Abstract: This invention relates to the low-cost manufacture of a tunable physical topographic pattern and more particularly to the manufacture of micro and nano scale hierarchical periodic wrinkle patterns that are generated upon compression of supported thin films. Disclosed herein is (i) a composite material with tunable hierarchical wrinkle patterns, wherein the composite material comprises a stretched and pre-patterned base layer and a thin film that is conformally attached to the pre-patterned surface of the base layer, (ii) a method of fabricating the pre-patterned base via pattern replication, and (iii) a method of fabricating tunable hierarchical wrinkle patterns, wherein the pattern can be deterministically switched across the hierarchical and non-hierarchical states via strain control.

Abstract: Wrinkling of supported thin films is a strain-driven phenomenon that enables scalable and low-cost fabrication of periodic micro and nano scale structures. The morphology of wrinkles depends on both the magnitude and the nature of compressive strains that are applied to the thin film. This disclosure presents the methods to fabricate asymmetric 2-D wrinkled structures using biaxial compressive strains. The method relies on the dependence of wrinkle morphology on both strains and strain paths to generate asymmetric 2D wrinkles. Asymmetry is achieved by deliberately traversing the system through a strain state that creates cracks along a preferential direction. Fabricated patterns include non-uniform zigzag wrinkles that demonstrate period doubling only along one direction.

Abstract: The pattern complexity and functional value of wrinkled structures can be substantially increased by fabricating the wrinkles on pre-patterned quasi-planar substrates instead of flat substrates. This disclosure presents the methods for fabricating pre-patterned polymeric surfaces that can be subsequently used as the substrates during manufacture of complex wrinkled structures. Pre-patterned substrates are generated by imprinting the pre-patterns onto the substrates during the curing process. Suitability for post-curing use in fabrication of wrinkles is ensured by (i) delayed imprinting that occurs close to but before the gelation point and (ii) gradual alignment of pre-patterns to the direction of stretch that is applied later during manufacture of wrinkled structures.

Abstract: Wrinkling of thin films is a strain-driven process that enables scalable and low-cost fabrication of periodic micro and nano scale patterns. However, real-world application is limited by the inability of current tools to provide the means for applying large, accurate, and non-equal biaxial strains via a device that can fit within the vacuum chambers that are required for thin film deposition/growth during wrinkling. The present biaxial tensile stage is a compact system that enables one to apply large and accurate non-equal biaxial strains to elastomeric films. It consists of (i) fixtures to clamp and hold films onto the stage, (ii) linear bearings for motion guidance, (iii) integrated actuators for real-time stretch control, (iv) base with kinematic coupling for registration to a metrology system, and (v) the structural frame.

Abstract: A gyroscope includes a first mass, a second mass, and a drive structure configured to drive each of the first mass and the second mass in a drive mode. The drive structure includes a first portion and a second portion, with the first portion being configured to drive the first mass in a direction along a drive axis and the second portion being configured to drive the second mass in a direction opposite to the first mass along the drive axis. The gyroscope further includes a sense structure configured to sense motion of each of the first mass and the second mass in a sense mode along a direction substantially perpendicular to the drive axis, and a plurality of flexures configured to couple the first portion to the second portion and further configured to decouple the drive mode and the sense mode.

Abstract: The pattern complexity and functional value of wrinkled structures can be substantially increased by fabricating the wrinkles on pre-patterned quasi-planar substrates instead of flat substrates. This disclosure presents the methods for fabricating pre-patterned polymeric surfaces that can be subsequently used as the substrates during manufacture of complex wrinkled structures. Pre-patterned substrates are generated by imprinting the pre-patterns onto the substrates during the curing process. Suitability for post-curing use in fabrication of wrinkles is ensured by (i) delayed imprinting that occurs close to but before the gelation point and (ii) gradual alignment of pre-patterns to the direction of stretch that is applied later during manufacture of wrinkled structures.

Abstract: A method of forming 3D engineered tissues by providing a 2D scaffold material comprising a plurality of fold locations and a plurality of cell assembly sites, assembling cells into the cell assembly sites and folding the 2D scaffold material along the fold locations to form a 3D scaffold structure. Tissues formed by the method.

Abstract: Wrinkling of thin films is a strain-driven process that enables scalable and low-cost fabrication of periodic micro and nano scale patterns. However, real-world application is limited by the inability of current tools to provide the means for applying large, accurate, and non-equal biaxial strains via a device that can fit within the vacuum chambers that are required for thin film deposition/growth during wrinkling. The present biaxial tensile stage is a compact system that enables one to apply large and accurate non-equal biaxial strains to elastomeric films. It consists of (i) fixtures to clamp and hold films onto the stage, (ii) linear bearings for motion guidance, (iii) integrated actuators for real-time stretch control, (iv) base with kinematic coupling for registration to a metrology system, and (v) the structural frame.

Abstract: This invention relates to the low-cost manufacture of a tunable physical topographic pattern and more particularly to the manufacture of micro and nano scale hierarchical periodic wrinkle patterns that are generated upon compression of supported thin films. Disclosed herein is (i) a composite material with tunable hierarchical wrinkle patterns, wherein the composite material comprises a stretched and pre-patterned base layer and a thin film that is conformally attached to the pre-patterned surface of the base layer, (ii) a method of fabricating the pre-patterned base via pattern replication, and (iii) a method of fabricating tunable hierarchical wrinkle patterns, wherein the pattern can be deterministically switched across the hierarchical and non-hierarchical states via strain control.

Abstract: A gyroscope includes a first mass, a second mass, and a drive structure configured to drive each of the first mass and the second mass in a drive mode. The drive structure includes a first portion and a second portion, with the first portion being configured to drive the first mass in a direction along a drive axis and the second portion being configured to drive the second mass in a direction opposite to the first mass along the drive axis. The gyroscope further includes a sense structure configured to sense motion of each of the first mass and the second mass in a sense mode along a direction substantially perpendicular to the drive axis, and a plurality of flexures configured to couple the first portion to the second portion and further configured to decouple the drive mode and the sense mode.