Surface buckling method and articles formed thereby
US7978416B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 11, 2010 |
| Grant date | Jul 12, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 11, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC08J2321/00
- WIPO fieldMacromolecular chemistry, polymers
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A method for generating spontaneously aligned surface wrinkles utilizes control of local moduli-mismatch and osmotic pressure. The method includes modifying the surface of an elastomeric layer to form a superlayer that is stiffer and/or less absorbent than the elastomeric layer. The elastomeric layer is then swollen with a polymerizable monomer, which causes buckling of the superlayer. The monomer is then polymerized, dimensionally stabilizing the surface buckling. The buckled surfaces generated by the method are useful in a wide variety of end-use applications, including microlenses, microlens arrays, compound microlenses, diffraction gratings, photonic crystals, smart adhesives, mechanical strain sensors, microfluidic devices, and cell culture surfaces.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.