April 25th Events

Today Matt and I went to lab to create our first batch of polymer solution, which will eventually be tested in our K'Nex electrospinner. It was rather simple to create the solution, as we just collected the components, carefully massed them on a high precision scale, and mixed them together. The solution consisted of 4.5 grams of dimethylformamide and .5 grams of polyacrylontrile. Below is a picture of the finished solution:

This solution has undergone various testings at Drexel in the past, and once electrospun a nanofilm of this solution will calcinate into carbon nanofibers at approximately 800 degrees celsius. Later in the week, (once the components are completely in solution) Matt and I will use this solution in electrospinning (with an electrospinner from another lab) and practice our first calcination.

Meanwhile, Nikita and Travis have successfully completed their initial design for our K'Nex Electrospinner! While there will be optimizations to be made based on electrospinning tests, the base design is complete and the group is right on schedule with making a successful K'Nex electrospinner, and using it to electrospin a polymer solution that will be calcinated into carbon nanofibers. In lab later today our group will be conducting the first tests on this electrospinner, and noting improvements that need to be made. Later Nikita will add pictures and data from the first electrospinning trial.


-Nick Pescatore