Patent ID: 7235166

Claim:
A process for forming a multilayer three-dimensional structure, comprising: (a) forming a layer of at least one material on a substrate that may include one or more previously deposited layers of one or more materials; (b) repeating the forming operation of “(a)” one or more times to form at least one subsequent layer on at least one previously formed layer to build up a three-dimensional structure from a plurality layers; wherein the forming of at least one layer, comprises: (1) supplying a substrate on which one or more successive depositions of one or more materials may have occurred; (2) supplying a multi-cell mask, wherein each cell is separated from other cells by a material, wherein each of a plurality of the cells of the mask each comprise an independently controllable electrode, and wherein a pattern of dielectric material extends beyond the cell electrodes for proximate or contact positioning relative to the substrate and for forming process pockets when such proximate or contact positioning is achieved; (3) bringing the multi-cell mask and the substrate into proximate positioning or contact such that electrochemical process pockets are formed having a desired registration with respect to any previous depositions and providing a desired electrolyte solution such that the solution is located within the electrochemical process pockets; (4) selectively etching material from the substrate or previously deposited material to form at least one void, comprising applying a desired electrical activation to at least one selected cell electrode and to the substrate; and (5) depositing a selected material into at least a portion of the at least one void, wherein a plurality of the cells of the multi-cell mask comprise a passage in proximity to the cell electrode for allowing ion exchange between the electrolyte in the process pockets and a larger volume of electrolyte located outside the process pockets such that ions may be transferred between the substrate and one or more electrodes located outside the process pockets.