Developing a simple, revolutionary seal

1. A team of researchers from NIMS and the University of Connecticut has developed a printing technique that can form a periodic nano/microstructure on the surface of a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) wafer and easily transfer it to the surface of a glass substrate. This method allows us to create materials with useful features, including water repellency and the ability to generate structural colors, without expensive equipment or complex processes. Additionally, this technology could be used to make materials that can prevent fogging and/or generate structural colors on their surface—features potentially useful in the development of innovative gas sensors.

2. Due to their diverse functionalities, periodic nano/microstructures have long been the focus of research and development in materials science. However, their manufacture using traditional technologies is a lengthy process that requires the use of large and expensive equipment. Moreover, these methods are not suitable for creating periodic nano/microstructures on large surfaces. Although this can be achieved using existing printing technologies, inks suitable for forming periodic nano/microstructures and methods for filling them are still being researched. Therefore, a simple technology for fabricating periodic nano/microstructures has been in great demand.

3. This research group has recently developed a simple and reproducible method for printing periodic nano/microstructures on the surface of a glass substrate using a PDMS wafer. The PDMS board contains liquid PDMS, which acts like ink when released from the surface of the board. The slab is capable of forming a periodic wrinkled structure on its surface. It can then be transferred to the glass surface by bringing the PDMS wafer into contact with the glass surface and then removing it, leaving behind a periodic nano/microstructure. In addition to the wrinkled structure, other types of periodic nano/microstructures, such as columnar and wavy structures, can be printed on the surface of the glass substrate. Moreover, other substances (e.g., silicone oils and silica nanoparticles) can be dispersed in liquid PDMS, allowing the resulting periodic nano/microstructures to have properties required for various applications.

4. Using this newly developed printing technique, the team hopes to create periodic nano/microstructures that can be used to meet social needs by implementing anti-fog or creating structural colors on their surface—features potentially useful in developing innovative gas sensors. This technique can also be used to make superhydrophobic and superoleophobic surfaces and materials useful for collecting atmospheric water. To achieve these goals, the team first plans to optimize experimental conditions under which it can produce various forms of printable periodic nano/microstructures.

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5. This project was carried out by a research team led by Kota Shiba (Chief Scientist, Macromolecules and Biomaterials Research Center, NIMS) and Luyi Sun (Professor at the University of Connecticut).

6. This study was published in Cutting-edge scienceOpen Access Journal, August 29, 2024.