Using selective withdrawal to coat microparticles

I. Cohen, H. Li, J. L. Hougland, M. Mrksich, S. R. Nagel

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

146 Scopus citations

Abstract

We report a method that uses the process of selective withdrawal of one fluid through a second immiscible fluid to coat small particles with polymer films. Fluid is withdrawn through a tube with its orifice slightly above a water-oil interface. Upon increasing the flow rate, there is a transition from a state where only oil is withdrawn to a state where the water, containing the particles to be coated and appropriate prepolymer reagents, is entrained in a thin spout along with the oil. The entrained particles eventually cause the spout interface to break, producing a thin coat of controllable thickness around each particle, which can be subsequently polymerized using chemical reagents, light, or heat. This method allows flexibility in the chemical composition and thickness of the conformal coatings.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)265-267
Number of pages3
JournalScience
Volume292
Issue number5515
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 13 2001
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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