This work was supported by the AFOSR Young Investigator Program under FA9550-12-1-0352 and a 3M Non-Tenured Faculty Award. The authors would like to thank Lalisa Stutts and Janine Tom for helpful discussion relating to this project. The authors thank the Calit2 Microscopy Center and Laser Spectroscopy Facility at the University of California, Irvine for allowing use of its facilities. Hodge Harland and the UCI Physical Sciences Machine Shop are acknowledged for the fabrication of tools. Poly(lactic) acid fibers were generously provided by Teijin Monofilament.

1. Catalyzing Sacrificial Fibers
<ol>
	<li>Wrap the desired amount of poly(lactic) acid fibers around the lower &#190; of customized spindle. Reduce fiber overlap to provide the maximum surface area exposure.</li>
	<li>Mix deionized H2O with 40 ml of Disperbyk 130 in a closed bottle and shake until a homogenous solution is obtained. Then place a 1,000 ml beaker in a water bath at 37 &#176;C and pour trifluoroethanol into the beaker. The amount of H2O and TFE to use depends on the PLA fiber diameter used.
	<table border="1">
		<tbody>
			<tr>
				<td>Fiber Diameter</td>
				<td>Amount of H2O (ml)</td>
				<td>Amount of TFE (ml)</td>
			</tr>
			<tr>
				<td>200</td>
				<td>400</td>
				<td>400</td>
			</tr>
			<tr>
				<td>300</td>
				<td>360</td>
				<td>440</td>
			</tr>
			<tr>
				<td>500</td>
				<td>320</td>
				<td>480</td>
			</tr>
		</tbody>
	</table>
	</li>
	<li>Add the H2O/Disperbyk 187 solution to the beaker and stir until uniform.</li>
	<li>Add 1 g of Malachite Green to the mixture and stir until dissolved.</li>
	<li>Place the custom spindle with fibers in the beaker &#189; inch&#160;from the bottom and attach the spindle to a digital mixer. Then start the digital mixer at 400 rpm.</li>
	<li>Slowly add 1.3 g of tin (II) oxalate (SnOx) catalyst to the mixture. The addition of SnOx must be gradual in order to prevent large agglomerations of material from crashing out of the solution.</li>
	<li>Adjust the pH in the mixture using NaOH until the pH is ~6.8-7.2.</li>
	<li>Secure a lid to the beaker and increase the spindle rotation to 500 rpm&#160;for 24 hr. If an agglomeration of SnOx is observed, manually break it up within the first 2 hr.</li>
	<li>Remove spindle and dry in oven at 35 &#176;C overnight.</li>
	<li>Unwrap and remove excess catalyst from the catalyzed PLA fibers.</li>
</ol>
2. Microvascular Gas Exchange Unit Fabrication
<ol>
	<li>Obtain a pair of laser-cut brass patterning brass plates with the desired microvascular pattern and affix the plates on clip holders.</li>
	<li>Cut a 10 inch&#160;length of catalyzed fiber per microchannel and remove any remaining catalyst using a thicker plate cut to the fiber diameter (draw plate).</li>
	<li>Taper the edges of the fibers by using the tip of a hot glue gun to slowly extrude the fiber tips.</li>
	<li>Thread the fibers through matching holes in the brass patterning plate pairs.</li>
	<li>Screw the plates onto a molding box. Make sure the fibers are not twisted when attaching the plates.</li>
	<li>String the fiber tips through the tuning pegs of the custom tensioning board.</li>
	<li>Tension the PLA fibers until taut. Be careful not to over-tension and snap the fibers.</li>
	<li>Remove excess particulates from the fiber pattern using compressed air.</li>
	<li>Mix polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) base with curing agent in a 10:1, v:v ratio.</li>
	<li>Degas the mixture under vacuum in a desiccator jar for 10 min.</li>
	<li>Pour the PDMS mixture into the mold box. Do not pour directly over the fibers in order to reduce the trapping of air bubbles.</li>
	<li>Using a 26 G needle, remove any bubbles within the molding box or between the fibers.</li>
	<li>Cure the PDMS mixture at 85 &#176;C for 30 min.</li>
	<li>Unfasten the brass plates from the mold box, making sure not to bend the plates or pull too hard. Remove the cured 1st stage from the mold box.</li>
	<li>Thread the fibers through an RTV end-cap by puncturing holes in the end-cap with a hypodermic needle. Depending on fiber size, use a needle gauge that has at least 2x&#160;the inner diameter of the outer diameter of your fiber. Maintain a similar pattern as the brass patterning plate, but more widely spread out.</li>
	<li>Fasten the end-caps to the ends of a larger mold box and pour a 2nd stage of PDMS.</li>
	<li>Remove any remaining gas bubbles and cure at 85 &#176;C for 30 min.</li>
	<li>Cut any excess PLA fibers from the sample and place in a vacuum oven at 210 &#176;C for 24 hr, or until the PLA fibers have been mostly evacuated.</li>
	<li>If any PLA cannot be removed, gently dissolve out of the microchannels using an injection of 1 ml of chloroform.</li>
</ol>

<ol>
	<li>Bellan, L. M., Singh, S. P., Henderson, P. W., Porri, T. J., Craighead, H. G., Spector, J. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Fabrication+of+an+artificial+3-dimensional+vascular+network+using+sacrificial+sugar+structures.">Fabrication of an artificial 3-dimensional vascular network using sacrificial sugar structures.</a> Soft Matter. 5 (7), 1354 (2009).</li><li>Bellan, L. M., Strychalski, E. A., Craighead, H. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Nano-channels+fabricated+in+polydimethylsiloxane+using+sacrificial+electrospun+polyethylene+oxide+nanofibers.">Nano-channels fabricated in polydimethylsiloxane using sacrificial electrospun polyethylene oxide nanofibers.</a> J. Vac. Sci. Technol. B Microelectron. Nanometer Struct. Process. Meas. Phenom. 26 (5), 1728 (2008).</li><li>Borenstein, J. T., Weinberg, E. J., Orrick, B. K., Sundback, C., Kaazempur-Mofrad, M. R., Vacanti, J. P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Microfabrication+of+three-dimensional+engineered+Scaffolds.">Microfabrication of three-dimensional engineered Scaffolds.</a> Tissue Eng. 13 (8), 1837-1844 (2007).</li><li>Wu, H., Odom, T. W., Chiu, D. T., Whitesides, G. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Fabrication+of+complex+three-dimensional+microchannel+systems+in+PDMS.">Fabrication of complex three-dimensional microchannel systems in PDMS.</a> J. Am. Chem. Soc. 125 (2), 554-559 (2003).</li><li>Trask, R. S., Bond, I. P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Biomimetic+self-healing+of+advanced+composite+structures+using+hollow+glass+fibres.">Biomimetic self-healing of advanced composite structures using hollow glass fibres.</a> Smart Mater. Struct. 15 (3), 704-710 (2006).</li><li>Dong, H., Esser-Kahn, A. P., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Chemical+treatment+of+poly(lactic+acid)+fibers+to+enhance+the+rate+of+thermal+depolymerization.">Chemical treatment of poly(lactic acid) fibers to enhance the rate of thermal depolymerization.</a> ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces. 4 (2), 503-509 (2012).</li><li>Esser-Kahn, A. P., Thakre, P. R., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Three-dimensional+microvascular+fiber-reinforced+composites.">Three-dimensional microvascular fiber-reinforced composites.</a> Adv. Mater. 23 (32), 3654-3658 (2011).</li><li>White, S. R., Blaiszik, B. J., Kramer, S. L. B., Olugebefola, S. C., Moore, J. S., Sottos, N. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Self-healing+polymers+and+composites.">Self-healing polymers and composites.</a> Am. Sci. 99 (5), 392 (2011).</li><li>Nguyen, D. T., Leho, Y. T., Esser-Kahn, A. P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+three-dimensional+microvascular+gas+exchange+unit+for+carbon+dioxide+capture.">A three-dimensional microvascular gas exchange unit for carbon dioxide capture.</a> Lab Chip. 12 (7), 1246 (2012).</li><li>Nguyen, D. T., Leho, Y. T., Esser-Kahn, A. P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+effect+of+membrane+thickness+on+a+microvascular+gas+exchange+unit.">The effect of membrane thickness on a microvascular gas exchange unit.</a> Adv. Funct. Mater. , (2012).</li></ol>

