• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.34 no.7
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• pp.859-866
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• 2010

In this study, microinjection molding process using the newly developed micromold system, namely modularized and sectioned micromold system (MSMS), has been carried out for a replication of multi-level microstructures. The present MSMS consisted of several micromold modules, each having cross-sectional microstructures on the top surface. The micromold modules were precisely fabricated by deep X-ray lithography and subsequent nickel electroforming. By assembling the micromold modules, an MSMS having multi-level microstructures, which could be used as a mold system in micromolding processes, was obtained. In this manner, polymeric multi-level microstructures, such as the triangular prism microstructures on a stepped surface, were successfully replicated by the microinjection molding process.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2012.05a
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• pp.527-528
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• 2012

• Clean Technology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.105-111
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• 2018

This study presents a novel and eco-friendly process that can precisely control the location of the patches on the patch particles. The method of manufacturing these anisotropic hexagram patch particles consists of sequential combinations of two separate methods such as a sequential micromolding technique for fabricating patch particles and a selective localization method for controlling the location of patches on the patch particles. The micromolding technique was carried out using physicochemically stable material as a micromold. In order to fabricate the highly stable patch anisotropic hexagram particles, the perfluoropolyether (PFPE) micromold was used to the process of the micromolding technique because they could prevent the problem of diffusion of hydrophobic monomers while conventional poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) micromold is limited to prevent the problem of diffusion of hydrophobic monomers. Based on combination methods of the micromolding technique and the selective localization method, the reproducibility and stability have been improved to fabricate 12 different types of anisotropic hexagram patch particles. This fabrication method shows the unique advantages in eco-friend condition, easy and fast fabrication due to less number of process, the feasibility of a mass production. We believe that these anisotropic hexagram patch particles can be widely utilized to the field of the directional self-assembly.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Process Engineers
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.1-7
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• 2015

In the present study, copper micromolds with a microhole array were precisely manufactured by a synchrotron LIGA process. Like in the traditional LIGA process, a deep X-ray lithography based on a synchrotron radiation was employed as the first manufacturing step. Due to the excellent optical performance of the synchrotron X-ray used, cylindrical micropillar arrays with high aspect ratio could be efficiently obtained. The fabricated microfeatures were then used as a master of the subsequent copper electroforming process, thereby resulting in copper micromolds with a microhole array. Thermoplastic hot embossing experiments with the copper micromolds were carried out for imprinting cylindrical microfeatures onto a polystyrene sheet. Through the hot embossing, the effect of embossing temperature and usefulness of the present manufacturing method could be verified.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.419-423
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• 2008

A new polymer replication technology using ultrasonic vibration is proposed and demonstrated. A commercial ultrasonic welder has been used in this experiment. Two different types of nickel molds have been fabricated: pillar type and pore type microstructures. Polymethyl methacrlylate (PMMA) has been used as the replication material and the optimal molding time was 2 sec and 2.5 sec for pillar-type and pore-type micromolds, respectively. Compared with the conventional polymer micromolding techniques, the proposed ultrasonic micromolding technique has the shortest processing time. In addition, only contact area between micromold and polymer substrate is melted so that the thermal shrinkage can be minimized. The fabricated PMMA microstructures have been very accurately replicated without vacuum. The proposed ultrasonic molding technique is a good alternative for high volume production.

• Clean Technology
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.295-300
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• 2012

Synthesis of well-defined particle with tunable size, shape, and functionalities is strongly emphasized for various applications such as chemistry, biology, material science, chemical engineering, medicine, and biotechnology. This study presents micromolding method for the fabrication of anisotropic particles with elegant control of curvature of covex roof. For the demostration of rapid fabrication of the particles, we have applied polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) micromold as structure guiding template and wetting fluid to control curvature of roof of the particles. Based on this approach, we can control the radius of curvature from $20{\mu}m$ to $70{\mu}m$ with different aspect ratio of mold. In addition, wetting fluids with different wetting properties can also modulate the height and radius of curvature of the particles. We envision that this methodology is promising tool for precise control of particle shape in 3-dimensional space and new synthetic route for anisotropic particles with cost effective, simple, easy, and fast procedure.