Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for micro-contact printing

US6981445B2 · kind B2 · utility

6Cited by
8References
18Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 24, 2003
Grant dateJan 3, 2006
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 24, 2023

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB82Y40/00
  • WIPO fieldMicro-structural and nano-technology
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

An apparatus for producing patterns on a surface of a substrate. The apparatus includes a rigid support such as a rigid tubular structure having first and second opposed ends and a fluid flow passageway extending therethrough. A printing stamp is attached at one of the opposed ends of the rigid support. The printing stamp has a flexible diaphragm portion which has an outer surface which is coated with one or more materials in a pre-selected pattern. A pneumatic pressurizing mechanism communicating with an inner surface of the flexible diaphragm portion through the fluid flow passageway is used to bias the flexible diaphragm portion outwardly into intimate and uniform contact with the surface of the substrate for transferring the pre-selected pattern onto the substrate surface. The rigid tubular supports are attached to a robotic positioning mechanism for providing control of positioning of the stamp relative to the substrate surface.

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