Table 1.

List of polymer systems trialled for fibre production.

Polymer/Concentration (w/v)	Molecular Weight (Mw)	Solvent	Fibres Produced
PVP 20%	1,300,000	Ethanol	Yes—very strong yield of fibres
PVP 20%	1,300,000	PBS	No—yield insufficient
PVP 30%	1,300,000	Ethanol	No—far too viscous
PVP 25%	1,300,000	PBS	Yes—good yield + wet fibres
PVP 30%	1,300,000	PBS	Yes—very small yield
PVA 20%	31,000–50,000	Ethanol	No—did not dissolve at all
PVA 20%	31,000–50,000	PBS	No—did not dissolve sufficiently
PVA 10%	31,000–50,000	PBS	No—dissolved but no fibres
PVA 10%	146,000–186,000	PBS	No—dissolved but no fibres
Gelatine 7.5%	Gel strength 300, Type A	PBS	No—stayed jelly-like in pot
PEO 20%	200,000	PBS	Yes—lots of fibres—quite delicate + stretchy
PEO 20%	1,000,000	PBS	No—did not dissolve (too viscous)