MATERIALS PROCESSING: 'Femtoprint' targets low-cost fabrication of in-glass microstructures

摘要

A three-year European Union (EU) project called Femtoprint, backed by the "Nanosciences, nanotechnologies, materials and new production technologies" theme of the EU Seventh Framework Programme (FP7), was inaugurated in May 2010 with dollar3.2 million dollars ({EUR}dollar2.5 million). The goal of the project is to accelerate the volume fabrication of in-glass microsystems that integrate optical, fluidic, and mechanical functions such as lab-on-a-chip devices or force and displacement sensors. Because such devices typically need to be manufactured in multiple steps with costly infrastructures and high capital investments such as cleanrooms, cost is prohibitive for small- and medium-volume fabrication facilities.