Polymer micromold and fabrication process
Abstract
A mold assembly is disclosed with micro-sized features in which the hollow portion thereof is fabricated from a sacrificial mandrel which is surface treated and then coated to form an outer shell. The sacrificial mandrel is then selectively etched away leaving the outer shell as the final product. The sacrificial mandrel is fabricated by a precision lathe, for example, so that when removed by etching the inner or hollow area has diameters as small as 10`s of micros ({micro}m). Varying the inside diameter contours of the mold can be accomplished with specified ramping slopes formed on the outer surface of the sacrificial mandrel, with the inside or hollow section being, for example, 275 {micro}m in length up to 150 {micro}m in diameter within a 6 mm outside diameter (o.d.) mold assembly. The mold assembly itself can serve as a micronozzle or microneedle, and plastic parts, such as microballoons for angioplasty, polymer microparts, and microactuators, etc., may be formed within the mold assembly. 6 figs.
- Inventors:
- Issue Date:
- Research Org.:
- Univ. of California (United States)
- Sponsoring Org.:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- OSTI Identifier:
- 527750
- Patent Number(s):
- 5658515
- Application Number:
- PAN: 8-533,425
- Assignee:
- PTO; SCA: 360601; PA: EDB-97:126018; SN: 97001843792
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- Resource Type:
- Patent
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: PBD: 19 Aug 1997
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 36 MATERIALS SCIENCE; CASTING MOLDS; PLASTICS; FABRICATION; USES; MINIATURIZATION; MOLDING
Citation Formats
Lee, A P, Northrup, M A, Ahre, P E, and Dupuy, P C. Polymer micromold and fabrication process. United States: N. p., 1997.
Web.
Lee, A P, Northrup, M A, Ahre, P E, & Dupuy, P C. Polymer micromold and fabrication process. United States.
Lee, A P, Northrup, M A, Ahre, P E, and Dupuy, P C. Tue .
"Polymer micromold and fabrication process". United States.
@article{osti_527750,
title = {Polymer micromold and fabrication process},
author = {Lee, A P and Northrup, M A and Ahre, P E and Dupuy, P C},
abstractNote = {A mold assembly is disclosed with micro-sized features in which the hollow portion thereof is fabricated from a sacrificial mandrel which is surface treated and then coated to form an outer shell. The sacrificial mandrel is then selectively etched away leaving the outer shell as the final product. The sacrificial mandrel is fabricated by a precision lathe, for example, so that when removed by etching the inner or hollow area has diameters as small as 10`s of micros ({micro}m). Varying the inside diameter contours of the mold can be accomplished with specified ramping slopes formed on the outer surface of the sacrificial mandrel, with the inside or hollow section being, for example, 275 {micro}m in length up to 150 {micro}m in diameter within a 6 mm outside diameter (o.d.) mold assembly. The mold assembly itself can serve as a micronozzle or microneedle, and plastic parts, such as microballoons for angioplasty, polymer microparts, and microactuators, etc., may be formed within the mold assembly. 6 figs.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {1997},
month = {8}
}