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Advances in lithographic techniques for precision nanostructure fabrication in biomedical applications.

Published version
Peer-reviewed

Repository DOI


Change log

Authors

Stokes, Kate 
Odetade, David 
Hardy, Mike 
Goldberg Oppenheimer, Pola 

Abstract

Nano-fabrication techniques have demonstrated their vital importance in technological innovation. However, low-throughput, high-cost and intrinsic resolution limits pose significant restrictions, it is, therefore, paramount to continue improving existing methods as well as developing new techniques to overcome these challenges. This is particularly applicable within the area of biomedical research, which focuses on sensing, increasingly at the point-of-care, as a way to improve patient outcomes. Within this context, this review focuses on the latest advances in the main emerging patterning methods including the two-photon, stereo, electrohydrodynamic, near-field electrospinning-assisted, magneto, magnetorheological drawing, nanoimprint, capillary force, nanosphere, edge, nano transfer printing and block copolymer lithographic technologies for micro- and nanofabrication. Emerging methods enabling structural and chemical nano fabrication are categorised along with prospective chemical and physical patterning techniques. Established lithographic techniques are briefly outlined and the novel lithographic technologies are compared to these, summarising the specific advantages and shortfalls alongside the current lateral resolution limits and the amenability to mass production, evaluated in terms of process scalability and cost. Particular attention is drawn to the potential breakthrough application areas, predominantly within biomedical studies, laying the platform for the tangible paths towards the adoption of alternative developing lithographic technologies or their combination with the established patterning techniques, which depends on the needs of the end-user including, for instance, tolerance of inherent limits, fidelity and reproducibility.

Description

Acknowledgements: We would like to acknowledge the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Formulation Engineering, EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Topological Design and would like to thank the funding from the EPSRC (EP/W004593/1 and EP/V029983/1) and the Wellcome Trust (174ISSFPP) for supporting this study.

Keywords

40 Engineering, 4018 Nanotechnology, Bioengineering, Nanotechnology, Generic health relevance

Journal Title

Discov Nano

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

2731-9229
2731-9229

Volume Title

18

Publisher

Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Sponsorship
Wellcome Trust (174ISSFPP)
EPSRC (EP/W004593/1)
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/V029983/1)