University of Illinois

Zining Yang

Seok Kim

Jun Kyu Park

Hohyun Keum

A method for microassembly of heterogeneous materials comprises contacting a stamp with an ink disposed on a donor substrate to form an inked stamp, where the ink is reversibly bound to the stamp. The inked stamp is stamped onto a receiving substrate or onto an object on the receiving substrate, and the stamp is removed, thereby transferring the ink to the receiving substrate. The ink and the receiving substrate or the ink and the object are thermally joined, thereby forming a microassembly of heterogeneous materials. The ink may comprise a first material and the receiving substrate or the object may comprise a second material different from the first material.

Microassembly of heterogeneous materials

A magnetically-responsive surface structure comprises an array of hybrid microstructures on a substrate, where each hybrid microstructure comprises an elastomeric micropillar attached to the substrate and a rigid tile attached to the elastomeric micropillar. The rigid tiles collectively define a discontinuous, changeable surface. The hybrid microstructures further comprise a ferromagnetic material. The elastomeric micropillars are deflectable under a magnetic field so as to alter an orientation of the rigid tiles, thereby allowing a characteristic of the discontinuous, changeable surface to be manipulated.

Magnetically-responsive surface and method of manipulating properties of a surface

A hybrid organic-inorganic micromirror device includes a micromirror comprising an inorganic material positioned above an elastomeric substrate. The micromirror is supported on an underside thereof by a conductive elastomeric support protruding from the elastomeric substrate. The conductive elastomeric support may function as a universal joint and is rendered electrically conductive by an electrically conductive coating thereon. A plurality of electrodes are disposed on the elastomeric substrate under the micromirror. The electrodes are spaced apart from each other and from the micromirror and are arranged around the conductive elastomeric support. Each electrode comprises an inorganic material and is in electrical contact with an elastomeric contact region protruding from the elastomeric substrate. When a voltage bias is applied between the micromirror and one or more of the electrodes, the micromirror is electrostatically actuated to move in a predetermined direction.

Growing community of inventors

Urbana, IL, United States of America

Zining Yang