Abstract: Method of forming micro channels in a polymeric nanocomposite film is provided. The method includes combining one or more monomers to form a mixture and adding a plurality of carbon fibers with metal nanoparticles dispersed therein to the mixture prior to or concurrently with formation of a polymer from the monomers. The method also includes adding at least one hydrophobic agent and at least one plasticizer to the polymer to form the polymeric nanocomposite film and forming a plurality of laser-etched micro channels in a surface of the polymeric nanocomposite film.

Abstract: Method of forming micro channels in a polymeric nanocomposite film is provided. The method includes combining one or more monomers to form a mixture and adding a plurality of carbon fibers with metal nanoparticles dispersed therein to the mixture prior to or concurrently with formation of a polymer from the monomers. The method also includes adding at least one hydrophobic agent and at least one plasticizer to the polymer to form the polymeric nanocomposite film and forming a plurality of laser-etched micro channels in a surface of the polymeric nanocomposite film.

Abstract: A microfluidic device is provided. The microfluidic device includes a microtube having a hollow core. The microfluidic device further includes a plurality of nanopores extending radially outwards from an inner surface of the microtube.

Abstract: An environmentally benign method for producing binary microfabrication masks is disclosed. An optical target may be provided that includes a water-soluble polymer material in contact with an ultraviolet radiation transmittable substrate. A laser may be focused on a primary mask to produce a mask image, the mask image thereafter being reduced by demagnification optics to provide a reduced image. The optical target may be exposed to the reduced image to create features of reduced size from the primary mask. The water-soluble polymer exposed to the ultraviolet radiation may be ablated from the optical target. The optical target may be subsequently metalized using a metal vapor to coat the remaining polymer material and exposed substrate. The metalized optical target may be contacted with an aqueous fluid to remove the metalized polymer material leaving the binary mask.

Abstract: A system and method for producing binary dry process laser microfabrication masks is disclosed. A laser is focused on a first mask to produce a mask image, the mask image thereafter being reduced by demagnification optics to provide a reduced image. A target is exposed to the reduced image to create features of reduced size from the original mask. The target may be used to form a binary mask capable of withstanding laser radiation power necessary for direct target micromachining. A binary mask may be used to create other binary masks in an iterative process to provide binary masks with successively smaller features based on the image reduction due to the demagnification optics.