Process and device for producing ultrathin layers and layer element

US5429842A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Hoechst GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Gunther Appel · Hattersheim, DE
• Jacqueline Bauer · Schwalbach am Taunus, DE
• Werner Hickel · Ludwigshafen, DE
• Donald Lupo · Frankfurt am Main, DE
• Werner Prass · Mainz, DE
• Ude Scheunemann · Bad Soden am Taunus, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 17, 1993
• Grant date: Jul 4, 1995
• Expiry date: Aug 17, 2013

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B82Y40/00
• WIPO field: Micro-structural and nano-technology
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

In order to continuously produce an ultrathin, ordered layer of amphiphilic molecules on the surface of a polar liquid a directed flow of the polar liquid is produced in a duct which contains the amphiphilic molecules in dissolved or undissolved form on the surface in spread form. In the duct, a duct section having a relatively high flow rate on the surface and comprising a ramp which is arranged at the bottom of the duct and washed over by the polar liquid is provided. This is followed by a duct section having a relatively low flow rate on the surface, in which the flow is dammed up at an obstacle at a liquid level constant with time, so that an ultrathin, ordered layer of amphiphilic molecules is continuously formed in these duct sections at the polar liquid/air interface by compression of the flow. The washed over ramp is movable.