Consumables for plasticity experiments having specific wettability properties, and methods for manufacturing the same.

Abstract

To provide methods, apparatus, products, and structures that yield suitable and at least to some extent material-specific wettability properties for experimental consumables and plasticity experimental consumables. [Solution] A method for manufacturing a consumable for plasticity experiments includes the steps of: preparing a mold, wherein the mold is a substantial counterpart to the consumable for plasticity experiments to be molded using the mold; creating a textured mold having a nanoscale surface texture 110 by textured the surface of the mold; and molding a consumable for plasticity experiments from a plastic material using the textured mold, wherein the consumable for plasticity experiments receives a complementary nanoscale surface texture having at least one wettability property for at least a first liquid.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to consumables for plasticity experiments and their wettability characteristics. In particular, the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing consumables for plasticity experiments. Additionally, the present invention relates to formed consumables for plasticity experiments.

Background Art

[0002] Pipettes such as micropipettes can handle and dispense a specific and defined volume of liquid. Disposable plastic pipette tips that can be attached to such pipettes affect the liquid handling performance of the pipettes. In order to optimally handle liquids, it is desirable for such instruments and other experimental consumables to have suitable wettability characteristics.

[0003] Wettability characteristics of surfaces such as hydrophobicity and hydrophilicity can be obtained, for example, using additional chemical compounds and surfactants. However, some of such chemical substances that exhibit beneficial wettability characteristics may be dangerous endocrine disruptors and may not be safe, such as being carcinogenic, and there are problems with using them in experimental consumables. Therefore, some products and compounds that impart wettability characteristics to the surfaces of medical devices and / or biotechnology devices may have been considered unsafe, or may be otherwise regulated or completely prohibited in some jurisdictions. For example, perfluoroalkyl substances and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) such as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) may exhibit suitable wettability characteristics such as hydrophilicity and / or hydrophobicity, but their use may be hindered by the regulation of such compounds and potential health risks. Furthermore, adding surfactants and compounds in this way generally adds manufacturing steps, and for example, the mechanical, biological, and / or chemical properties, and / or biochemical compatibility of the experimental consumables may change.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need for methods, apparatus, products, and structures that provide suitable and at least to some extent material-specific wettability properties for experimental consumables and plasticity experimental consumables, thereby mitigating, reducing, or minimizing at least the aforementioned problems. [Overview of the Initiative]

[0005] The present invention is defined by the features described in the independent claims. Several specific embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

[0006] A method for manufacturing consumables for plasticity experiments according to a first aspect of the present invention is: - A step of preparing a mold, wherein the mold is a substantial counterpart to a consumable for plasticity experiments that is molded using the mold, - A step of manufacturing a textured mold having a first nanoscale surface texture by texture processing the surface of the mold, - A step of molding a consumable for plasticity experiments from a plastic material by using the aforementioned textured mold, wherein the consumable for plasticity experiments receives a complementary nanoscale surface texture having at least one wettability property with respect to at least one first liquid, Includes.

