DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF AN OPEN-SOURCE DESIGN ELECTROSPINNING DEVICE

Description

Abstract (English)

Electrospinning devices, with their diverse applications in biomedical and environmental remediation fields, have often been inaccessible due to their high costs. This work presents an affordable, open-source electrospinning system based on an Arduino-controlled syringe pump and a low-cost, high-voltage power supply capable of producing microfibers for biomedical and environmental applications. The use of 3D printing for critical components ensures consistent and reliable construction. Experimental results with a zein solution confirmed the device's ability to generate fibers with a defined structure and an average diameter of 2.98 ± 0.76 µm, observed through optical microscopy. This accessible and reproducible design can allow researchers in resource-limited institutions to explore electrospinning for both biomedical and environmental remediation applications. By sharing all design files and manufacturing details on an open-access platform, we promote the democratization of advanced technologies in nanomaterial synthesis. The device enables effective production of microfibers and potentially nanofibers, but more importantly, it lays the foundation for future improvements and adaptations to meet specific research needs in both fields.