Patent · US Expired

Electrohydrodynamically patterned colloidal crystals

US6533903B2 · kind B2 · utility

6Cited by
3References
7Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 26, 2001
Grant dateMar 18, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 26, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
  • CPC primaryC30B30/00
  • WIPO fieldSurface technology, coating
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A method for assembling patterned crystalline arrays of colloidal particles using ultraviolet illumination of an optically-sensitive semiconducting anode while using the anode to apply an electronic field to the colloidal particles. The ultraviolet illumination increases current density, and consequently, the flow of the colloidal particles. As a result, colloidal particles can be caused to migrate from non-illuminated areas of the anode to illuminated areas of the anode. Selective illumination of the anode can also be used to permanently affix colloidal crystals to illuminated areas of the anode while not affixing them to non-illuminated areas of the anode.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.