title: Generation of Customizable Micro-wavy Pattern through Grayscale Direct Image Lithography.
abstract: With the increasing amount of research work in surface studies, a more effective method of producing patterned microstructures is highly desired due to the geometric limitations and complex fabricating process of current techniques. This paper presents an efficient and cost-effective method to generate customizable micro-wavy pattern using direct image lithography. This method utilizes a grayscale Gaussian distribution effect to model inaccuracies inherent in the polymerization process, which are normally regarded as trivial matters or errors. The measured surface profiles and the mathematical prediction show a good agreement, demonstrating the ability of this method to generate wavy patterns with precisely controlled features. An accurate pattern can be generated with customizable parameters (wavelength, amplitude, wave shape, pattern profile, and overall dimension). This mask-free photolithography approach provides a rapid fabrication method that is capable of generating complex and non-uniform 3D wavy patterns with the wavelength ranging from 12 μm to 2100 μm and an amplitude-to-wavelength ratio as large as 300%. Microfluidic devices with pure wavy and wavy-herringbone patterns suitable for capture of circulating tumor cells are made as a demonstrative application. A completely customized microfluidic device with wavy patterns can be created within a few hours without access to clean room or commercial photolithography equipment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18015, USA.
authors.forename: Ran
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: He
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18015, USA.
authors.forename: Shunqiang
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18015, USA.
authors.forename: Geoffrey
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Andrews
authors.affiliation: Bioengineering Program, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18015, USA.
authors.forename: Wentao
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18015, USA.|Bioengineering Program, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18015, USA.
authors.forename: Yaling
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D045325:HCT116 Cells; D006801:Humans; D056656:Lab-On-A-Chip Devices; D011327:Printing / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*