Abstract: A transfer sheet placed between a vacuum chuck and a stamp in a soft lithography aligner facilitates three dimensional manufacturing with elastomeric materials.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fixture device for maintaining fabrication of precise elastomeric microdevices. The fixture may be used to maintain dimensional stability of elastomeric devices during temperature cycling. Furthermore, the fixture may be used to control geometry during temperature cycling due to thermal curing. The fixture may be loaded into equipment for precise alignment and assembly of elastomeric devices. The fixture is particularly useful for building precise microdevices from polymeric or elastomeric materials.

Abstract: Multi-point confocal microscopy, bright field microscope imaging, computer-controlled positioning stages, and an algorithm for automated leveling are the basis for a powerful but simple tool for aligning stamps used in precise pattern transfer to substrates. The system is relatively inexpensive and brings a capability similar to that of a photolithographic mask aligner to the world of elastomeric-stamp-based lithography. Alignment of the stamp and substrate is possible without contact between the two before printing.

Abstract: A transfer sheet placed between a vacuum chuck and a stamp in a soft lithography aligner facilitates three dimensional manufacturing with elastomeric materials.

Abstract: Polarization light modulators are based on an interferometric design in which a polarizing beam splitter serves as a polarizer and analyzer. A polarization displacement device shifts orthogonally polarized light beams parallel to the long axis of their elongated cross sections. Phase shifts are imparted to the orthogonally polarized beams by linear array MEMS optical phase shift devices. The output of the light modulator is a line image which may be scanned to form a two-dimensional image. Features to improve brightness, contrast and overall compactness of design are disclosed.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for administering a fluid to a neuronal site. The device comprises a reservoir, an aperture in fluid connection to the reservoir, and electrical means for moving to the fluid to or through the aperture. The electrical means may take the form of electroosmotic force, piezoelectric movement of a diaphragm or electrolysis of a solution. The electrical means may be external to the host, implanted in the host or may be photodiodes activated by light, particularly where the neuronal site is associated with the retina.

Abstract: The invention provides microfabricated devices and methods for directing the growth of a cell process to form an artificial synapse. The devices are called artificial synapse chips. The artificial synapse comprises a nanofabricated aperture (about 50–100 nm in size) that connects the cell process to a chemical or electrical means of neuronal excitation. Such an aperture width mimics the length scales of a natural synapse and thus emphasizes the localized spatial relationship between a neuron and a stimulation source. The invention further provides devices and methods for regenerating a nerve fiber into an electrode. The invention thus provides a regeneration electrode that uses a novel neural interface for stimulation and that uses novel surface methods for directing neuronal growth making possible in vivo connection of the devices to neural circuitry in a retina and other anatomical locations.

Abstract: The invention provides microfabricated silicon substrates and devices having extremely small apertures (termed “nanoapertures”) and methods for producing such nanoapertures. The devices have a nanoaperture (which may have a diameter ranging from about a few millimeters to as small as a few nm) across a substrate effective to connect two regions separated by the substrate. The devices are suitable for the formation of lipid bilayer membranes across the apertures, and for use in devices such as biosensors. Substrates and devices may include multiple nanoapertures, which may each support a lipid bilayer membrane, allowing fault tolerant devices such as fault-tolerant biosensors, and allowing devices able to sense more than one target molecule.

Abstract: A method for performing optical lithography is provided. Light is transmitted through a photomask to impinge on a target. The photomask has two mask patterns on two opposing mask surfaces separated by a transparent substrate. Light is transmitted through the first mask pattern and propagates to the second mask pattern, thereby forming a propagation pattern at that location. Light from the propagation pattern is transmitted through the second mask pattern and impinges on the target, thereby creating a target pattern. With this method, the target pattern can be changed without changing either of the mask patterns. Also, this method facilitates gradient exposure of a mask pattern.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for administering a fluid to a neuronal site. The device comprises a reservoir, an aperture in fluid connection to the reservoir, and electrical means for moving to the fluid to or through the aperture. The electrical means may take the form of electroosmotic force, piezoelectric movement of a diaphragm or electrolysis of a solution. The electrical means may be external to the host, implanted in the host or may be photodiodes activated by light, particularly where the neuronal site is associated with the retina.

Abstract: The invention provides microfabricated devices and methods for directing the growth of a cell process to form an artificial synapse. The devices are called artificial synapse chips. The artificial synapse comprises a nanofabricated aperture (about 50-100 nm in size) that connects the cell process to a chemical or electrical means of neuronal excitation. Such an aperture width mimics the length scales of a natural synapse and thus emphasizes the localized spatial relationship between a neuron and a stimulation source. The invention further provides devices and methods for regenerating a nerve fiber into an electrode. The invention thus provides a regeneration electrode that uses a novel neural interface for stimulation and that uses novel surface methods for directing neuronal growth making possible in vivo connection of the devices to neural circuitry in a retina and other anatomical locations.