We have filed for a provisional patent on this technology und US patent U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 61/590,086.

The introduction of the SnOx catalyst into the PLA fibers allows the fibers to depolymerize at a lower temperature. This prevents the degradation of the embedding resin, in this case PDMS. A custom spindle is required to properly mix the treatment solution (Figure 5A). The spindle is composed of six supporting rods surrounding a central core which attaches to a digital mixer. The fibers are wrapped around the support rods so that the surface area of the wrapping fibers in contact with the catalytic solut...

Natural systems use extensive vascular networks to facilitate many biological functions. Mass transport can be achieved efficiently in such systems due to high surface area to volume ratios and optimized packing structures. While many synthetic fabrication techniques can produce microvascular structures, none can produce large-scale microvasculature while maintaining complexity and compatibility with existing manufacturing methods1-5. Structures such as the avian lung provide an inspiration. How do we fabricate structures of this complexity for enhancing mass transport?
The Vaporization of a Sacrificial Component (VaSC) can produce large-scale, complex microvascular structures6-7. This method uses the thermal depolymerization and evaporative removal of poly(lactic) acid fibers to form hollow channels that are the inverse of the fiber template. This is a sacrificial technique compatible with existing manufacturing methods. Meter long, cylindrical microchannel patterns can be formed using this fabrication process. This can be used to create vascularized devices such as self-healing polymers and 3D microvascular carbon capture units7-10.
The carbon capture units were inspired by the avian lung that provides an efficient gas-exchange-to-weight ratio owing to its use in flight. The parabronchus is composed of hexagonally patterned microchannels, which provides high gas exchange rates and structurally stable gas exchange units. In order to create exchange units with microscale features aligned in three-dimensions, we developed a method of independently tensioning fibers using a custom designed tension board with guitar tuners and laser-micromachined plates. Each fiber is held in place by external tension and the pattern is set by the placement of holes in the plate through which the fibers run.

<table border="1">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Reagent</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tin (II) oxalate</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>402761</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Disperbyk 130</td>
			<td>BYK Additives &#38; Instruments</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Trifluoroethanol</td>
			<td>Halocarbon</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Malachite Green (technical grade)</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>M6880</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sodium hydroxide (&#8805;98%, pellets)</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>S5881</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)</td>
			<td>Dow Corning</td>
			<td>3097358-1004</td>
			<td>Distributed from Ellsworth Adhesives</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Poly(lactic) acid fibers</td>
			<td>Teijin Monofilament</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Material</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>RW 20 Digital Mixer</td>
			<td>IKA</td>
			<td>3593001</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Desiccator Jar</td>
			<td>Pyrex</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Vacuum Oven</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Third Hand</td>
			<td>Jameco Electronics</td>
			<td>26690</td>
			<td>Plate holder</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Glue Gun</td>
			<td>Stanley</td>
			<td>GR20L</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PLA Spindle</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Custom made</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tensioning Board</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Custom made</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

process of making three-dimensional microstructures using vaporization of a sacrificial component

