Guided Template Based Electrokinetic Microassembly (TEA)

Brief Description

Researchers at the University of California, Irvine have developed a guided electrokinetic assembly technique that utilizes dielectrophoretic and electroosmotic forces for micro- and nanomanufacturing. This technique provides a new way for assembling microelectronics and living cells for tissue engineering applications.

Suggested uses

·Assembly of living cells and organisms for tissue engineering applications

·Carbon nanotube assembly

·Micropart assembly

·Nano- and micromanufacturing

Features/Benefits

·Spontaneous and quick assembly of both micro and nano parts

·Less expensive than many pick-and-place methods

Technology Description

Microdevices are used for a variety of applications ranging from tissue engineering to microelectronics to drug discovery. Currently, their assembly relies on slow serial steps of production such as pick-and-place or self-assembly operations. However, these methods can be expensive, time consuming, and may not work for both micro- and nanocomponents. The current microdevice assembly technology can be expensive and slow.

The researchers at the University of California, Irvine have developed a method for guided assembly, which uses an array of patterned microelectrodes to dielectrophoretically and electroosmotically assemble microscopically in aqueous solution. It combines the speed of self-assembly with the precision of directed assembly techniques in a parallel manner.

State Of Development

Device prototype in progress.

Patent Status

Patent Pending