Patent ID: 9075312
Filing Date: 2015-07-07
Classification: G02B,G03F

Abstract:
1. A method of fabricating a polymeric micro-truss using a monomeric formulation, said method comprising: (a) selecting at least one starting molecule containing one or more unsaturated carbon-carbon bonds and not containing essentially any thiol groups; (b) selecting a photoinitiator for initiating a free-radical polymerization of said at least one starting molecule, wherein said photoinitiator is present in a photoinitiator concentration from about 0.01 wt % to about 10 wt % based on said monomeric formulation; (c) selecting a free-radical inhibitor for controlling said free-radical polymerization, wherein said free-radical inhibitor is present in an inhibitor concentration of from about 0.005 wt % to about 5 wt % based on said monomeric formulation; (d) combining said starting molecule, said photoinitiator, and said free-radical inhibitor to generate said monomeric formulation; (e) transferring said monomeric formulation into a mold; (f) placing a mask over said monomeric formulation; (g) exposing selected regions of said monomeric formulation, through said mask, to beams of light, to induce free-radical polymerization; (h) optionally removing unreacted monomeric formulation; and (i) recovering a polymeric micro-truss comprising a polymerized form of said monomeric formulation.