Two different strategies for producing hierarchical polymer/nanoparticle (NP) patterned structures are presented in this work. The first strategy combines self-assembly of amphiphilic block copolymers at the air-water interface with microscale template assembly of the resulting aggregates on chemically-patterned substrates. Aggregates are formed via interfacial self-assembly of 141k polystyrene-block-poly (ethylene oxide) (PS-b-PEO, Mw=141 k) or a blend of PS-b-PEO (Mw=185 k) and PS-coated CdS (PS-CdS) quantum dots (QDs), to form aggregates of copolymer or copolymer/NP. Using Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) technique, the formed aggregates are then transferred to patterned substrates with alternating hydrophilic/hydrophobic stripes, obtained by microcontact printing (µCP) octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS) on glass. The effect of different parameters including surface pressure, orientation of the patterned substrate respect to the air-water interface, and withdrawal speed was studied. Successful aggregate transfer to the hydrophilic domains of the patterned hydrophilic/hydrophobic substrate is achieved when patterned stripes are oriented perpendicular to the water surface during LB transfer and when substrates are withdrawn at low speed and low compression pressure. The second strategy combines the phase-separation of immiscible polymer blends during spin-coating with µCP. We show the surface-directed patterning of a phase-separating polymer blend on optically-transparent (OTS)-patterned glass substrate obtained via µCP. First, morphologies and pattern registration of thin spin-coated films of PS (Mw=131 k)/ poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA, Mw= 120 k) blends on patterned glass with alternating hydrophilic/hydrophobic stripes is studied for a range of experimental conditions including polymer concentration, blend composition, solvent, and spin rate. Good registration of polar PMMA to hydrophilic glass surface and non-polar PS to hydrophobic OTS lines is found under conditions, where polymer domain sizes are commensurate with the pattern periodicity. Next, we apply this method to pattern NPs using blends of PMMA and PS-CdS QDs via spin-coating onto OTS-patterned glass. Ultimately the method was extended to simultaneously pattern multi-NP functional assemblies using PS-CdS and a sample of PMMA-coated silver NP (PMMA-Ag). The specific interest in patterns of Ag NPs and CdS QDs is to provide a suitable proof-of-concept system for simultaneous multi-NP patterning. However, this system also has some interesting optical behaviour as a result of QD-surface plasmon interactions that is investigated in details. The challenge in PS-CdS/PMMA-Ag NPs patterning is the gelation as the solvent evaporates during spin-coating that restricts the NPs mobility and constraints their phase-separation. We show that adding homopolymers to the NPs blends prevents the overlap of approaching NP brushes and prevents the resulting gelation. Feature sizes were then fine-tuned by changing solution concentration and spin rate, in order to obtain NPs domains which can be surface-directed on OTS-patterned glass substrates. / Graduate

Imagine if you could combine the power and capabilities ofan entire laboratory in the palm of your hand. Advances inmicrofluidic chip technology promise to integrate andminiaturize multiple lab processes into a single palm-sizeddevice. The advantages of these lab-on-a-chip devices,sometimes also referred to as micro total analysis systems(µTAS), compared with conventional bench-scale systems arenumerous and wide ranging and include: less reagentconsumption, low manufacturing costs, increased performance,faster analysis, high sample throughput, integration andautomation possibilities, and disposability. However,microfluidic devices also present challenges such as theinterfacing to the macro world and detection limits. In this thesis the focus has been to develop novel discretemicrofluidic components for biotechnology and organic chemicalapplications with the goal to integrate them to formlab-on-chips. A flow-through filter-chamber device has beendesigned, manufactured and evaluated for chemical analysis onbeads. Passive liquid handling has been integrated on the chipin the form of hydrophobic valves at the inlet channels. Anarray format has also been developed to allow parallel analysisof multiple samples. The filter-chamber functions well forsingle nucleotide analysis using pyrosequencing. Initialevaluations on catalyst screening in the filter-chamber devicehas been performed. The suitability of valve-less micropumps for biochemicalapplications is presented. Fluids encountered in variousbiochemical methods, including living cells, that areproblematic for other micropumps have been pumped with goodperformance. This thesis also introduces expandablemicrospheres as a novel component in microfluidics includingapplications such as one-shot valves, micropositioning andsurface enlargement. A novel technique for bead immobilization in microfluidicdevices based on surface chemistry is presented in this thesis.Beads for both biochemical assays and organic chemistry havebeen self-sorted and self-assembled in line patterns as narrowas 5 µm on both structured and unstructured substrates.This method will greatly facilitate the generation of screeningplatforms, for example. To develop a microfluidic device for catalysis-on-chip,ligands for asymmetric catalysis have successfully beenimmobilized in silicon channels by consecutive microcontactprinting, which is a novel technique presented in thisthesis. <b>Keywords:</b>microfluidics, beads, microspheres, silicon,filter-chamber, flow-through, bead trapping, DRIE, passivevalves, fluorocarbon, microfluidic array, adhesive bonding,valve-less micropump, microcontact printing, PDMS,self-assembly, self-sorting, DNA, SNP, pyrosequencing,allele-specific extension, expandable microspheres, catalysis,chiral ligand, monolayer, miniaturization, lab-on-a-chip,µTAS.

