Linari NanoTech provides production systems used to create new drugs, cell culture scaffolds, resorbable prostheses, biomimetic coating, biosensors and wound dressing substrates.
Advanced nanofibre and nanoparticle production systems
Electrospinning is a technology by Linari. Its process involves the transformation of liquid polymeric solutions at room temperature in solid, macroscopic 3D structures completely made of nanometric fibres that leverage the chemical-physical properties of nanomaterials with simple handling of macroscopic scale (up to several centimetres).
Different electrospinning parameters are easily adjustable through LCD and can change nanofibre diameters from a few microns to tens of nanometres and, in different configurations, the same machines can also produce dry micro and nanoparticles.
Electrospinning systems can also be considered as a type of 3D printer, using nanofilament instead of macroscopic-fused wire. Machines can create a complex 3D model using multiple nanomaterials at the same time. The shape can be controlled in a precise manner, using high precision moulds and real-time measuring of the thickness.
Linari works in cooperation with its customers to create a proper setup for individual needs, processing different materials and shapes to obtain the required performance and characteristics. The standard electrospinning system is available, as well as templates for designing new products. Current automation features can also be integrated into existing products.
Our industrial-grade machines come with tracking and logging capabilities for use in GMP-compliant processes. The machines are low maintenance and specifically designed for installation in cleanroom environments.
R&D applications are available from Linari’s catalogue, including simpler and cheaper systems specifically designed to be modular and scalable in terms of functionality and productivity. With these devices, the customer can select from a wide range of accessories such as drums of different dimensions and shape, flat collectors, syringe pumps with one or more channels to combine with a wide set of stainless-steel, laser-welded single, multiple and coaxial needles.
High-voltage generators are also available and can be selected in single or multiple configurations (positive and negative) with a fine adjustable voltage level up to 60kV each. Every system comes with safety features to prevent shock and device damage from electric sparks. The device uses a safety switch located on a glass opening, an active anti-spark system based on real-time voltage and a current intensity monitor that can detect hazards in milliseconds, switching off the high voltage generator before sparks occur.
Biomedical and pharmaceutical applications of electro-spun nanomaterials
Electrospun materials can be continuous fibres arranged in tissues or distinct particles with diameters between a few microns and tens of nanometres. Depending on collector shape and its relative movement speed in confront of the fibre emitter, the tissue can be produced with a random unwoven structure or with fully aligned filaments.
Nanomaterials can be used, with the proper thickness, as free-standing structures (from several tens of microns to millimetres) or can be applied as a thin (even invisible if surface coverage is less than 100%) functionalised, active coating.
Possible applications in biomedical fields include scaffolds for cell culture or tissue restoration, coating of metallic prostheses, functionalised material and tissue engineering with resorbable grafts.
Electrospinning systems for R&D and pilot lines
RT Advanced is the most popular electrospinning system for those looking to develop products based on nanofibres or nanoparticles, or exploring the possibility of adding features to existing products using micro-nanomaterials.
This complete system offers multiple configurations, making this compact device the ideal solution in a wide range of material-handling and possible geometry and morphology for the final product. One square metre of a cleanroom area can be processed at the same time, up to eight different materials a time, using up to three independent high-voltage generators for a total voltage difference up to 120kV.
With productivity of up to 1kg / day and the possibility to work fully unmanned using an advanced control system and web monitor, RT Advanced is ideal for use in pilot production. Available features include rotary mandrels of up to 5,000rpm, sliding needles, continuous sub-micrometre thickness measuring systems, environmental monitors, control systems, HEPA filters and UV lighting.
Nanofibre collectors
Machines with flawless electric field control and high mechanical stability are the fundamental requirements to obtain desired nanofibre diameters. However, on a macroscopic scale, the morphology of the nanostructured tissue depends on where the nanofibres are collected.
Higher rotation speeds of the collector and closer proximity with the production speed of the nanofibre itself (several metres per second) allow for the creation of aligned bundles of nanofibres instead of an unwoven deposition.
The programme can function at different speeds in a single production cycle, allowing the user to create a sandwich-like tissue, adding mechanical strength through aligned fibres and required porosity through unwoven fibres at the same time at a nanometric scale.
Needle array and coaxial needles for high productivity and multiple materials
When multiple materials must be produced at the same time, Linari can provide a full set of coaxial needles with two or three coaxial layers and different diameters. Each needle is made using high-quality stainless-steel and each piece is laser-welded to avoid contamination with solvents, even at temperatures of up to 150°C. For higher temperatures, hybrid metal-ceramic needles and electric heaters with a temperature of up to 250°C are used.
When high production rate is required, we can provide a modular manifold system scalable from four to hundreds of needles with very high density without significant variation over electrospinning conditions of the single needle.