scholarly journals Simple and customizable method for fabrication of high-aspect ratio microneedle molds using low-cost 3D printing

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin J. Krieger ◽  
Nicky Bertollo ◽  
Manita Dangol ◽  
John T. Sheridan ◽  
Madeleine M. Lowery ◽  
...  

Abstract We present a simple and customizable microneedle mold fabrication technique using a low-cost desktop SLA 3D printer. As opposed to conventional microneedle fabrication methods, this technique neither requires complex and expensive manufacturing facilities nor expertise in microfabrication. While most low-cost 3D-printed microneedles to date display low aspect ratios and poor tip sharpness, we show that by introducing a two-step “Print & Fill” mold fabrication method, it is possible to obtain high-aspect ratio sharp needles that are capable of penetrating tissue. Studying first the effect of varying design input parameters and print settings, it is shown that printed needles are always shorter than specified. With decreasing input height, needles also begin displaying an increasingly greater than specified needle base diameter. Both factors contribute to low aspect ratio needles when attempting to print sub-millimeter height needles. By setting input height tall enough, it is possible to print needles with high-aspect ratios and tip radii of 20–40 µm. This tip sharpness is smaller than the specified printer resolution. Consequently, high-aspect ratio sharp needle arrays are printed in basins which are backfilled and cured in a second step, leaving sub-millimeter microneedles exposed resulting microneedle arrays which can be used as male masters. Silicone female master molds are then formed from the fabricated microneedle arrays. Using the molds, both carboxymethyl cellulose loaded with rhodamine B as well as polylactic acid microneedle arrays are produced and their quality examined. A skin insertion study is performed to demonstrate the functional capabilities of arrays made from the fabricated molds. This method can be easily adopted by the microneedle research community for in-house master mold fabrication and parametric optimization of microneedle arrays.

Aerospace ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 80
Author(s):  
Dmitry V. Vedernikov ◽  
Alexander N. Shanygin ◽  
Yury S. Mirgorodsky ◽  
Mikhail D. Levchenkov

This publication presents the results of complex parametrical strength investigations of typical wings for regional aircrafts obtained by means of the new version of the four-level algorithm (FLA) with the modified module responsible for the analysis of aerodynamic loading. This version of FLA, as well as a base one, is focused on significant decreasing time and labor input of a complex strength analysis of airframes by using simultaneously different principles of decomposition. The base version includes four-level decomposition of airframe and decomposition of strength tasks. The new one realizes additional decomposition of alternative variants of load cases during the process of determination of critical load cases. Such an algorithm is very suitable for strength analysis and designing airframes of regional aircrafts having a wide range of aerodynamic concepts. Results of validation of the new version of FLA for a high-aspect-ratio wing obtained in this work confirmed high performance of the algorithm in decreasing time and labor input of strength analysis of airframes at the preliminary stages of designing. During parametrical design investigation, some interesting results for strut-braced wings having high aspect ratios were obtained.


RSC Advances ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (73) ◽  
pp. 45037-45041
Author(s):  
Tianli Duan ◽  
Chenjie Gu ◽  
Diing Shenp Ang ◽  
Kang Xu ◽  
Zhihong Liu

A novel technique is demonstrated for the fabrication of silicon nanopillar arrays with high aspect ratios.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jihong Yim ◽  
Oili Ylivaara ◽  
Markku Ylilammi ◽  
Virpi Korpelainen ◽  
Eero Haimi ◽  
...  

<p>ABSTRACT: Atomic layer deposition (ALD) raises global interest through its unparalleled conformality. This work describes new microscopic lateral high-aspect-ratio (LHAR) test structures for conformality analysis of ALD. The LHAR structures are made of silicon and consist of rectangular channels supported by pillars. Extreme aspect ratios even beyond 10 000:1 enable investigations where the adsorption front does not penetrate to the end of the channel, thus exposing the saturation profile for detailed analysis. We use the archetypical trimethylaluminum (TMA)-water ALD process to grow alumina as a test vehicle to demonstrate the applicability, repeatability and reproducibility of the saturation profile measurement and to provide a benchmark for future saturation profile studies. Through varying the TMA reaction and purge times, we obtained new information on the surface chemistry characteristics and the chemisorption kinetics of this widely studied ALD process. We propose new saturation profile related classifications and terminology. </p>


