Self-assembly of elements using microfluidic traps
US7874474B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 22, 2009 |
| Grant date | Jan 25, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 22, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P70/50
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A self-assembly process is disclosed for integrating free standing microcomponents onto a template having a plurality of binding sites, an interconnect network, and trapping structures disposed downstream of the binding sites. The self-assembly is accomplished by flowing a fluid medium containing the microcomponents over the template such that some of the microcomponents are trapped at binding sites. The template may be simultaneously (or subsequently) heated to melt a binder such as a solder spot at each of the binding sites, and then cooled to connect the trapped microcomponents to the interconnect network. In one embodiment, removable blocking elements are disposed upstream of some of the binding sites, for example formed from photoresist. After assembling a first set of microcomponents, the blocking elements are removed, and a second set of microcomponents in a fluid medium are flowed over the template for assembly into the newly unblocked binding sites.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.