Allometric Scaling and Instability in Electrospinning

Ji-Huan He, Donghua University
Yu-Qin Wan
Jian-Yong Yu

Abstract

The regulation of scale and bifurcation-like instability in electrospinning are intriguing and enduring problems after the technology was invented by Formhals in 1934. Regulatory mechanisms for controlling the radius of electrospun fibers are clearly illustrated in the different states. Generally, the relationship between radius r of jet and the axial distance z from nozzle can be expressed as an allometric equation of the form , the values of the scaling exponent (b) for the initial steady stage, instability stage, and terminal stage are respectively –1/2, –1/4, and 0. Allometry in economy, biology, turbulence, astronomy, neural resistance, conductive textile, and macromolecule viscosity is also briefly illustrated.