Abstract: A metal-assisted chemical imprinting stamp includes a porous polymer substrate and a noble metal coating formed directly on the porous polymer substrate. Fabricating the metal-assisted chemical imprinting stamp includes providing a porous polymer substrate, and disposing a noble metal on the porous polymer substrate. Metal-assisted chemical imprinting includes positioning a silicon substrate in an etching solution, contacting a surface of the silicon substrate with a stamp comprising a noble metal layer on a surface of a porous polymer substrate, and separating the silicon substrate from the stamp to yield a pattern corresponding to the noble metal layer on the silicon substrate.

Abstract: A metal-assisted chemical imprinting stamp includes a porous polymer substrate and a noble metal coating formed directly on the porous polymer substrate. Fabricating the metal-assisted chemical imprinting stamp includes providing a porous polymer substrate, and disposing a noble metal on the porous polymer substrate. Metal-assisted chemical imprinting includes positioning a silicon substrate in an etching solution, contacting a surface of the silicon substrate with a stamp comprising a noble metal layer on a surface of a porous polymer substrate, and separating the silicon substrate from the stamp to yield a pattern corresponding to the noble metal layer on the silicon substrate.

Abstract: A membrane for fluid transfer includes a base membrane and a pattern, that covers a working area of a surface thereof, formed of a compatible material. The pattern has periodicity and/or amplitude that do not exceed 1 micrometer. A method of filtering a component from a solution includes passing the solution comprising the component through a membrane that includes a base membrane. The base membrane and a pattern that covers a working area of a surface thereof are formed of materials compatible with the solution. The pattern has periodicity and/or amplitude that do not exceed 1 micrometer, and reduces mass transfer of surface-accumulative soluble and/or suspended species and particulates from the solution to the membrane while the solution is passed through the membrane. A method of producing a membrane for fluid transfer includes forming a nanoscale pattern over a working area of a polymer membrane.

Abstract: The present invention includes a patterned thin film membrane and a patterned thin film composite membrane. The present invention also includes a method of making and using the patterned membranes of the invention.

Abstract: A membrane for fluid transfer includes a base membrane and a pattern, that covers a working area of a surface thereof, formed of a compatible material. The pattern has periodicity and/or amplitude that do not exceed 1 micrometer. A method of filtering a component from a solution includes passing the solution comprising the component through a membrane that includes a base membrane. The base membrane and a pattern that covers a working area of a surface thereof are formed of materials compatible with the solution. The pattern has periodicity and/or amplitude that do not exceed 1 micrometer, and reduces mass transfer of surface-accumulative soluble and/or suspended species and particulates from the solution to the membrane while the solution is passed through the membrane. A method of producing a membrane for fluid transfer includes forming a nanoscale pattern over a working area of a polymer membrane.

Abstract: An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides a device for performing a skin biopsy that includes a generally curved blade to cut the skin at a predetermined depth disposed within or an integral part of a blade holder assembly. The blade holder assembly has an outer surface and the generally curved blade is coupled to the outer surface of the blade holder assembly. The device also includes a housing having an outer wall and said outer wall defining an interior space within the housing, such that the blade holder assembly and generally curved blade are disposed substantially within the inner space of the housing. The device also includes a handle coupled to the blade holder assembly and configured to rotate the blade holder assembly and in turn the generally curved blade within the inner space of the housing to perform the skin biopsy or removal of skin conditions.