Thesis (Ph.D)--Polymer, Textile and Fiber Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2009. / Committee Chair: Dr. Donggang Yao; Committee Member: Dr. John.Muzzy; Committee Member: Dr. Karl Jacob; Committee Member: Dr. Wallace W. Carr; Committee Member: Dr. Youjiang Wang. Part of the SMARTech Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Collection.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2005. / Title from first page of PDF file. Document formatted into pages; contains xxi, 261 p.; also includes graphics (some col.). Includes bibliographical references (p. 244-254). Available online via OhioLINK's ETD Center

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<p>In later years polymer replication techniques have become a frequently employed fabrication method for microfluidic and micro-optical devices. This thesis describes applications and further developments of microstructures replicated in polymer materials. </p><p>A novel method for homogenous amplified single-molecule detection utilizing a microfluidic readout format is presented. The method enables enumeration of single biomolecules by transforming specific molecular recognition events at nanometer dimensions to micrometer-sized DNA macromolecules. This transformation process is mediated by target specific padlock probe ligation, followed by rolling circle amplification (RCA) resulting in the creation of one rolling circle product (RCP) for each recognized target. Throughout this transformation the discrete nature of the molecular population is preserved. By hybridizing a fluorescence-labeled DNA detection oligonucleotide to each repeated sequence of the RCP, a confined cluster of fluorophores is generated, which makes optical detection and quantification possible. Spectral multiplexing is also possible since the spectral profile of each RCP can be analyzed separately. The microfluidic data acquisition process is characterized in detail and conditions that allow for quantification limited only by Poisson sampling statistics is established. The molecular characteristics of RCPs in solution are also investigated.</p><p>Furthermore a novel thermoplastic microfluidic platform is described. The platform allows for observation of the microchannels using high magnification optics and also offers the possibility of on-chip cell culture and the integration of mechanical actuators.</p><p>A novel fabrication process for the integration of polymer micro-optical elements on silicon is presented. The process is used for fabrication of a micro-optical system consisting of a laser and a movable microlens making beam steering possible. Such a micro-scanning system could potentially be used for miniaturized biochemical analysis.</p>

In later years polymer replication techniques have become a frequently employed fabrication method for microfluidic and micro-optical devices. This thesis describes applications and further developments of microstructures replicated in polymer materials. A novel method for homogenous amplified single-molecule detection utilizing a microfluidic readout format is presented. The method enables enumeration of single biomolecules by transforming specific molecular recognition events at nanometer dimensions to micrometer-sized DNA macromolecules. This transformation process is mediated by target specific padlock probe ligation, followed by rolling circle amplification (RCA) resulting in the creation of one rolling circle product (RCP) for each recognized target. Throughout this transformation the discrete nature of the molecular population is preserved. By hybridizing a fluorescence-labeled DNA detection oligonucleotide to each repeated sequence of the RCP, a confined cluster of fluorophores is generated, which makes optical detection and quantification possible. Spectral multiplexing is also possible since the spectral profile of each RCP can be analyzed separately. The microfluidic data acquisition process is characterized in detail and conditions that allow for quantification limited only by Poisson sampling statistics is established. The molecular characteristics of RCPs in solution are also investigated. Furthermore a novel thermoplastic microfluidic platform is described. The platform allows for observation of the microchannels using high magnification optics and also offers the possibility of on-chip cell culture and the integration of mechanical actuators. A novel fabrication process for the integration of polymer micro-optical elements on silicon is presented. The process is used for fabrication of a micro-optical system consisting of a laser and a movable microlens making beam steering possible. Such a micro-scanning system could potentially be used for miniaturized biochemical analysis.

Brightness enhancement film (BEF) has been manufactured in foreign factories for backlight module of liquid crystal display (LCD), then it only have some interior factories to put in exploitation. Because of this, the study presents a precision machining and new step-imprint hot embossing process to fabricate pyramid-shaped microlens array. First, a tungsten (W) steel material is manufactured by precision machining. The dimension of a pyramid-shaped microlens on the W steel are about 300 £gm in the base line of three side, 222 £gm in bevel edge of three side, 139 £gm in height of bottom to top, 180 £gm in pitch of the left and right sides between two pyramid-shaped microlens tips, and 85 degree in top angle of three bevel. The W steel mold is used as the first mold. Second, the pyramid peaks of first mold pattern are transferred on bulk metallic glass (BMG) using step-imprint hot embossing method with position adjustable mechanism to form a smaller concave pyramid-shaped microlens array, it can avoid arc radius of cutting tools which is used as the second mold. Another the pyramid peaks are transferred on PMMA (Polymethylmethacrylate) for concave pyramid-shaped microlens array of optical film in the hot embossing system. Finally, the second mold is fabricated to emboss convex pyramid-shaped microlens array of optical film on PMMA. The foregoing method is provided for backlight module of optical films process.

