Electrojetting Apparatus for Stable 3D Nanopatterning
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Solution Overview
Problem
The instability of polymer jets during electrospinning makes it difficult to form stable three-dimensional nanopatterns, as the jets exhibit whipping phenomena and are not easily controlled for precise deposition on a substrate.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method utilizing a syringe tip, a substrate with an electrode plate, and a movement unit to control the polymer jet's trajectory and stacking, applying a voltage to stabilize the jet and move it in a reciprocal motion relative to the electrode plate to form stable three-dimensional patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If electrospinning is used to discharge polymer jet, then nanoscale fiber can be obtained, but the polymer jet exhibits whipping phenomenon and cannot be stably deposited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a movement unit that dynamically moves the syringe tip or substrate in reciprocal motion, transforming the static electrospinning system into a dynamic one. This controlled movement compensates for the whipping phenomenon by systematically varying the position of the syringe tip or substrate, enabling stable pattern formation despite jet instability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic reciprocal motion of the syringe tip or substrate through the movement unit. This periodic action creates a controlled rhythm in the deposition process, allowing the polymer jet to be deposited in a systematic manner that overcomes the chaotic whipping behavior and achieves stable pattern formation.
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional lithography is used, then precise patterns can be formed, but the process is complicated and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the mask and photoresist steps from the conventional lithography process. By using direct electrospinning with controlled movement to deposit patterns, the complex multi-step lithography process is replaced with a simpler direct deposition approach that achieves similar precision without the cumbersome mask fabrication and photoresist processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical mask-based lithography system with an electrostatic field-based direct deposition system. Instead of using physical masks and chemical photoresist processes, the invention uses electric fields to control polymer jet deposition, substituting a complex mechanical-chemical system with a more streamlined electrostatic field control approach.
3Speed
If inkjet printing is used, then fast deposition speed can be achieved, but resolution cannot be lowered to nanoscale
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the key parameter of jet diameter by using electrospinning instead of conventional inkjet printing. The electrospinning process generates nanoscale polymer jets with diameters in the nanometer range, whereas conventional inkjet printing produces much larger droplets. This parameter change enables both high speed and nanoscale resolution simultaneously.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows for the stable formation of three-dimensional patterns by overcoming the instability of polymer jets, enabling precise control and deposition of nanoscale polymer fibers on a substrate, enhancing the precision and scalability of nanopatterning.
Implementation Method 1
a substrate that is disposed in a direction in which the polymer jet is discharged, and that forms an electric field between the substrate and the syringe tip
Implementation Method 2
when a strong electric field is applied to a polymer droplet 1, a repulsive force is generated between molecules within a liquid due to polarization in the liquid, and a polymer jet 3 having a small thickness is discharged
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for forming a three-dimensional (3D) pattern using electrojetting, the apparatus including: a syringe tip having one end from which a polymer jet is discharged; a substrate that is disposed in a direction in which the polymer jet is discharged, and that forms an electric field between the substrate and the syringe tip; and a movement unit that moves the syringe tip or the substrate, wherein the polymer jet discharged from the syringe tip is moved relative to an upper side of the substrate and is stacked on the substrate.