[0007] Embodiments of the first aspect may include at least one feature from the following bulleted list: - The aforementioned texture processing is performed using a nanolaser, femtosecond laser, or pulsed ultrashort wave laser. - The first nanoscale surface texture of the textured mold includes a laser-induced periodic surface structure (LIPSS). - The complementary nanoscale surface texture includes nanoscale pores and / or nanoscale patterns. - The complementary nanoscale surface texture includes a three-dimensional surface texture. - The complementary nanoscale surface texture includes a repeating, partially raised lattice pattern. -The repeating, partially raised grid pattern includes multiple shapes. - The shape includes a rectangular, interconnected, raised edge. - At least one raised diagonal connects two opposing corners in the rectangle. - The complementary nanoscale surface texture includes repeating surface structures, for example, repeating surface structures having convex and / or concave portions arranged in a pattern. - The first liquid is selected from the group consisting of water, glycerol solution, protein solution, and precipitated cell solution. - The at least one wettability property includes a first wettability property, the first wettability property being included in a first region of the complementary nanoscale textured surface. - The first region is provided on the inner surface of the plastic pipette tip and is annular in shape along the periphery of the plastic pipette tip. - The first wettability property for at least the first liquid is selected from the group consisting of phyllophobic, hydrophilic, hydrophobic, hydrophilic, oleophobic, lipophilic, oleophobic, or lipophilic. -At least the first wettability of the first liquid is hydrophobic, such as superhydrophobic. - The at least one wettability property includes a second wettability property for the first liquid, the second wettability property being located in a second region of the complementary nanoscale textured surface. - The second wettability characteristic is different from the first wettability characteristic. -The second wettability characteristic is selected from the group consisting of phyllophobic, hydrophilic, hydrophobic, lipophilic, oleophobic, or lipophilic properties. - The second wettability characteristic is hydrophilic. - The at least one wettability characteristic is defined by a contact angle of 95 to 115 degrees, for example, 104.5 degrees, with respect to the first liquid. - The at least one wettability characteristic is defined by a contact angle of at least 95 degrees, for example, at least 100 degrees, for example, at least 120 degrees, for example, at least 150 degrees. - The at least one wettability characteristic is defined by a contact angle less than 90 degrees, for example less than 85 degrees, for example less than 80 degrees. - The molding includes injection molding. - The mold comprises a metallic material selected from the group consisting of steel and / or stainless powder steel. - The plastic material includes a thermoplastic material, which is preferably selected from the group consisting of polypropylene or polystyrene. - The pre-molded consumable for plasticity experiments is a pipette tip that includes the complementary nanoscale surface texture on at least its inner surface.

[0008] A molded consumable for plasticity experiments according to a second aspect of the present invention includes at least one complementary nanoscale surface texture having at least one wettability property for a first liquid.

[0009] Embodiments of the second aspect may include at least one feature from the following bulleted list: - The aforementioned pre-molded consumable for plasticity experiments is a pipette tip. - The at least one complementary nanoscale surface texture is present on at least the inner surface of the pipette tip. - The depth of the complementary nanoscale surface texture of the experimental consumable is in the range of 5 μm to 90 μm. - The depth of the complementary nanoscale surface texture of the experimental consumable is at least 5 μm, for example, at least 10 μm, for example, at least 20 μm, for example, at least 30 μm. - The depth of the complementary nanoscale surface texture of the experimental consumable is less than 90 μm, for example less than 70 μm, for example less than 50 μm. - The pipette tip is a low-retention pipette tip and / or a low-binding pipette tip.

[0010] Great advantages are obtained by the embodiments of the present invention. The present invention provides a method for manufacturing consumables for plasticity experiments and a formed consumable for plasticity experiments. By the method, it is possible to manufacture a formed consumable for plasticity experiments having a complementary nanostructured surface texture with at least one wettability characteristic for at least a first liquid from a plastic material. For example, the consumable may be a pipette tip having a hydrophobic inner surface.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0011] [Figure 1A] Patterns according to at least some embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. [Figure 1B] Patterns according to at least some embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. [Figure 2A] Other patterns according to at least some embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. [Figure 2B] Other patterns according to at least some embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. [Figure 3] Examples of consumables for plasticity experiments that can support at least some embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. [Figure 4A] Some examples of types that can be used in relation to at least some embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. [Figure 4B] Some examples of types that can be used in relation to at least some embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. [Figure 5A] Some other examples of types that can be used in relation to at least some embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. [Figure 5B] Some other examples of types that can be used in relation to at least some embodiments of the present disclosure are shown.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] In this document, the term "first liquid" is used. In this document, this term includes, but is not limited to, a completely dissolved solution, a mixture of at least two liquids, a dispersion of a solid in a liquid medium, a suspension of a solid in a liquid medium, an emulsion of a solid in a liquid medium, and a precipitated cell saturation.

