In the fields of semiconductor manufacturing and microfabrication, photolithography is an essential technique that creates intricate patterns on substrate surfaces. The patterning process is used frequently in electronics, microfluidics, and sensors and creates a protective layer from additional manufacturing processes and mechanical wear during its final application. To create these patterns, a mask and photoresist are applied to the substrate and exposed to light. After exposure, the photoresist is developed using a chemical solution, and the unexposed sections of the photoresist are dissolved, resulting in the desired pattern.
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Hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS) is a colorless, flammable liquid with a unique chemical structure. It is frequently used in surface science as a primer agent to treat the surfaces of silicon wafers and make them more suitable for adhesion with a photoresist. Using HMDS is also common as a pre- and post-treatment method for surface coating applications. In this blog post, we will look at how HMDS is used in surface science and the benefits of doing so.
Microfluidics has emerged as a powerful tool in recent years, specifically in the fields of biotechnology, chemistry, and materials science. It involves the careful control of tiny volumes of fluid, typically just a few picoliters, within nanoscale channels. Though small scale, the potential applications of microfluidic devices are vast. However – as with most micro- and nanoscale fabrications – engineering microfluidic devices can be a challenging prospect.
Polyimide films are a popular choice for flexible electronic applications due to their remarkable properties. These films exhibit excellent thermal stability, mechanical strength, and chemical resistance, making them ideal for use in harsh environments. In addition, their inherent flexibility allows for the design of lightweight and compact devices that can easily conform to various shapes.
Microfluidic devices are becoming more popular because of their ability to precisely manipulate small quantities of fluids through narrow channels, which is beneficial in a range of applications and scientific fields, including biology, chemistry, and medicine. Most microfluidic devices rely on standard photolithography as a microfabrication technique to pattern substrates and process photoresists for the electronics industry. However, soft lithography is a complementary addition to photolithography that can process various materials, such as gels and polymers.
In this blog, we will delve into the world of ITO thin films and discuss how photolithography and wet etching techniques can be utilized to create transparent conductive electrodes, radio frequency (RF) devices, and more.
Alzheimer’s disease is a devastating condition characterized by memory loss and cognitive impairment, causing immense suffering for patients and their families. One of the main causes of Alzheimer’s is the aggregation of a protein called amyloid-β (Aβ42) in the brain, leading to the formation of toxic structures. Scientists have been working tirelessly to understand the molecular basis of this disorder and develop treatments that can stop or reverse the aggregation process. In a groundbreaking study, researchers used infrared nanospectroscopy and ultra-flat gold to explore the interactions between Aβ42 aggregates and a small molecule inhibitor.
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a debilitating neurodegenerative condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It is the leading cause of cognitive decline and death among seniors, accounting for about 70% of all neurodegenerative diseases. One of the hallmarks of AD is the accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) proteins, which form toxic aggregates known as amyloid plaques. To better understand the molecular mechanisms behind AD and develop effective treatments, researchers are continually exploring new techniques to study these proteins at the nanoscale.
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. One of the main features of this disease is the formation of amyloid-beta (Aβ) aggregates in the brain, which are believed to play a critical role in the development of AD. Scientists have been exploring various strategies to prevent or treat AD, including the use of natural compounds like β-carotene. In a recent study, researchers investigated how β-carotene affects the structure of Aβ aggregates, providing new insights into potential therapeutic approaches.
SU-8 photolithography is a widely used microfabrication technique that uses a photosensitive negative epoxy called SU-8. The SU-8 is used to create micro and nanoscale patterns on a substrate’s surface, microstructures, and coatings for various applications. It is a popular choice because of its stable chemical, mechanical and thermal characteristics. SU-8 photolithography plays an important role in manufacturing microfluidics and microelectromechanical system components. This blog post will look at the procedure, applications, and instruments used for SU-8 photolithography.
Metal coatings are used across various industries and applications to improve the properties and performance of a substrate. Adding a metal coating can enhance a material’s appearance and resistance properties, among other characteristics, making it suitable for various applications, such as electronics, medical implants, and transportation components.
Platypus Technologies offers a customizable dicing service for a range of substrate materials. Accommodations can be made for both silicon wafers and glass substrates. Substrates are scribed, and then broken into individual pieces. Well-defined scribing lines are made with a diamond finished scribing wheel. This process does not involve heat therefore prevents any potential damage to a substrate material.
Reactive gas molecules form what is known as plasma. The ions and electrons in plasma are used to remove unwanted organic contaminants. Unwanted particles are removed through a vacuum system. This cleaning procedure creates an ideal sterilization process. In addition, plasma cleaning eliminates the need for expensive solvents since substrate surfaces can be cleaned via a chemical reaction within plasma molecules.
Ultra-flat gold films by Platypus Technologies are created via electron-beam metal deposition under ultra-high vacuum conditions. Our gold films have a uniform orientation (Au(111)), high purity, and low surface roughness.
Automation and Robotics Allow for Higher Precision in Industrial Fluid Dispensing Applications
Precision fluid dispensing systems are utilized in a range of advanced manufacturing applications. At Platypus Technologies, we employ advanced fluid dispensing technology in our biosensor and bioassay fabrication processes, as well as in our conformal coating solutions.
Surface characterization is an important process that offers an enhanced understanding of the relationships among the structural properties of materials. In the context of thin films, surface characterization can help to establish a films’ fitness for its intended applications.
Silicon chips are a type of integrated circuit that is the primary electronic component of computing devices. The chips are mainly made from silicon (as the name suggests), which is the second most abundant element on the earth. In the last few years, there has been a significant shortage of silicon chips across the world. In this article, we explain the reasons why and the effects of this shortage.
Glass coverslips are small squares that cover the specimen on the microscope slide, they flatten the specimen, enhancing the viewing and minimizing the evaporation rate of the sample. This article will discuss three types of glass coverslips and how they are used.
Silicon wafers are materials that are used for the production of semiconductors. They can be found in many types of electronic devices that are used in everyday life. Silicon wafers are super-flat disks that are refined into a mirror-like surface, they are extremely clean and free from impurities and micro-particles.
Silicon wafers are particularly well suited to use in electronic devices because electrical currents can pass through silicon conductors than many other materials. Here we will explore more about the uses of silicon wafers in electrochemistry and some of their key characteristics.
Mica minerals are a group of minerals in which the key physical characteristic is their ability to form individual crystals to be split into extremely thin elastic plates. This defining characteristic is known as perfect basal cleavage.