Abstract:
A fabrication and adhesion method for a polyaryl-ether-ketone (PAEK) device, such as a microfluidic device (400), is disclosed. At least one glassy uncrystallized PAEK substrate (250) is heated up to near or above the glass transition temperature to allow the substrate (250) to crystallize from the glass state, while embossing the substrate (250) with patterns (325). Bonding the PAEK substrate (250) to another substrate (255) is accomplished using a solvent-resistant adhesive (270), such as a polyimide-based adhesive, in combination with an adhesion enhancement treatment. In certain embodiments, the adhesion enhancement treatment is a plasma treatment or a chemical sulfonation treatment.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method for producing glass-silicon-glass sandwich structures which are connected irreversibly and in such a way that they are adjusted to correspond. Said structures consist of a bottom and a top glass substrate (2, 3) and a silicon substrate (1) in-between. At least one of the substrates (1; 2; 3) is provided with 3D depth structuring. The aim of the invention is to provide a low-cost production method, especially with a view to mass production of glass-silicon-glass sandwich structures. To this end, the silicon substrate (1) is irreversibly connected to one of the glass substrates (2; 3) before or after the 3D depth structuring. The bond is reduced to a predetermined end thickness from the glass and/or the silicon side by means of grinding, etching and polishing methods and the remaining silicon surface is then connected to a second glass substrate (3; 2) by anodic bonding.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a fabrication process for manufacture of micro electromechanical (MEM) devices such as cantilever support beams. This fabrication process requires only two lithographic masking steps and offers moveable electromechanical devices with high electrical isolation. A preferred embodiment of the process uses electrically insulating glass substrate (102) as the carrier substrate and single crystal silicon (108) as the MEM component material. The process further includes deposition of an optional layer of insulating material (110) such as silicon dioxide on top of a layer of doped silicon (108) grown on a silicon substrate. The silicon dioxide (110) is epoxy bonded to the glass substrate (102) to create a silicon-silicon dioxide-epoxy-glass structure (200). The silicon is patterned using anisotropic plasma dry etching techniques. A second patterning then follows to pattern the silicon dioxide layer (110) and an oxygen plasma etch is performed to undercut the epoxy film (120) and to release the silicon MEM component. This two-mask process provides single crystal silicon MEMs with electrically isolated MEM component. Retaining silicon dioxide insulating material (110) in selected areas mechanically supports the MEM component.
Abstract:
A multilayered microfluidic device having a substantially monolithic structure is formed by sintering together a plurality of green-sheet layers. The substantially monolithic structure has an inlet port for receiving fluid, an outlet port for releasing fluid, and an interconnection between the inlet port and the outlet port. The substantially monolithic structure may also include a variety of components to enable useful interaction with the fluid, such as electrically conductive pathways, heaters, fluid sensors, fluid motion transducers, and optically transmissive portions. The components are preferably fabricated using thick-film or green-sheet technology and are preferably co-fired with and sintered to the green-sheet layers to become integral with the substantially monolithic structure. By using an adhesive to bind the green-sheet layers together, the multilayered microfluidic device may be fabricated without the application of high pressures. Selection of an adhesive with a polymer that decomposes at a higher temperature than the binder present in the green-sheet layers promotes stability of the interfaces during the firing process and promotes void-free sintering within the interfacial regions.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method for producing a micromechanical device, especially a micromechanical oscillating mirror device, comprising the following steps: a triple-layer structure (10, 20, 30) made up of a first (10), second (20) and third (30) layer is provided, the second layer being located between the first and third layers (10, 30); the first layer (10) is etched through to the second layer (20) in order to produce an island area (40) on said second layer (20), said island area (40) being connected to the area of the first layer (10) surrounding it by means of one or more connecting links (50); an area (70, 80) of the third layer (30) is etched through to the second layer (20) and an area (75, 85) of the second layer (20) underneath the island area (40) is removed so that the island area (40) can move, and preferably torsionally oscillate around the one or more connecting links, (50), said torsional oscillations being of such an amplitude that part of the island area (40) protrudes into the etched-through area (70, 80) of the third layer (30).
Abstract:
In a method of forming a microchannel and/or microcavity structure by bonding together two elements (1, 2) having opposed plane surfaces of the same or different materials, one or both surfaces having open channels and/or cavities, bonding is effected by applying to one or both element surfaces (1, 2) a thin layer (3) of a solution of a material capable of fusing with and having a lower melting point than that of the material or materials of the two element surfaces (1, 2) in a solvent which substantially does not dissolve the element surface material or materials. The solvent is then removed, and the two elements (1, 2) are brought together and heated to a temperature where the dissolved material is caused to melt but not the element surface material or materials.
Abstract:
In the formation of microstructures, a preformed sheet of photoresist, such as polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), which is strain free, may be milled down before or after adherence to a substrate to a desired thickness. The photoresist is patterned by exposure through a mask to radiation, such as X-rays, and developed using a developer to remove the photoresist material which has been rendered susceptible to the developer. Micrometal structures may be formed by electroplating metal into the areas from which the photoresist has been removed. The photoresist itself may form useful microstructures, and can be removed from the substrate by utilizing a release layer between the substrate and the preformed sheet which can be removed by a remover which does not affect the photoresist. Multiple layers of patterned photoresist can be built up to allow complex three dimensional microstructures to be formed.
Abstract:
Une structure microfluidique comprend une première et une seconde couches de base pratiquement planaires et de forme stable (1, 2), et une couche de séparation intercalaire (3) composée d'un matériau élastique, ladite couche de séparation (3) étant en retrait pour délimiter une micro-cavité ou un système de canaux (4) avec au moins l'une desdites première et seconde couches de base. On produit la structure en moulant la couche de séparation, éventuellement appliquée sur la première couche de base ou incorporée à celle-ci (2), dans un moule planaire, et on forme la micro-cavité ou le système de canaux en appliquant une seconde couche de base (1) et éventuellement ladite première couche de base (2) sur la couche de séparation (3).
Abstract:
A MEMS device with electronics integration places integrated circuit components on a topping wafer (120A) of a sensing die to conserve space, minimize errors and reduce cost of the device as a whole. The topping wafer is bonded to a sensing wafer (118) and secured in a housing (138).