[0013] The “contact angle” of a droplet may be used to characterize and classify the wettability properties of a three-phase system, i.e., a system comprising a liquid phase, a gas phase, and a solid phase, as well as their interfaces. The wettability properties of a solid phase and / or its surface in liquid and gaseous environments may be estimated from such a contact angle. That is, for a droplet on a solid surface, the wettability of the solid phase is described by the angle between the solid-liquid interface and the gas-liquid interface. The contact angle is the angle between the solid-liquid interface and the liquid-gas interface of the droplet. Therefore, the contact angle is generally defined for minute volumes of liquid, i.e., “drops” or “liquid droplets.” For example, such angles for a “wettable” solid phase are generally between 0 and 90 degrees, and such angles for a “non-wettable” solid phase are between 90 and 180 degrees. In the case of water, wettability and non-wettability correspond to the hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity of the solid phase, respectively. Furthermore, superhydrophobicity may be defined as a contact angle between 150 and 180 degrees.

[0014] In the context of this disclosure, wettability is broadly understood as "hydrophilic," and nonwetting as "hydrophobic." Furthermore, when the liquid of interest is water, wettability is understood as "hydrophilic," and nonwetting as "hydrophobic." Thus, "hydrophobic" and "hydrophilic" are considered higher-level concepts than "hydrophobic" and "hydrophilic," respectively. Furthermore, for liquids containing one or more lipids, the surface may be "lipophilic" or "lipophilic." For liquids containing oil, the surface may be "oleophobic" or "oleophilic." Thus, "nonwetting" and "wettability," as well as "hydrophobic" and "hydrophilic" (and their lower-level terms), may be interpreted as relative terms, and thus, those skilled in the art will understand that the contact angle may more quantitatively describe wettability or its absence.

[0015] This disclosure describes consumables for plasticity experiments. These consumables have complementary nanoscale textured surfaces, thereby exhibiting wettability properties for at least one liquid, such as water or a water-containing liquid.

[0016] "Laboratory consumables" are understood, for example, to be instruments, equipment, and parts thereof used in a laboratory environment. Such laboratory consumables include, for example, laboratory instruments such as petri dishes, cuvettes, funnels, test tubes, beakers, pipettes, and pipette tips. Laboratory consumables may be, for example, disposable or for single or multiple use. In at least some embodiments, the laboratory consumable is a pipette tip, for example, a pipette tip suitable for a micropipette for controlled handling and dispensing of liquids. In at least some embodiments, the pipette tip according to this disclosure is a low-retention tip. A low-retention tip can minimize liquid adhesion and / or retention on its surface. Such a feature may be beneficial because it can reduce the risk of sample loss and minimize the risk of inaccurate pipetting. While there is not necessarily a standardized definition or specification for the term "low-retention tip," it should be noted that in the context of this disclosure, such a low-retention tip is understood to be a pipette tip that includes at least one area having hydrophobic wettability properties for at least one liquid.

[0017] As understood in the context of this disclosure, the terms “nanoscale texture” and “nanotexture” refer to a physical surface structure that, by having certain dimensions, patterns, and / or shapes, acquires wettability properties for a liquid of interest. For example, with respect to water, a nanotexture may refer to a repeating surface structure having convex and / or concave areas arranged in a pattern.

[0018] In the context of this disclosure, the term “first nanoscale surface texture” refers to a nanoscale surface texture of type [type].

[0019] In the context of this disclosure, the term “complementary nanoscale surface texture” refers to the nanoscale surface texture of consumables for plasticity experiments.

[0020] In at least some embodiments, the liquid contact angle in the nanotexture, complementary nanoscale surface texture, or a part thereof is 95 to 115 degrees, 100 to 110 degrees, etc., for example, 104.5 degrees.

[0021] In at least some embodiments, the liquid contact angle in the nanotexture, complementary nanoscale surface texture, or a part thereof is at least 95 degrees, at least 100 degrees, at least 120 degrees, at least 150 degrees, etc.

[0022] In at least some embodiments, wettability is obtained via a complementary nanoscale surface texture including a partially raised lattice pattern. Such a partially raised lattice pattern may be a periodic surface structure in which the lattice pattern is repeating and / or periodic.

