## Mechanical equipment

## Development of device to produce microfiber (Supply of nonwoven fabric composed of a microfiber)

Keyword: Microfiber manufacturing device, Nonwoven fabric composed of microfiber, Application to material for medical treatment

## Organizations Involved

Akihiro Suzuki, Professor, Department of Research Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medicine and Engineering, National University Corporation University of Yamanashi

○ Zenju Kazama, President, Yamanashi Technology Licensing Organization Co., LTD.

O Masaru Mitsuishi, Chairperson, SANYOU KIKOU Co., Ltd.

Prof. A. Suzuki

Pres. Z.Kazama

Chair. M.Mitsuishi

## 【Abstract】

This device developed by Prof. Suzuki enables us to make the microfiber easily irradiating the carbon dioxide gas laser to as-spun fiber, and this is convenient, compact equipment. This is an excellent method which can adjust to the functionality fiber as well as manufacturing of a wide variety of products in small quantities. A joint research with local businesses has been conducted even after the end of the promotion support by NEDO. Development of this device and the usage of the product have been examined, and we started taking actions for commercialization of the nonwoven fabric.

## [Summary of the technology transfer]

## Technological Impact

The characteristics of microfiber obtained by a carbon dioxide laser thinning method are as follows.

1. The microfiber obtained was the endless microfibers with a uniform diameter.

2. The microfiber with the high-modulus and high-strength was obtained by drawing and annealing the laser-thinned microfiber.

3. The microfiber with an arbitrary diameter was prepared by varying processing conditions.

4. The microfibres prepared by this method are most suitable for the biomedical devices and scaffold for tissue engineering because this method does not use any solvent.

5. It is possible to thin all thermoplastic polymers, an aramid fiber, an optical plastic fiber, and a hollow fiber by the laser thinning apparatus.

## ● Social Impact

Successful examples like this case as a result of the collaboration between the university and local businesses will be a good model for medium and small companies in the prefecture. Moreover, many scholars, students, and the engineers involved in this research and development in the university and the company, and they greatly contributed to development of human resources.

## ●Special Features of the Collaboration

We succeeded in product development, thanks to a wide range of collaboration such as using the university incubation facilities as a result of collaboration with Kofu Chamber of Commerce and receiving cooperation from Yamanashi Industrial Technology Center as well as the collaboration among University of Yamanashi, the company and Yamanashi TLO.

## Project Background

Yamanashi TLO succeeded in matching with local businesses when having looked for a company upon Yamanashi TLO application for "Practical Application of University R&D Results Project" of NEDO. And the collaboration started aiming at a joint research, development and business.

## Funding History

1\. FY2002～2004\. NEDO “Practical

2. Application of University R&D Results project"

3.JST “Patent Application Support”

4. Selected for the university strategic project

## I ntellectual property protection

Patent: domestic 2, overseas 1

"Extra fine fiber, the process of

manufacture, and manufacturing device"

etc.

Patent application: domestic 7, overseas11 "Oriented sheath core type filament" etc.

## SEM of microfiber

[Microfibers obtained by zone drawing method]

## Nonwoven fabric

Before annealing

After annealing

## Turning point in the Project

[Nonwoven fabric obtained was composed of the microfibers with a diameter of $ 1 \mu m $ .]

We have spent five years to see bright signs of business development in this invention. The key to the success is that both the university and the company continued to develop, not resigning but believing excellence of the technology.