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Professor Seeram RAMAKRISHNA
Vice-President (Research Strategy), National University of Singapore
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Dr. Ramakrishna is a global leader in electrospinning and nanostructured materials. His team has
contributed significantly to the scientific knowledge in basic research, advances in the process and
the applications of nanofibers. He authored the first book on electrospinning, An Introduction to
Electrospinning and Nanofibers, to facilitate researchers new to the technology in understanding of
the process and its capability. Using his patented technology he is able to produce one-dimensional
fibers and yarns, two-dimensional and three-dimensional oriented nanofiber assemblies from a
range of materials.
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Why do you think your paper (A review on polymer nanofibers by electrospinning and their applications in
nanocomposites (2003) Composites Science and Technology, 63 (15), pp. 2223-2253) is highly cited?
This paper is the first comprehensive review of the electrospinning process covering many important aspects such as
parameters, setup, applications, characterization and modeling. This information is still valid and useful in today’s
electrospinning. As a matter of fact, many of the applications mentioned are still being widely investigated upon.
Tell us about your recently published book “An Introduction to Electrospinning and Nanofibers”. What was the
inspiration for this book? And why there is a lack of introductory reading materials in this field?
Since 2000, there has been an explosion in the interest in electrospinning. A wealth of information in many aspects of
electrospinning has been investigated and reported. There may be many researchers who are interested in this enabling
technology but may be procrastinating as information in this subject is scattered over many papers. We feel that a
comprehensive book will encourage more researchers to move into nanofiber technology and create new knowledge.
Electrospinning has only really taken off in this century. In our book, we have covered and many widely accepted findings.
Many of the later knowledge and reported findings would take time to be verified by various independent researchers.
Perhaps this is why there haven’t been many new introductory reading materials on this subject there is already one
available.
What are the current challenges in the electrospinning technology?
Other then nonwoven nanofibrous membrane, electrospinning can be used to create other nanofibrous assemblies such
as aligned fibers, yarns and nanofibrous blocks. While nonwoven electrospun membrane has been fabricated at an
industrial level, other nanofibrous assemblies has not yet been produced at the same level.
Another challenge is the commercial viability of this technology in specific application. Electrospun membrane has been
shown to be commercially viable as air filtration and its use as tissue replacement scaffold is promising. Other than
biomedical products, other applications may be price elastic where cost is a primary consideration for consumer
adoption and this may deter companies from taking on this technology. With more research and increasing the
performance shown by electrospun nanofibrous products, more companies will start to see the value of this technology
beyond costs alone.
What are the biggest obstacles in establishing the electrospinning technology for large-scale commercial end-
products?
Perceived redundancy and lack of confidence is the biggest obstacles. Currently, it may be adequate to use less costly
solutions to meet the requirement of current applications thus the higher performance given by nanofiber-based products
may seem redundant. This may change in the future with greater miniaturization and higher performance requirement.
Higher cost of nanofiber production will involve greater risk-taking by manufacturers. Thus many manufacturers do not
have the confidence in building plants for large scale nanofiber production. This in turn leads to slower development and
specialization of the tools and materials for higher nanofiber production efficiency. Once again, these will change when a
large manufacturer decides to take on large scale nanofiber production.
In what ways could scientists and companies help to overcome these obstacles?
Close corporation between scientists in research institutes and universities, and companies are required to overcome
these obstacles. Given risky nature of new technology adoption, companies can tap into the experience and expertise of
scientists and research labs established in electrospinning to reduce the risk and overhead. More open collaboration is
required so that the partnership would bear fruitful results. Companies will then see the increased value over cost of
using nanofiber-based products and this will encourage manufacturers to invest in this technology.
Why should companies invest in the electrospinning technology?
The ever-increasing numbers of researchers working on electrospun nanofibers have seen these fibers tested in
traditional fiber applications and also in many other new areas. The ease of producing nanofibers using electrospinning
has contributed to the testing the use of nanofibers in almost any applications imaginable. With such vast quantities of
new applications and results coming out of the literature on electrospun nanofibers, it is not difficult to imagine a huge
demand for it once a critical mass of early nanofiber technology adopters have reached. Companies that have the
capability to meet the demands for nanofibers in terms of volume and variety (form and material) will certainly reap huge
profit from it.
What trends do you foresee in the electrospinning technology?
In the near future, electrospun nanofiber may find niche market in various applications but these will probably be in a
small scale. With continuous advancement, in the medium term, an application where consumers are willing to pay a
premium for it such as biomedical area will emerge and manufacturers will be willing to invest in this technology. This will
be the catalyst for many companies to use nanofibers in their applications based on the research generated thus far and
the cost of production for the nanofibers will certainly be driven down. Other areas to look out for include water treatment
and renewable energy technologies.
Thank you very much for this interview, Spinrati
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© Copyright 2009 Spinrati
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