[0023] Figures 1A and 1B show a complementary nanoscale surface texture 110 of a plasticity experiment consumable according to at least some embodiments of the present disclosure. That is, Figures 1A and 1B depict the same structural pattern, although viewed from different perspectives. In Figures 1A and 1B, a periodic structure 120 is depicted, which includes a repeating rectangular pattern having protruding edges 122 projecting from the surface 121. Such a complementary nanoscale surface texture 110 can exhibit wettability properties for at least one liquid. As can be seen from the figures, the diagonals of the rectangular pattern further include protrusions connecting two corners of the rectangular pattern. The protrusions define openings, each opening being, for example, triangular in shape. The depth of the complementary nanoscale surface texture may be, for example, in the range between 5 μm and 90 μm. As a result, the surface of the consumable can be made hydrophobic, for example. The first nanoscale surface texture of the type is an inversion of the complementary nanoscale surface texture 110 of the experimental consumable.

[0024] Figures 2A and 2B show complementary nanoscale surface textures 210 suitable for plasticity experimental consumables according to at least some embodiments of the present disclosure. That is, Figures 2A and 2B depict the same structural pattern viewed from different perspectives. In Figures 2A and 2B, a periodic structure 220 is depicted, which includes a repeating rectangular pattern having protruding edges 222 projecting from a surface 221. Such a complementary nanoscale surface texture 210 can exhibit wettability properties for at least one liquid. As can be seen from the figures, a single diagonal of the rectangular pattern includes an elongated protrusion. As those skilled in the art will understand, complementary nanoscale surface textures 210 such as those depicted in Figures 2A and 2B are complementary, or substantially complementary, to a first nanoscale surface texture of type.

[0025] One advantage of such three-dimensional surface textures is that they can achieve wettability properties at desired gas-liquid-solid interfaces. Such structures can be verified, for example, using a CT nanoscanner.

[0026] Those skilled in the art will further understand that expressions such as “wettability properties for liquids” implicitly mean that the solid phase in which such properties are being considered is being taken into account. It should be noted that in at least some embodiments, various solid phase materials, such as plastic materials, are used as materials for forming complementary nanoscale textured patterns. In at least some embodiments, the plastic material includes thermoplastic materials. The thermoplastic material is preferably selected from the group consisting of polypropylene or polystyrene.

[0027] Furthermore, each of the aforementioned surfaces offers other advantages. For example, considering consumables for plastic experiments such as pipette tips, hydrophobicity to a certain liquid can assist in the transfer and / or movement of that liquid, which can be particularly beneficial in situations where the volume of liquid used is small. This may also be true, for example, when the liquid sample is expensive and / or scarce, and for other liquids with potentially small volumes. Thus, the low-retention tips according to this disclosure offer advantages in the manufacture and use of the products described herein. For example, the hydrophobic area can help improve the handling of liquids in terms of the accuracy and precision of the volume dispensed.

[0028] In at least some embodiments, the liquid that defines the wettability is water. Additionally or alternatively, the liquid having the wettability may be a combination of substances that yield the at least one wettability, for example, a combination of water and a reagent. In at least some embodiments, the liquid is at least one of a glycerol solution or a protein solution.

[0029] In at least some embodiments, the solutions and liquids contained in the at least one liquid are a completely dissolved solution or a mixture of two or more liquids. In at least some embodiments, the dispersion, suspension, and / or emulsion of a solid in a liquid medium is, for example, the at least one liquid that provides wettability. In at least some embodiments, the precipitated cell solution is the liquid in which the nanoscale textured surface of a plasticity experiment consumable exhibits wettability.

[0030] In at least some embodiments, the wettability properties vary depending on the region of the plasticity experiment consumable. For example, in at least some embodiments, a pipette tip has an inner surface comprising a first region that is hydrophobic with respect to a certain liquid and a second region that is hydrophilic. Furthermore, in at least some embodiments, the wettability properties of the first region vary depending on the liquid, for example.

[0031] Those skilled in the art will further understand that combinations of liquids, such as the combinations of liquids disclosed above, are applicable. For example, a complementary nanoscale surface texture may include multiple different regions for multiple liquids, each having wettability properties for at least one of the multiple liquids. One advantage of such a structure, and such a method employing multiple regions, is that the behavior on the surface of a plasticity experiment consumable may differ depending on the liquid. For example, in at least some embodiments where the plasticity experiment consumable is a pipette tip, the inner portion of the pipette tip includes multiple regions with different wettability properties. In some such embodiments, a first region is hydrophobic with respect to a first liquid and hydrophilic with respect to a second liquid. Thus, the second liquid can be retained in the first region (i.e., hydrophilic), and the first liquid can be dispensed (i.e., hydrophobic).

