Scanned source oriented nanofiber formation
AssigneeCornell University
InventorsHarold G. Craighead, Jun Kameoka
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Nanofibers are formed using electrospray deposition from microfluidic source. The source is brought close to a surface, and scanned in one embodiment to form oriented or patterned fibers. In one embodiment, the surface has features, such as trenches on a silicon wafer. In further embodiments, the surface is rotated to form patterned nanofibers, such as polymer nanofibers. The nanofibers may be used as a mask to create features, and as a sacrificial layer to create nanochannels.
Claims18
A method of forming nanofibers, the method comprising:
- positioning a target substrate and counter electrode a desired distance from a microfluidic emitter having an emitter tip;
- providing a polymer to the microfluidic emitter tip;
- applying a potential between the microfluidic emitter tip and the target substrate to create nanofibers on the target substrate and;
- creating lateral movement between the target substrate and the microfluidic emitter.
A method of forming nanofibers, the method comprising:
- positioning a target substrate and counter electrode a desired distance from a microfluidic emitter having an emitter tip;
- providing a polymer to the microfluidic emitter tip;
- and
- applying a potential between the microfluidic emitter tip and the target substrate to create nanofibers on the target substrate, wherein the polymer comprises a colloidal suspension including nanospheres.
A method of forming nanofibers, the method comprising:
- forming features on a target substrate;
- positioning the target substrate and metal counter electrode a desired distance from a microfluidic emitter;
- providing a polymer to the microfluidic emitter;
- and
- applying a potential between the microfluidic emitter and the target substrate to create nanofibers spanning the features on the target substrate.
A method of forming nanofibers, the method comprising:
- positioning a target substrate and aluminum counter electrode a desired distance of between 0.5 and 2.0 cm from a microfluidic emitter tip;
- rotating the target substrate with respect to the microfluidic emitter tip;
- pumping a polymer through the microfluidic emitter;
- and
- applying a potential of between 2000 V and 8500 V between the microfluidic emitter tip and the target substrate to create nanofibers that are approximately 100 nm in diameter on the target substrate.
A method of forming nanofibers, the method comprising:
- positioning a target substrate a desired distance from a source;
- pumping a polymer through the source;
- and
- moving the source to create nanofibers having a desired orientation on the target substrate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.