Research Projects
Application of Multi-Photon Three-Dimensional Micro/Nano Fabrication for Patterning Bio-Active Materials
Faculty Mentors: Prof. Stephen M. Kueblerl
Research Description 
Multi-photon
three-dimensional nano-/micro-fabrication (3DM) is a photolithographic technique
that enables topologically complex 3D structures with feature size as small
as 1 m m or less to be generated in a single exposure step by nonlinear photo-patterning
in a material. The photo-patterning is initiated by coherent multi-photon
excitation (MPE). The material may be a glass, a polymerizable resin, or
even a heterogeneous composite, such as a resin containing dispersed nano-particles.
3DM offers great promise as a tool for generating complex micro-devices,
such as MEMS, micro-fluidics, micro-optical components, and structures with
bio-technological properties. Our group is developing new material systems
for 3DM and applying the technique for generating a wide range of functional
micro-structures. Of particular interest are micro-structures that interact
with or sense biological species and that mimic a biological function. REU
students will participate in a new effort to pattern bio-active materials
that promote the adhesion and growth of cells and tissues.
(a) Opto-mechanical setup used in the Kuebler laboratories for for multi-photon
3DM.
(b) Example cross-linked polyacrylate 3D microstructure fabricated by multi-photon
3DM (from Kuebler et al., J. Photopolym. Sci. Technol. , 2001, 14,
657-668.
- design and formulation of new bio-active 3DM materials;
- the development of multi-photon patterning protocols for these new media; and
- initial cell adhesion and growth experiments. 3D structures fabricated from such materials should provide a new route to 3D artificial bio-active structures and potentially artificial tissues. This richly interdisciplinary activity will expose REU students to methodologies in chemistry, materials science, optics and photonics, and bio-technology