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Abstract Photocatalytic effects resulting in water splitting, reduction of carbon dioxide to fuels using solar energy, decomposition of organic compounds, and light-induced hydrophilicity observed on surfaces of various metal oxides (MOx), all rely on the same basic physical mechanisms, and have attracted considerable interest over the past decades. TiO2 and ZnO, two natively n-type doped wide bandgap semiconductors exhibit the effects mentioned above. In this study we propose a model for the photo-induced hydrophilicity in MOx films, and we test the model for TiO2/Si and ZnO/Si heterojunctions. Experimentally, we employ a wet exposure technique whereby the MOx surface is exposed to UV light while a water droplet is sitting on the surface, which allows for a continuous recording of contact angles during illumination. The proposed model and the experimental techniques allow a determination of minority carrier diffusion lengths by contact angle measurements and suggest design rules for materials exhibiting photocatalytic hydrophilicity. We expect that this methodology can be extended to improve our physical understanding of other photocatalytic surface effects.

In this work, we fabricate a hexagonal array of pillars where each pillar has a “micro-hoodoo” shape, i.e., a reentrant cross section. The shape of the pillars makes them more resilient towards total wetting, i.e., transition from a Cassie-Baxter non-wetting state to a Wenzel wetting state. We show the single-step fabrication of 4 × 4 mm2 arrays by two-photon polymerization direct laser writing of the polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-derived commercial resin IP-PDMS. The use of a hydrophobic resin for rapid prototyping of reentrant structures enables the fabrication of surfaces patterns displaying superhydrophobic behavior despite the use of relatively simple structures, i.e. with a single reentrant surface. By changing the size of the micro-hoodoos and the packing density of the arrays, we map wetting behaviors ranging from the pinning of water droplets in Wenzel state to non-wetting Cassie-Baxter states. The measured contact angles follow quite well the theoretical results obtained by minimizing Gibbs free energy using the Wenzel, Cassie-Baxter and partial wetting theories. Among the tested micropatterns, five exhibited superhydrophobic properties, with a static contact angle with water as high as 158.1° ± 7.1°. This is the first demonstration of superhydrophobic surfaces produced by two-photon polymerization direct laser writing of PDMS in a single-step process.

Worldwide research in microrobotics has exploded in the past two decades, leading to the development of microrobots propelled in various manners. Despite significant advances in the field and successful demonstration of a wide range of applications, microrobots have yet to become the preferred choice outside a laboratory environment. After introducing available microrobotic propulsion and control mechanisms, microrobots that are manufactured and powered by light are focused herein. Referring to pioneering works and recent interesting examples, light is presented not only as a fabrication tool, by means of two‐photon polymerization direct laser writing, but also as an actuator for microrobots in both hard and soft stimuli–responsive polymers. In this scenario, a number of challenges that yet prevent polymeric light‐powered microrobots from reaching their full potential are identified, whereas potential solutions to overcome said challenges are suggested. As an outlook, a number of real‐world applications that light‐powered microrobots should be particularly suited for are mentioned, together with the advances needed for them to achieve such purposes. An interdisciplinary approach combining materials science, microfabrication, photonics, and data science should be conducive to the next generation of microrobots and will ultimately foster the translation of microrobotic applications into the real world.

Additive manufacturing based on direct laser writing two-photon polymerization facilitates the fabrication of microstructures with full 3D design freedom. Here, this fabrication technique is exploited for engineering scaffolds accurately mimicking the shape and size of three types of human cells. The human cell models employed in the study were chosen to include a range of dimensions and different identifiable features to highlight the versatility of this fabrication approach, yet other cell shapes can easily be fabricated in similar manner. The design and fabrication parameters for the additive manufacturing process were optimized to obtain polymeric scaffolds with biomimetic shapes. After fabrication, the cell scaffolds were converted to polymer-cushioned model cell membranes through layer-by-layer functionalization with a cationic polymer and a lipid bilayer. Scaffold functionalization was verified using confocal laser scanning microscopy. Polymer-cushioned model cell membranes supported on 3D scaffolds mimicking the shape of human cells are particularly suitable for membrane interaction studies where membrane curvature plays an important role. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the engineering of biomimetic cell membranes by high-resolution additive manufacturing combined with surface functionalization. The interdisciplinary approach highlights the value of additive manufacturing as technological solution for challenges encountered in biomedical studies.

