US5904545A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for fabricating self-assembling microstructures
Assignee: University of California
•
Filing: 1995-06-07
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Granted: 1999-05-18
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Expires: 2015-06-07
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for assembling microstructures onto a substrate through fluid transport. The apparatus includes a vessel that contains the substrate, a fluid, and microstructures. The substrate has at least one recessed region thereon. The microstructures being shaped blocks self-align into the recessed regions located on the substrate such that the microstructure becomes integral with the substrate. The apparatus also includes a pump that circulates the microstructures within the vessel at a rate where at least one of the microstructures is disposed into the recessed region.
Inventors
- 👤 John Stephen Smith
- 👤 Hsi-Jen J. Yeh
- 👤 Mark A. Hadley
- 👤 Ashish K. Verma
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 20:56
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10P; H10P72/00; H10P72/70; H10P72/74; G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/13; G02F1/133; G02F1/136; G02F1/1362; H10D; H10D62/00; H10D62/10; H10D62/117; H10P54/00; H10P95/00; H10P95/11; H10P95/112; H10W; H10W70/00; H10W70/099; H10W70/60; H10W70/67; H10W70/68; H10W70/69; H10W70/698; H10W72/00; H10W72/30; H10W90/00; G02F1/1368; H01; H01S; H01S5/00; H01S5/02; H01S5/022; H01S5/0225; H01S5/02251; H01S5/023; H01S5/02325; H01S5/02326; H01S5/10; H01S5/18; H01S5/183; H10H; H10H20/00; H10H20/80; H10H20/81; H10H20/819; H10P72/743; H10W70/682; H10W72/01; H10W72/0198; H10W72/071; H10W72/073; H10W72/07321; H10W72/07327; H10W72/07331; H10W72/07337
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
Apparatus for assembling a microstructure on a substrate with at least one recessed region thereon, said apparatus comprising: a vessel comprising a substrate therein, said substrate comprising a recessed region thereon; and a circulation system coupled to said vessel, said circulation system circulating a fluid comprising a liquid which contains a microstructure in the form of a plurality of shaped blocks at a rate where at least one of said shaped blocks is disposed into said recessed region.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
78 words
Apparatus for assembling a microstructure on a substrate with at least one recessed region thereon, said apparatus comprising: a vessel comprising a substrate therein, said substrate comprising a recessed region thereon; and a circulation system coupled to said vessel, said circulation system circulating a fluid comprising a liquid which contains a microstructure in the form of a plurality of shaped blocks at a rate where at least one of said shaped blocks is disposed into said recessed region.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus of claim 1 wherein said vessel comprises an agitation system to agitate said substrate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus of claim 1 wherein said vessel comprises a means for mechanically agitating the fluid with ultrasonic vibration.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
Apparatus of claim 1 wherein said vessel further comprises a receptacle with a funneled bottom; and a conduit having an input, said input coupled to said funneled bottom and to said circulation system, a column coupled to said input, and an output coupled to said column and leading to said receptacle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus of claim 4 wherein said receptacle further comprises a holder for moving said substrate to facilitate disposition of said shaped block into a recessed region.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus of claim 5 wherein said holder is coupled to said substrate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus of claim 5 wherein said holder agitates said substrate so that said shaped blocks free from said recessed regions can flow off said substrate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus of claim 1 wherein said circulation system comprises a pump coupled to said conduit, said pump dispensing a gas to facilitate the circulation of said shaped blocks in said vessel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus of claim 8 wherein said pump is adjustable to provide a selected rate to circulate said shaped blocks.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
9 words
Apparatus of claim 8 wherein said gas includes nitrogen.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus of claim 8 wherein said pump is adjustable to achieve different fill-factors of the recessed regions.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus of claim 8 wherein said gas forms bubbles within said fluid.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus of claim 1 wherein said circulation system can recirculate said shaped blocks.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus of claim 1 wherein said shaped blocks are self-aligned into said recessed regions.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus of claim 1 wherein said shaped blocks are bonded to said substrate.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus of claim 1 wherein said shaped blocks flow over said substrate until a fill-factor is achieved.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus of claim 1 wherein said vessel is made of a glass material.
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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) | 2002-05-17 | 2002-11-16 | 2003-05-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-05-17 | 2006-11-16 | 2007-05-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-05-17 | 2010-11-16 | 2011-05-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |