Fabricating small-scale, curved, polymeric structures with convex and concave menisci through interfacial free energy equilibrium.
Polymeric curved structures are widely used in imaging systems including optical fibers and microfluidic channels. Here, we demonstrate that small-scale, poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS)-based, curved structures can be fabricated through controlling interfacial free energy equilibrium. Resultant structures have a smooth, symmetric, curved surface, and may be convex or concave in form based on surface tension balance. Their curvatures are controlled by surface characteristics (i.e., hydrophobicity and hydrophilicity) of the molds and semi-liquid PDMS. In addition, these structures are shown to be biocompatible for cell culture. Our system provides a simple, efficient and economical method for generating integrateable optical components without costly fabrication facilities.
Cheng
Chao-Min
CM
Department of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
Matsuura
Koji
K
Wang
I-Jan
IJ
Kuroda
Yuka
Y
LeDuc
Philip R
PR
Naruse
Keiji
K
D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes / Q000737:chemistry; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D013816:Thermodynamics; D014783:Viscosity
D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D011108:Polymers