US5383512A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for fabricating a substrate having spaced apart microcapillaries thereon
Assignee: Midwest Research Institute
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Filing: 1993-05-24
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Granted: 1995-01-24
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Expires: 2013-05-24
Abstract
Abstract Methods for manufacturing a self-supporting substrate having a plurality of spaced-apart needles (spikes or microcapillaries) projecting upwardly from a major surface of the substrate. In a preferred method, metal is deposited onto a porous membrane such that the metal extends into the pores, after which the membrane is dissolved.
Inventors
- 👤 Eric E. Jarvis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 17:29
CPC Classifications
C; C23; C23C; C23C16/00; C23C16/01; C23C14/00; C23C14/0005; C23C14/04; C23C14/046; C23C14/06; C23C14/14; C23C14/20; C23C16/04; C23C16/045
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
A method for manufacturing a self-supporting substrate having a plurality of spaced needles projecting outwardly from a major surface of said substrate, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a porous polycarbonate membrane having a plurality of pores extending therethrough wherein said pores have a diameter of about 0.1 to 5 microns; and wherein said membrane has a thickness of about 5 to 10 microns; (b) depositing a metal onto a major surface of said membrane in a manner such that a layer of the metal is formed on said major surface of said membrane, and wherein the metal extends into the pores to form said plurality of spaced needles wherein said membrane is disposed at an angle relative to the metal being deposited, and rotated such that said formed needles comprise nucricaoukkarues; and (c) dissolving said membrane in solvent to leave a self-supporting metal substrate with said needles projecting outwardly therefrom.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
153 words
A method for manufacturing a self-supporting substrate having a plurality of spaced needles projecting outwardly from a major surface of said substrate, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a porous polycarbonate membrane having a plurality of pores extending therethrough wherein said pores have a diameter of about 0.1 to 5 microns; and wherein said membrane has a thickness of about 5 to 10 microns; (b) depositing a metal onto a major surface of said membrane in a manner such that a layer of the metal is formed on said major surface of said membrane, and wherein the metal extends into the pores to form said plurality of spaced needles wherein said membrane is disposed at an angle relative to the metal being deposited, and rotated such that said formed needles comprise nucricaoukkarues; and (c) dissolving said membrane in solvent to leave a self-supporting metal substrate with said needles projecting outwardly therefrom.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said metal is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, gold, tungsten, nickel, and silver.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said metal is deposited on said membrane by means of chemical vapor deposition.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said metal is deposited on said membrane by means of evaporation from a metal source.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said metal is deposited on said membrane by means of sputtering.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
152 words
A method for manufacturing a self-supporting substrate having a plurality of spaced needles projecting outwardly from a major surface of said substrate, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a porous polycarbonate membrane having a plurality of pores extending therethrough wherein said pores have a diameter of about 0.1 to 5 microns; and wherein said membrane has a thickness of about 5 to 10 microns; (b) depositing a metal onto a major surface of said membrane in a manner such that a layer of the metal is formed on said major surface of said membrane, and wherein the metal extends into the pores to form said plurality of spaced needles, wherein said metal is deposited onto said surface of said membrane from a diffuse source such that said formed needles comprise microcapillaries; and (c) dissolving said membrane in solvent to leave a self-supporting metal substrate with said needles projecting outwardly therefrom.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
152 words
A method for manufacturing a self-supporting substrate having a plurality of spaced needles projecting outwardly from a major surface of said substrate, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a porous polycarbonate membrane having a plurality of pores extending therethrough wherein said pores have a diameter of about 0.1 to 5 microns; and wherein said membrane has a thickness of about 5 to 10 microns; (b) depositing a metal onto a major surface of said membrane in a manner such that a layer of the metal is formed on said major surface of said membrane, and wherein the metal extends into the pores to form said plurality of spaced needles, wherein said metal is deposited onto said surface of said membrane from a diffuse source such that said formed needles comprise microcapillaries; and (c) dissolving said membrane in solvent to leave a self-supporting metal substrate with said needles projecting outwardly therefrom.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-01-23 | 1998-07-25 | 1999-01-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-01-23 | 2002-07-25 | 2003-01-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-01-23 | 2006-07-25 | 2007-01-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |