Modelling of Nanofiber Formation Processes

Fluid flows coupled with electrical phenomena represent a fascinating and highly interdisciplinary scientific field. Recently, a remarkable success of electrospinning in producing polymer nanofibers has led to extensive research aimed at understanding the behavior of viscoelastic jets affected by the applied electric and aerodynamic forces, such as those imposed by the surrounding gas flows. Theoretical models have uncovered various unique aspects of the underlying physics of polymer solutions in these jets, offering valuable insights for experimental platforms. This chapter explores the progress made in the theoretical description and numerical simulations of polymer solution jets in electrospinning. It emphasizes the instability phenomena arising from both electric and hydrodynamic factors, which are pivotal for understanding the flow physics. The chapter also outlines specifications for creating accurate and computationally feasible models. Topics covered include electrohydrodynamic modeling, theories describing jet bending instability, recent advancements in Lagrangian approaches for jet flow description, strategies for dynamic refinement of simulations, and the effects of intense elongational flow on polymer networks. In addition, the present chapter discusses current challenges and future prospects in this field, which encompasses the physics of jet flows, non-trivial material properties, and the development of multiscale techniques for modeling viscoelastic jets.