Patent ID: 8177991
Filing Date: 2012-05-15
Classification: B82Y,G03F,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of applying a pattern of metal, metal oxide, or semiconductor material on a substrate, the method comprising: a) providing a first substrate having a surface; b) coating said surface with a layer of water soluble material; c) creating a pattern of metal, metal oxide, or semiconductor material on said layer of water soluble material; d) covering said pattern of metal, metal oxide, or semiconductor material and said layer of water soluble material by a layer of polymeric material; e) covering said layer of polymeric material by a support layer; f) immersing said first substrate and the various layers on said first substrate, resulting from steps b)-e), in a bulk of water or in a bulk of aqueous solution until said layer of water soluble material is substantially dissolved, such that an assembly consisting of said support layer, said layer of polymeric material and said pattern of metal, metal oxide, or semiconductor material is detached from said first substrate; and g) bringing said pattern of metal, metal oxide, or semiconductor material of said assembly in conformal contact with a second substrate, and optionally leaving it in contact for a defined period of time with said second substrate, said time being in the range of from 10 s to 48 h, thereby applying said pattern of metal, metal oxide, or semiconductor material with the layer of polymeric material on it onto said second substrate, wherein said support layer is made of a polymeric material selected from polydimethyl siloxane (PDMS), polyolefinic plastic (POP) and ionomeric polymers, wherein step g) is performed by removing said assembly resulting from step 1) out of said bulk of water or said bulk of aqueous solution and bringing said pattern of metal, metal oxide, or semiconductor material in conformal contact with said second substrate, and wherein, in step g), said pattern of metal, metal oxide, or semiconductor material is aligned with said second substrate before or while bringing it in conformal contact with said second substrate, wherein said alignment is achieved using marker patterns or moiré patterns on said second substrate and said layer of polymeric material and said alignment is achieved using an alignment apparatus.