Abstract:
A master mould is made by wire cutting a plate in two or more directions to provide a base with an array of master mould needles protruding therefrom. The size and shape of the master mould needles can readily be varied by varying the angles of upward and downward cuts in the two or more directions. The master mould is used to make a secondary mould by hot embossing a secondary mould plate onto the master mould. This forms through-holes in the secondary mould. The secondary mould is plated with a layer of metal, which forms a microneedle array.
Abstract:
Disclosed herein are polymer matrixes having nanoscale channels dispersed therein and to methods for preparing such matrixes. Also disclosed are uses of such polymer matrixes, such as for separating and analyzing materials. Still further, disclosed are devices that include such polymer matrixes.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a moulding assembly to form at least one protective cap for a device. The moulding assembly includes a first mould wafer including at least one first recess and a second mould wafer including at least one pair of second recesses. The second mould wafer is able to be positioned relative to the first mould wafer so that each first recess is in register with a corresponding pair of second recesses. In use, thermosplastic material is located between the first and second mould wafers; the first and second mould wafers are positioned relative to one another so that each first recess is in register with a corresponding pair of second. recesses; the thermoplastic material is heated; and the first and second mould wafers are pressed together so that heated thermosplastic material enters the first and second recesses. Each first recess and corresponding second pair of recesses thereby combine to define a mould chamber in which a respective cap is formed.
Abstract:
Chemically or biochemically active agents or other species are patterned on a substrate surface by providing a micromold having a contoured surface and forming, on a substrate surface, a chemically or biochemically active agent or fluid precursor of a structure. A chemically or biochemically active agent or fluid precursor also can be transferred from indentations in an applicator to a substrate surface. The substrate surface can be planar or non-planar. Fluid precursors of polymeric structures, inorganic ceramics and salts, and the like can be used to form patterned polymeric articles, inorganic salts and ceramics, reactive ion etch masks, etc. at the surface. The articles can be formed in a pattern including a portion having a lateral dimension of less than about 1 millimeter or smaller. The indentation pattern of the applicator can be used to transfer separate, distinct chemically or biochemically active agents or fluid precursors to separate, isolated regions of a substrate surface. Waveguide arrays, combinatorial chemical or biochemical libraris, etc. can be made. Differences in refractive index of waveguide and cladding can be created by subjecting the waveguide and cladding, made of indentical prepolymeric material, to different polymerization or cross-linking conditions. Interferometers are defined by coupling arrays of waveguides, where coupling can be controlled by altering the difference in refractive index between cladding and waveguide at any desired location of the array. Alteration and refractive index can be created photochemically, chemically, or the like. Sensors also are disclosed, including biochemical sensors.
Abstract:
A method of using protective caps (160) applied to a first side of a wafer (150) in the production of microfabricated devices (152), such as micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) devices. One cap (160) covers each microfabricated device or group respectively, such that a gap remains between adjacent protective caps. One or more etches are applied to the gaps between the caps to remove material and separate the wafer into separate units.
Abstract:
A micromachine and a manufacturing method are provided for a micromachine that has a dynamic first microstructured portion serving as a drive portion, and a static second microstructured portion adapted to perform a switching function and which functions as an optical element. The second microstructured portion can be manufactured at least without complex steps, such as a silicon process, by forming a static second microstructure on the dynamic first microstructured portion, or in such a way as to be overlaid thereon by mold transfer. Thus, the microstructured portion of a complex shape can be easily formed with good reproducibility. When a plurality of elements are arranged in an array, similarly as in the case of a spatial light modulator, the stable reproduction thereof is achieved by the mold transfer. Thus, as compared with the case of manufacturing all elements in a silicon process, the probability of an occurrence of a defect is very low.
Abstract:
Caps (156, 160) are bonded to one or both sides of a wafer (150) to overlay in plan view all or part of a microfabricated device or group of devices (152). One or more etches (164) are applied from the cap side to remove material and to separate the wafer (150) into discrete units.
Abstract:
The invention provides ceramic molded solid articles and methods for making these articles on the micron scale. Articles are molded from ceramic precursors, optionally using molds including at least one portion that is elastomeric.
Abstract:
Chemically or biochemically active agents or other species are patterned on a substrate surface by providing a micromold having a contoured surface and forming, on a substrate surface, a chemically or biochemically active agent or fluid precursor of a structure. A chemically or biochemically active agent or fluid precursor also can be transferred from indentations in an applicator to a substrate surface. The substrate surface can be planar or non-planar. Fluid precursors of polymeric structures, inorganic ceramics and salts, and the like can be used to form patterned polymeric articles, inorganic salts and ceramics, reactive ion etch masks, etc. at the surface. The articles can be formed in a pattern including a portion having a lateral dimension of less than about 1 millimeter or smaller. The indentation pattern of the applicator can be used to transfer separate, distinct chemically or biochemically active agents or fluid precursors to separate, isolated regions of a substrate surface. Waveguide arrays, combinatorial chemical or biochemical libraries, etc. can be made. Differences in refractive index of waveguide and cladding can be created by subjecting the waveguide and cladding, made of identical prepolymeric material, to different polymerization or cross-linking conditions. Interferometers are defined by coupling arrays of waveguides, where coupling can be controlled by altering the difference in refractive index between cladding and waveguide at any desired location of the array. Alteration and refractive index can be created photochemically, chemically, or the like. Sensors also are disclosed, including biochemical sensors.
Abstract:
To offer a microstructure fabrication apparatus capable of realizing MEMS and a Rugate Filter excellent in performance characteristics by patterning a thick functional material film in high aspect ratio with a simple and practical manufacturing method. A Si layer is employed for a mask pattern. The advantages of the Si layer are withstood a process conducted at high temperature for forming a PZT layer, which is the functional material layer, patterned in high aspect ratio, and achieves excellent process consistency for the whole manufacturing processes of the microfabrication. A trench or a gap is formed with the mask pattern deeper than the desired PZT layer. The PZT layer, or functional material layer (films) is formed on the whole surface including the bottom of the concave part of the mask pattern. The PZT layer deposited on the mask pattern is removed with the mask pattern itself, and selectively remains the pattern of the PZT layer, thereby obtaining a pattern of the desired functional material layer.