Bio-inspired, Multifuctional Microlens Arrays: Novel Synthesis and Dynamic Tuning

微透镜广泛应用于包括电信在内的各种技术中。这些透镜的位置和几何特征是固定的，不能被外部控制改变。因此，迫切需要开发具有自适应能力的微透镜。该建议为开发多功能微透镜阵列提供了一种非常有前途的方法，该阵列是基于对脆性星眼睛结构和功能的了解而设计的。所提出的光学器件具有新颖的结构、可调性和定制功能，将模仿脆星生物原型复眼的结构和功能。这是新颖的纳米制造技术如何被用于开发受自然启发的新功能系统的一个例子。所提出的结构是通过合成具有集成孔的仿生水凝胶微透镜阵列来开发的，使用3D微图案技术来制造大规模的小型分层材料结构，以及响应性水凝胶和微流体技术，允许制造提供多功能自适应光学特征的微器件。总的来说，这些技术的利用为制造具有独特特征的微光学器件提供了高度独特的潜力，这些器件可以制造得重量轻，生产成本低。具体而言，申请人将合成各种光敏水凝胶前体，这些前体可以使用三束干涉光刻技术直接进行图案化；2)根据外界刺激对仿生水凝胶微透镜阵列的形状、大小和/或折射率进行微调；3)利用电润湿泵输送微流体通过孔道，可逆地调节透镜光学特性。

0438004YangMicrolenses are widely used in various technologies including telecommunication. The position and geometrical features of these lenses are fixed and cannot be changed by external control. Thus, there is a great need for the development of microlenses with adaptive capabilities. This proposal offers a highly promising approach toward the development of a multifunctional microlense array that is designed based on what is known about the structure and function of the eyes of brittlestar. The proposed optical devices with novel architectures, tunability and tailored functionalities will mimic the structures and functions of the biological prototype compound eyes of a brittlestar. This is an example of how novel nanofabrication techniques can be used to develop new functional systems that are inspired by nature. The proposed structure is developed by synthesizing biomimetic hydrogel microlens arrays with integrated pores using 3D micropatterning techniques to fabricate small, hierarchical material structures in a large scale as well as responsive hydrogels and microfluidics techniques that allow for manufacturing of microdevices that provide multifunctional adaptive optics features. Collectively, utilization of these techniques offers highly unique potential for manufacturing of micro-optical devices with unique features that can be made light weight and produced inexpensively. Specifically, the applicants will synthesize a variety of photosensitive hydrogel precursors that can be directly patterned using three-beam interference lithography; 2) fine-tune the shape, size and/or refractive index of the biomimetic hydrogel microlens arrays in response to external stimuli; 3) reversibly tune the lens optical properties by transportation of microfluid through pore channels using an electrowetting pump.