

Fluidnatek
Equipment for Advanced Nanofiber and Nanoparticle
Research and Manufacturing
Agenda

• About BioInicia
• Fluidnatek eStretching Technology
• Fluidnatek Equipment
• Fluidnatek-enabled Nanofiber and Nanoparticle Products
• Working with BioInicia

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BioInicia’s History and Core Competencies
• Founded in 2009 as spin-off from the Spanish Council for Scientific Research (CSIC)
- Technology incubated at Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology (IATA) since 2006
- Undergoing a rapid growth sustained by commercialization of Fluidnatek™ equipment.
- Privately owned
• Headquartered in Valencia, Spain (global technical center and production)
- Direct sales, marketing, and product support in North America
- Worldwide network of distributors, commercial partners, and collaborators
• Experienced management team with a background in capital equipment design and
commercialization, development of nanofibers and nanoparticle materials and commercial
applications thereof.
• Technical staff of 15.
• Leader in multi-phase, coaxial nanofiber and nanoparticle technology with a rapidly
expanding installed-base of manufacturing equipment.
Core competencies:
• Custom manufacturing of equipment (Fluidnatek)
• Nano and micro material design (polymers, biomaterials, ceramics, encapsulation and
stabilization of active ingredients, targeted delivery)
• Contract R&D and specialty product manufacturing of nanomaterials

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What is eStretching™?

BioInicia’s proprietary, voltage-driven nanofiber and

nanoparticle fabrication technology that is at the core of all
Fluidnatek equipment

• Advanced electro- spinning/spraying emitter design

• Tightly controlled fluid delivery and management system
• Room temperature process
• High throughput/high uptime
• Capable of processing an extensive portfolio of materials
• Single and multi-component nano-fibers and -particles

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 Fluidnatek Makes both Nanofibers and Nanoparticles
 Same equipment runs both processes eSpraying
eSpinning
 Processes changeover requires minimal to
no hardware adjustments
 Formulations and process conditions developed by
BioInicia cover an extensive range of applications
 Fluidnatek equipment accommodates processing of a
larger materials portfolio than any other practical
commercial technology
 Stable process permits tunable fiber diameter or particle
size with controlled size distribution

eStreched nanofibers
with targeted diameters
(50nm - 10um) and
narrow size distribution

Bulk or coated eStretched

nanoparticles with targeted
1.0 µm diameters (50nm – 10um)

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 Fluidnatek Enables Multicomponent Coaxial Nanomaterials

Coaxial mode  Fluidnatek multiple emitter geometries allow Multichannel mode

tailoring multicompoment structures Inner
Outer (shell) precursor
(core)
 Multi-channel eStretching™ is used for precursor
encapsulation of insoluble, high value or perishable
Inner
(core)
materials
Outer
precursor
 Multi-channel eStretching™ is a versatile technique (shell)
precursor
for formulating controlled release materials
 BioInicia’s transferable know-how facilitates the
design and fabrication targeted materials

Core-shell
nanoparticles (left)
and nanofibers (right)

0.5 µm
Multi-channel
hollow nanofibers

Hollow nanoparticles
(left) and nanofibers
(right)

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Fluidnatek Process a Wide Range of Materials
Selective sample from the library of materials processed with Fluidnatek by
BioInicia’s engineers and customers.

Synthetic polymers Encapsulated active materials

(PA6, PUR, PES, PAN, PVP, PVA, PS, PVAc, PVDF, others) (Sacrificial, protective or scaffolding fibers containing
active components)

1.0 µm 1.0 µm 1.0 µm 1.0 2.0

µmµm 0.2 µm 0.3 µm

Core-shell Encapsulated
nylon 6 PAN PUR Nanocomposites
capsules Highly Value Ingredients

Biopolymers and Biodegrable materials Inorganic fibers (from precursors)

(Chitosan, collagens, hyaluronan, gelatin, PCL, others) (TiO2, Al2O3, Li4Ti5O12, SnO2, WO3, others)

calcination

1.0 µm 1.0 µm 1.0 µm 2.0 µm 1.0 µm

gelatin PCL chitosan TiO2 precursor TiO2

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Fluidnatek  LE 10 – Benchtop Laboratory Tool
Fluidnatek  LE 10 is ideal for proof-of-concept and
feasibility studies of new materials and formulations.
Built to fit in small lab spaces, LE 10’s ergonomic design
and ease of use allows for an efficient workflow.

