Title: Production of aligned microfibers and nanofibers and derived functional monoliths

Abstract

The present invention comprises a method for producing microfibers and nanofibers and further fabricating derived solid monolithic materials having aligned uniform micro- or nanofibrils. A method for producing fibers ranging in diameter from micrometer-sized to nanometer-sized comprises the steps of producing an electric field and preparing a solid precipitative reaction media wherein the media comprises at least one chemical reactive precursor and a solvent having low electrical conductivity and wherein a solid precipitation reaction process for nucleation and growth of a solid phase occurs within the media. Then, subjecting the media to the electric field to induce in-situ growth of microfibers or nanofibers during the reaction process within the media causing precipitative growth of solid phase particles wherein the reaction conditions and reaction kinetics control the size, morphology and composition of the fibers. The fibers can then be wet pressed while under electric field into a solid monolith slab, dried and consolidated.

Inventors:

Hu, Michael Z ^[1]; DePaoli, David W ^[1]; Kuritz, Tanya ^[2]; Omatete, Ogbemi ^[3]

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+ Show Inventor Affiliations

1. Knoxville, TN
2. Kingston, TN
3. New Port Richey, FL

Issue Date:

2007-08-14

Research Org.:

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

913575

Patent Number(s):

7255781

Application Number:

10/673,719

Assignee:

UT-Battelle, LLC (Oak Ridge, TN)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

D - TEXTILES D01 - NATURAL OR MAN-MADE THREADS OR FIBRES D01D - MECHANICAL METHODS OR APPARATUS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ARTIFICIAL FILAMENTS, THREADS, FIBRES, BRISTLES OR RIBBONS

D - TEXTILES D01 - NATURAL OR MAN-MADE THREADS OR FIBRES D01F - CHEMICAL FEATURES IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ARTIFICIAL FILAMENTS, THREADS, FIBRES, BRISTLES OR RIBBONS

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D - TEXTILES D01 - NATURAL OR MAN-MADE THREADS OR FIBRES D01D - MECHANICAL METHODS OR APPARATUS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ARTIFICIAL FILAMENTS, THREADS, FIBRES, BRISTLES OR RIBBONS

D01D5/0015 - {characterised by the initial state of the material}
D01D5/38 - Formation of filaments, threads, or the like during polymerisation

D - TEXTILES D01 - NATURAL OR MAN-MADE THREADS OR FIBRES D01F - CHEMICAL FEATURES IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ARTIFICIAL FILAMENTS, THREADS, FIBRES, BRISTLES OR RIBBONS

D01F1/10 - Other agents for modifying properties
D01F9/08 - of inorganic material

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DOE Contract Number:  

AC05-00OR22725

Resource Type:

Patent

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY