Patent ID: 9289794
Filing Date: 2016-03-22
CPC Classification: B05C,B05D,C23C,G01N,G01Q

Claim Text:
1. A method of surface processing by a microfluidic surface processing device having a microfluidic probe head having, on a face, at least one aperture including at least an outlet aperture; and a processing structure extending outward and perpendicular with respect to the face, the processing structure being positioned facing a surface to be processed and being dimensioned and located with respect to the outlet aperture such that it can intercept a flowpath of a liquid dispensed via the outlet aperture, the method comprising: dispensing a processing liquid via the outlet aperture so that the processing structure intercepts a flowpath of the processing liquid dispensed; transferring particles in the liquid to the surface via the processing structure by bringing the processing structure in contact with the surface, wherein a surface of the processing structure is functionalized to enable transport of the particles to an apex of the processing structure; and bringing the processing structure out of contact with the surface to create a pattern thereon; wherein: the micro fluidic probe head includes an inlet aperture on the face, the outlet aperture and the inlet aperture are dimensioned and positioned to allow for collecting via the inlet aperture, liquid dispensed via the outlet aperture, the processing structure is located to intercept a flowpath of liquid dispensed via the outlet aperture and collected via the inlet aperture, and the inlet aperture collects processing liquid dispensed via the outlet aperture.