Selected specs and features:

 BI injectors (single phase and coaxial) with maximum
throughput of 25 mL/h.
 Up to 30kV (single power supply)
 Variable target distance (emitter to collector): 0-30 cm (0-
12 in.)
 Touch screen controls
 CE compliant (3rd party verified).

 Safety shut-off switches in access doors

Selected optional accessories:

 Dual phase (coaxial) needle.
 Jet visualization camera
 Motioned collectors (drums, discs, mandrels)
 Single axis scanning motion
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Fluidnatek LE 100 – Advanced R&D Tool
Fluidnatek  LE 100 is the equipment of choice for customers working
on advanced development projects, where wider capabilities, tighter
process control and larger sample sizes are key.

Selected specs and features:

 BI injectors (single phase and coaxial) with maximum throughput of 100 mL/h.

 Two independent power supplies (bipolar capability). Up to 60 kV.

 Touch screen controls or remote ethernet access.

 CE compliant (3rd party verified).

 Safety shut-off switches in access doors. Efficient solvent exhaust system.

Selected optional accessories, as LE 10 plus:

 Dual axis scanning motion. 300 mm stroke linear motion.

 Blown or gas assisted eStretching™

 Feed solution temperature control

 Climate control

 Laminar flow

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Fluidnatek  LE 500 – Pre-production Tool
BioInicia’s customers install Fluidnatek  LE 500 when they need pre-
production volumes of production-quality materials, enabling them
to carry out beta releases and other pre-market introduction
activities.
The LE 500 can be also configured as an R&D tool. It uses the same
core technology as, and scales linearly to, BioInicia’s full production
equipment.
Selected specs and features:
 BI injectors (single phase and coaxial) with maximum throughput of 480 mL/h.

 Two independent power supplies (bipolar capability). Up to 80 kV.

 Continuous web roll to roll material collection. Web widths of up to 0.5 m.

 Fluid delivered to heads from two 2L vessel(s) at controlled rates.

 Touch screen controls or remote ethernet access.

 CE compliant (3rd party verified).

 Safety shut-off switches in access doors. Efficient solvent exhaust system.

 Climate control.

 Laminar flow.

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Fluidnatek LE 1000 – Industrial Production Tool
Fluidnatek  LE 1000 is BioInicia’s industrial manufacturing
equipment. LE 1000’s can be configured to accommodate
varying production needs. eStretching’s process stability
and productivity ensures superior product quality at an
attractive cost.

Selected specs and features:

 Uninterrupted operation. Minimal downtime for changeovers and
scheduled maintenance.
 Modular and expandable. Flexible design allows for easy
customization for future volume requirements.
 In-line or off-line integration into existing production lines.
 Versatile -easily reconfigured to fit multiple product formats and
requirements. Web widths of up to 3m.
 CE compliant (3rd party verified).

Selected optional accessories:

 Safety features: Arc and smoke detection systems . Fire suppression
system. Exhaust flow rate monitoring . Inert gas atmosphere.

 Can integrate with specialized solvent waste handling equipment (e.g.

scrubber, catalytic converter, solvent reclaim).

 Laminar flow. 11
Fluidnatek Scales from Lab to Fab

LE 10 LE 100 LE 500 LE 1000

Maximum throughput (mL/h)* 25 100 480 4800

Maximum number of syringe pumps 2 4 2 -

Continuous liquid feeding x x  

Maximum Voltage Drop (kV) 30 60 80 150

Dual Polarity x   

Touch Control    

Remote Ethernet Access x   

Number of maximum automatable axes 1(Y) 3 (X-Y-Z) 2 (Y-Z) 2(Y-Z)

Adjustable target distance    

Collector types: Plate/ Disc/ Mandrel/Drum /// /// /// x

Rotating Collectors: Max. Diameter/Width (mm) 150/200 200/300 200/500 x

Roll-to-Roll Web Collector x x  

Maximum Width of Samples (mm) 200 300 500 1000

*throughput for a 12% w/w PCL in Chloroform

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Fluidnatek Scales from Lab to Fab
LE 10 LE 100 LE 500 LE 1000
CE Compliance    

