Sound makes chips

摘要

Researchers at RMIT University in Australia have used sound waves to enable precision micro-and nano-manufacturing. High frequency sound waves are used to precisely control the spread of thin film fluid along a specially-designed chip. Potential applications from this significant advance include paint and wound care to 3D printing, micro-casting and micro-fluidics. Professor James Friend, director of the MicroNano Research Facility, said: "Manufacturing using thin film technology currently lacks precision -structures are physically spun around to disperse the liquid and coat components with thin film. We've found thin film liquid either flows towards or away from high-frequency sound waves, depending on its thickness."