Daylighting is the use of natural light to replace artificial light. In traditional rooms sunlight will only illuminate the area closest to the window due to the high solar angle. The rear of the room appears gloomy and occupants will use electric lighting even though there is sufficient daylight to illuminate the interior. The first section of this thesis reports on the application of micro-prisms to glazing. Such systems could improve the penetration of the light and reduce the energy bill. Fig 1: (Left): A traditional window. (Right) A window with the top third coated in microprisms. The aim of the work is to develop suitable structures than can be easily and cheaply mass produced using an industrial UV embossing process. Whenever possible the requirements of this process dictate the physical characteristics of the microstructures. The development process includes all the stages from design to full-scale testing of the prototypes in an office. Several different mechanical methods are used to produce prismatic arrays that conform to an initial design calculation. Each sample is evaluated in terms of its physical characteristics, its optical properties and finally its ability to improve illumination within a room. The latter aspect is determined, not only by measurement, but also the subjective assessment of occupants. The second micro-textured surface to be examined is the microlens. Three systems are investigated: - A controlled diffuser incorporating cylindrical lenses to improve the distribution of the daylight. - An afocal pair of lenses to improve the penetration of daylight through beam-steering. - An angular filter to exclude direct sunlight while admitting diffuse light. Most of the research is concerned with the third system. On sunny days windows can cause sufficient glare that occupants will pull the venetian blinds. Not only will this exclude the direct sunlight but also the diffuse daylight, cause darkening of the room and leading to the use of artificial light. The angular filter or 'solar shade' uses microlenses to image the direct sunlight which can then be blocked by circular obturations. The diffuse sunlight is not focused and therefore transmitted so the room is not darkened. The research is based on experimentation with small-scale systems and computer modelling to optimise the system. The results show potential improvements over new 'smart' windows although mechanical tolerances are high.

Tissue paper is a common type of paper material and is used in a variety of products. For tissue paper, several properties are of interest, such as absorbency, softness, bulk and mechanical properties. Embossing is an operation used to apply a pattern on tissue paper. It is used to improve several properties, but is known to reduce mechanical properties. Currently, no models can predict the loss of strength due to embossing. In this report base tissue paper is embossed with two different embossing patterns and tensile tests are conducted with and without edge notches. The edge notch length was varied between 0 mm to 12 mm. From the experiment, a modified Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics model was applied on both base tissue paper and embossed tissue paper tensile test results. The experimental procedure is described. In total, four different paper qualities were tested. Two that are designed for toilet paper and two that are designed for kitchen paper. The tissue sheets were embossed using 3D-printed plates and conducted in a laboratory environment. Tensile tests with edge-notch specimens were performed. The notch lengths tested were between 0 mm and 12 mm long. It was investigated if any trends of the parameters in the model could be noticed due to embossing. The model worked well for all base tissue qualities. The embossing reduces the material's tensile strength compared to the base material. With increasing embossing load, longer notches are needed to drop the tensile strength of the specimen. Some general trends were noted. However, the impact of the embossing was different for different paper qualities and the embossing pattern used. The most significant difference between plates was noted in specimens with high embossing load. With increasing embossing load, the edge-notch must also be longer to reduce tensile strength. The model parameters changed more for machine direction (MD) specimens than crossmachine direction (CD) specimens. / Mjukpapper är en vanlig typ av paper som används bland annat till toalettpapper och hushållspapper. För mjukpapper finns det flera egenskaper som är viktiga för en bra produkt. Hur bra mjukpapperet kan absorbera vätska, hur mjuk det är för användaren samt mekaniska egenskaper så som drag styrka. Prägling är en operation som görs på mjukpapper för att förbättra egenskaper, till exempel mjukhet, men på bekostnad av mekaniska egenskaper. För tillfället finns det inga modeller som kan förutse förlusten i styrka på grund av präglingen. I den här rapporten beskrivs processen för att prägla mjukpapper med två olika präglings mönster i ett laboratorium klimat. Fyra olika mjukpappers kvalitéer präglades. Dragprov genomfördes på det präglade proverna med och utan kantspricka. Kantsprickans längd var som längst 12 mm. Från dragprovs resultaten tillämpades en modifierad linjärt elastisk brottmekanisk modell. Modellen fungerade bra för både icke präglat och präglat mjukpapper Parametrarna för modellen ändrades för präglade provbitar jämfört med icke präglade. Inverkan av prägling påverkades både av mjukpapperet sort och präglings mönstret som användes. Störst skillnad mellan präglingsmönster sågs vid hårt präglade provbitar. Präglade provbitar behövde längre kantsprickor för att förlora dragstyrka.

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