Custom incorporation of DMD-based photolithography and photopatterning techniques in soft condensed matter research

Abstract

Research with soft materials, that is, polymeric gels, colloidal suspensions, liquid crystals, and most biomaterials often involves the need for microfabrication of confinement channels, cells, and lab-on-a-chip devices. Photolithography techniques are often chosen, as they offer the combination of versatility, precision, and quick delivery demanded by researchers. Beyond fabrication, stimulus-responsive systems, such as photosensitivity biomaterials, are the object of broad study within a very interdisciplinary community. Here, we show that a standard laboratory microscope can be quickly and economically transformed into a powerful maskless photofabrication/ photoexcitation station using off-the-shelf DMD development modules and simple optomechanical components allowing real time observation of the fabrication process.