Definition
Micromolding is a set of fabrication techniques for replicating microstructures in polymers using molds (also commonly known as masters or tools) to define features. The three most common micromolding techniques are injection molding, hot embossing, and casting. Micromolding involves four primary steps: microfabrication of the mold containing a negative or inverse of the desired pattern geometry, introduction of polymer material to the mold, curing or cooling of the polymer material, and release or separation of the molded polymer from the mold.
Overview
Polymer microfabrication has become a popular alternative to the well-established silicon and glass-based microelectromechanical system (MEMS) fabrication technologies, particularly for microfluidic and lab-on-a-chip (LOC) applications. Polymers have several major advantages that are not...
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Papautsky, I., Peterson, E.T.K. (2014). Micromolding. In: Li, D. (eds) Encyclopedia of Microfluidics and Nanofluidics. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27758-0_986-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27758-0_986-2
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