BACKGROUND: Electrospinning is a versatile method to process solutions or melts into micro- or nanofibers. Several mathematic models for electrospinning have been established, focused mostly on the fiber formation process, but seldom on the distribution of collected fibers by considering the electric field effect. RESULTS: A method based on electric potential and coulombic interactions was developed to simulate the distribution of electrospun fibers. Two different types of electric field were investigated; and the process was interpreted by schematic diagrams and physical equations. In this case, the simulation analysis based on idealized models is convenient to understand the effect of the distorted electric field induced by different types of collectors. CONCLUSION: The effects of electric potential and Coulombic interactions are the decisive factors in the collect process. The mathematic model can indeed predict the distribution of electrospun fibers. (C) 2008 Society of Chemical Industry