We discuss finite element simulations and experiments involving the surface tension-driven self-folding of patterned polyhedra. Two-dimensional (2D) photolithographically patterned templates folded spontaneously when solder hinges between adjacent faces were liquefied. Minimization of interfacial free energy of the molten solder with the surrounding fluidic medium caused the solder to ball up, resulting in a torque that rotated adjacent faces and drove folding. The simulations indicate that the folding process can be precisely controlled, has fault tolerance, and can be used to fold polyhedra composed of a variety of materials, ranging in size from the millimeter scale down to the nanometer scale. Experimentally, we have folded metallic, arbitrarily patterned polyhedra ranging in size from 2 mm to 15 microm.
In this communication we describe a new chemical encapsulation and release platform using 3D microfabricated nanoliter scale containers with controlled porosity. The containers can be fabricated of magnetic materials that allow them to be remotely guided using magnetic fields. The favorable attributes of the containers that include a versatile highly parallel fabrication process, precisely engineered porosity, isotropic/anisotropic chemical release profiles, and remote magnetic guiding provide an attractive platform for engineering spatially controlled chemical reactions in microfluidic systems.
Correction to Figure 2: The x axis was incorrectly labeled with units of nL (where nL ) nanoliter). The correct units should be (× 10 2 pL) (where pL ) picoliter) (i.e., the solder volume units on the x axis should be a factor of 10 smaller than that labeled in Figure 2 of the original article). The simulations used the proper value for the volume, and the change does not affect the discussion or conclusions but is important from a fabrication standpoint.LA803899K
Vertically aligned metal oxide nanostructures (e.g., wires, needles, pillars and trees) of CuO, PdO and NiO were synthesized on several substrates (e.g., Si and ITO (indium tin oxide)) using a high-pressure (~Torr) microplasma-based growth technique. Organometallic precursors were dissociated in the hollow cathode region of a supersonic plasma jet creating a directed flux of metal species (e.g., atoms, metastables, etc) which react with an oxygen background to form crystalline metal oxide films having a variety of nanomorphologies. Spiral-like growth fronts were seen in some cases for CuO, suggesting that nanowire growth may involve screw dislocations. Large area, nanowire films >1 cm(2) with good adhesion and electrical connection to ITO substrates were deposited by raster-scanning a single jet. Details of the microplasma operation, the dynamics of the growth process and the resulting materials are discussed.
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