Manufacture of microstructures

A microstructure comprising protrusions from a surface of a continuous layer of a solidified viscous polymer formed by a method comprising:

• disposing the viscous polymer on a substrate;
• contacting a surface of the viscous polymer with a template having a plurality of contact points;
• drawing the viscous polymer at points of contact between the surface of the viscous polymer and the plurality of contact points while urging air toward the viscous film layer from the template to form the protrusions;
• permitting the protrusions to solidify;
• and
• separating the solidified protrusions from the template to form the microstructure.

An apparatus for manufacturing a microstructure, comprising:

• a substrate carrier configured to carry a substrate;
• a template holder configured to carry a template having a plurality of contact points and enable a flow of air through outlet apertures disposed in the template;
• and
• an assembly configured to:
• enable the plurality of contact points to contact a surface of a viscous polymer layer disposed on the substrate provided on the substrate carrier;
• draw the viscous polymer at points of contact between the surface of the viscous polymer and the plurality of contact points to form protrusions of the viscous polymer;
• and
• permit the protrusions to solidify.