Patent US6039897A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6039897A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multiple patterned structures on a single substrate fabricated by elastomeric micro-molding techniques
Assignee: WASHINGTON, University of
•
Filing: 1997-08-28
•
Granted: 2000-03-21
•
Expires: 2017-08-28
Abstract
Abstract A method for patterning a material onto a substrate including the steps of: providing a micro-mold having a plurality of non-communicating independent channels and having a plurality of reservoirs for receiving a micro-molding fluid each of which reservoirs communicates with a channel, the micro-mold including an elastomeric master having a surface with a plurality of recesses therein and a substrate; introducing a micro-molding fluid into the micro-mold reservoirs filling said communicating channels; and solidifying the fluid in the micro-mold and removing the elastomeric master thereby generating a pattern of material on the substrate. The micro-mold is formed by contacting the surface of the elastomeric master with the substrate such that the recesses in the surface form the plurality of reservoirs and channels.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael J. Lochhead
- 👤 Paul Yager
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 11:34
CPC Classifications
B; B82; B82Y; B82Y10/00; B29; B29C; B29C33/00; B29C33/38; B29C33/40; B29C33/405; B29C33/42; B29C39/00; B29C39/22; B29C39/24; B81; B81C; B81C1/00; B81C1/00349; B81C1/00373; B82Y40/00; G; G03; G03F; G03F7/00; G03F7/0002; B81C2201/00; B81C2201/01; B81C2201/0174; B81C2201/0183; B81C2201/0187
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 42
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
A method for patterning a material onto a substrate which comprises the steps of: a. providing a micro-mold having a plurality of non-communicating, independent channels and having a plurality of reservoirs for receiving a micro-molding fluid each of which reservoirs communicates with a channel, said mold comprising an elastomeric master having a surface with a plurality of recesses therein and a substrate, said mold formed by contacting the surface of said elastomeric master with said substrate such that the recesses in said surface form said plurality of reservoirs and channels; b. introducing a micro-molding fluid into said mold reservoirs filling said communicating channels; and c. solidifying said fluid in said mold and removing said elastomeric master thereby generating a pattern of material on said substrate.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
125 words
A method for patterning a material onto a substrate which comprises the steps of: a. providing a micro-mold having a plurality of non-communicating, independent channels and having a plurality of reservoirs for receiving a micro-molding fluid each of which reservoirs communicates with a channel, said mold comprising an elastomeric master having a surface with a plurality of recesses therein and a substrate, said mold formed by contacting the surface of said elastomeric master with said substrate such that the recesses in said surface form said plurality of reservoirs and channels; b. introducing a micro-molding fluid into said mold reservoirs filling said communicating channels; and c. solidifying said fluid in said mold and removing said elastomeric master thereby generating a pattern of material on said substrate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said substrate is a material selected from the group consisting of glass, sapphire, Si/SiO 2 , Ti/TiO 2 , a metal oxide, a metal nitride, a semiconductor material and a non-reactive metal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said molding fluid is a sol.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said molding fluid is an aqueous sol.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said sol is an inorganic sol.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said sol is an organically-modified inorganic sol.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said sol comprises an indicator dye.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said sol comprises a biologically active component.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said patterned substrate comprises independent patterns each comprising different materials formed by introducing two or more different micro-molding fluids into different reservoirs of said micro-mold.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said micro-molding fluids are sols each of which comprises a different indicator dye.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said indicator dyes are selected from the group of indicator dyes for pH, Ca + or glucose.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said micro-molding fluids are selected from the group of a prepolymer or monomer solution, an inorganic salt solution, a latex solution, an inorganic sol or an organically-modified inorganic sol.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 9 wherein one or more of said micro-molding fluids comprises an indicator dye.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 9 wherein one or more of said micro-molding fluids comprises a biologically active component.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said fluid is solidified at a temperature less than or equal to about 100° C.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said substrate is patterned to comprise an optical waveguide.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said substrate is patterned to comprise a sensor.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said substrate to be patterned is within a micro fluid channel.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising a step of pre-wetting said mold channels prior to introduction of said micro-molding fluid.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 19 wherein said pre-wetting step is done by dipping said mold in an appropriate solvent.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 19 wherein said solvent is a lower alcohol.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 19 wherein said alcohol is ethanol.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for patterning a substrate which comprises the steps of: a. providing a micro-mold having a plurality of channels for receiving a micro-molding fluid said mold comprising an elastomeric master having a surface with a plurality of recesses therein and said substrate, said mold formed by contacting the surface of said master with said substrate such that the recesses in said surface form said plurality of channels; b. introducing a micro-molding fluid which is a sol into said channels; and c. solidifying said sol in said mold and removing said elastomeric master thereby generating said patterned substrate.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for patterning a substrate which comprises the steps of: a. providing a micro-mold having a plurality of channels for receiving a micro-molding fluid said mold comprising an elastomeric master having a surface with a plurality of recesses therein and said substrate, said mold formed by contacting the surface of said master with said substrate such that the recesses in said surface form said plurality of channels; b. introducing a micro-molding fluid which is a sol into said channels; and c. solidifying said sol in said mold and removing said elastomeric master thereby generating said patterned substrate.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 23 wherein said sol is an aqueous sol.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 23 wherein said sol is solidified by gelling and subsequently aged to generate said patterned substrate.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 23 wherein said sol comprises a precursor of a metal oxide.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 26 wherein said precursor is an metal alkoxide or mixture of metal alkoxides.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 27 wherein said precursor is a mixture of alkoxides of different metals.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 23 wherein said sol comprises an organosilane.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 29 wherein said organosilane is an alkoxysilane.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 30 wherein said alkoxysilane is a tetraalkoxysilane.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 31 wherein said sol further comprises a silane functionalized polymer or prepolymer.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 32 wherein said silane functionalized polymer or prepolymer is an alkoxysilane.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 33 wherein said silane functionalized polymer is an N-trialkoxysilylpropyl-O-polyethyleneoxide urethane.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 23 wherein said sol comprises an indicator dye.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 35 wherein said indicator dye is a fluorescent dye.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 23 wherein said sol comprises a biologically active component.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 37 wherein said biologically active component is selected from the group consisting of proteins, enzymes, antibodies, antigens, nucleic acids, whole cells or cell fractions.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 23 wherein said patterned substrate is within a micro fluidic channel.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 39 wherein said patterned substrate provides a plurality of sensing elements within said micro fluidic channel.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-03-21 | 2003-09-20 | 2004-03-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-03-21 | 2007-09-20 | 2008-03-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-03-21 | 2011-09-20 | 2012-03-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |