A method for the production of microstructures having different surface properties in a multi layer body by means of plasma etching

摘要

The technology is based on the anisotropic plasma etching of organic polymer sheets partially protected by a metallic mask. The originality of the process is to pattern the surface properties by the same physical means as the one used for the three dimensional fabrication and simultaneously to this fabrication. Surface properties means, but are not limited to hydrophobicity, hydrophilicity, conductivity, reflectability, rugosity and more precisely the chemical and/or physical state of the surface. It is also possible to generate the desired fonctionalities, for instance carboxylic acid, ester, ether, amid or imid, during the etching process. The patterning of the different properties may be achieved by two different techniques that may be used separately or simultaneously.