[0032] Figure 3 shows a plastic pipette tip 300 according to at least some embodiments. The plastic pipette tip 300 includes a tip portion 301 and a connector portion 302, and can hold and dispense various volumes of liquid via the tip portion 301. The pipette tip may be connected to a micropipette, for example, via the connector portion 302. As can be seen from Figure 3, the plastic pipette tip includes a first region 310, which has a first wettability property for a given liquid. Furthermore, the first region is provided on the inner surface of the plastic pipette tip and is annular along the periphery of the plastic pipette tip.

[0033] It should be noted that in at least some embodiments of plasticity laboratory consumables, including pipette tips, certain areas may be flat and / or smooth in terms of surface quality. This is the case, for example, with respect to the tip portion of a pipette tip, such as tip portion 301 in Figure 3. Such embodiments may be beneficial in that such a structure and pattern can eliminate or reduce the retention of liquids such as droplets in the said area.

[0034] Plasticity laboratory consumables having one or more wettability properties have advantages. Since the wettability is obtained at least partially through the structural pattern on the surface of the plasticity laboratory consumable, the addition of compounds (which are undesirable for reasons such as being harmful) may not necessarily be required. Furthermore, other advantages may be obtained from each embodiment disclosed herein.

[0035] This disclosure describes a method for producing a consumable for plasticity experiments. The method involves preparing a mold, which is configured to provide a consumable for plasticity experiments using a suitable plasticity material. Thus, the mold is a substantial counterpart to the consumable for plasticity experiments formed using the mold. The mold may include steel and / or stainless powder steel. The mold may include multiple parts that, as a whole, provide a corresponding shape of the consumable for plasticity experiments to be formed. Such multiple parts may, for example, be separate from one another. The term “substantial counterpart” is understood to mean a counterpart configured to provide a consumable for plasticity experiments having a general shape and external dimensions. Those skilled in the art will understand that, depending on the forming process and method used, the resulting shape may differ from the ideal shape. For example, defects such as seams and protrusions may occur, particularly when multiple parts of the mold are used to form a consumable for plasticity experiments.

[0036] A textured mold is produced by texture processing a mold. Therefore, such a textured mold has the general shape of a mold, but additionally, at least a portion of its surface has a nanoscale textured surface (first nanoscale surface texture). Thus, the nanoscale textured surface is substantially equivalent to the surface or multiple regions of a consumable used in plasticity experiments. However, the nanoscale textured surface of the textured mold itself does not necessarily possess the wettability properties of the consumable used in plasticity experiments, because the nanoscale textured surface of the mold is equivalent to the surface that possesses those properties.

[0037] By using the textured mold described above, a consumable for plasticity experiments is molded. Thus, the consumable for plasticity experiments receives a complementary nanoscale surface texture having at least one wettability property for at least one liquid. Thus, this complementary nanoscale surface texture is complementary to the nanoscale textured surface (first nanoscale surface texture) of the textured mold. The wettability property is for at least one liquid, such as water or a first liquid as a solution. Multiple consumables for plasticity experiments can be molded using the fabricated textured mold, and thus the method described herein enables the large-scale production of multiple consumables for plasticity experiments, for example, continuously or simultaneously, as will be further understood by those skilled in the art.

[0038] In at least some embodiments, consumables for plasticity experiments may be molded by plastic injection molding.

[0039] In at least one embodiment where the consumable for plasticity experiments is a pipette tip, e.g., a micropipette, the mold includes at least two parts, namely an outer part and an inner part. The outer part may include a hollow conical cavity mold, and the inner part may be positioned in this mold to form at least a portion of the consumable for plasticity experiments to be molded between the outer and inner parts. In at least some embodiments, the inner part of the mold receives a first nanoscale surface texture. Thus, the molding process yields a replica on the inner surface of the pipette tip with the first nanoscale surface texture reversed, so that the pipette tip has a complementary nanoscale surface texture. The inner part of the mold may also be known as the "core pin" of the mold for the pipette tip, i.e., the "cone." Thus, a complementary nanoscale surface texture is created on the inner surface of the plastic tip.

