Patent ID: 7163614

Claim:
A method of producing a three-dimensional structure, comprising: providing an anode; providing a substrate that functions as a cathode; providing an electrolyte between the anode and the cathode; providing a current source controllably connected to the anode and cathode; providing a mask that comprises an at least partially conformable dielectric material, the mask having at least one opening extending through the at least partially conformable dielectric material wherein the opening is defined by mask sidewalls and wherein the opening defines a mask pattern, the at least partially conformable dielectric material also having a face surface which forms a face surface of the mask; pressing the face surface of the mask against the substrate; after the pressing, activating the current source to cause depositing of a deposition material onto the substrate in a deposition pattern at least partially dictated by the pattern of the mask, wherein the deposited deposition material comprises deposition sidewalls; and after said activating, relatively moving the face surface of the mask away from the substrate by a distance that is less than a distance that would cause separation of the mask sidewalls from the deposition sidewalls, and continuing application of current so as to allow a height of the deposited deposition material to increase.