Vascular structures in natural systems are able to provide high mass transport through high surface areas and optimized structure. Few synthetic material fabrication techniques are able to mimic the complexity of these structures while maintaining scalability. The Vaporization of a Sacrificial Component (VaSC) process is able to do so. This process uses sacrificial fibers as a template to form hollow, cylindrical microchannels embedded within a matrix. Tin (II) oxalate (SnOx) is embedded within poly(lactic) acid (PLA) fibers which facilitates the use of this process. The SnOx catalyzes the depolymerization of the PLA fibers at lower temperatures. The lactic acid monomers are gaseous at these temperatures and can be removed from the embedded matrix at temperatures that do not damage the matrix. Here we show a method for aligning these fibers using micromachined plates and a tensioning device to create complex patterns of three-dimensionally arrayed microchannels. The process allows the exploration of virtually any arrangement of fiber topologies and structures.

This procedure provides a method of fabricating microvascular structures embedded within a resin. These structures can conform to a variety of patterns (Figure 2). The structure of the microvascular network is only limited by the structures that can be formed with the sacrificial fibers.
Using a parallel arrangement of microvascular channels, gas transport between fluid streams is facilitated as gases traverse a permeable inter-channel membrane. These devices can be fabricated...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Process of Making Three-dimensional Microstructures using Vaporization of a Sacrificial Component at JoVE.com

Process of Making Three-dimensional Microstructures using Vaporization of a Sacrificial Component

The Vaporization of a Sacrificial Component (VaSC) process is used to fabricate microvascular structures. This procedure uses sacrificial poly(lactic) acid fibers to form hollow microchannels with precise 3D geometric positioning provided by laser micromachined guide plates.

Vascular structures in natural systems are able to provide high mass transport through high surface areas and optimized structure. Few synthetic material ...

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8.9K Views.  University of California, Irvine. The Vaporization of a Sacrificial Component (VaSC) process is used to fabricate microvascular structures. This procedure uses sacrificial poly(lactic) acid fibers to form hollow microchannels with precise 3D geometric positioning provided by laser micromachined guide plates.

Video: Process of Making Three-dimensional Microstructures using Vaporization of a Sacrificial Component

Fabrication, Densification, and Replica Molding of 3D Carbon Nanotube Microstructures

The introduction of new materials and processes to microfabrication has, in large part, enabled many important advances in microsystems, lab-on-a-chip devices, and their applications. In particular, capabilities for cost-effective fabrication of polymer microstructures were transformed by the advent of soft lithography and other micromolding techniques 1, 2, and this led a revolution in applications of microfabrication to biomedical engineering and biology. Nevertheless, it remains challenging to fabricate microstructures with well-defined nanoscale surface textures, and to fabricate arbitrary 3D shapes at the micro-scale. Robustness of master molds and maintenance of shape integrity is especially important to achieve high fidelity replication of complex structures and preserving their nanoscale surface texture. The combination of hierarchical textures, and heterogeneous shapes, is a profound challenge to existing microfabrication methods that largely rely upon top-down etching using fixed mask templates. On the other hand, the bottom-up synthesis of nanostructures such as nanotubes and nanowires can offer new capabilities to microfabrication, in particular by taking advantage of the collective self-organization of nanostructures, and local control of their growth behavior with respect to microfabricated patterns. 
Our goal is to introduce vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (CNTs), which we refer to as CNT "forests", as a new microfabrication material. We present details of a suite of related methods recently developed by our group: fabrication of CNT forest microstructures by thermal CVD from lithographically patterned catalyst thin films; self-directed elastocapillary densification of CNT microstructures; and replica molding of polymer microstructures using CNT composite master molds. In particular, our work shows that self-directed capillary densification ("capillary forming"), which is performed by condensation of a solvent onto the substrate with CNT microstructures, significantly increases the packing density of CNTs. This process enables directed transformation of vertical CNT microstructures into straight, inclined, and twisted shapes, which have robust mechanical properties exceeding those of typical microfabrication polymers. This in turn enables formation of nanocomposite CNT master molds by capillary-driven infiltration of polymers. The replica structures exhibit the anisotropic nanoscale texture of the aligned CNTs, and can have walls with sub-micron thickness and aspect ratios exceeding 50:1. Integration of CNT microstructures in fabrication offers further opportunity to exploit the electrical and thermal properties of CNTs, and diverse capabilities for chemical and biochemical functionalization 3.