[0040] In at least some embodiments, molds are textured using laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) to form textured molds. In this process, specific, structural, and periodic patterns may be formed by cutting the surface of the mold using a nanolaser. Laser-induced periodic surface structures are phenomena that occur when a material is irradiated with laser radiation. Such processes may include, for example, a combination of cutting, melting, and re-solidification of the mold surface. These structures are characterized by periodic patterns, which can be on a nanometer to micrometer scale. LIPSS is formed when a laser beam interacts with the material surface, causing periodic changes on the surface. These structures can be formed on a variety of materials, including metals, semiconductors, and dielectrics.

[0041] Figures 4A and 4B, and Figures 5A and 5B, respectively, show separate examples of mold parts available in relation to at least some embodiments of the present disclosure. This mold is a die and is a substantial counterpart to a plasticity experiment consumable molded using the die. A textured die having a first nanoscale surface texture is fabricated by texture the surface of the die. As a result, when molding a plasticity experiment consumable from a plasticity material using a textured die, the plasticity experiment consumable can be made to receive complementary nanoscale surface textures 110, 210 having at least one wettability property for at least a first liquid.

[0042] Figures 4A and 4B show a portion 450 of the mold. Although Figures 4A and 4B are viewed from different perspectives, they depict the same structural pattern. The portion 450 of the mold may, for example, be part of a textured mold. The portion of the mold includes protrusions 451 and recesses 452 that form at least partially a first nanoscale surface texture 460 on the portion of the mold. In terms of height, these protrusions and recesses are relative to each other. Such a first nanoscale surface texture may be a complementary counterpart to a pattern on the surface of a plasticity experiment consumable molded using the mold. Thus, a plasticity experiment consumable having a complementary nanoscale surface texture, as recognized from the portion 450 of the mold, can be manufactured using the mold.

[0043] Similar to the mold portion 450 depicted in Figures 4A and 4B, a mold portion 550 is shown in Figures 5A and 5B. Figures 5A and 5B depict the same structural pattern viewed from different perspectives. The mold portion 550 may, for example, be part of a textured mold. In at least some embodiments, the nanoscale surface texture 560 includes convex portions 551 and concave portions 552 to form a surface complementary to the surface of a complementary nanoscale texture of a pattern having wettability properties to at least a first liquid. Such a complementary nanoscale texture may be provided on, for example, a plasticity experiment consumable molded using a mold having the first nanoscale surface texture 560, or may form part of its surface. Thus, as can be seen from Figures 5A and 5B, the convex portions 551 and concave portions 552 at least partially form the first nanoscale surface texture 560. Therefore, such a first nanoscale surface texture 560 is complementary to the complementary nanoscale surface texture of a plasticity experiment consumable molded using a portion of the mold 550.

[0044] The embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not limited to the specific structures, process steps, or materials disclosed herein, but extend to their equivalents as recognized by those skilled in the art. It should also be understood that the terms used herein are used solely for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit them.

[0045] Any reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that certain features, structures, or characteristics described in relation to an embodiment are included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, although the phrases "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" are used in various places throughout this specification, they do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment.

[0046] For convenience, multiple items, structural elements, components, and / or materials may be listed together in this specification. However, these listings should be interpreted so that each member is independently identifiable as a separate and unique element. No individual member of such a list should be interpreted as a de facto equivalent to any other member in the same listing, unless otherwise specified, simply because it is presented in the same group. Furthermore, various embodiments and examples of the Invention may be referenced herein along with substitutes for various components. Such embodiments, examples, and substitutes should not be interpreted as de facto equivalents to one another, but rather as separate and independent expressions of the Invention.

