Formation and release of micro objects self-assembled from photocurable liquid by molding and inkjet printing

The microfabrication of versatile small objects can be realized by droplet deposition. The paper presents an improved method for the formation of a photocurable liquid making such micro objects. Micro droplets are inkjet-printed into the micro channels designed and transferred by another 4-inch master wafer. One of key elements in the design involves the use of non-homogeneous substrates to effectively control the complex morphologies of solute deposit during the UV-light curing. The UV -cured liquid formations inside various micro channels are captured and characterized for this droplet formation process. Shapes and morphologies of the structured objects are found to be uniform using hydrophobic PDMS (Polydimethysiloxane).