The accurate prediction and manipulation of nanoscale product sizes is a major challenge in material processing. In this investigation, two process characteristics were explored during the modified coaxial electrospinning of zein, with the aim of understanding how this impacts the products formed. The characteristics studied were the spreading angle at the unstable region (θ) and the length of the straight fluid jet (L). An electrospinnable zein core solution was prepared and processed with a sheath comprising ethanolic solutions of LiCl. The width of the zein nanoribbons formed (W) was found to be more closely correlated with the spreading angle and straight fluid jet length than with the experimental parameters (the electrolyte concentrations and conductivity of the shell fluids). Linear equations W = 546.44L − 666.04 and W = 2255.3θ − 22.7 could be developed with correlation coefficients of Rwl2 = 0.9845 and Rwθ2 = 0.9924, respectively. These highly linear relationships reveal that the process characteristics can be very useful tools for both predicting the quality of the electrospun products, and manipulating their sizes for functional applications. This arises because any changes in the experimental parameters would have an influence on both the process characteristics and the solid products’ properties.

Nanomaterials for air filtration have been studied by researchers for decades. Owing to the advantages of high porosity, small pore size, and good connectivity, nanofiber membranes prepared by electrospinning technology have been considered as an outstanding air-filter candidate. To satisfy the requirements of material functionalization, electrospinning can provide a simple and efficient one-step process to fabricate the complex structures of functional nanofibers such as core–sheath structures, Janus structures, and other multilayered structures. Additionally, as a nanoparticle carrier, electrospun nanofibers can easily achieve antibacterial properties, flame-retardant properties, and the adsorption properties of volatile gases, etc. These simple and effective approaches have benefited from the significate development of electrospun nanofibers for air-filtration applications. In this review, the research progress on electrospun nanofibers as air filters in recent years is summarized. The fabrication methods, filtration performances, advantages, and disadvantages of single-polymer nanofibers, multipolymer composite nanofibers, and nanoparticle-doped hybrid nanofibers are investigated. Finally, the basic principles of air filtration are concluded upon and prospects for the application of complex-structured nanofibers in the field of air filtration are proposed.

Periodontitis is a major threat to oral health, prompting scientists to continuously study new treatment techniques. The nanofibrous membrane prepared via electrospinning has a large specific surface area and high porosity. On the one hand, electrospun nanofibers can improve the absorption capacity of proteins and promote the expression of specific genes. On the other hand, they can improve cell adhesion properties and prevent fibroblasts from passing through the barrier membrane. Therefore, electrospinning has unique advantages in periodontal treatment. At present, many oral nanofibrous membranes with antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and tissue regeneration properties have been prepared for periodontal treatment. First, this paper introduces the electrospinning process. Then, the commonly used polymers of electrospun nanofibrous membranes for treating periodontitis are summarized. Finally, different types of nanofibrous membranes prepared via electrospinning for periodontal treatment are presented, and the future evolution of electrospinning to treat periodontitis is described.

Chronic diabetic wounds are one of the main complications of diabetes, manifested by persistent inflammation, decreased epithelialization motility, and impaired wound healing. This will not only lead to the repeated hospitalization of patients, but also bear expensive hospitalization costs. In severe cases, it can lead to amputation, sepsis or death. Electrospun nanofibers membranes have the characteristics of high porosity, high specific surface area, and easy functionalization of structure, so they can be used as a safe and effective platform in the treatment of diabetic wounds and have great application potential. This article briefly reviewed the pathogenesis of chronic diabetic wounds and the types of dressings commonly used, and then reviewed the development of electrospinning technology in recent years and the advantages of electrospun nanofibers in the treatment of diabetic wounds. Finally, the reports of different types of nanofiber dressings on diabetic wounds are summarized, and the method of using multi-drug combination therapy in diabetic wounds is emphasized, which provides new ideas for the effective treatment of diabetic wounds.

With the great demand for flexible self‐powered sensors and nanogenerators, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) is widely investigated for outstanding piezoelectric and dielectric constant. In the pursuit for increasing β content, electrospinning is exhibited to be an effective method without external high voltage pooling or mechanical stretching and thus is considered a cost‐effective and simple method, because the molecular dipoles in the PVDF can be aligned during the process of electrospinning with high voltage field and stretching. The methods for improving piezoelectric characteristics are briefly introduced in this review, electrospinning fibers including uniaxial fibers, highly aligned fibers, core–shell fibers and Janus fibers are revealed, and research on theoretical modeling is carried out for efficiency in the design of piezoelectric nanogenerator. Last, studies on prospective applications based on electrospun PVDF and its copolymer PVDF‐TrFE, from sensors to smart skin, from energy harvesters to electronic textiles, are being conducted.

Electrospinning is considered to be an efficient method to prepare piezoelectric thin films because of its ability to transform the phase of the polymers. A core-sheath structure can endow fibers with more functions and properties. In this study, fibers with a core-sheath structure were prepared using polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) included with nanoparticles (NPs) as the shell layer and polycaprolactone (PCL) as the core layer. Their mechanical and piezoelectric properties were studied in detail. During the course of the electrospinning process, PVDF was demonstrated to increase the amount of its polar phase, with the help of nanoparticles acting as a nucleating agent to facilitate the change. PCL was chosen as a core material because of its good mechanical properties and its compatibility with PVDF. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) assessments revealed that the fibers have a core-sheath structure, and shell layers were loaded with nanoparticles. Mechanical testing showed that the core layer can significantly improve mechanical properties. The XRD patterns of the core-sheath structure fibers indicated the β phase domain the main component. Piezoelectric testing showed that the doped nanoparticles were able to enhance piezoelectric performances. The increases of mechanical and piezoelectric properties of core-sheath structure fibers provide a feasible application for wearable electronics, which require flexibility and good mechanical properties.

In the universities of science and technology, engineering education is one of the most important part to train college students' innovation ability and their capability of solving complex engineering problems. In this paper, a new procedure is exhibited for carrying out effective engineering education with modified coaxial electrospinning as an advanced nanotechnology and one of its key parameters (sheath-to-core fluid flow rate ratio) as a model. The link between this key parameter and a series of disciplines can provide a unique perspective for engineering education, and it can act as a starting point of a new procedure to develop students' comprehensive ability in innovating or resolving complex engineering problems. Based on present approach as a leading example, many other similar procedures can be designed and refined from a variety of advanced technologies to conduct vivid and effective engineering educations.