Method for forming microscopic polymer interconnections
US7135134B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 13, 2004 |
| Grant date | Nov 14, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 14, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/02033
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Polymer fiber interconnects are produced between microscale features on substrate using only electrostatic forces. In one embodiment, electric field driven directed growth of fibers is achieved between microscale droplets of a concentrated polymer solution deposited on a substrate associated with a capacitor, such as an interdigitated capacitor. After depositing the droplets, the droplets on or near the positive electrode become positively charged and the droplets on or near the negative electode become negatively charged. Fibers form between the positively and negatively charged droplets due to electrostatic forces. In a second embodiment, positively charged and negatively droplets are created by electrospraying or by other means, and the fibers spontaneously form between droplets of opposite polarity. The process is similar to conventional electrospinning, but is achieved on a micrscopic scale and utilizes significantly lower driving potentials.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.