Injection molding micro- and nanostructures in thermoplastic elastomers

Stormonth-Darling, J. M. , Saeed, A. , Reynolds, P. M. and Gadegaard, N. (2016) Injection molding micro- and nanostructures in thermoplastic elastomers. Macromolecular Materials and Engineering, 301(8), pp. 964-971. (doi: 10.1002/mame.201600011) (PMID:31217727) (PMCID:PMC6563430)

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Abstract

Flexible polymers such as poly dimethyl siloxane (PDMS) can be patterned at the micro- and nanoscale by casting, for a variety of applications. This replication-based fabrication process is relatively cheap and fast, yet injection molding offers an even faster and cheaper alternative to PDMS casting, provided thermoplastic polymers with similar mechanical properties can be used. In this paper, a thermoplastic polyurethane is evaluated for its patterning ability with an aim to forming the type of flexible structures used to measure and modulate the contractile forces of cells in tissue engineering experiments. The successful replication of grating structures is demonstrated with feature sizes as low as 100 nm and an analysis of certain processing conditions that facilitate and enhance the accuracy of this replication is presented. The results are benchmarked against an optical storage media grade polycarbonate.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Saeed, Dr Anwer and Stormonth-Darling, Mr John and Reynolds, Dr Paul and Gadegaard, Professor Nikolaj
Authors: Stormonth-Darling, J. M., Saeed, A., Reynolds, P. M., and Gadegaard, N.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering
College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Biomedical Engineering
Journal Name:Macromolecular Materials and Engineering
Publisher:Wiley
ISSN:1438-7492
ISSN (Online):1439-2054
Published Online:06 May 2016
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2016 The Authors
First Published:First published in Macromolecular Materials and Engineering 301(8): 964-971
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
5006132008-12 Doctoral Training GrantMary GoodmanEngineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)EP/P50418X/1VICE PRINCIPAL RESEARCH & ENTERPRISE
5006112008-12 Doctoral Training GrantMary GoodmanEngineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)EP/P50418X/1VICE PRINCIPAL RESEARCH & ENTERPRISE
600931Development of nanopatterned substrates for the delivery of high quality stem cellsNikolaj GadegaardBiotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)BB/K011235/1ENG - BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING
651411Nanopatterned Human Liver BioChips for Drug Hepatotoxicity Screening.Nikolaj GadegaardBiotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)BB/L023571/1ENG - BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING