INTRODUCTION Fibers - Key Functional Elements in Technology and Nature Some Background Information Processing of Polymer Materials towards Fibers - Fiber Extrusion Routes to More Advanced Fibers - Mimicking Nature Electrospinning Electrospinning - Important Facts to Remember NATURE OF THE ELECTROSPINNING PROCESS - EXPERIMENTAL OBSERVATIONS AND THEORETICAL ANALYSIS Experimental Setups Experimental Observations on Fiber Formation Theoretical Analysis of the Nature of the Electrospinning Processes Nature of the Electrospinning Process - Important Facts NANOFIBER PROPERTIES Parameters Controlling Nanofiber Formation Short Account on Methods of Analysis for the Structure of Electrospun Nanofibers Control of Nanofiber Diameters Shape of the Fibers Nanofiber Topologies, Porous Fibers Nanofiber Trajectories in the Deposition Plane Internal Morphology of Electrospun Nanofibers Mechanical Properties of Single Nanofibers Nanofiber Properties - Important Facts to Remember NONWOVENS COMPOSED OF ELECTROSPUN NANOFIBERS Nanofiber Nonwovens - Functional Elements for Technical Applications Methods of Analysis for Properties on Nonwovens Fiber Arrangements in Nonwovens Heterogeneous Nonwovens Porosity and Pore Structures - Theoretical Modeling and Experimental Analysis Mechanical Properties of Nonwovens Nonwovens Composed of Electrospun Nanofibers - Important Facts to Remember ELECTROSPINNING - SOME TECHNICAL ASPECTS Technical Setups for Creating Jets Designs of Counterelectrode Configurations Allowing Preparation of Nonwovens with a Broad Range of Architecture Electrospinning - Some Technical Aspects - Important Facts to Remember MODIFICATION OF THE ELECTROSPINNING TECHNIQUE Towards Advanced Modes of Fiber Preparation and Deposition Near-Field Electrospinning - High-Precision Deposition Electrospinning Towards Core-Shell and Hollow Fibers Modification of the Electrospinning Technique - Important Facts to Remember MATERIALS CONSIDERATIONS Introduction Spinning from Organic Solvents Spinning of Water-Soluble Polymers Spinning of Biopolymers Spinning of Complex Polymer Systems Nanofibers from Polymer Hybrids, Metals, Oxides Melt Spinning Materials Considerations - Important Facts to Remember TECHNICAL APPLICATIONS OF ELECTROSPUN NANOFIBERS Nanofibers, Nanofiber Nonwovens - Elements of Nanotechnology Filter Applications Textile Applications Catalysis Nanofiber Reinforcement Surface Modifications Template Applications Plant Protection via Pheromones Technical Applications - Important Facts to Remember MEDICINAL APPLICATIONS FOR ELECTROSPUN NANOFIBERS Nanotechnology and Medicinal Applications in General Tissue Engineering Wound Healing Transport and Release of Drugs Nanotechnology and Medicinal Applications in General - Important Facts to Remember