Research overview

Three-dimensional patterns have various applications depending on the characteristic length of the structure.  For example, self-assemblies of block copolymers or surfactants possess three-dimensional network with the characteristic length of few nanometers, which is useful in the catalyst support.  Meanwhile, regarding the three-dimensional structure with sub-micron period, there have been enthusiastic researches on “photonic crystals”.

Although major progress has been made in the fabrication of two-dimensional structures, significant challenges remain for rapid, inexpensive, and large area fabrication of true three-dimensional structured. Therefore, recent enthusiasm has been focused on the development of fabrication methods.

Self-assembly of submicron particles is one of the novel methods to form three-dimensional structure.  The particles formed the ordered structure spontaneously by thermodynamic entropic force.  The beauty of self-assembly is that the properties of assembled materials (e.g., photonic bandgap) can be controlled by adjusting the building block (i.e., particles).

Recently, holographic lithography using optical interference opens a new way to create three-dimensional patterns. It allows for precise control over the size and shape of the resulting structures, and has the flexibility to access a variety of lattice symmetries through the proper arrangement of laser beams. Therefore, the holographic lithography is compatible to the self-assembly in that they control the unit atoms in periodic structure.

As a novel technique to engineer three-dimensional periodic materials, porous materials,  these methods may play a role in a wide range of potential applications including nano-composites, LED, and solar cell, and MEMS.
 

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