Multi-Phase Nozzle (coaxial)    

Blown or gas assisted eStretching™ x   x

Liquid Heating   x x

Jet visualization camera system    

Laminar Flow Cabinet (HEPA/ULPA Filtration) x   

Cabinet Climate Control - Relative Humidity: x/ / / /

Humidification/Desiccation
Cabinet Climate Control - Temperature: x/ / / /
Heating/Cooling
Bio-Safety Cabinet x   

Safety features:
• Hardwired Interlocks    
• Exhaust flow monitoring    
• Arching Detector x   
• Smoke Detector & Integrated Fire Extinguisher x x  
Maximum Power Consumption (kW) 0,5 1 1,5 3

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Fluidnatek at a Glance
• Fluidnatek uses BioInicia’s proprietary eStretching™ technology

• Room temperature processing with minimal thermal load on product

• Fluidnatek equipment meets high safety standards and industry-specific compliance

– Stringent and redundant safety features (3rd party CE and EMF certified)
– Physical interlocks and automated shut-off switches on all access ports to the high voltage chamber
– Arc and smoke detection systems
– Fire suppression system
– Exhaust flow rate monitoring OTIONAL FOR PILOT AND
INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT
– Inert gas atmosphere

• Fluidnatek  equipment is designed for minimal environmental impact

– Low dead volume
– Low energy consumption per unit mass of product
– Can integrate with specialized solvent waste handling equipment (e.g. scrubber, catalytic converter, solvent
reclaim).

• Efficient maintenance and change-over: >90% uptime

• Rapidly increasing installed based of Fluidnatek academic and industrial equipment

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 Fluidnatek Users Innovate in a Variety of Applications

• Nutraceuticals • Micro & nano encapsulation

• Immobilization of live cells and enzymes • Catalysis
• Functional foods • Energy storage
• Flavor and fragrance masking • Functional textiles
• Food packaging • Phase change materials
• Biomedical & tissue engineering • Filtration and separation
• Cosmetics • Affinity membranes
• Drug delivery • Composites

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BioInicia Partners with Customers to Implement Fluidnatek

Track record of working with customers under various formats (CRD, JDA,
CM, etc.).
Adaptation of Fluidnatek technology using BioInicia’s prototyping platform
and advanced characterization capabilities.

Technical capabilities
- Liquid characterization: rheology, - Clean room (ISO 7, GMP certified)
surface tension, conductivity
- Cell culture
- eStretching™ pilot production
- Microbial plating
- Microscopy (optical and electron),
with fiber analysis - Bacterial growth profile
- Nitrogen BET - Porosimetry
- Thermal Analysis (TGA, TDA, DSC) - Chemical Analysis
- Gas and vapor permeability - UV and vibrational spectroscopy
- Tensile testing

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Fluidnatek Customers Capitalize on BioInicia’s Know-how

• Fluidnatek commercial implementation is supported by a multidisciplinary team

of over 15 talented technologists comfortable working across industries and
geographies

• BioInicia’s team offers customers expertise in:

- Machine design and customization

- Electrospinning and electrospraying process design
- Nanofiber or nanoparticle material development and integration into
composite structures
- Exploration of nanofibers and nanoparticles in new applications

• BioInicia’s customers have access to our extensive network of world-class academic

research groups and strategic collaborators

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BioInicia is committed to helping its customers successfully
integrate nanofibers and nanoparticles into their products.

Fluidnatek production equipment is the most cost-effective

route to fine fibers and nanoparticles.

We look forward to working with you.

Thank you!

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eStretched™ Nanofibers in High Performance Filtration Media
• Nanofiber layers’ high surface area, high porosity, and small pore size translate into high filtration
efficiency, high flow/flux and low pressure drop.

• eStreching™’s layer-by-layer deposition results in unmatched level of control in the design of filtration
media.

