University of California

University of Michigan

Agency for Science, Technology and Research

Albert F Yee

Elena Liang

Mary Nora Dickson

Stella W Pang

Yen Peng Kong

Sara Heedy

Li Tan

Rachel Rosenzweig

Lingjie Jay Guo

Hong Yee Low

Szu-Wen Wang

Xudong Huang

Lirong Bao

Susan Christine Wu

Xiangyang Li

Roger Steinert

Nicole Ing

Markelle Gibbs

Marjan Farid

Yen-Peng Kong

In various embodiments, disclosed herein is a device comprising a non-planar surface, wherein nanostructures are fabricated on the non-planar surface. Also provided herein are methods of making and using a device comprising a non-planar surface, wherein nanostructures are fabricated on the non-planar surface. Further provided herein are methods of using a device comprising one or more non-planar surfaces, wherein the non-planar surfaces comprise one or more microstructures or nanostructures, comprising the steps: (a) using the device for its ordinary purpose; and (b) wherein the microstructures or nanostructures present in the device prevent proliferation of bacteria.

Fabrication of nano-structures on multiple sides of a non-planar surface

In various embodiments, disclosed herein is an artificial cornea, comprising an optic zone that is similar in thickness to a natural cornea and a peripheral skirt having a thickness less than the thickness of the optic zone, where the surfaces of the optic zone and peripheral skirt comprise one or more microstructures or nanostructures. In various embodiments, further disclosed herein are methods of manufacturing nanostructures on an artificial cornea, as well as treating a disease by providing an artificial cornea having one or more microstructures and/or nanostructures.

Synthetic polymeric implantable artificial cornea device incorporating nanopatterns

The technology relates to a prophylactic bandage contact lens that prevents microbial infections in an eye as well as treats infection by dispensing antimicrobial medication at controlled rates. In one embodiment, the invention provides a bandage with nanostructures, and provides a continuous treatment over 10 days and shields the eye from the environment, significantly diminishing the risk of infection while allowing damaged tissues to heal.

Anti-microbial bandage contact lens with ocular drug delivery

The invention relates to imparting surfaces with nanometer sized structures that provide bactericidal properties to the surface and devices. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a bactericidal surface with nanometer sized pillars created by imprinting a softened polymer surface with a mold. In another embodiment, the nanometer sized pillars are part of a medical device with antibacterial properties.

Bactericidal surface patterns

The invention relates to surfaces and devices with antibacterial and antifungal properties. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a device comprising a synthetic polymer or biocomposite with antibacterial and antifungal properties, made up of nanopillared and/or micropillared surface structure. In another embodiment, the surface allows flexibility and curvature.

Anti-bacterial anti-fungal nanopillared surface

The present invention is directed to micro- and nano-scale imprinting methods and the use of such methods to fabricate supported and/or free-standing 3-D micro- and/or nano-structures of polymeric, ceramic, and/or metallic materials. In some embodiments, a duo-mold approach is employed in the fabrication of these structures. In such methods, surface treatments are employed to impart differential surface energies to different molds and/or different parts of the mold(s). Such surface treatments permit the formation of three-dimensional (3-D) structures through imprinting and the transfer of such structures to a substrate. In some or other embodiments, such surface treatments and variation in glass transition temperature of the polymers used can facilitate separation of the 3-D structures from the molds to form free-standing micro- and/or nano-structures individually and/or in a film. In some or other embodiments, a 'latch-on' assembly technique is utilized to form supported and/or free-standing stacked micro- and/or nano-structures that enable the assembly of polymers without a glass transition temperature and eliminate the heating required to assemble thermoplastic polymers.

Imprinting of supported and free-standing 3-D micro- or nano-structures

A method of applying a pattern on a topography includes first applying a polymer film to an elastomer member, such as PDMS, to form a pad. The pad is then applied to a substrate having a varying topography under pressure. The polymer film is transferred to the substrate due to the plastic deformation of the polymer film under pressure compared to the elastic deformation of the PDMS member. Thus, upon removal of the pad from the substrate, the PDMS member pulls away from the polymer layer, thereby depositing the polymer layer upon the substrate.

Imprinting polymer film on patterned substrate

Methods of creating patterns on substrates are presented, and articles of manufacture resulting therefrom. One method comprises applying a first surface energy modifier to an applicator to form a coating on the applicator; contacting the coating with a receiving member, the receiving member having a topography, the coating only contacting and remaining on at least some protrusions; exposing the first modified receiving member to a second surface energy modifier, thereby forming a second modified receiving member having surface modified recesses; applying a composition comprising a polymeric material to the second modified receiving member, the composition substantially conforming to the topography of the surface modified protrusions and the surface modified recesses; and contacting the composition-coated, surface modified protrusions with a substrate for a time and under conditions sufficient to transfer the polymeric material on protrusions to the substrate. Because the surface energy of the sidewalls is lower than that on the protrusions, polymer dewetting from the sidewalls is promoted, which makes the polymer film discontinuous along the edges of patterns. Therefore, inked polymer patterns from the protrusions of the mold show very smooth edges and smaller dimensions compared to that of the mold.

Methods of creating patterns on substrates and articles of manufacture resulting therefrom

The present invention pertains to novel synthetic polymers which contain bulky carboxylic monomer units which contain minimally two aryl rings linked by one or more linking groups such that rotation of the aryl rings relative to each other is structurally prohibited, thus being a rigid bulky monomer unit, or sterically disfavored, thus being a rotationally hindered bulky monomer, and which contain at least one flexibilizing monomer which contains a six- to twelve-membered, conformable carboxylic structure. The bulky and flexible monomer units are linked by suitable linking groups to form polymers which exhibit high T,but which exhibit ductile behavior. The polymers have optical properties suitable for use as optical disks and other optical elements.

Growing community of inventors

Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America

Albert F Yee