Nanocontact molding of three-dimensional polymeric replicas

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Fingerprint biometrics is an indispensable and convenient security tool; popularly adapted fingerprint scanning systems at international borders, in corporate buildings, and on mobile devices (smartphones, pads, and laptops) keep our personal identity and data safe. We have recently developed a novel benchtop technology of making 3D fingerprint replicas (namely, phantoms) by exploring a unique nano-molding approach using conventional polymeric materials. By creating an impression of human fingerprints on plastic substrates (e.g., polycarbonate chips) upon controlled solvation, followed by casting with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS, a popular elastomer), we can produce a flexible, nanoscale detailed, 3D fingerprint phantom. By testing with standard optical scanners, we have shown that all three levels of fingerprint details can be precisely recorded and match well with the original fingerprint. Superior to artificial calibration patterns, these phantoms have the exact 3D feature of fingerprints and introduce no variability compared to human sampling, which make them perfect targets for standardizing fingerprint scanners either standalone or on a mobile device. ****This "Idea-to-Innovation (I2I) Phase 1" project highlights the application potential of the nano-contact replication protocol via unconventional PC molding as a benchtop, instrumentation-free method to mass produce macroscopic structures (fingerprint phantoms) and, more broadly, to create 1-to-1 polymeric replicas of designed nanostructures of any kind. Our goals are to (1) fabricate universal fingerprint phantoms for both optical and capacitive readers, and (2) replicate sub-100 nm structures with high fidelity. While fingerprinting is of practical importance to the widely adapted biometrics on mobile devices; facile, benchtop replication of designed nanostructures will be beneficial the fast-growing nanofabrication industry. Working closely with both local and international nanotech companies, we envision that the success of the proposed project will bring our nano-molding technology to the front-line of commercialization. **********