• Wide materials selection allows optimize mechanical (e.g. toughness, elasticity) and chemical (e.g.
hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity, surface activity, chemical resistance) and temperature material
requirements.

eStretched
nanofiber
layer
eStretched
eStretched
nanofiber
nanofiber
layer
layer

5.0 µm 5.0 µm 5.0 µm

High efficiency Microporous membrane

air filters liquid filters

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 eStretched™ Nanofibers as Li-ion Battery Separators

• Higher porosity/permeability than standard commercial

separators.
• Power boosting up to 30%.
• 2X reduction in capacity loss of nanofiber separator over
commercial separator membranes.
• Comparable or lower production costs.

Anode Active Material ( LiC6, etc. + binder) Nanofiber separator

technology under development
Cupper Foil (~14 mm)
10μm
Separator
Anode top view
Electrolyte
filled volume Separator Existing commercial
Cathode separator technology
10μ 1μm
Aluminum Foil (~20 mm)
m
10μm

Cathode Active Material (LiFePO4, LiCoO2, etc.)

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 eStretched™ nanofibers for Biomedical applications

Scaffolds, tissue regeneration and implants coating

• The geometry of the nanofibers mimic the ECM
(ExtraCellular Matrix) facilitating the anchorage,
migration, and proliferation of the cells.

• Biocompatible and biodegradable natural and

synthetic polymers (such as polyglycolides, PLA, PCL,
various copolymers, segmented PU,
polyphosphazenes, collagens, gelatin, chitosans,
silks, and alginates) are used as the carrier materials.
Lagaron et al, Patent ES31034

Wound Healing
• The high porosity of eStretched™ nanowebs assures the exchange of
liquids and gases with the environment, but the pores are small enough
to prevent potentially infectious agents from entering.

• The incorporation of active drugs or healing agents to the webs

accelerates the recovery of the tissues.

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 eStretching™ as an encapsulating technology

• This “Soft” processing technique enables the efficient encapsulation of labile

substances.

• Depending of the application, the size of the capsules and fibers can be adjusted
from several microns to the nanometer scale.

• The wide range of available encapsulant materials and the possibility of easily
functionalize them allow to produce tailored capsules for the release of the
encapsulate under different stimuli.

• Burst and sustained release are feasible.

Flavor Fragrance Self-healing

Cosmetics Drug delivery
masking encapsulation materials

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Functional Textiles made of eStretched™ Nanofibers

Protective clothing

• Electrospun nanofibers present both minimal impedance to moisture vapor diffusion

and extremely efficiency in trapping dust and aerosol particles.

• The chemistry of the nanofibers can be designed to break down organophosphates,

chemicals that are the basis of many pesticides, insecticides and nerve gases.

Waterproof - Breathable fabrics

• The porous structure of the nanofiber webs and

their pore size favors the evacuation of moisture
(Ret<3) and prevent the liquid from trespassing
the fabric, supporting up to 15 m column water.

Special applications and uses such as photovoltaic,

photocatalytic or EMI shielding flexible textiles are
under development.

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 eStretched™ Nanofibers as Smart Materials

“A good sensor should have a small dimension, low fabrication cost and multiple functions, besides the high
sensitivity, selectivity and reliability (Hall, 1998)”

Sensors
• Conducting electroactive polymer nanofibers have remarkable sensing capabilities
for their application in medical diagnosis, environmental control and bioindustrial
analysis.
• The highly porous structure and the high surface to volume ratio of the nanofibers
favor the sensitivity and the fast response of sensors.
• Incorporation of sensing molecules or materials on the nanofibers surface can
impart the webs with special capabilities.

Energy Harvesting
• The energy conversion efficiencies are as high as
21.8 percent, much greater than the 0.5 to 4
percent achieved in typical power generators
made from experimental piezoelectric polymer
thin films.

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eStretching™ technology in Energy and Chemical Industry

Catalyst
• High surface to volume ratio of the nanofibers or nanoparticles enables an
optimum use of precious metals and other high value materials.

• The pore size and the high porosity of the webs are ideal for an efficient
transport of fluids in reactors, fluidized beds and fuel cells.

Hydrogen Storage

• Carbon porous nanomaterials can be produced by

eStretching™ technology.

• The specific surface area can go up to 3116 m2/g,

allowing a very high hydrogen storage capacity (up
to 3,86 wt%) at a very low pressure (17bar).

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