We present methods for fabrication of patterned microstructures of vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and their use as master molds for production of polymer microstructures with organized nanoscale surface texture. The CNT forests are densified by condensation of solvent onto the substrate, which significantly increases their packing density and enables self-directed formation of 3D shapes.

The introduction of new materials and processes to microfabrication has, in large part, enabled many important advances in microsystems, lab-on-a-chip ...

Synthesis of Phase-shift Nanoemulsions with Narrow Size Distributions for Acoustic Droplet Vaporization and Bubble-enhanced Ultrasound-mediated Ablation

High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is used clinically to thermally ablate tumors. To enhance localized heating and improve thermal ablation in tumors, lipid-coated perfluorocarbon droplets have been developed which can be vaporized by HIFU. The vasculature in many tumors is abnormally leaky due to their rapid growth, and nanoparticles are able to penetrate the fenestrations and passively accumulate within tumors. Thus, controlling the size of the droplets can result in better accumulation within tumors. In this report, the preparation of stable droplets in a phase-shift nanoemulsion (PSNE) with a narrow size distribution is described. PSNE were synthesized by sonicating a lipid solution in the presence of liquid perfluorocarbon. A narrow size distribution was obtained by extruding the PSNE multiple times using filters with pore sizes of 100 or 200 nm. The size distribution was measured over a 7-day period using dynamic light scattering. Polyacrylamide hydrogels containing PSNE were prepared for in vitro experiments. PSNE droplets in the hydrogels were vaporized with ultrasound and the resulting bubbles enhanced localized heating. Vaporized PSNE enables more rapid heating and also reduces the ultrasound intensity needed for thermal ablation. Thus, PSNE is expected to enhance thermal ablation in tumors, potentially improving therapeutic outcomes of HIFU-mediated thermal ablation treatments.

Phase-shift nanoemulsions (PSNE) can be vaporized using high intensity focused ultrasound to enhance localized heating and improve thermal ablation in tumors. In this report, the preparation of stable PSNE with a narrow size distribution is described. Furthermore, the impact of vaporized PSNE on ultrasound-mediated ablation is demonstrated in tissue-mimicking phantoms.

High-intensity  focused ultrasound (HIFU) is used clinically to thermally ablate tumors. To  enhance localized heating and improve thermal ablation in ...

High-resolution, High-speed, Three-dimensional Video Imaging with Digital Fringe Projection Techniques

Digital fringe projection (DFP) techniques provide dense 3D measurements of dynamically changing surfaces.&#160;Like the human eyes and brain, DFP uses triangulation between matching points in two views of the same scene at different angles to compute depth.&#160;However, unlike a stereo-based method, DFP uses a digital video projector to replace one of the cameras1. The projector rapidly projects a known sinusoidal pattern onto the subject, and the surface of the subject distorts these patterns in the camera&#8217;s field of view. Three distorted patterns (fringe images) from the camera can be used to compute the depth using triangulation.
Unlike other 3D measurement methods, DFP techniques lead to systems that tend to be faster, lower in equipment cost, more flexible, and easier to develop.&#160;DFP systems can also achieve the same measurement resolution as the camera.&#160;For this reason, DFP and other digital structured light techniques have recently been the focus of intense research (as summarized in1-5). Taking advantage of DFP, the graphics processing unit, and optimized algorithms, we have developed a system capable of 30&#160;Hz 3D video data acquisition, reconstruction, and display for over 300,000 measurement points per frame6,7.&#160;Binary defocusing DFP methods can achieve even greater speeds8.
Diverse applications can benefit from DFP techniques. Our collaborators have used our systems for facial function analysis9, facial animation10, cardiac mechanics studies11, and fluid surface measurements, but many other potential applications exist.&#160;This video will teach the fundamentals of DFP techniques and illustrate the design and operation of a binary defocusing DFP system.

