Fabrication of Copper Window Electrodes with ≈10⁸Apertures cm⁻² for Organic Photovoltaics

A powerful approach to increasing the far‐field transparency of copper film window electrodes which simultaneously reduces intraband absorption losses for wavelengths 550 nm is reported. The approach is based on incorporation of a random array of ≈100 million circular apertures per cm2 into an optically thin copper film, with a mean aperture diameter of ≈500 nm. A method for the fabrication of these electrodes is described that exploits a binary polymer blend mask that self‐organizes at room temperature from a single solution, and so is simple to implement. Additionally all of the materials used in electrode fabrication are low cost, low toxicity, and widely available. It is shown that these nanostructured copper electrodes offer an average far‐field transparency of ≥80% and sheet resistance of ≤10 Ω sq−1 when used in conjunction with a conventional solution processed ZnO electron transport layer and their utility in inverted organic photovoltaic devices is demonstrated

UV activation of polymeric high aspect ratio microstructures: Ramifications in antibody surface loading for circulating tumor cell selection

The need to activate thermoplastic surfaces using robust and efficient methods has been driven by the fact that replication techniques can be used to produce microfluidic devices in a high production mode and at low cost, making polymer microfluidics invaluable for in vitro diagnostics, such as circulating tumor cell (CTC) analysis, where device disposability is critical to mitigate artifacts associated with sample carryover. Modifying the surface chemistry of thermoplastic devices through activation techniques can be used to increase the wettability of the surface or to produce functional scaffolds to allow for the covalent attachment of biologics, such as antibodies for CTC recognition. Extensive surface characterization tools were used to investigate UV activation of various surfaces to produce uniform and high surface coverage of functional groups, such as carboxylic acids in microchannels of different aspect ratios. We found that the efficiency of the UV activation process is highly dependent on the microchannel aspect ratio and the identity of the thermoplastic substrate. Colorimetric assays and fluorescence imaging of UV-activated microchannels following EDC/NHS coupling of Cy3-labeled oligonucleotides indicated that UV-activation of a PMMA microchannel with an aspect ratio of ???3 was significantly less efficient toward the bottom of the channel compared to the upper sections. This effect was a consequence of the bulk polymer's damping of the modifying UV radiation due to absorption artifacts. In contrast, this effect was less pronounced for COC. Moreover, we observed that after thermal fusion bonding of the device's cover plate to the substrate, many of the generated functional groups buried into the bulk rendering them inaccessible. The propensity of this surface reorganization was found to be higher for PMMA compared to COC. As an example of the effects of material and microchannel aspect ratios on device functionality, thermoplastic devices for the selection of CTCs from whole blood were evaluated, which required the immobilization of monoclonal antibodies to channel walls. From our results, we concluded the CTC yield and purity of isolated CTCs were dependent on the substrate material with COC producing the highest clinical yields for CTCs as well as better purities compared to PMMA.close9

Messung der Dienstleistungsqualitaet universitaerer Lehrangebote: Entwicklung von TEACHQUAL

Available from Bibliothek des Instituts fuer Weltwirtschaft, ZBW, Duesternbrook Weg 120, D-24105 Kiel W 163 (189) / FIZ - Fachinformationszzentrum Karlsruhe / TIB - Technische InformationsbibliothekSIGLEDEGerman

Verfahren zur Herstellung einer permanenten Entformungsschicht durch Plasmapolymerisation auf der Oberflaeche eines Formteilwerkzeugs, ein nach dem Verfahren herstellbares Formteilwerkzeug und dessen Verwendung

WO 200205972 A UPAB: 20020613 NOVELTY - By temporal variation of polymerization conditions, a release layer with property gradient is produced. DETAILED DESCRIPTION - An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is included for the corresponding mold with permanent layer of parting agent. USE - To make a permanent mold release layer with property gradient. The mold is used to produce plastic objects, e.g. from polyurethane or polyurethane foam (claimed applications). ADVANTAGE - A low-energy, actively-separating surface is formed, which is so stable that it may be considered permanent. A valuable feature is the clean surface produced on the molding. It requires no additional cleaning stage before e.g. adhering, lining, painting or metallizing onto the molding. The layer resists temperatures at least up to 200 deg. C and can be cleaned with a little solvent, e.g. benzene or isopropanol on a cloth, without damage. The layer remains effective even after some mechanical damage. Even after considerable damage, it is merely necessary to after-coat the mold