Abstract: A gripping surface for a manufactured article comprising: a first pillar cluster disposed on a substate and having: a first pillar, having a first apex vector and a first draft angle defined by a first side of the first pillar and s substrate; a second draft angle defined by a second side of the first pillar and the substrate wherein the second draft angle is less than the first draft angle; and, a second pillar having a second apex vector wherein the first apex angle and the second apex angle are parallel; wherein the first pillar cluster has a triangular orientation; and, a second pillar cluster having: a first set of pillars arranged in a first concentric circle; and, a second set of pillars arranged in a second concentric circle wherein the first pillar cluster and the second pillar cluster cover less than 25% of the article.

Abstract: A microstructure arrangement having a substrate; a set of pillars having a cross section area in the range of 10 ?m2 to 160,000 ?m2 and a pitch in the range of 20 ?m to 1000 ?m. The set of pillars can be on a set of pillars having a cross section area less than that of the pillars. The set of pillars can be defined by pillars each having a cross section width from 0.5 ?m to 100 ?m and a pitch in the range of 1 ?m to 200 ?m; and, wherein the set of pillars can be configured to cooperate to have a physical property of a grip force in excess of 50.0 N with a contact area of 25% or less, as determined by the friction testing method.

Abstract: A microstructure arrangement having a substrate; a first set of pillars having a cross section area in the range of 10 ?m2 to 400 ?m2 and a pitch in the range of 20 ?m to 1000 ?m; a second set of pillars disposed on said first set of pillars having a cross section area less than that of the pillars in said first set of pillars; wherein said second set of pillars are defined by pillars each having a cross section width from 0.5 ?m to 100 ?m and a pitch in the range of 1 ?m to 200 ?m; and, wherein said first and second set of pillars are configured to cooperate to have a physical property of a grip force in excess of 50.0N with a contact area of 25% or less, as determined by the friction testing method.

Abstract: This specimen collection tool can include a handle including a core manufactured by injecting a first material into a mold; wherein the core includes a flat portion, a protrusion and a proximal portion; a distal end having a cavity for receiving the core manufactured by injecting a second material into the mold wherein the second injection is performed without removing the handle from the mold and the second material surrounds the core; a first set of microfeatures disposed on the distal end having a second set of microfeatures disposed on the first set of microfeatures; a demolding pin included in the distal end; a support surface included on the core to support the core in the mold; and, a tapered tip included in the core operatively associated with a narrowing portion of the distal end to hinder removal of the distal end from the handle.

Abstract: A microstructure arrangement having a substrate; a first set of pillars having a cross section area in the range of 10 ?m2 to 400 ?m2 and a pitch in the range of 20 ?m to 1000 ?m; a second set of pillars disposed on said first set of pillars having a cross section area less than that of the pillars in said first set of pillars; wherein said second set of pillars are defined by pillars each having a cross section width from 0.5 ?m to 100 ?m and a pitch in the range of 1 ?m to 200 ?m; and, wherein said first and second set of pillars are configured to cooperate to have a physical property of a grip force in excess of 50.0N with a contact area of 25% or less, as determined by the friction testing method.

Abstract: A microstructure arrangement for gripping low coefficient material comprising: a substrate disposed on a gripping surface; a set of pillars disposed on the substrate; and, wherein the set of pillars have the physical property of a grip force in excess of 50.0N with a contact area of 25% or less as determined by the friction testing method. A first set of pillars can be disposed on the substrate having a cross section area in the range of 100 ?m2 to 160,000 ?m2, height relative to the substrate in the range of 10 ?m to 400 ?m, and a pitch determined from the center of the pillars, in the range of 20 ?m to 1000 ?m; and a secondary set of pillars disposed on the first set of pillars having a cross section area less than that of the pillars in the first set of pillars.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an improved contact surface for manipulating articles wherein the microstructure included on the contact surface having a plurality of pillars spaced apart in the range of 200 ?m and 600 ?m, having a height in the range of 50 ?m and 1200 ?m, a width of in the range of 70 ?m and 300 ?m, a wall draft angle between 0° and 15°, a density of in the range of 5,000 to 20,000 pillars per square inch, and a friction rating greater than 7. The contact surface can be included on a sewing machine feed dog, a glove, sporting equipment, firearm grip, hand rail, tool grip, tool handle, and a strap such as for a satchel or backpack.