This video describes the fundamentals of digital fringe projection techniques, which provide dense 3D measurements of dynamically changing surfaces.&#160;It also demonstrates the design and operation of a high-speed binary defocusing system based on these techniques.

Digital fringe projection (DFP) techniques provide dense 3D measurements of dynamically changing surfaces.&#160;Like the human eyes and brain, DFP uses ...

Development of an Experimental Setup for the Measurement of the Coefficient of Restitution under Vacuum Conditions

The Discrete Element Method is used for the simulation of particulate systems to describe and analyze them, to predict and afterwards optimize their behavior for single stages of a process or even an entire process. For the simulation with occurring particle-particle and particle-wall contacts, the value of the coefficient of restitution is required. It can be determined experimentally. The coefficient of restitution depends on several parameters like the impact velocity. Especially for fine particles the impact velocity depends on the air pressure and under atmospheric pressure high impact velocities cannot be reached. For this, a new experimental setup for free-fall tests under vacuum conditions is developed. The coefficient of restitution is determined with the impact and rebound velocity which are detected by a high-speed camera. To not hinder the view, the vacuum chamber is made of glass. Also a new release mechanism to drop one single particle under vacuum conditions is constructed. Due to that, all properties of the particle can be characterized beforehand.

The coefficient of restitution is a parameter that describes the loss of kinetic energy during collision. Here, a free-fall setup under vacuum conditions is developed to be able to determine the coefficient of restitution parameter for particles in micrometer range with high impact velocities.

The Discrete Element Method is used for the simulation of particulate systems to describe and analyze them, to predict and afterwards optimize their ...

Fabrication Process of Silicone-based Dielectric Elastomer Actuators

This contribution demonstrates the fabrication process of dielectric elastomer transducers (DETs). DETs are stretchable capacitors consisting of an elastomeric dielectric membrane sandwiched between two compliant electrodes. The large actuation strains of these transducers when used as actuators (over 300% area strain) and their soft and compliant nature has been exploited for a wide range of applications, including electrically tunable optics, haptic feedback devices, wave-energy harvesting, deformable cell-culture devices, compliant grippers, and propulsion of a bio-inspired fish-like airship. In most cases, DETs are made with a commercial proprietary acrylic elastomer and with hand-applied electrodes of carbon powder or carbon grease. This combination leads to non-reproducible and slow actuators exhibiting viscoelastic creep and a short lifetime. We present here a complete process flow for the reproducible fabrication of DETs based on thin elastomeric silicone films, including casting of thin silicone membranes, membrane release and prestretching, patterning of robust compliant electrodes, assembly and testing. The membranes are cast on flexible polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrates coated with a water-soluble sacrificial layer for ease of release. The electrodes consist of carbon black particles dispersed into a silicone matrix and patterned using a stamping technique, which leads to precisely-defined compliant electrodes that present a high adhesion to the dielectric membrane on which they are applied.

This manuscript shows the fabrication process for the manufacture of dielectric elastomer soft actuators based on silicone membranes. The three key stages of production are presented in detail: blade casting of thin silicone membranes; pad printing of compliant electrodes; and the assembly of all the components.

This contribution demonstrates the fabrication process of dielectric elastomer transducers (DETs). DETs are stretchable capacitors consisting of an ...

