US 12,366,010 B2
Method of making a microfiber including biomass
Ranodhi Nilochani Udangawa, Troy, NY (US); Charles Frederick Willard, Cambridge, MA (US); Chiara Diamante Mancinelli, Croton-on-Hudson, NY (US); Caitlyn A. Chapman, Vernon, CT (US); Robert John Linhardt, Albany, NY (US); and Trevor John Simmons, Troy, NY (US)
Assigned to RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE, Troy, NY (US)
Filed by RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE, Troy, NY (US)
Filed on Apr. 26, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/729,388.
Application 17/729,388 is a continuation of application No. 16/789,914, filed on Feb. 13, 2020, granted, now 11,339,503.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/804,837, filed on Feb. 13, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2022/0251731 A1, Aug. 11, 2022
Int. Cl. B29C 48/02 (2019.01); D01D 5/00 (2006.01); D01D 5/20 (2006.01); D01D 5/34 (2006.01); D01D 10/06 (2006.01); D01F 1/10 (2006.01); D01F 2/00 (2006.01); D04H 1/413 (2012.01); D04H 1/4382 (2012.01); D04H 1/4391 (2012.01); D04H 1/728 (2012.01)
CPC D01D 5/0069 (2013.01) [D01D 5/0046 (2013.01); D01D 5/0076 (2013.01); D01D 5/20 (2013.01); D01D 5/34 (2013.01); D01D 10/06 (2013.01); D01F 1/10 (2013.01); D01F 2/00 (2013.01); D04H 1/413 (2013.01); D04H 1/43828 (2020.05); D04H 1/43912 (2020.05); D04H 1/728 (2013.01); Y10T 442/60 (2015.04); Y10T 442/614 (2015.04); Y10T 442/622 (2015.04)] 11 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of making a microfiber including biomass, the method comprising:
providing a coaxial spinneret having an inner conduit and an outer conduit;
providing a grounded coagulation bath opposite the coaxial spinneret, the coagulation bath including one or more solvents;
providing a source of biomass in communication with the outer conduit;
providing a source of a phase-change material (PCM) in communication with the inner conduit;
applying a voltage between the spinneret and the coagulation bath;
co-axially extruding the biomass and the PCM through the spinneret to electrospin a microfiber comprising:
a plurality of aggregates that each define a first diameter between about 4 μm and about 12 μm and include a biomass shell confining a PCM core; and
a plurality of connecting regions that each connect adjacent aggregates and define a second diameter that is less than the first diameter; and
collecting the microfiber at the coagulation bath.