1994 ◽  
Vol 337 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marsha Abramo ◽  
Loren Hahn

ABSTRACTFocused ion beam (FIB) technology is used to modify circuits for early-product design debug; it also has the capability to create probe points to underlying metallurgy, allowing device characterization while maintaining full functionality. These techniques provide critical feedback to designers for rapid verification of proposed design changes.Current FIB technology has its limitations because of redeposition of sputtered material; this phenomena may induce vertical electrical shorts and limit the achievable aspect ratio of a milled via to 6:1. Therefore, innovative enhancements are required to provide modification capability on planar chip technology which may utilize up to five levels of metallurgy. The ability to achieve high-aspect-ratio milling is required to access underlying circuitry. Vias with aspect ratios of 10:1 are necessary in some cases.This paper reviews a gas-assisted etching (GAE) process that enhances FIB milling by volatilizing the sputtered material, examines the results obtained from utilizing the GAE process for high-aspect-ratio milling, and discusses selectivity of semiconductor materials (silicon, aluminum, tungsten and silicon dioxide).


1999 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fan-Gang Tseng ◽  
Gang Zhang ◽  
Uri Frodis ◽  
Adam Cohen ◽  
Florian Mansfeld ◽  
...  

Abstract EFAB (“Electrochemical FABrication”) is a new micromachining process utilizing an innovative “Instant Masking” (IM) technique to electrochemically deposit an unlimited number of metal layers for microfabrication. Through this approach, high-aspect-ratio microstructures with arbitrary 3-D geometry can be rapidly and automatically batch-fabricated at low temperature (&lt; 60 °C) using an inexpensive desktop machine. IC-MEMS integration can also be carried out by this low temperature process.


1999 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaobin Li ◽  
Siddharth Kiyawat ◽  
Hector J. De Los Santos ◽  
Chang-Jin “CJ” Kim

Abstract Narrow beamwidth is highly desirable for many micromechanical elements moving parallel to the substrate. A good example is the electrostatically driven flexure structure, whose driving voltage is determined by the width of the beam. This paper presents the process flow and the result of a high-aspect-ratio electroplating process using photoresist (PR) molds. Following a systematic optimization method, PR molds with aspect ratios up to 4.0 were fabricated with a beamwidth of only 2.1μm. Higher aspect ratios, up to 6.8, were achieved using PR double coating technique, with a beamwidth of 2.6μm. Using a Cr/Cu seed layer, nickel electroplating was successfully carried out to translate the PR molds into nickel micro-structures. We observed bend-down of the fully released nickel cantilevers that are over 8μm thick. Further investigation suggested a combined effect of residual stress gradient in the electroplated nickel layer and in-use stiction of the cantilever beams.


2007 ◽  
pp. 658-662
Author(s):  
R. Krajewski ◽  
J. Krezel ◽  
M. Kujawinska ◽  
O. Parriaux ◽  
S. Tonchev ◽  
...  

Micromachines ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 378 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hailiang Li ◽  
Changqing Xie

We report a robust, sidewall transfer metal assistant chemical etching scheme for fabricating Al2O3 nanotube arrays with an ultra-high aspect ratio. Electron beam lithography followed by low-temperature Au metal assisted chemical etching (MacEtch) is used to pattern high resolution, high aspect ratio, and vertical silicon nanostructures, used as a template. This template is subsequently transferred by an atomic layer deposition of the Al2O3 layer, followed by an annealing process, anisotropic dry etching of the Al2O3 layer, and a sacrificial silicon template. The process and characterization of the Al2O3 nanotube arrays are discussed in detail. Vertical Al2O3 nanotube arrays with line widths as small as 50 nm, heights of up to 21 μm, and aspect ratios up to 420:1 are fabricated on top of a silicon substrate. More importantly, such a sidewall transfer MacEtch approach is compatible with well-established silicon planar processes, and has the benefits of having a fully controllable linewidth and height, high reproducibility, and flexible design, making it attractive for a broad range of practical applications.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document