Using Synchrotron Radiation Microtomography to Investigate Multi-scale Three-dimensional Microelectronic Packages

Synchrotron radiation micro-tomography (SR&#181;T) is a non-destructive three-dimensional (3D) imaging technique that offers high flux for fast data acquisition times with high spatial resolution. In the electronics industry there is serious interest in performing failure analysis on 3D microelectronic packages, many which contain multiple levels of high-density interconnections. Often in tomography there is a trade-off between image resolution and the volume of a sample that can be imaged. This inverse relationship limits the usefulness of conventional computed tomography (CT) systems since a microelectronic package is often large in cross sectional area 100-3,600 mm2, but has important features on the micron scale. The micro-tomography beamline at the Advanced Light Source (ALS), in Berkeley, CA USA, has a setup which is adaptable and can be tailored to a sample&#39;s properties, i.e., density, thickness, etc., with a maximum allowable cross-section of 36 x 36 mm. This setup also has the option of being either monochromatic in the energy range ~7-43 keV or operating with maximum flux in white light mode using a polychromatic beam. Presented here are details of the experimental steps taken to image an entire 16 x 16 mm system within a package, in order to obtain 3D images of the system with a spatial resolution of 8.7 &#181;m all within a scan time of less than 3 min. Also shown are results from packages scanned in different orientations and a sectioned package for higher resolution imaging. In contrast a conventional CT system would take hours to record data with potentially poorer resolution. Indeed, the ratio of field-of-view to throughput time is much higher when using the synchrotron radiation tomography setup. The description below of the experimental setup can be implemented and adapted for use with many other multi-materials.

For this study synchrotron radiation micro-tomography, a non-destructive three-dimensional imaging technique, is employed to investigate an entire microelectronic package with a cross-sectional area of 16 x 16 mm. Due to the synchrotron&#39;s high flux and brightness the sample was imaged in just 3 min&#160;with an 8.7 &#181;m spatial resolution.

Synchrotron radiation micro-tomography (SR&#181;T) is a non-destructive three-dimensional (3D) imaging technique that offers high flux for fast data ...

Three-dimensional Particle Tracking Velocimetry for Turbulence Applications: Case of a Jet Flow

3D-PTV is a quantitative flow measurement technique that aims to track the Lagrangian paths of a set of particles in three dimensions using stereoscopic recording of image sequences. The basic components, features, constraints and optimization tips of a 3D-PTV topology consisting of a high-speed camera with a four-view splitter are described and discussed in this article. The technique is applied to the intermediate flow field (5 &#60;x/d &#60;25) of a circular jet at Re &#8776; 7,000. Lagrangian flow features and turbulence quantities in an Eulerian frame are estimated around ten diameters downstream of the jet origin and at various radial distances from the jet core. Lagrangian properties include trajectory, velocity and acceleration of selected particles as well as curvature of the flow path, which are obtained from the Frenet-Serret equation. Estimation of the 3D velocity and turbulence fields around the jet core axis at a cross-plane located at ten diameters downstream of the jet is compared with literature, and the power spectrum of the large-scale streamwise velocity motions is obtained at various radial distances from the jet core.

A three-dimensional particle tracking velocimetry (3D-PTV) system based on a high-speed camera with a four-view splitter is described here. The technique is applied to a jet flow from a circular pipe in the vicinity of ten diameters downstream at Reynolds number Re &#8776; 7,000.

3D-PTV is a quantitative flow measurement technique that aims to track the Lagrangian paths of a set of particles in three dimensions using stereoscopic ...

Challenges in Rheological Characterization of Highly Concentrated Suspensions &#8212; A Case Study for Screen-printing Silver Pastes