Abstract: A microstructure arrangement for gripping low coefficient material comprising: a substrate disposed on a gripping surface; a set of pillars disposed on the substrate; and, wherein the set of pillars have the physical property of a grip force in excess of 50.0N with a contact area of 25% or less as determined by the friction testing method. A first set of pillars can be disposed on the substrate having a cross section area in the range of 100 ?m2 to 160,000 ?m2, height relative to the substrate in the range of 10 ?m to 400 ?m, and a pitch determined from the center of the pillars, in the range of 20 ?m to 1000 ?m; and a secondary set of pillars disposed on the first set of pillars having a cross section area less than that of the pillars in the first set of pillars.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an improved contact surface for manipulating articles wherein the microstructure included on the contact surface having a plurality of pillars spaced apart in the range of 200 ?m and 600 ?m, having a height in the range of 50 ?m and 1200 ?m, a width of in the range of 70 ?m and 300 ?m, a wall draft angle between 0° and 15°, a density of in the range of 5,000 to 20,000 pillars per square inch, and a friction rating greater than 7. The contact surface can be included on a sewing machine feed dog, a glove, sporting equipment, firearm grip, hand rail, tool grip, tool handle, and a strap such as for a satchel or backpack.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a microstructured filament that can be used to make fibers having an extruded filament having pre-cooled microfeatures in a radial spiral arrangement about a bore though the filament wherein the microfeature has a width in the range of 25 ?m to 40 ?m and height in the range of 90 ?m to 100 ?m; and, the filament having a post-cooled state having post-cooled microfeatures having physical dimensions smaller than that of the pre-cooled microfeatures. The filament can include microfeatures having a width in the range of 400 nm to 4 ?m and height in the range of 400 nm to 4 ?m. The filament and fiber can include physical characteristics selected from the group consisting of: hydrophobicity, self-cleaning, increased hydro-dynamic drag coefficients, decreased or increased aerodynamic drag coefficients, increased friction, reduced friction, optical effects, increased adhesion, decreased adhesion, oleophobicity, tactile effects, anti-blocking and any combination of these.

Abstract: A microstructure arrangement for gripping low coefficient material comprising: a substrate disposed on a gripping surface; a set of pillars disposed on the substrate; and, wherein the set of pillars have the physical property of a grip force in excess of 50.0N with a contact area of 25% or less as determined by the friction testing method. A first set of pillars can be disposed on the substrate having a cross section area in the range of 100 ?m2 to 160,000 ?m2, height relative to the substrate in the range of 10 ?m to 400 ?m, and a pitch determined from the center of the pillars, in the range of 20 ?m to 1000 ?m; and a secondary set of pillars disposed on the first set of pillars having a cross section area less than that of the pillars in the first set of pillars.

Abstract: A microstructure arrangement for gripping low coefficient material comprising: a substrate disposed on a gripping surface; a set of pillars disposed on the substrate; and, wherein the set of pillars have the physical property of a grip force in excess of 50.0N with a contact area of 25% or less as determined by the friction testing method. A first set of pillars can be disposed on the substrate having a cross section area in the range of 100 ?m2 to 160,000 ?m2, height relative to the substrate in the range of 10 ?m to 400 ?m, and a pitch determined from the center of the pillars, in the range of 20 ?m to 1000 ?m; and a secondary set of pillars disposed on the first set of pillars having a cross section area less than that of the pillars in the first set of pillars.