Over the years, different approaches to obtaining antireflective surfaces have been explored, such as using index-matching, interference, or micro- and nanostructures. Structural super black colors are ubiquitous in nature, and biomimicry thus constitutes an interesting way to develop antireflective surfaces. Moth-eye nanostructures, for example, are well known and have been successfully replicated using micro- and nanofabrication. However, other animal species, such as birds of paradise and peacock spiders, have evolved to display larger structures with antireflective features. In peacock spiders, the antireflective properties of their super black patches arise from relatively simple microstructures with lens-like shapes organized in tightly packed hexagonal arrays, which makes them a good candidate for cheap mass replication techniques. In this paper, we present the fabrication and characterization of antireflective microarrays inspired by the peacock spider’s super black structures encountered in nature. Firstly, different microarrays 3D models are generated from a surface equation. Secondly, the arrays are fabricated in a polyacrylate resin by super-resolution 3D printing using two-photon polymerization. Thirdly, the resulting structures are inspected using a scanning electron microscope. Finally, the reflectance and transmittance of the printed structures are characterized at normal incidence with a dedicated optical setup. The bioinspired microlens arrays display excellent antireflective properties, with a measured reflectance as low as 0.042 ± 0.004% for normal incidence, a wavelength of 550 nm, and a collection angle of 14.5°. These values were obtained using a tightly-packed array of slightly pyramidal lenses with a radius of 5 µm and a height of 10 µm.

Several marine bacteria of the Roseobacter group can inhibit other microorganisms and are especially antagonistic when growing in biofilms. This aptitude to naturally compete with other bacteria can reduce the need for antibiotics in large-scale aquaculture units, provided that their culture can be promoted and controlled. Micropatterned surfaces may facilitate and promote the biofilm formation of species from the Roseobacter group, due to the increased contact between the cells and the surface material. Our research goal is to fabricate biofilm-optimal micropatterned surfaces and investigate the relevant length scales for surface topographies that can promote the growth and biofilm formation of the Roseobacter group of bacteria. In a preliminary study, silicon surfaces comprising arrays of pillars and pits with different periodicities, diameters, and depths were produced by UV lithography and deep reactive ion etching (DRIE) on polished silicon wafers. The resulting surface microscale topologies were characterized via optical profilometry and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Screening of the bacterial biofilm on the patterned surfaces was performed using green fluorescent staining (SYBR green I) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Our results indicate that there is a correlation between the surface morphology and the spatial organization of the bacterial biofilm.

Microswimmers are a rapidly developing research area attracting enormous attention because of their many potential applications with high societal value. A particularly promising target for cleverly engineered microswimmers is the field of biomedical applications, where many interesting examples have already been reported for e.g., cargo transport and drug delivery, artificial insemination, sensing, indirect manipulation of cells and other microscopic objects, imaging, and microsurgery. Pioneered only two decades ago, research studies on the use of microswimmers in biomedical applications are currently progressing at an incredibly fast pace. Given the recent nature of the research, there are currently no clinically approved microswimmer uses, and it is likely that several years will yet pass before any clinical uses can become a reality. Nevertheless, current research is laying the foundation for clinical translation, as more and more studies explore various strategies for developing biocompatible and biodegradable microswimmers fueled by in vivo-friendly means. The aim of this review is to provide a summary of the reported biomedical applications of microswimmers, with focus on the most recent advances. Finally, the main considerations and challenges for clinical translation and commercialization are discussed.

Super-hydrophobic natural surfaces usually have multiple levels of structure hierarchy. Here, we report on the effect of surface structure hierarchy for droplet evaporation. The two-level hierarchical structures studied comprise micro-pillars superimposed with nanograss. The surface design is fully scalable as structures used in this study are replicated in polypropylene by a fast roll-to-roll extrusion coating method, which allows effective thermoforming of the surface structures on flexible substrates. As one of the main results, we show that the hierarchical structures can withstand pinning of sessile droplets and remain super-hydrophobic for a longer time than their non-hierarchical counterparts. The effect is documented by recording the water contact angles of sessile droplets during their evaporation from the surfaces. The surface morphology is mapped by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and used together with the theory of Miwa et al. to estimate the degree of water impregnation into the surface structures. Finally, the different behavior during the droplet evaporation is discussed in the light of the obtained water impregnation levels.

