Abstract:
An electrostatic injet head (10) having an inner structure (56) on the bottom of the top (53) of the membrane (50) for isolating it for the conductor (40), and an outer structure (58), away from the center of the membrane (50), on the bottom of the top (53) of the membrane (50) to stop excessive flexing of the membrane (50) leading to inter-electrode contact. The invention can be used in various silicon-based actuators, including fluid pumps and optical switching devices.
Abstract:
A method of Si anisotropic etching makes it possible to relax the restrictions imposed upon the processing configuration of an Si substrate provided with the 〈100〉 plane orientation. This Si anisotropic etching method can be preferably used for the formation of the ink supply opening of an ink jet head, for example. When an Si material (Si substrate) having the 〈100〉 crystal plane orientation is processed by this anisotropic etching method, it is arranged to give heat treatment to such Si material in advance before etching. Thus, the processed section can be obtained in a bent configuration formed by the two 〈111〉 planes of crystal plane orientation. Therefore, the etching initiation surface is made smaller than that needed for the conventional art even when the same width should be obtained for a penetrating process, hence making a chip smaller accordingly for the reduction of costs.
Abstract:
We describe a method of layer-by-layer deposition of a plurality of layers of material onto the wall or walls of a channel of a microfluidic device, the method comprising: loading a tube with a series of segments of solution, a said segment of solution bearing a material to be deposited; coupling said tube to said microfluidic device; and injecting said segments of solution into said microfluidic device such that said segments of solution pass, in turn, through said channel depositing successive layers of material to perform said layer-by-layer deposition onto said wall or walls of said channel. Embodiments of the methods are particularly useful for automated surface modification of plastic, for example PDMS (Poly(dimethylsiloxane)), microchannels. We also describe methods and apparatus for forming double-emulsions.
Abstract:
A slot (18) is formed that reaches through a first side (21) of a silicon substrate (12) to a second side of the silicon substrate (12). A trench (15) is laser patterned. The trench (15) has a mouth at the first side (21) of the silicon substrate (12). The trench (15) does not reach the second side of the silicon substrate (12). the trench (15) is dry etched until a depth of at least a portion of the trench (15) is extended approximately to the second side of the silicon substrate (12). A wet etch is performed to complete formation of the slot (18). the wet etch etches silicon from all surfaces of the trench (15).
Abstract:
The described embodiments relate to slotted substrates (300) and methods of forming same. One exemplary method forms a first slot portion (410a) into a first surface (302) of a substrate (300), the first slot portion (410a) defining a footprint (404) at the first surface (302). The method also forms a second slot portion (410a 1 ) through the first slot portion (410a); and, forms a third slot portion (410a 2 ) through a second surface (303) of the substrate (300) sufficiently to intercept the second slot portion (410a 1 ) to form a fluid-handling slot (305) through the substrate (300).
Abstract:
A thermal bend actuator (6) is provided with upper arms (23, 25, 26) and lower arms (27, 28) which are non planar, so increasing the stiffness of the arms. The arms (23, 25, 26,27,28) may be spaced transversely of each other and do not overly each other in plan view, so enabling all arms to be formed by depositing a single layer of arm forming material.
Abstract:
We describe a method of layer-by-layer deposition of a plurality of layers of material onto the wall or walls of a channel of a microfluidic device, the method comprising: loading a tube with a series of segments of solution, a said segment of solution bearing a material to be deposited; coupling said tube to said microfluidic device; and injecting said segments of solution into said microfluidic device such that said segments of solution pass, in turn, through said channel depositing successive layers of material to perform said layer-by-layer deposition onto said wall or walls of said channel. Embodiments of the methods are particularly useful for automated surface modification of plastic, for example PDMS (Poly(dimethylsiloxane)), microchannels. We also describe methods and apparatus for forming double-emulsions.
Abstract:
A process for filling one or more etched holes defined in a frontside surface of a wafer substrate. The process includes the steps of: (i) depositing a layer of a thermoplastic first polymer onto the frontside surface and into each hole; (ii) reflowing the first polymer; (iii) exposing the wafer substrate to a controlled oxidative plasma; (iv) optionally repeating steps (i) to (iii); (v) depositing a layer of a photoimageable second polymer; (vi) selectively removing the second polymer from regions outside a periphery of the holes using exposure and development; and (vii) planarizing the frontside surface to provide holes filled with a plug comprising the first and second polymers, which are different than each other. Each plug has a respective upper surface coplanar with the frontside surface.
Abstract:
Fluidic cartridges, and manufacture thereof, having a plurality of circuit element subtypes containing pneumatically operated diaphragm members, where the diaphragm materials are selected for yield point, chemical resistance, breathability and other properties individually according to the fluidic element subtype are provided. A process of in-situ edge-bonded decoupage for forming diaphragm members inside a cartridge, and fluidic circuits having diaphragm members as active and passive circuit elements, including pumps, valves, vents, waste receptacles, reagent reservoirs, and cuvettes with optical windows, where the material composition of each individual diaphragm member may be selected from an assortment of materials during manufacture are also provided.