Elastometric device for tunable imaging

An optical micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) structure is provided. The structure includes an elastomer membrane, a plurality of polymer fibers attached to the elastomer membrane, an array of detectors operatively connected to the plurality of polymer fibers at a first end of the plurality of polymer fibers, and a microlens array operatively connected to the plurality of polymer fibers at a second end of the plurality of polymer fibers. A method of manufacturing an optical MEMS structure is provided. The method includes forming a hollow PDMS chamber in which PDMS fibers extend from top to bottom using a lost wax molding process

Actuation Of Droplets Using Transparent Graphene Electrodes For Tunable Lenses And Biomedical Applications

Variable focal length liquid microlenses are the next candidate for a wide variety of applications. Driving mechanism of the liquid lenses can be categorized into mechanical and electrical actuation. Among different actuation mechanisms, EWOD is the most common tool for actuation of the liquid lenses. In this dissertation, we have demonstrated versatile and low-cost miniature liquid lenses with graphene as electrodes. Tunable focal length is achieved by changing both curvature of the droplet using electrowetting on dielectric (EWOD) and applied pressure. Ionic liquid and KCl solution are utilized as lens liquid on the top of a flexible Teflon-coated PDMS/parylene membrane. Transparent and flexible, graphene allows transmission of visible light as well as large deformation of the polymer membrane to achieve requirements for different lens designs and to increase the field of view without damaging of electrodes. Another advantage of graphene compared to non-transparent electrodes is the larger lens aperture. The tunable range for the focal length is between 3 and 7 mm for a droplet with a volume of 3 μL. The visualization of bone marrow dendritic cells is demonstrated by the liquid lens system with a high resolution (more than 456 lp/mm). The Spherical aberration analysis is performed using COMSOL software to investigate the optical properties of the lens under applied voltages and pressure. We propose a prototype of compound eye with specific design of the electrodes using both tunable lenses and tunable supporting membrane. The design has many advantages including large field of view, compact size and fast response time. This work maybe applicable in the development of the next generation of cameras, endoscopes, cell phones on flexible platform. We also proposed here the design and concept of self-powered wireless sensor based on the graphene radio-frequency (RF) components, which are transparent, flexible, and monolithically integrated on biocompatible soft substrate. We show that a quad-ring circuit based on graphene transistors may simultaneously offer sensing and frequency modulation functions. This battery-free and transparent sensors based on newly discovered 2D nanomaterials may benefit versatile wireless sensing and internet-of-things applications, such as smart contact lenses/glasses and microscope slides

Research issues in biological inspired sensors for flying robots

Biological inspired robotics is an area experiencing an increasing research and development. In spite of all the recent engineering advances, robots still lack capabilities with respect to agility, adaptability, intelligent sensing, fault-tolerance, stealth, and utilization of in-situ resources for power when compared to biological organisms. The general premise of bio-inspired engineering is to distill the principles incorporated in successful, nature-tested mechanisms of selected features and functional behaviors that can be captured through biomechatronic designs and minimalist operation principles from nature success strategies. Based on these concepts, robotics researchers are interested in gaining an understanding of the sensory aspects that would be required to mimic nature design with engineering solutions. In this paper are analysed developments in this area and the research aspects that have to be further studied are discussed.N/

Polymer based microscale and nanoscale technologies for optical and biomedical application