Although electroosmotic flow (EOF) has been applied to drive fluid flow in microfluidic chips, some of the phenomena associated with it can adversely affect the performance of certain applications such as electrophoresis and ion preconcentration. To minimize the undesirable effects, EOF can be suppressed by polymer coatings or introduction of nanostructures. In this work, we presented a novel technique that employs the Dry Etching, Electroplating and Molding (DEEMO) process along with reactive ion etching (RIE), to fabricate microchannel with black silicon nanostructures (prolate hemispheroid-like structures). The effect of black silicon nanostructures on EOF was examined experimentally by current monitoring method, and numerically by finite element simulations. The experimental results showed that the EOF velocity was reduced by 13 ± 7%, which is reasonably close to the simulation results that predict a reduction of approximately 8%. EOF reduction is caused by the distortion of local electric field at the nanostructured surface. Numerical simulations show that the EOF velocity decreases with increasing nanostructure height or decreasing diameter. This reveals the potential of tuning the etching process parameters to generate nanostructures for better EOF suppression. The outcome of this investigation enhances the fundamental understanding of EOF behavior, with implications on the precise EOF control in devices utilizing nanostructured surfaces for chemical and biological analyses.

We compare ultrasonic welding (UW) and thermal bonding (TB) for the integration of embedded thin-film gold electrodes for electrochemical applications in injection molded (IM) microfluidic chips. The UW bonded chips showed a significantly superior electrochemical performance compared to the ones obtained using TB. Parameters such as metal thickness of electrodes, depth of electrode embedding, delivered power, and height of energy directors (for UW), as well as pressure and temperature (for TB), were systematically studied to evaluate the two bonding methods and requirements for optimal electrochemical performance. The presented technology is intended for easy and effective integration of polymeric Lab-on-Chip systems to encourage their use in research, commercialization and education.

