Industrial Consultancy & Sponsored Research (IC&SR) , IIT Madras
Wide Range Fabrication of Nanofibre-webs for Pest-control and Extended Life of Farm Produce-system, Apparatus and Methods
Categories for this Invention
Category- Advance Material & Manufacturing
Applications– Biomedical Engineering, Packaging, Agriculture and Crop Protection
Industry- Advanced Materials and Manufacturing, Biomedical and Healthcare, Packaging and Consumer Goods
Market- Nanofiber Electrospinning Equipment Market to surpass $1.19 Billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 15.2%.
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Problem Statement
- Conventional electrospinning setups are bulky and fixed, limiting their application to specific locations and substrates, particularly non-conducting surfaces like farm produce
- Existing portable electrospinning apparatuses lack safety measures and control over fiber deposition, especially over large areas, due to the influence of environmental factors like air currents and humidity.
- Current methods of preserving farm produce involve pesticides that can render them unsafe for consumption, leading to toxicity concerns.
- There’s a need for an electro-spinnable solution that can coat large areas safely and economically while addressing the limitations of existing electrospinning technologies.
Technology
- The invention introduces an electrospinning apparatus designed for depositing nanofiber webs onto both conducting and non-conducting surfaces.
- The apparatus includes essential components such as pumping units, a primary reservoir for electro-spinnable solutions, a spinneret with nozzles, and a power source providing intermittent positive voltage pulses. (refer Fig. 1)
- The method involves utilizing this apparatus to transform electro-spinnable solution droplets into Taylor cones, generating jets of nanofibers directed at the desired surfaces for deposition.
Key Features / Value Proposition
Enhanced Versatility:
- Provides deposition of nanofiber webs on both conducting and non-conducting surfaces, expanding application possibilities.
Precision Deposition:
- Offers controlled manipulation for precise deposition patterns, ensuring targeted coverage.
Scalability and Adaptability:
- Can be coupled with battery-operated power sources or oscillating brackets for versatile deployment in various settings.
Thickness Control:
- Enables precise control over nanofiber web thickness, ranging from 0.05 μm to 200 μm, catering to diverse needs.
Pest Prevention for Farm Produce:
- Addresses agricultural challenges by preventing pest attacks on farm produce through nanofiber deposition.
Improved Safety and Efficiency:
- Enhances safety and efficiency by automating or semi-automating manipulation processes, reducing manual intervention.
Questions about this Technology?
Contact For Licensing
sm-marketing@imail.iitm.ac.in
ipoffice2@iitm.ac.in
Research Lab
Prof. T.S. Chandra
Department of Biotechnology
Prof. T.S. Natarajan
Department of Physics
Intellectual Property
- IITM IDF Ref. 1187
- IN 372442 – Patent Granted
Technology Readiness Level
TRL – 3
Proof of concept stage