Polymer based micro and nano systems has emerged as a mainstream research in recent times with advent of bio-inspired design of opto-MEMS as wells as bio-MEMS. Polymers have tunable materials characteristics ranging for elastic to brittle nature, optically transparent and biocompatible and biodegradable for application in optics and biomedicine. I tackled four different technological challenges in this research work using novel biomimetic design and biopolymers as listed below. First, I designed wide acceptance angle thin and flat miniaturized solar concentrator by mimicking the wide acceptance angle found in compound eye of insects. I integrated lens, conic spacer and light guide to concentrate and redirect sunlight into small area where PV cell can be installed. My design can have total concentration up to ~40 for acceptance angle of 15ð. Second, I designed and fabricated automated light control switch using IR part of solar spectrum and to change a paraffin micro-chamber volume and actuate the cantilever structure. The cantilever structure when activated frustrates the TIR guided light in the lightguide and control the illumination level. We obtained rms value of illumination change to be 0.012 for input change of 0.018. Third, I developed rapid, inexpensive, reproducible method to make nanoscale patterns in PLLA films using replica-molding techniques. We produce very high fidelity replication of PLLA using double replication from master polycarbonate to PDMS mold and from PDMS mold to PLLA film by drop casting process. The surface characteristics of the nano-patterned film changed drastically form hydrophilic to hydrophobic due to patterning. We also investigate the drug coating process in this film for its use in controlled drug release platform. Finally, I used the drug coated and nano-patterned PLLA film for its potential application in biodegradable coronary stents. We fabricated the stents by rolling the PLLA films into the tube. The controlled drug release was studied by releasing the control and patterned PLLA surface into phosphate buffer saline. We used advanced high performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometer to measure the amount of drug released as a function of time. The nano-patterned surface has up to 20% slower drug release rate in comparison to the flat surface

3D Stretchable Arch Ribbon Array Fabricated via Grayscale Lithography.

Microstructures with flexible and stretchable properties display tremendous potential applications including integrated systems, wearable devices and bio-sensor electronics. Hence, it is essential to develop an effective method for fabricating curvilinear and flexural microstructures. Despite significant advances in 2D stretchable inorganic structures, large scale fabrication of unique 3D microstructures at a low cost remains challenging. Here, we demonstrate that the 3D microstructures can be achieved by grayscale lithography to produce a curved photoresist (PR) template, where the PR acts as sacrificial layer to form wavelike arched structures. Using plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) process at low temperature, the curved PR topography can be transferred to the silicon dioxide layer. Subsequently, plasma etching can be used to fabricate the arched stripe arrays. The wavelike silicon dioxide arch microstructure exhibits Young modulus and fracture strength of 52 GPa and 300 MPa, respectively. The model of stress distribution inside the microstructure was also established, which compares well with the experimental results. This approach of fabricating a wavelike arch structure may become a promising route to produce a variety of stretchable sensors, actuators and circuits, thus providing unique opportunities for emerging classes of robust 3D integrated systems

Miniature bioinspired artificial compound eyes: microfabrication technologies, photodetection and applications

As an outstanding visual system for insects and crustaceans to cope with the challenges of survival, compound eye has many unique advantages, such as wide field of view, rapid response, infinite depth of field, low aberration and fast motion capture. However, the complex composition of their optical systems also presents significant challenges for manufacturing. With the continuous development of advanced materials, complex 3D manufacturing technologies and flexible electronic detectors, various ingenious and sophisticated compound eye imaging systems have been developed. This paper provides a comprehensive review on the microfabrication technologies, photoelectric detection and functional applications of miniature artificial compound eyes. Firstly, a brief introduction to the types and structural composition of compound eyes in the natural world is provided. Secondly, the 3D forming manufacturing techniques for miniature compound eyes are discussed. Subsequently, some photodetection technologies for miniature curved compound eye imaging are introduced. Lastly, with reference to the existing prototypes of functional applications for miniature compound eyes, the future development of compound eyes is prospected

Fabrication of microlens arrays with varied focal lengths on curved surfaces using an electrostatic deformed template

A microlens array (MLA) with varied focal length was fabricated on a curved surface for the application of compound-eye imaging. Electrostatic deformed concave membrane was used as the initial molding template, and the deformation was determined by different applied voltage. By transferring the pattern to another polymeric template and deforming it by negative pressure, MLAs on a curved surface were fabricated successfully by using this molding process and polymeric template. The fabricated MLAs were optically characterized and the result demonstrated a larger field-of-view than that of flat MLAs and better imaging performance than that of MLAs with uniform focal length on curved surfaces. ? 2014 IOP Publishing Ltd