipped with a XY translational stage which is software controlled. The excursions are 100 mm x 100mm with 1 micrometer resolution. Figure 8: XY translational stage
4. Collectors Spraybase offers several types of collectors to collector your products. All the collectors supplied by Spraybase are easily interchangeable. i.) Rotating drum collector Our Rotating Drum collector module is 300 mm in circumference, 300 mm in width and 96.5 mm in diameter with a programmable linear motion emitter. The drum rotates up to a maximum of 3000 rpm. This module is unique, reliable and is ideal for collecting aligned fibers during the electrospinning process. The acceleration of the emitter can be controlled between 0-1.0 m/s in increments of 0.1. Figure 9: Rotating Drum Collector ii.) Mandrel collector A mandrel rotating platform which is interchangeable with our existing flat plate collector and our dish collector including 5 mandrels, a 0.5, 1, 2, 3 and 6 mm with an 80 mm working length. Material of 1, 2, 3 and 6 is 306 stainless steel. 0.5 is 304 stainless. Figure10: Mandrel set up, controller and mandrels iii.) Microscope collector This proprietary collector enables the collection of fibres and droplets on specially treated microscope slides for visual examination. This is typically for viewing fibers or particles in the 1-1000 micron size range. Fibers in the nano to micro size range can be transferred and viewed via optical or scanning electron.
5. Emitters A variety of emitters are available ranging in 16 to 32 gauge we sell a family of emitters 20, 22, 24, 26, 28 and 30 Gauge (2 of each) for ease to the customer. These emitters are Reusable, autoclave compatible, made of 306 Stainless shaft with plated brass hub. Figure11: Family pack of emitters 5. Climatic controlled cabinet The Climatic Controller is designed to provide an environment where temperature and relative humidity values are static and homogenous over an extended period.in terms of technical information the Measurement Accuracy is: ±2 % RH (10 to 90 % RH) ±0.5 C (0 to 80 C) Other PARAMETERS are: Maximum Temperature 52 C Minimum Temperature 18 C Maximum Relative Humidity @ 20 C (at 65%) Minimum Relative Humidity @ 50 C (at 25%)
Figure 12: Climate controlled cabinet 6. Installation and training Spraybase personnel can travel to the customer facilities to complete the equipment installation and to teach the end users how to use the equipment. Finally, some electrospinning and electrospray experiments will be carried out, introducing the technique to the customer. A complete user friendly manual is supplied with every order. The Spraybase product and can be easily followed by the user for a step by step looked up by the user in case of need. 7. Warranty and after sale service 1 year warranty comes standard with every Spraybase purchase. Additionally an extended warranty can be purchased with your Spraybase. Spraybase commits to reply in the 48 working hours following the reception of notice (by email, fax or phone) of requirement for repair or technical assistance from the user. Spraybase is able to design and include in your device new features from above ones. If you have any requirements which cannot be satisfied with last features, please contact us and we will try to find the best solution. Please Note: Shipping costs are not included. Devices have 1 year of warranty from delivery time. Taxes and customs cost are the responsibility of the customer.
Spraybase electrospinning device specifications Summary: High Voltage Control High Voltage Output High Voltage Connection Fluidic Control Maximum Fluidic Capacity HV emitter Safety Installations Locking ON OFF toggle switch ten turn potentiometer dial Voltage: 0-20 kv (max, user specific) Current: 0.5 ma max 30 kv rated HV cable, plug and socket Software controlled for syringe pump 60 ml (syringe pump module) 18 G x 25 mm stainless steel emitter Polycarbonate safety cover with grounding strips HV interlock actuator switch engaged by safety cover door Locking ON OFF toggle switch Laser control User focusable Dimmable by potentiometer on diode Laser Output Circular, 5 mw, 635 nm, Class 3R diode 1.3 MP, 1/3 CCD, monochrome camera Camera 3.75 μm x 3.75 μm pixel area 1296 px x 964 px at 18 frames per second USB 2.0 interface Certification Dimensions Weight CE, UL 320 mm x 260 mm x 160 mm (controller) 513 mm x 920 mm x 470 mm (safety cover, door open) 5 kg (controller) 5.5 kg (safety cover and base)