Abstract:
Methods for fabricating nanostructures and articles associated therewith are described. In some embodiments, an isolated nanostructure (e.g., a metal nanowire) or an array of nanostructures can be fabricated by depositing a material (e.g., a metal) on a surface having a plurality of protrusions or indentations. At least a portion of the deposited material may be embedded in an encapsulating material, and the encapsulating material can be cut, for instance, to form a thin slice that includes the deposited material at least partially embedded therein. In some instances, the slice can be positioned on a surface in a desired arrangement. The encapsulating material can be removed from the surface to form one or more isolated nanostructures of the deposited material. Advantageously, dimensions of the nanostructures can be controlled to, e.g., 15 run, to form nanostructures having a variety of shapes and geometries (e.g., wires, rings, and cylinders). Nanostructures can also be formed in a variety of materials, including metals, ceramics, and polymers. In addition, nanostructures can also be fabricated over large areas (e.g., greater than 1 mm 2 ). In some cases, these nanostructures are positioned in association with other components, e.g., to form a functional component of a device.
Abstract:
In one aspect, methods of patterning of thin films of an ionotropic polymer (e.g., poly(acrylic acid)) are provided. These processes can create micron or sub-micron-scale patterns of ionotropic polymers such as cation crosslinked poly(acrylic acid) (CCL- PAA). In one embodiment, patterning may be performed within microfluidic channels by flowing a solution of crosslinking agent (e.g., metal cations such as Ag + , Ca 2+ , Pd 2+ , Al 3+ , La 3+ , and Ti 4+ ) that can crosslink a portion of an ionotropic polymer in contact with the solution. In another embodiment, methods of patterning ionotropic polymers involve photolithography. Upon patterning a positive photoresist (e.g., diazonaphthoquinone- novolac resin) on a film of CCL-PAA, the exposed regions of CCL-PAA can be etched by an aqueous solution. Advantageously, the patterned, crosslinked polymer may also serve as both a reactant and a matrix for subsequent chemistry. For example, in some embodiments, the initial crosslinking cation can be exchanged for a second cation that could not be patterned photolithographically. Patterned films of CCL-PAA can also be used to host and template the reduction of metallic cations to metallic nanoparticles, and to fabricate porous, low-k dielectric substrates.
Abstract:
Embodiments of the invention provide lateral flow and flow-through bioassay devices based on patterned porous media, methods of making same, and methods of using same. Under one aspect, an assay device includes a porous, hydrophilic medium; a fluid impervious barrier comprising polymerized photoresist, the barrier substantially permeating the thickness of the porous, hydrophilic medium and defining a boundary of an assay region within the porous, hydrophilic medium; and an assay reagent in the assay region.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to self-assembly of structures, and, in particular, to self-assembly by action of a liquid patterned onto a substrate. In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to method of self-assembling a plurality of structures. The method includes patterning a first liquid onto a first substrate, and, while at least a portion of the first liquid remains in liquid form, self-assembling at least a portion of the plurality of structures onto the substrate by action of the first liquid and according to the pattern of the first liquid. In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a display. The display includes a first substrate and a first plurality of electrical connectors being in electrical connection with one another. The display further includes a second substrate, at least some of the second plurality of electrical connectors being in electrical connection with one another. The display further includes a plurality of display elements each electrically connected to at least one of the first plurality of electrical connectors and the second plurality of connectors. In this embodiment, each of the plurality of display elements has an average diameter of less than 1 millimeter.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to fluidic systems and, in particular, fluidic arrays and methods for using them to promote interaction of materials. In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a microfluidic system. The microfluidic system includes a first fluid path and a second fluid path segregated from the first fluid path by a first convection controller at a first contact region, wherein at least one of the first fluid path and the second fluid path has a cross-sectional dimension of less than about 1 millimeter. In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method of promoting interaction. The method of promoting interaction includes the steps of introducing a first fluid including a first material into a first fluid path having a cross-sectional dimension of less than one millimeter, introducing a second fluid including a second material into a second fluid path segregated from the first fluid path by a convection controller at a contact region, and allowing the first and second materials to interact at the contact region.
Abstract:
The present invention provides, in certain embodiments, improved microfluidic systems and methods for fabricating improved microfluidic systems, which contain one or more levels of microfluidic channels. The inventive methods can provide a convenient route to topologically complex and improved microfluidic systems. The microfluidic systems provided according to the invention can include three-dimensionally arrayed networks of fluid flow paths therein including channels that cross over or under other channels of the network without physical intersection at the points of cross over. The microfluidic networks of the invention can be fabricated via replica molding processes, also provided by the invention, utilizing mold masters including surfaces having topological features formed by photolithography. The microfluidic networks of the invention are, in some cases, comprised of a single replica molded layer, and, in other cases, are comprised of two, three, or more replica molded layers that have been assembled to form the overall microfluidic network structure. The present invention also describes various novel applications for using the microfluidic network structures provided by the invention.
Abstract:
The present invention provides, in certain embodiments, improved microfluidic systems and methods for fabricating improved microfluidic systems, which contain one or more levels of microfluidic channels. The inventive methods can provide a convenient route to topologically complex and improved microfluidic systems. The microfluidic systems provided according to the invention can include three-dimensionally arrayed networks of fluid flow paths therein including channels that cross over or under other channels of the network without physical intersection at the points of cross over. The microfluidic networks of the invention can be fabricated via replica molding processes, also provided by the invention, utilizing mold masters including surfaces having topological features formed by photolithography. The microfluidic networks of the invention are, in some cases, comprised of a single replica molded layer, and, in other cases, are comprised of two, three, or more replica molded layers that have been assembled to form the overall microfluidic network structure. The present invention also describes various novel applications for using the microfluidic network structures provided by the invention.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for providing electric microcontact printing is provided. A stamp is brought into contact with the surface of a substrate to provide high resolution features. Aspects of the invention may be used for data storage, microcontact printing, and for other applications requiring high resolution pattern transfer.
Abstract:
The multiplexed electrochemical microfluidic paper-based analytical device comprises multiple detection zones for the detection of multiple biochemical analytes from one single sample. Cavity valves integrated on the device will deliver the sample to different detection zones. These analytes include, but are not limited to, urea, creatinine, creatine, glucose, lactate, ethanol, uric acid, cholesterol, pyruvate, creatinine, β-hydroxybutyrate, alanine aminotrasferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and acetylcholinesterase (or its inhibitors). This system will provide a simple and low-cost POC approach to obtain quantitative and multiple biological information from one sample (e.g. one drop of blood).