Directed assembly of three-dimensional structures with micron-scale features
AssigneeThe Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
InventorsGregory Gratson, Jennifer Lewis
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Abstract
The invention provides polyelectrolyte inks comprising a solvent, a cationic polyelectrolyte, dissolved in the solvent, and an anionic polyelectrolyte, dissolved in the solvent. The concentration of at least one of the polyelectrolytes in the solvent is in a semidilute regime.
Claims48
A polyelectrolyte ink, comprising:
- (a) a solvent,
- (b) a cationic polyelectrolyte, dissolved in the solvent, and
- (c) an anionic polyelectrolyte, dissolved in the solvent,
- wherein a concentration of at least one of the polyelectrolytes in the solvent is in a semidilute regime.
A solid filament, comprising a complex of a cationic polyelectrolyte and an anionic polyeletrolyte,
- wherein the filament has a diameter of at most 10 microns.
A method of making a polyelectrolyte ink, comprising mixing together ingredients, wherein the ingredients comprise:
- (a) a solvent,
- (b) a cationic polyelectrolyte, and
- (c) an anionic polyelectrolyte,
- wherein a concentration of at least one of the polyelectrolytes in the solvent is in a semidilute regime.
An apparatus for the fabrication of microstructures, comprising:
- (1) a nozzle with a diameter of at most 10 microns,
- (2) a stage for supporting a substrate, below the nozzle,
- (3) a micropositioner operably connected to the nozzle, the stage, or both the nozzle and the stage, and
- (4) an ink reservoir fluidly connected to the nozzle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.