A comprehensive rheological characterization of highly concentrated suspensions or pastes is mandatory for a targeted product development meeting the manifold requirements during processing and application of such complex fluids. In this investigation, measuring protocols for a conclusive assessment of different process relevant rheological parameters have been evaluated. This includes the determination of yield stress, viscosity, wall slip velocity, structural recovery after large deformation and elongation at break as well as tensile force during filament stretching.
The importance of concomitant video recordings during parallel-plate rotational rheometry for a significant determination of rheological quantities is demonstrated. The deformation profile and flow field at the sample edge can be determined using appropriate markers. Thus, measurement parameter settings and plate roughness values can be identified for which yield stress and viscosity measurements are possible. Slip velocity can be measured directly and measuring conditions at which plug flow, shear banding or sample spillover occur can be identified clearly. 
Video recordings further confirm that the change in shear moduli observed during three stage oscillatory shear tests with small deformation amplitude in stage I and III but large oscillation amplitude in stage II can be directly attributed to structural break down and recovery. For the pastes investigated here, the degree of irreversible, shear-induced structural change increases with increasing deformation amplitude in stage II until a saturation is reached at deformations corresponding to the crossover of G' and G'', but the irreversible damage is independent of the duration of large amplitude shear. 
A capillary breakup elongational rheometer and a tensile tester have been used to characterize deformation and breakup behavior of highly filled pastes in uniaxial elongation. Significant differences were observed in all experiments described above for two commercial screen-printing silver pastes used for front side metallization of Si-solar cells.

Challenges in Rheological Characterization of Highly Concentrated Suspensions &amp;#8212; A Case Study for Screen-printing Silver Pastes

A protocol for a robust and application relevant rheological characterization of highly concentrated suspensions is presented. Silver pastes used for screen-printing application in solar cell production are employed as model systems.

A comprehensive rheological characterization of highly concentrated suspensions or pastes is mandatory for a targeted product development meeting the ...

Predicting Catalyst Extrudate Breakage Based on the Modulus of Rupture

The mechanical strength of extruded catalysts and their natural or forced breakage by either collision against a surface or by a compressive load in a fixed bed are important phenomena in catalyst technology. The mechanical strength of the catalyst is measured here by its bending strength or flexural strength. This technique is relatively new from the perspective of applying it to commercial catalysts of typical sizes used in the industry. Catalyst breakage by collision against a surface is measured after a fall of the extrudates through the ambient air in a vertical pipe. Quantifying the impact force is done theoretically by applying Newton's second law. Measurement of catalyst breakage due to stress in a fixed bed is done following the standard procedure of the bulk crush strength test. Novel here is the focus on measuring the reduction in the length to diameter ratio of the extrudates as a function of the stress.

Here we present a protocol to measure the modulus of rupture of an extruded catalyst and the breakage of said catalyst extrudates by collision against a surface or by compression in a fixed bed.

The mechanical strength of extruded catalysts and their natural or forced breakage by either collision against a surface or by a compressive load in a ...

Three-Dimensional Ultrasonic Needle Tip Tracking with a Fiber-Optic Ultrasound Receiver

Ultrasound is frequently used for guiding minimally invasive procedures, but visualizing medical devices is often challenging with this imaging modality. When visualization is lost, the medical device can cause trauma to critical tissue structures. Here, a method to track the needle tip during ultrasound image-guided procedures is presented. This method involves the use of a fiber-optic ultrasound receiver that is affixed within the cannula of a medical needle to communicate ultrasonically with the external ultrasound probe. This custom probe comprises a central transducer element array and side element arrays. In addition to conventional two-dimensional (2D) B-mode ultrasound imaging provided by the central array, three-dimensional (3D) needle tip tracking is provided by the side arrays. For B-mode ultrasound imaging, a standard transmit-receive sequence with electronic beamforming is performed. For ultrasonic tracking, Golay-coded ultrasound transmissions from the 4 side arrays are received by the hydrophone sensor, and subsequently the received signals are decoded to identify the needle tip&#39;s spatial location with respect to the ultrasound imaging probe. As a preliminary validation of this method, insertions of the needle/hydrophone pair were performed in clinically realistic contexts. This novel ultrasound imaging/tracking method is compatible with current clinical workflow, and it provides reliable device tracking during in-plane and out-of-plane needle insertions.

Accurate and efficient visualization of invasive medical devices is extremely important in many ultrasound-guided minimally invasive procedures. Here, a method for localizing the spatial position of a needle tip relative to the ultrasound imaging probe is presented.

Ultrasound is frequently used for guiding minimally invasive procedures, but visualizing medical devices is often challenging with this imaging modality. ...