PDMS IMPRINTING STAMP WITH EMBEDDED FLEXURE
A non-deformable patterned template includes a stable mesh, wherein the stable mesh is resistant to deformation; a polymer sheet with the stable mesh embedded therein, wherein the polymer sheet is formed using a liquid polymer adapted to receive the stable mesh, and wherein the liquid polymer is cured after the stable mesh has been placed within the liquid polymer; and a surface pattern on at least one face of the polymer sheet.
1 . A method for imprinting comprising:
providing a polymer stamp having a surface pattern and an imbedded mesh, wherein the mesh is resistant to deformation in the x-direction and y-direction and flexible in the z-direction;
applying a force to the polymer stamp to deform the stamp and bring a portion of the stamp in contact with a surface to be stamped; and
increasing the force to bring the entire surface pattern in contact with the surface to be stamped;
wherein a structure of a pattern of openings causes the mesh to function as a flexure; and
wherein the pattern of openings is linear.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the force applied creates a linear contact pattern.
3 . The method of claim 1 further comprising:
heating the mesh.