Abstract:
Disclosed is a method and apparatus for continuously forming and depositing a layer of monomolecular amphiphilic molecules on a substrate. The present invention includes an apparatus and method for transferring and compressing an uncompressed molecular layer from one liquid surface region to another adjacent liquid surface region by using non-moving or static mechanical components which do not come into direct contact with the monomolecular layer. The present invention is based on the fact that by continuously flowing liquid from one region to an adjacent region by using non-moving or static mechanical components that do not touch the monomolecular layer, a monomolecular layer having surprisingly little damage can be transported to the adjacent region and simultaneouly compressed by the flowing liquid surface. The monomolecular layer can then be coated onto a substrate. Due to the present invention, it is now commercially feasible to continuously supply one region with a solution of amphiphilic molecules, and then to deposit continuously onto a substrate or onto several substrates within a region in flow communication with the former region, the monomolecular layer which has been compressed and transported into this latter region.