NTUF Research Tool Inventory

Soft Lithography

Pioneered at the Whitesides Research Group at Harvard University in 1990s, Soft lithography represents a new conceptual approach to rapid prototype of new types of micro- and nano-structures and devices on planar, curved, or flexible substrates at low cost. Based on printing, molding, and embossing with a transparent elastomeric stamp/mold, five patterning techniques – microcontact printing, replica molding, microtransfer molding, micromolding in capillary, and solvent assisted micromolding – are collectively called “soft lithography”, because the key features of eac’h technique involve organic materials and polymers – “soft matter” in the language of physics.

NTUF provides the soft lithography service for micro- and nanofabrication. We have two typical masters - NTUF Master 1 and NTUF Master 2 - which are available to fabricate a PDMS stamp. Our service includes microcontact printing of patterned monolayers on Au and Ag substrates; microcontact printing of biological molecules on a substrate; replica molding against nanofabricated structures; solvent assisted molding of micro- and nano-structures in a variety of polymers, and fabrication of microfluidic channels in glass or polymer.

For more information on soft lithography, please refer to the NTUF soft lithography training note .