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Design and Construction of Zero Voltage Switching Flyback Converter as a

High-Voltage Power Supply for Electrospinning

Conference Paper · December 2019

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 International Symposium on Environmental-Life Science and Nanoscales Technology 2019 (ISENT2019)
27th – 28th December 2019
Yangon, Myanmar

Design and Construction of Zero Voltage Switching Flyback Converter

as a High-Voltage Power Supply for Electrospinning
Zayar Pyae Phyo Aung1, Su Su Lwin2, Than Than Win3, Ying Maung Maung4
1,2 (
Department of Physics, Myeik University, Myanmar) ([email protected])
3(
Department of Physics, Pinglong University, Myanmar) ([email protected])
4(
Department of Physics, University of Yangon, Myanmar) ([email protected])

Abstract
The process of electrospinning is the distributing of electrospun solution from the tip of the
needle, then applying high voltage potential between the tip of the needle and target. In recent
years, the researches on one-dimensional nanofiber materials are interested all over the world.
for its unique properties. Electrospinning devices are available in market, with cost in the
range of thousands of US dollars. In this paper, a study of building low cost homemade
adjustable high voltage flyback transformer (HVFBT) power supply for electrospinning.
There are many techniques to produce nanofiber. Among of them electrospinning is the very
popular technique to achieve nanofiber because of its simple procedure. One of the very
important parts of electrospinning device is an adjustable high voltage power supply. This
paper focuses the construction of Zero Voltage Switching (ZVS) flyback converter based
home-made adjustable high-voltage power supply for electrospinning. After a brief
explanation to build the device using unexpansive components, the production PVA
nanofiber using low-cost homemade adjustable high-power supply and electrospinning set-
up. The polymer (PVA) solution was prepared by conversional method and deposed as
nanofiber onto fix collector plate. The obtained electrospun fibers are characterized by
scanning electron microscope (SEM).
Keywords: Flyback transformer, high voltage power supply, ZVS, nanofibers, electrospinning

1. INTRODUCTION
Nanofibers offer promising characteristics for diverse applications e.g. water purifiers, wound
dressings, drug delivery systems, transparent conductive oxides, and air filters. One efficient
method to fabricate fine fibers is by applying a high voltage (HV) difference between the
positively-biased needle tip of a syringe containing polymer solution and the grounded collector
[1,2]. The HV creates a strong electric field and simultaneously charges the polymer solution so
that the Taylor cone is formed at the needle tip and the solution jet is drawn to the collector [3].
This method is well known as electrospinning. The electrospinning process can be manipulated by
a number of variables. These can be classified as solution properties, controlling variables and
ambient parameters. As conductivity is one of the solution parameters, the electric field strength is
one of the controlling parameters [4]. The electric field strength during electrospinning process
depends on the applied voltage which may affect morphology of electrospun fibers. There are
many ways to generate a high voltage, including using a multiplier circuit, an avalanche transistor,
and a high voltage flyback transformer (HVFBT) [5]. As a main component of cathode-ray tube
(CRT) display system, the HVFBT has a high ratio of secondary and primary windings around a
ferrite core and its output is around 26 kV with the beam current of 1 mA. Because of the ferrite
core, the HVFBT then stores more energy and operates at high frequencies ranging 10 to 100 kHz.
The flyback converter is low cost and it is easy to generate an HV source [6]. The Mazzilli ZVS
flyback converter offers a promising way to generate an HV source with a high output voltage. It
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 International Symposium on Environmental-Life Science and Nanoscales Technology 2019 (ISENT2019)
27th – 28th December 2019
Yangon, Myanmar

is a self-oscillating ZVS converter that has good efficiency and can drive a flyback transformer at
relatively high power. This paper will discuss a design of high voltage power supply using the
ZVS flyback converter circuit and HVFBT for electrospinning apparatus [7]. The ZVS flyback
converter circuit was chosen because its simplicity, compactness, inexpensiveness, and easiness of
finding it. Moreover, the designed high voltage power supply could generate an output up to 24.5
kV by a low input voltage [8].

2. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE
2.1 Design of Home-made Electrospinning Set-up
This home-made vertical electrospinning set-up consists of three components. They are home-
made automatic on/off variable high voltage power supply, syringe (20 ml) and metallic collector
plate. The positive terminal of the high voltage power supply was connected with the tip of the
needle and the negative terminal was connected with the collector plate. Among of them, the main
component is automatic on/off home-made variable high voltage power supply. The power supply
was composed of four main parts. They are timer switch for automatic on/off system, 0-24 V AC
to DC power supply, ZVS flyback converter and flyback transformer. The connecting diagram
and the photo of automatic on/off variable high voltage power supply was shown in figure 1 (a)
and 1 (b).
2.2.1 TM 618 N Timer Switch: The TM618 timer module (15.98INCH big LCD display) can open or
close kinds of electrical apparatus and power automatically, according to the preset time. The
digital timer switch is within rechargeable battery, in 1.2V/40Ma, high-accuracy CMOS chip,
strongly anti-jamming and easy to use. This timer can switch on/off any electrical equipment at a
preset timer. It can be programmed 16 on/off per day, 15 combinations to a week, 24 hours / 7
days a week programmable. Built-in battery for backup the memory (save the programs you set)
when power failure and Auto time error correction +/- 30 sec, weekly. Repeat programs with 16
on/off settings and setting on/off manually.
2.2.2 Zero Voltage Switching (ZVS) converter: The ZVS flyback driver consists of two parts. The first
part is a switching circuit with a pair of MOSFETs (IRFP260) and zener diode that step up the
input 12 Vdc, 3A into high frequency sinusoidal signals which drives a flyback transformer. The
switching voltage which turns on and off the MOSFET drops at a 0.66 uF capacitor rated at 1200
Vdc and 200 μH inductor that are parallel to the primary winding coil of the flyback transformer.
The input voltage is 12-36V DC (recommend 24V 10A) and will give high voltage of direct
current. The output voltage is about 1000 times larger than the input voltage. The 12V input can
reach 50-100W power, 24 V input max can reach more than 200W.
2.2.3 Flyback Transformer: Flyback transformers are high frequency transformers, and their low
output power and small size make them very useful in generating high output voltages, at
relatively low currents. Their main applications are in televisions, monitors, and high voltage
power supplies, like this one. The maximum attainable output voltage varies from transformer to
transformer, but it is possible to get voltages as high as 50 KV.

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 International Symposium on Environmental-Life Science and Nanoscales Technology 2019 (ISENT2019)
27th – 28th December 2019
Yangon, Myanmar

(a) (b)
Fig. 1. (a) connecting diagram and (b) photo of automatic on/off variable HV power supply.
2.2 Preparation of 10% PVA Solution
The 10% PVA solution was prepared by conventional method. Heat 100 ml of deionized (DI)
water to 88–90 °C (194 °F) or just below the boiling point of water. Once the water is heated, 10 g
of polyvinyl alcohol was slowly added into the DI water while stirring continuously It’s important
that the polyvinyl alcohol be added lightly and slowly since each grain of polyvinyl alcohol must
be individually “wetted” for it to go into solution. Remember, add the polyvinyl alcohol slowly
while continuously stirring. Failure to stir during the addition of the polyvinyl alcohol will result
in a gooey mass of wet polymer that sticks together, settles out, and clings to the wall of the
vessel. Be careful to avoid overheating your solution. Overheating will cause water evaporation
and a thick film will form on top of the solution. Also, very high heat may interfere with the
hydrogen bonding interaction which is occurring between the polyvinyl alcohol and the water.
After 20 min, the PVA solution was loaded into the syringe. The tip to collector distance is 8 cm.
When the 20 kV was applied, the stream of fluid came out form the needle and then deposited
onto the collector plate. The operation time is 5h. The as-prepared nanofibers were characterized
by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The schematic diagram and photo of electrospinning set-
up were shown in figure 2.

Fig.2. The schematic diagram and photo of electrospinning set-up

3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

3.1 High Voltage Power Supply (HVPS) Performance Test
The output voltage of HVPS was measured by Fluke 80k-40 and Fluke 179 multimeter.
According to the measurement result the output voltage is about 1000 times larger than the input
voltage. It was found that the single flyback can generate HV output voltage up to 34 kV but
should not applied more than 24 kV. According to the stability test, there is no significant output

375
 International Symposium on Environmental-Life Science and Nanoscales
scales Technology 2019 (ISENT2019)
27th – 28th December 2019
Yangon, Myanmar

voltage change within 3 h. The input voltage versus output voltage and the stability test result
graph were shown in figure 3.

(a) (b)

Fig. 3. (a) The relationship between input and output voltage; (b) the output voltage stability test

3.2 SEM Analysis

The PVA fibers on aluminum foil were carried out to examine by SEM image. In order to
study the morphology and the nano structural properties of fabricated PVA nanofibers was
shown in Fig 4.. According to the SEM analysis, PVA nanofibers reveal the retention of
cylindrical
lindrical shape. The average diameter of the PVA nanofibers are ~70 – 350
3 nm.

Fig. 4. SEM images of PVA nanofiber for different scale bar

4. CONCLUSIONS
The high-voltage
voltage power supply (HVPS) using a Mazzilli ZVS flyback converter for
electrospinning application has been constructed. The Mazzilli converter could generate HV up to
34 kV (recommended 24 kV). The performance test showed that the converter has good stability
over time. The designed HVPS was tested to run electrospinning
electrospinning process. The SEM images of the
electrospun fibers have showed that the nanofibers were formed well on the collector. So, this
home-made
made high voltage power supply and electrospinning set-up
set up are quite simple, easily made
and low cost than the others
ers but it can produce fine nanofibers.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to express my gratitude to everyone who supported me throughout this research work.

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 International Symposium on Environmental-Life Science and Nanoscales Technology 2019 (ISENT2019)
27th – 28th December 2019
Yangon, Myanmar

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