<p>Imagine if you could combine the power and capabilities ofan entire laboratory in the palm of your hand. Advances inmicrofluidic chip technology promise to integrate andminiaturize multiple lab processes into a single palm-sizeddevice. The advantages of these lab-on-a-chip devices,sometimes also referred to as micro total analysis systems(µTAS), compared with conventional bench-scale systems arenumerous and wide ranging and include: less reagentconsumption, low manufacturing costs, increased performance,faster analysis, high sample throughput, integration andautomation possibilities, and disposability. However,microfluidic devices also present challenges such as theinterfacing to the macro world and detection limits.</p><p>In this thesis the focus has been to develop novel discretemicrofluidic components for biotechnology and organic chemicalapplications with the goal to integrate them to formlab-on-chips. A flow-through filter-chamber device has beendesigned, manufactured and evaluated for chemical analysis onbeads. Passive liquid handling has been integrated on the chipin the form of hydrophobic valves at the inlet channels. Anarray format has also been developed to allow parallel analysisof multiple samples. The filter-chamber functions well forsingle nucleotide analysis using pyrosequencing. Initialevaluations on catalyst screening in the filter-chamber devicehas been performed.</p><p>The suitability of valve-less micropumps for biochemicalapplications is presented. Fluids encountered in variousbiochemical methods, including living cells, that areproblematic for other micropumps have been pumped with goodperformance. This thesis also introduces expandablemicrospheres as a novel component in microfluidics includingapplications such as one-shot valves, micropositioning andsurface enlargement.</p><p>A novel technique for bead immobilization in microfluidicdevices based on surface chemistry is presented in this thesis.Beads for both biochemical assays and organic chemistry havebeen self-sorted and self-assembled in line patterns as narrowas 5 µm on both structured and unstructured substrates.This method will greatly facilitate the generation of screeningplatforms, for example.</p><p>To develop a microfluidic device for catalysis-on-chip,ligands for asymmetric catalysis have successfully beenimmobilized in silicon channels by consecutive microcontactprinting, which is a novel technique presented in thisthesis.</p><p><b>Keywords:</b>microfluidics, beads, microspheres, silicon,filter-chamber, flow-through, bead trapping, DRIE, passivevalves, fluorocarbon, microfluidic array, adhesive bonding,valve-less micropump, microcontact printing, PDMS,self-assembly, self-sorting, DNA, SNP, pyrosequencing,allele-specific extension, expandable microspheres, catalysis,chiral ligand, monolayer, miniaturization, lab-on-a-chip,µTAS.</p>

<p>Microcontact printing using elastomeric stamps is a technique used in finding new and efficient ways to produce biodetection chips. Microcontact printed, with poly(dimetylslioxane) (PDMS) stamps, patterns of antibodies have been evaluated using fluorescence microscopy, imaging ellipsometry and atomic force microscopy. Fluorescent conjugated polyelectrolytes form non-covalent molecular complexes with Immunoglobulin-γ type antibodies, antigen binding to the tagged antibody result in spectroscopic shifts. Four different conjugated polyelectrolytes (POWT, POMT, PTT, PTAA) in complex with human serum albumin antibodies (aHSA) have been tested with fluorescence spectroscopy. Complexes of POWT and aHSA gave rise to thelargest wavelength shift when exposed to human serum albumin.</p><p>Several types of commercially available fluorescent antibodies and antigens were used to test the specificity of microcontact printed antibodies to different antigen solutions. Using fluorescence microscopy it could not be shown that printed antibody patterns promote specific adsorption of corresponding antigen. It is proposed however that changed surface characteristics of the substrate due to PDMS residues transferred during printing is the main driving force behind antigen adsorption.</p><p>POMT - poly (3-[(s)-5-amino-5-methoxylcarboxyl-3-oxapentyl]-2,5-thiophenylenehydrochloride)</p><p>POWT - poly (3-(s)-5-amino-5-carboxyl-3-oxapentyl]-2,5-thiophenylenehydrochloride)</p><p>PTAA - polytiophene acetic acid</p><p>PTT - poly (3-[2,5,8-trioxanonyl] thiophene)</p>

