LASER SPINNING GLASS · Production of bioactive glass ceramics by laser spinning of nano- and micro-fibres

Final Activity Report Summary - LASER SPINNING GLASS (Production of bioactive glass ceramics by laser spinning of nano- and micro-fibres)

A new technique, called 'laser spinning', was developed and investigated to produce very long amorphous nanofibres that were several centimetres long, but just 35 nm in diameter. This breakthrough advance could allow for near-continuous fibres with tailored compositions to be made. Laser spinning was essentially involved using a high-power laser to melt a low volume of the precursor ceramic material, such as silicates or alumina. At the same time, a supersonic nozzle injected a high-velocity gas jet in the area of the molten volume. The produced viscous molten material was then quickly stretched and cooled by the gas jet in a simple elongation process in order to yield a disordered net of intertwined amorphous micro- and nanofibres. Some likely applications of these nanofibres included nanocomposites, nano-templating, tissue engineering, sensors and new types of fabrics. A mathematical model of the process of laser spinning was developed and experimentally verified. This led us to a deeper understanding of the process and an improved experimental control of the product. At the same time it opened up the possibility to develop a new, easily scalable, experimental configuration with the unique potential to produce continuous amorphous nanofibres in large quantities. Several compositions of micro- and nanofibres were produced during the project duration. Among them, those obtained from bioactive glasses represented the most exciting properties so far. The bioactivity of these fibres was tested by immersion in simulated body fluid. They were further intended to be used as scaffolds for tissue engineering with the expected capability to elicit cells attachment and proliferation thanks to their nanometric geometry and tailored composition.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union