Abstract:
A method for preparing a topographically structured hydrogel microarray is described comprising the steps of a) providing one or more types of biomolecule(s) on top of micropillars of an array of micropillars, preferably by means of robotical spotting, b) providing a partially crosslinked hydrogel on a substrate, preferably attached to a substantially rigid and/or planar sub- strate, c) simultaneously soft-embossing a hydrogel microwell array and transferring the biomolecule(s) from the micropillars to the microwells by pressing the micropillars of the array of step a) onto the partially crosslinked layer of hydrogel of step b) until substantial completion of crosslinking and d) demolding the array of micropillars of step a) from the hydrogel microwell array of step c). The method according to the invention has the advantages of resulting in higher biochemical patterning precision, allowing for modulation of biochemical parameters by interfacing microarray manufacture with robotic technology and rendering the microarrays obtained compatible with existing read-out systems such as microscopes. Further, the elasticity of the hydrogel can be varied by tuning its shear modulus.
Abstract:
A method of controlling surface roughness of a flexographic printing element during thermal processing is provided. An imaged and exposed relief image printing element is thermally developed to remove the portions of at least one layer of photopoiymer that are not crosslinked and cured by a) heating the at least one layer of photopoiymer to a sufficient temperature to soften uncured portions of the at least one layer of photopoiymer; b) causing contact between the at least one layer of photopoiymer and a blotting material, wherein when the blotting material contacts the at least one layer of photopoiymer, the softened uncured photopoiymer portions of the at least one layer of photopoiymer are absorbed into the blotting material; and c) separating the blotting material from the at least one layer of photopoiymer. Thereafter, a smooth material is inserted between the surface of the at least one layer of photopoiymer and the blotting material, in the alternative, after the flexographic printing element is removed from the thermal processor, a polymeric film is laminated onto the relief image printing element using heat and pressure. Based thereon, the average surface roughness of the relief surface of the- flexographic printing element can be reduced.
Abstract:
Verfahren zur Herstellung von Flexodruckformen, bei dem man als Ausgangsmaterial ein fotopolymerisierbares Flexodruckelement einsetzt, welches übereinander angeordnet mindestens umfasst • einen dimensionsstabilen Träger, und • mindestens eine fotopolymerisierbare reliefbildende Schicht, mindestens umfassend ein elastomeres Bindemittel, eine ethylenisch ungesättigte Verbindung und einen Fotoinitiator, • optional eine raue UV-durchlässige Schicht, mindestens umfassend eine partikuläre Substanz, • eine digital bebilderbare Schicht, und das Verfahren mindestens die folgenden Schritte umfasst: (a) Erzeugung einer Maske durch Bebilderung der digital bebilderbaren Schicht, (b) Belichtung der fotopolymerisierbaren reliefbildenden Schicht durch die Maske hindurch mit aktinischem Licht und Fotopolymerisation der Bildbereiche der Schicht, und (c) Entwicklung der fotopolymerisierten Schicht durch Auswaschen der nicht fotopolymerisierten Bereiche der reliefbildenden Schicht mit einem organischen Lösungsmittel oder durch thermische Entwicklung, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Schritt (b) zwei Belichtungsschritt (b-1) und (b-2) umfasst, wobei in einem ersten Schritt (b-1) eine Belichtung mit aktinischem Licht mit einer Intensität von ≥ 100 mW/cm 2 aus einer Mehrzahl von UV-LEDs erfolgt und anschließend in einem zweiten Schritt (b-2) eine Belichtung mit aktinischem Licht mit einer Intensität von 2 aus einer von UV-LEDs verschiedenen UV-Strahlungsquelle erfolgt.
Abstract:
A method of controlling surface roughness of a flexographic printing element during thermal processing. The printing blank comprises at least one photocurable layer on a support layer, the at least one photocurable layer comprising: (1) a binder comprising styrene-butadiene-styrene; (2) at least one fast curing monomer; (3) at least one slow curing monomer; and (4) a photoinitiator. The printing blank is selectively imagewise exposing the printing plate blank to actinic radiation from the top of the printing element blank to selectively crosslink and cure portions of the at least one photocurable layer and then thermally processed to remove uncured portions of the at least one photocurable layer, thereby revealing the relief image in the at least one photocurable layer. Surface roughness of the relief image printing element after thermal processing is controlled to less than about 1,000 nm.
Abstract:
A flexographic processing system provides a single workstation having a light exposure system for providing exposure of a flexographic plate and a thermal processing system for thermally processing the flexographic plate following exposure. The thermal processing system includes a heated element non-rotationally mounted to a press device that generates pressure between a first surface of the heated element and the flexographic plate. The thermal processing system also includes a material delivery mechanism that delivers absorbent material to the first surface of the heated element, wherein the absorbent material removes uncured photo curable material from the flexographic plate.
Abstract:
A flexographic processing system provides a single workstation having a light exposure system for providing exposure of a flexographic plate and a thermal processing system for thermally processing the flexographic plate following exposure. The thermal processing system includes a heated element non-rotationally mounted to a press device that generates pressure between a first surface of the heated element and the flexographic plate. The thermal processing system also includes a material delivery mechanism that delivers absorbent material to the first surface of the heated element, wherein the absorbent material removes uncured photocurable material from the flexographic plate.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a method and a system for forming a relief image on a photosensitive printing element. The system comprises an enclosure housing a conveyor and a heatable roller. The photosensitive printing element is positioned on a continuous loop of the conveyor and the heatable roller is urged towards the photosensitive printing element on the conveyor. An absorbent material is conducted over the heatable roller and is used to absorb at least a portion of the liquefied or softened material from the photosensitive printing element when the heatable roller is heated. The system also comprises ventilation means operatively connected to the enclosure for treating and recycling air containing contaminants that are released into the enclosure as the portion of the photosensitive material is heated and then softens. The ventilation means typically include a particulate filter and a bed of adsorbent material. The treated air may then be returned to the enclosure.