Methods

As a necessary step in the nanofabrication of useful structures, layers of various materials are frequently deposited onto substrates. The substrate used in additive processes may or may not have previously formed material layers or patterned structures on its surface. Typically…

In many cases, a crucial step in the nanofabrication of useful structures is the creation of patterns within layers of material. The removal of material, either in bulk from the entire substrate or selectively from specific regions of the substrate, is a common technique for…

Without regular checks to see if the structures being created are taking shape as intended, research work involving micro- and nanofabrication cannot proceed in a meaningful way. Every step of the fabrication process ought to be measured, recorded, and quantified for future use…

Microfluidics is a branch of science and engineering that deals with the behavior, control, and manipulation of fluids confined to tiny channels or chambers with dimensions in the micrometer range. These tiny channels are typically etched or molded into a substrate using…

Once microstructures have been created on a substrate in order for them to interact with the macroscopic world few aditional step needs to be taken. This can involve cutting the samples, mounting the devices in protective packages, attaching macroscopic electrical leads, and…

Many nanofabrication processes call for the transformation of materials in ways that are either only possible at high temperatures or occur more quickly at high temperatures. For instance, silicon substrates oxidize too slowly at room temperature, and annealing typically needs…