Microcontact printing using elastomeric stamps is a technique used in finding new and efficient ways to produce biodetection chips. Microcontact printed, with poly(dimetylslioxane) (PDMS) stamps, patterns of antibodies have been evaluated using fluorescence microscopy, imaging ellipsometry and atomic force microscopy. Fluorescent conjugated polyelectrolytes form non-covalent molecular complexes with Immunoglobulin-γ type antibodies, antigen binding to the tagged antibody result in spectroscopic shifts. Four different conjugated polyelectrolytes (POWT, POMT, PTT, PTAA) in complex with human serum albumin antibodies (aHSA) have been tested with fluorescence spectroscopy. Complexes of POWT and aHSA gave rise to thelargest wavelength shift when exposed to human serum albumin. Several types of commercially available fluorescent antibodies and antigens were used to test the specificity of microcontact printed antibodies to different antigen solutions. Using fluorescence microscopy it could not be shown that printed antibody patterns promote specific adsorption of corresponding antigen. It is proposed however that changed surface characteristics of the substrate due to PDMS residues transferred during printing is the main driving force behind antigen adsorption. POMT - poly (3-[(s)-5-amino-5-methoxylcarboxyl-3-oxapentyl]-2,5-thiophenylenehydrochloride) POWT - poly (3-(s)-5-amino-5-carboxyl-3-oxapentyl]-2,5-thiophenylenehydrochloride) PTAA - polytiophene acetic acid PTT - poly (3-[2,5,8-trioxanonyl] thiophene)

This thesis presents the study of films derived from the reduction of aryldiazonium salts at gold surfaces. The properties of bare polycrystalline surfaces were investigated via the observation of the electrochemical oxidation and reduction of the gold. Films derived from diazonium salts were electrochemically grafted to the gold surface. The structure and stability of these interfaces was examined through the use of redox probes, gold oxide electrochemistry and water contact angle measurements. The spontaneous reduction of aryldiazonium salts at gold surfaces was investigated and the possible applications it presented towards printing and patterning of the gold surface with films were explained. Polycrystalline gold surfaces were prepared and subjected to various treatments, to observe the behaviour of gold oxide formation and reduction at the surface. Various effects on the surface structure were observed after treatment in solvents and electrolyte solutions. The surface structure of the gold atoms frequently changed due to the high mobilities of the gold atoms, and it is difficult to achieve a reproducibly stable surface. The electrochemical modification of gold surfaces via the reduction of aryldiazonium salts was investigated. Surfaces were modified with methylphenyl and carboxyphenyl films and exposed to various treatments. Monitoring the gold oxide reduction changes enabled the surface coverage of modifier directly attached to the surface to be calculated. The films appear to be stable, loosely packed and porous. The films are flexible in nature; redox probe responses showed reversible changes after repeated sonication in solvents of differing polarities and hydrophilicities. Contact angle measurements further support the notion of films that can reorganise in response to their environment. The spontaneous reduction of aryldiazonium salts at gold surfaces was observed. Film coverage was significantly lower at the spontaneously grafted surface than for films grafted electrochemically. Gold surfaces were successfully modified via microcontact printing, and surface coverages similar to the spontaneously grafted film were achieved. Microcontact printing was also used to pattern surfaces with films derived from diazonium salts. Feature sizes down to 100 µm were successfully achieved.