Abstract: This invention is a fracturing component and method having a fluid and a plurality of three dimensional structures mixed in the fluid wherein each structure has a longitudinal axis, center of mass and center of pressure wherein the center of mass and the center of pressure do not align in a stable manner causing the structure to flutter in the fluid to reduce the structure from settling out of the fluid when injected into a fissure. Each three dimensional structure can include a first end of the structure having a first plane having an angle of incident ?1 offset from perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and a second end of the structure having a second plane having an angle of incident ?2 offset from perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The difference between ?1 and ?2 can be in a range of 0° to 65°.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an improved contact surface for manipulating fabrics wherein the microstructure included on the contact surface having a plurality of pillars spaced apart in the range of 200 ?m and 600 ?m, having a height in the range of 50 ?m and 1200 ?m, a width of in the range of 70 ?m and 300 ?m, a wall draft angle between 0° and 15°, a density of in the range of 5,000 to 20,000 pillars per square inch, and a friction rating greater than 7. The contact surface can be included on a sewing machine feed dog, a glove, sporting equipment, firearm grip, hand rail, tools, and a strap such as for a satchel or backpack.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a microstructured filament that can be used to make fibers having an extruded filament having pre-cooled microfeatures in a radial spiral arrangement about a bore though the filament wherein the microfeature has a width in the range of 25 ?m to 40 ?m and height in the range of 90 ?m to 100 ?m; and, the filament having a post-cooled state having post-cooled microfeatures having physical dimensions smaller than that of the pre-cooled microfeatures. The filament can include microfeatures having a width in the range of 400 nm to 4 ?m and height in the range of 400 nm to 4 ?m. The filament and fiber can include physical characteristics selected from the group consisting of: hydrophobicity, self-cleaning, increased hydro-dynamic drag coefficients, decreased or increased aerodynamic drag coefficients, increased friction, reduced friction, optical effects, increased adhesion, decreased adhesion, oleophobicity, tactile effects, anti-blocking and any combination of these.

Abstract: A manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing extruded parts having microstructures comprising: a support structure; a hopper carried by the support structure for receiving feedstock; an extrusion chamber operatively associated with the hopper for receiving the feedstock from the hopper and melting the feedstock above a feedstock melting temperature; a die carried by the support structure having die microstructures disposed on an inner surface of the die, the die microstructures having a plurality of microfeatures each having an upper surface and a lower surface, the melted feedstock being forced through the die to produce an extrudate having extrudate microstructures; and, a cooling assembly wherein the extrudate microstructures of the pre-cooled extrudate have larger physical dimensions than that of the extrudate microstructures of the cooled extrudate.

Abstract: A manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing extruded parts having microstructures comprising: a support structure; a hopper carried by the support structure for receiving feedstock; an extrusion chamber operatively associated with the hopper for receiving the feedstock from the hopper and melting the feedstock above a feedstock melting temperature; a die carried by the support structure having die microstructures disposed on an inner surface of the die, the die microstructures having a plurality of microfeatures each having an upper surface and a lower surface, the melted feedstock being forced through the die to produce an extrudate having extrudate microstructures; and, a cooling assembly wherein the extrudate microstructures of the pre-cooled extrudate have larger physical dimensions than that of the extrudate microstructures of the cooled extrudate.

Abstract: A manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing extruded parts having microstructures comprising: a support structure; a hopper carried by the support structure for receiving feedstock; an extrusion chamber operatively associated with the hopper for receiving the feedstock from the hopper and melting the feedstock above a feedstock melting temperature; a die carried by the support structure having die microstructures disposed on an inner surface of the die, the die microstructures having a plurality of microfeatures each having an upper surface and a lower surface, the melted feedstock being forced through the die to produce an extrudate having extrudate microstructures; and, a cooling assembly wherein the extrudate microstructures of the pre-cooled extrudate have larger physical dimensions than that of the extrudate microstructures of the cooled extrudate.

Abstract: The method for manufacturing products having a metal surface by imparting microfeatures onto the metal surface. The method if further described as the steps of: creating a transfer tool from a microstructured intermediate fabricated from a microstructured prototype having microfeatures; and, transferring the microfeatures to said metal surface using the transfer tool.

Abstract: Described herein are casting and molding methods useful for making microstructured objects. By including a plurality of microfeatures on the surface of an object, other characteristics may be imparted to the object, such as increased hydrophobicity. Some of the casting and molding methods described herein further allow for manufacture of objects having both microfeatures and macro features, for example microfeatures on or within macro features or selected macro feature regions.