Back to results
US 9,804,494 B2Granted
Method for creating topographical patterns in polymers via surface energy patterned films and the marangoni effect
AssigneeBoard of Regents, The University of Texas System
InventorsChristopher J. Ellison, Joshua M. Katzenstein, Dustin W. Janes
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Using a broadband light source and a photomask, surface energy gradients can be directly transferred into polymer films. The Marangoni effect causes high surface energy regions to rise upon heating the film. This leads to the formation of three-dimensional topography that can be locked in by quenching the polymer by cooling.
Claims20
A method of forming a topographical pattern in a polymer substrate, comprising:
- exposing the polymer substrate in its solid state to a pattern of activating light for a time sufficient to cause at least a portion of the polymer substrate exposed to the light to undergo a change in surface energy;
- and
- heating the polymer substrate to a temperature sufficient to liquefy the polymer substrate after exposure to activating light, wherein the temperature is selected such that the polymer substrate adopts a topography that corresponds to the pattern of activating light.
A method of transferring a topographical pattern from a patterned substrate, comprising:
- contacting the patterned substrate with a liquid lithography mask material, and curing the material,
- wherein the patterned substrate is a topographical patterned polymer substrate prepared by
- exposing a polymer substrate in its solid state to a pattern of activating light for a time sufficient to cause at least a portion of the polymer substrate exposed to the light to undergo a change in surface energy;
- and
- heating the polymer substrate to a temperature sufficient to liquefy the polymer substrate after exposure to activating light, wherein the temperature is selected such that the polymer substrate adopts a topography that corresponds to the pattern of activating light.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.