This thesis presents the study of films derived from the reduction of aryldiazonium salts at gold surfaces. The properties of bare polycrystalline surfaces were investigated via the observation of the electrochemical oxidation and reduction of the gold. Films derived from diazonium salts were electrochemically grafted to the gold surface. The structure and stability of these interfaces was examined through the use of redox probes, gold oxide electrochemistry and water contact angle measurements. The spontaneous reduction of aryldiazonium salts at gold surfaces was investigated and the possible applications it presented towards printing and patterning of the gold surface with films were explained. Polycrystalline gold surfaces were prepared and subjected to various treatments, to observe the behaviour of gold oxide formation and reduction at the surface. Various effects on the surface structure were observed after treatment in solvents and electrolyte solutions. The surface structure of the gold atoms frequently changed due to the high mobilities of the gold atoms, and it is difficult to achieve a reproducibly stable surface. The electrochemical modification of gold surfaces via the reduction of aryldiazonium salts was investigated. Surfaces were modified with methylphenyl and carboxyphenyl films and exposed to various treatments. Monitoring the gold oxide reduction changes enabled the surface coverage of modifier directly attached to the surface to be calculated. The films appear to be stable, loosely packed and porous. The films are flexible in nature; redox probe responses showed reversible changes after repeated sonication in solvents of differing polarities and hydrophilicities. Contact angle measurements further support the notion of films that can reorganise in response to their environment. The spontaneous reduction of aryldiazonium salts at gold surfaces was observed. Film coverage was significantly lower at the spontaneously grafted surface than for films grafted electrochemically. Gold surfaces were successfully modified via microcontact printing, and surface coverages similar to the spontaneously grafted film were achieved. Microcontact printing was also used to pattern surfaces with films derived from diazonium salts. Feature sizes down to 100 µm were successfully achieved.

No / A PDMS stamp is used to transfer a synthetic peptide in a given pattern to any suitable surface. Using this method two-dimensional neuronal model networks could be formed on glass substrates as well as on electronic devices and adjusted to the given microelectronic structure. The present work focuses on the mechanism of neurite guidance under simplified in vitro conditions, using in vitro guidance cues and outline the incorporation of these interfacial methods into microelectronic sensor devices.

Les techniques non-conventionnelles de lithographie ont fait depuis deux décennies une entrée remarquée dans les sciences de l'ingénierie. Elles sont considérées aujourd'hui comme un enjeu majeur pour le développement des dispositifs. L'objectif principal de cette thèse est d'explorer de nouvelles voies pour la conception des micro&nanabiocapteurs en procédant à des impressions de poly(pyrrole) (PPy) à haute résolution par microtamponnage assisté par polymérisation catalytique (nanoCP-CCP) sur des substrats polymériques (poly(téréphtalate) d'éthylène (PETE), Copolymère d'oléfine cyclique (COC), polyétheréthercétone (PEEK), poly(éthylène 2,6-naphtalate (PEN) et le polyamide (PI)). Dans un premier temps, nous avons mis au point différentes techniques d'impression (greffage par impression, impression adressée et impression directe) et des conditions de polymérisation pour moduler les caractéristiques de PPy micro et nano-structurés, afin de contrôler la taille, la forme et les propriétés électriques désirées. Nous avons constaté que les paramètres les plus importants qui influent sur le processus d'impression surtout à l'échelle nanométrique sont: a) Le rapport des concentrations des réactifs pour le procédé de polymérisation qui comprend le Py-silane, nitrate d'argent (AgNO3), le chlorure du fer (III)/ le chlorure de Lithium (FeCl3/LiCl). b) Les paramètres physiques de la machine GeSIM; la pression d'impression, le niveau de contact, le temps d'encrage du tampon polydiméthylesiloxane (PDMS), et le temps d'impression. Finalement, on est arrivé à fabriquer des nanofils de PPy (PPy-NF) de 747±12,2 nm de largeur, 114±8 nm de hauteur et avec une séparation de 573±13,4 nm entre deux PPy-NF consécutifs. Ces films micro et nano-structurés ont été caractérisées par microscopie électronique à balayage (SEM), microscopie à force atomique (AFM) et spectrométrie de photon-électrons induits par rayons X (XPS). Dans une deuxième partie, on a développé des immunocapteurs à base de PPy-NF sensible aux biomarqueurs interleukine 8 et 6. Pour cela, différentes stratégies ont été adoptées pour immobiliser les anticorps spécifiques à ces deux biomarqueurs. Ces immunocapteurs ont été caractérisés par la méthode de spectroscopie d'impédance électrochimique (EIS). Les résultats obtenus par rapport à la sensibilité et la sélectivité sont très satisfaisants avec des limites de détection de l'ordre de quelques pg/L pour les deux immunocapteurs développés / Non-conventional lithography techniques have made for the two last decades a huge impact in the engineering sciences. They are now regarded as a main challenge for the development of the devices. The objective of this thesis is to explore new alternative possibilities for designing micro & nano biosensors based on poly(pyrrole) (PPy) high resolution microprinting attended by catalytic polymerization (nanoCP-CCP) on substrates Polymer (poly (terephthalate) ethylene (PETE), cyclic olefin copolymer (COC), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), poly (ethylene 2,6-naphthalate (PEN), and polyamide (PI)). In a first step We have developed various printing techniques (grafting printing, addressed printing and direct printing) and polymerization conditions to modulate the characteristics of PPy micro and nano-structured in order to control the size, shape and Electrical desired properties. We found that the most important parameters that affect the printing process especially at the nanoscale are: a.) The ratio of the concentrations of reagents for the polymerization process which includes the Py-silane, nitrate silver (AgNO3), iron chloride (III) / lithium chloride (FeCl3 / LiCl). b) The physical parameters of the GeSIM machine; the printing pressure, contact level, the inking time stamp of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), and printing time. Finally, we got to manufacture PPy nanowires (PPy-NW) 747 ± 12.2 nm wide, 114 ± 8 nm in height and with a separation of 573 ± 13.4 nm between two consecutive PPy-NW. These micro and nano-structured films were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and electron-photon spectroscopy induced by X-rays (XPS). In the second part, we have developed a PPy-NW-based immunosensors sensitive to interleukin 8 and 6 biomarkers. For this, different strategies have been adopted to immobilize antibodies specific to these two biomarkers. These immunosensors were characterized by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy method (EIS). The results obtained in relation to the sensitivity and selectivity are very satisfactory with the security detection limits of a few pg / L for both developed immunosensors

