Injection Molding Micro‐ and Nanostructures in Thermoplastic Elastomers. Issue 8 (6th May 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Stormonth‐Darling, John M.; Saeed, Anwer; Reynolds, Paul M.; Gadegaard, Nikolaj
• Is Part Of: Macromolecular materials and engineering. Volume 301:Issue 8(2016)
• Page Start: 964
• Page End: 971
• Publication Date: 2016-05-06
• Subjects: elastomer -- micro -- molding -- molding -- nano; Plastics -- Periodicals; Polymers -- Periodicals; Polymerization -- Periodicals; 547.705
• DOI: 10.1002/mame.201600011
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1438-7492

Abstract

Abstract : Injection molding offers a faster way to replicate large numbers of flexible micro‐ and nanopatterned samples than established processes like PDMS casting. This paper explores the optimal processing parameters and minimum feature sizes obtainable with injection molded thermoplastic polyurethane with a view to mass producing flexible structures for experiments into the effects substrate rigidity on living cells. Abstract : Flexible polymers such as poly dimethyl siloxane (PDMS) can be patterned at the micro‐ and nanoscale by casting, for a variety of applications. This replication‐based fabrication process is relatively cheap and fast, yet injection molding offers an even faster and cheaper alternative to PDMS casting, provided thermoplastic polymers with similar mechanical properties can be used. In this paper, a thermoplastic polyurethane is evaluated for its patterning ability with an aim to forming the type of flexible structures used to measure and modulate the contractile forces of cells in tissue engineering experiments. The successful replication of grating structures is demonstrated with feature sizes as low as 100 nm and an analysis of certain processing conditions that facilitate and enhance the accuracy of this replication is presented. The results are benchmarked against an optical storage media grade polycarbonate.