A microfluidic chip for generation of gradients of dissolved oxygen was designed, fabricated and tested. The novel way of active oxygen depletion through a gas permeable membrane was applied. Numerical simulations for generation of O2gradients were correlated with measured oxygen concentrations. The developed microsystem was used to study growth patterns of the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosain medium with different oxygen concentrations. The results showed that attachment of Pseudomonas aeruginosato the substrate changed with oxygen concentration. This demonstrates that the device can be used for studies requiring controlled oxygen levels and for future studies of microaerobic and anaerobic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A lab-on-a-chip device that enables positioning of single or small ensembles of cells on an aperture in close proximity to a mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) modified sensing electrode has been developed and characterized. The microchip was used for the detection of Ca2+-dependent quantal catecholamine exocytosis from single as well as small assemblies of rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells. The frequency of events increased considerably upon depolarization of the PC12 cell membrane using a high extracelluar concentration of potassium. The number of recorded events could be correlated with the number of cells immobilized on the electrode. Quantal characteristics, such as the number of released molecules per recorded event, are equivalent to data obtained using conventional carbon fiber microelectrodes. The detection sensitivity of the device allows for the detection of less than 10 000 dopamine molecules in a quantal release. The distribution of peak rise-time and full width at half maximum was constant during measurement periods of several minutes demonstrating the stability of the MPA modified surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present experimental contact angle data for surfaces, which were surface-engineered with a hydrophobic micropattern of hexagonal geometry. The chemically heterogeneous surface of the same hexagonal pattern of defects resulted in faceted droplets of hexagonal shape. When measuring the advancing contact angles with a viewing position aligned parallel to rows of defects, we found that an area averaged Cassie-law failed in describing the data. By replacing the area fractions by line fractions of the triple phase boundary line segments in the Cassie equation, we found excellent agreement with data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electroosmotic flow (EOF) is an electric-field-induced fluid flow that has numerous micro-/nanofluidic applications, ranging from pumping to chemical and biomedical analyses. Nanoscale networks/structures are often integrated in microchannels for a broad range of applications, such as electrophoretic separation of biomolecules, high reaction efficiency catalytic microreactors, and enhancement of heat transfer and sensing. Their introduction has been known to reduce EOF. Hitherto, a proper study on the effect of nanostructures orientation on EOF in a microfluidic channel is yet to be carried out. In this investigation, we present a novel fabrication method for nanostructure designs that possess maximum orientation difference, i.e. parallel versus perpendicular indented nanolines, to examine the effect of nanostructures orientation on EOF. It consists of four phases: fabrication of silicon master, creation of mold insert via electroplating, injection molding with cyclic olefin copolymer, and thermal bonding and integration of practical inlet/outlet ports. The effect of nanostructures orientation on EOF was studied experimentally by current monitoring method. The experimental results show that nanolines which are perpendicular to the microchannel reduce the EOF velocity significantly (approximately 20%). This flow velocity reduction is due to the distortion of local electric field by the perpendicular nanolines at the nanostructured surface as demonstrated by finite element simulation. In contrast, nanolines which are parallel to the microchannel have no effect on EOF, as it can be deduced that the parallel nanolines do not distort the local electric field. The outcomes of this investigation contribute to the precise control of EOF in lab-on-chip devices, and fundamental understanding of EOF in devices which utilize nanostructured surfaces for chemical and biological analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contact angle measurements are a fast and simple way to measure surface properties and is therefore widely used to measure surface energy and quantify wetting of a solid surface by a liquid substance. In common praxis contact angle measurements are done with sessile drops on a horizontal surface fitted to a drop profile derived from the Young-Laplace equation. When measuring the wetting behaviour by tilting experiments this is not possible since it involves moving drops that are not in equilibrium. Here we present a fitting technique capable of determining the contact angle of asymmetric drops with very high accuracy even with blurry or noisy images. We do this by splitting the trace of a drop into a left and right part at the apex and then fit each side to an ellipse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a new type of energy director (ED) for ultrasonic welding of microfluidic systems. These micropillar EDs are based on the replication of cone like protrusion structures introduced using a pico-second laser and may therefore be added to any mould surface accessible to a pico-second laser beam. The technology is demonstrated on an injection moulded microfluidic device featuring high-aspect ratio (h  ×  w  =  2000 μm  ×  550 μm) and free-standing channel walls, where bonding is achieved with no detectable channel deformation. The bonding strength is similar to conventional EDs and the fabricated system can withstand pressures of over 9.5 bar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a study of the correlation between three optical methods for characterizing surface roughness: a laboratory scatterometer measuring the bi-directional reflection distribution function (BRDF instrument), a simple commercial scatterometer (rBRDF instrument), and a confocal optical profiler. For each instrument, the effective range of spatial surface wavelengths is determined, and the common bandwidth used when comparing the evaluated roughness parameters. The compared roughness parameters are: the root-mean-square (RMS) profile deviation (Rq), the RMS profile slope (Rdq), and the variance of the scattering angle distribution (Aq). The twenty-two investigated samples were manufactured with several methods in order to obtain a suitable diversity of roughness patterns.Our study shows a one-to-one correlation of both the Rq and the Rdq roughness values when obtained with the BRDF and the confocal instruments, if the common bandwidth is applied. Likewise, a correlation is observed when determining the Aq value with the BRDF and the rBRDF instruments.Furthermore, we show that it is possible to determine the Rq value from the Aq value, by applying a simple transfer function derived from the instrument comparisons. The presented method is validated for surfaces with predominantly 1D roughness, i.e. consisting of parallel grooves of various periods, and a reflectance similar to stainless steel. The Rq values are predicted with an accuracy of 38% at the 95% confidence interval. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid prototyping is desirable when developing products. One example of such a product is all-polymer, passive flow controlled lab-on-a-chip systems that are preferential when developing low-cost disposable chips for point-of-care use. In this paper we investigate the following aspects of going from rapid prototyping to pilot (mass) production. (1) Fabrication of an all-polymer microfluidic system using a rapid prototyped master insert for injection moulding and ultrasonic welding, including a systematic experimental characterisation of chip featured geometric capillary microvalve test structures. (2) Numerical modelling of the microvalve burst pressures. Numerical modelling of burst pressures is challenging due to its non-equilibrium nature. We have implemented and tested the level-set method modified with a damped driving term and show that the introduction of the damping term leads to numerically robust results with limited computational demands and a low number of iterations. Numerical and simplified analytical results are validated against the experimental results. We find that injection moulding and ultrasonic welding are effective for chip production and that the experimental burst pressures could be estimated with an average accuracy of 5% using the presented numerical model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]