Bio-microdevices are miniaturised devices based on biologically derived components (e.g., DNA, proteins, and cells) combined or integrated with microfabricated substrates. These devices are of interest for numerous applications, ranging from drug discovery, to environmental monitoring, to tissue engineering. Before a bio-microdevice can be fully developed, specific fabrication issues need to be addressed. One of the most important is the spatial immobilization of selected biomolecules in specific micro-areas of the device. Among the biomolecules of interest, the controlled immobilization of proteins to surfaces is particularly challenging due to the complexity of these macromolecules and their tendency to lose bioactivity during the immobilization step. The present Thesis reports on three novel micropatterning techniques for the spatial immobilization of proteins with bioactivity retention and improved read-out of the resulting micropatterns. The technologies developed are based on three different micropatterning approaches, namely 1) direct-writing UV laser microablation (proLAB), 2) a novel microcontact printing method (�CPTA) and 3) a replica molding method combined with bead selfassembly (BeadMicroArray). The first two technologies, proLAB and �CPTA, are an implementation of existing techniques (laser ablation and �CP, respectively), whereas the third, i.e., the BeadMicroArray, is a totally new technique and type of patterning platform. 'ProLAB' is a technology that uses a micro-dissection tool equipped with a UV laser (the LaserScissors�) for ablating a substrate made of a layer of ablatable material, gold, deposited over a thin polymer layer. The latter layer is transparent to the laser but favours protein adsorption. In the present work microchannels were chosen as the structure of interest with the aim of arranging them in 'bar-codes', so to create an 'information-addressable' microarray. This platform was fabricated and its application to specific antigen binding demonstrated. The second technique that was developed is a microstamping method which exploits the instability of a high-aspect ratio rubber stamp fabricated via soft-lithography. The technique is denominated microcontact printing trapping air (�CPTA) since the collapsing of a rubber stamp made of an array of micro-pillars over a plane glass surface resulted in the formation of a large air gap around the entire array. The method can be successfully employed for printing micro-arrays of proteins, maintaining biological activity. The technique was compared with robotic spotting and found that microarrays obtained with the �CPTA method were more homogeneous and had a higher signal-tonoise ratio. The third technique developed, the BeadMicroArray, introduces a totally new platform for the spatial addressable immobilization of proteins. It combines replica molding with microbead self-assembling, resulting in a platform where diagnostic beads are entrapped at the tip of micropillars arranged in a microarray format. The fabrication of the BeadMicroArray involves depositing functional microbeads in an array of V-shaped wells using spin coating. The deposition is totally random, and conditions were optimised to fill about half the array during spin coating. After replica molding, the resulting polymer mold contains pyramid-shaped posts with beads entrapped at the very tip of the post. Thanks to the fabrication mode involved, every BeadMicroArray fabricated contains a unique geometric code, therefore assigning a specific code to each microarray. In the present work it was demonstrated that the functionality of the beads after replica molding remains intact, and that proteins can be selectively immobilized on the beads, for instance via biorecognition. The platform showed a remarkable level of selectively which, together with an efficient blocking towards protein non-specific adsorption, lead to a read-out characterized by a very good signal-to-noise. Also, after recognition, a code was clearly visible, therefore showing the encoding capacity of this unique microarray.