Patent ID: 10196757

Abstract:
The invention provides a system for producing nanotubes, nanofibers and nanorods, the system comprising a wire array shaped as a cylinder such that the cylinder defines a void; a first furnace positioned within the void; a second furnace positioned opposite the first furnace to define a channel adapted to receive a portion of the cylinder as the cylinder rotates about its axis; a device for depositing spun fiber onto the wire array as the cylinder rotates; and a device for removing the deposited fiber from the array after the deposited fiber is heated within the channel. The invention also provides a method for producing nanotubes, the method comprising: supplying a cylindrical wire array, wherein the array defines an internal void; positioning a first furnace within the void; positioning a second furnace opposite the first furnace so as to define a channel between the first furnace and second furnace, the channel adapted to receive a portion of the cylindrical array as the array rotates about its axis; depositing spun fiber onto the array as the array rotates; heating the deposited fiber as it enters the channel; and removing the deposited fiber as it exits the channel.