[0047] Furthermore, the described features, structures, or properties may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. This description provides numerous specific details, such as examples of length, width, shape, etc., to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the invention. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be carried out without one or more specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other examples, well-known structures, materials, or operations are omitted in detail or description to avoid obscuring embodiments of the invention.

[0048] The examples described above illustrate the principles of the present invention in one or more specific applications, but it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous modifications in embodiments, uses, and details can be made without exercising inventive ability and without departing from the principles and concepts of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the claims.

[0049] In this specification, the verbs “to comprise” and “to include” are used as open limitations, neither excluding nor requiring the existence of features not described. Features described in dependent claims can be freely combined with each other unless otherwise specified. Furthermore, the use of “a” or “an” throughout this specification, i.e., the singular form, should be understood not to exclude the plural. [Industrial applicability]

[0050] At least some embodiments have industrial applicability in surface treatment, such as in the handling of liquids.

[0051] List of acronyms Perfluoroalkyl substances and polyfluoroalkyl substances PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic acid) LIPSS laser-induced periodic surface structure [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 110,210 Complementary nanoscale surface textures 120,220 patterns 121,221 surface 122,222 protruding edges 300 Plastic Pipette Tips 301 Chip section 302 Connection part Part of the 450 and 550 series 451,551 convex part 452,552 recesses 460,560 First Nanoscale Surface Texture

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing consumables for plasticity experiments, - A step of preparing a mold, wherein the mold is substantially equivalent to a consumable for plasticity experiments that is molded using the mold, - A step of manufacturing a textured mold having a first nanoscale surface texture by texture processing the surface of the mold, - A step of molding a consumable for plasticity experiments from a plastic material by using the aforementioned texture processing mold, wherein the consumable for plasticity experiments receives a complementary nanoscale surface texture (110, 210) having at least one wettability property with respect to at least one first liquid, A method that includes this.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the texture processing is carried out using a nanolaser, a femtosecond laser, or a pulsed ultrashort wave laser.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first nanoscale surface texture of the textured mold includes a laser-induced periodic surface structure (LIPSS).

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the complementary nanoscale surface texture includes nanoscale pores and / or nanoscale patterns.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the complementary nanoscale surface texture (110, 210) includes a repeating, partially raised lattice pattern.

6. The repeating, partially raised grid pattern (120, 220) includes a plurality of shapes, The aforementioned shape is, - Rectangular, interconnected, raised edges (122, 222), - At least one raised diagonal portion connecting two opposing corners in the rectangle, The method according to claim 5, including the method described in claim 5.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first liquid is selected from the group consisting of water, a glycerol solution, a protein solution, and a precipitated cell solution.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the at least one wettability property includes a first wettability property, and the first wettability property is included in a first region of the complementary nanoscale surface texture processing.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first wettability characteristic of at least the first liquid is selected from the group consisting of hydrophobic, hydrophilic, hydrophobic, hydrophilic, oleophobic, lipophilic, oleophobic, or lipophilic.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the at least one wettability property includes a second wettability property for the first liquid, and the second wettability property is included in a second region of the complementary nanoscale textured surface.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the second wettability characteristic is different from the first wettability characteristic.

12. The method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the second wettability characteristic is selected from the group consisting of phylophobic, hydrophilic, hydrophobic, oleophobic, lipophilic, or lipophilic.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the at least one wettability characteristic is defined by a contact angle of 95 to 115 degrees with respect to the first liquid.

14. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the molding includes injection molding, and the plastic material includes a thermoplastic material.

15. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the mold comprises a metallic material selected from the group consisting of steel and / or stainless powder steel.

16. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the molded plasticity experimental consumable is a pipette tip (300) having at least the complementary nanoscale surface texture (110, 210) on its inner surface.

17. A pre-molded consumable for plasticity experiments, comprising at least one complementary nanoscale surface texture (110, 210) having at least one wettability property for a first liquid.

18. A pre-molded consumable for plasticity experiments according to claim 17, which is a pipette tip (300) such as a low-retention pipette tip and / or a low-binding pipette tip.

19. The molded plasticity experiment consumable according to claim 18, wherein the at least one complementary nanoscale surface texture (110, 210) is present on at least the inner surface of the pipette tip (300).

Images