Use Case Examples

Please have a look at some of the use case examples to inspire you...

High-Resolution Imaging using Electron Microscopy and Focussed Ion Beam Cross-Sections

Background of the research

Different research topics need the visualisation and inspection of small structures.

Description of the request (small request)

  • Nanometer resolution imaging with Electron Microscope
  • See "into" material by making local cuts with a Focussed Ion Beam

Results

High resolution images of different materials and structures are shown below to give an idea about the possibilities.

Nanoprobe needle inserted in eye of Daphnia
Nanoprobe needle inserted in eye of Daphnia
Reverse engineering and correcting mistakes in electronic ICs
Reverse engineering and correcting mistakes in electronic ICs

Laser ablation of a PDMS catheter for controlled drug release

Background of the research

This was a request from bioMMeda, the research group on Biofluid, Tissue and Solid Mechanics for Medical Applications

Description of the request (small request)

  • Perforations in a PDMS catheter (the catheter is a tube with inner diameter of 1mm and 0.4mm wall thickness)

Results

The perforations were made by laser ablation, using the pico- and femtosecond laser setup.

Perforations in a PDMS catheter by using laser ablation

Fabrication of a microwell-based tissue culture platform

Background of the research

This was a request from the Tissue Engineering and Biomaterials research group.

Description of the request (medium request)

  • Fabrication of a (negative) PDMS mold to produce a microwell-based tissue culture platform
  • This PDMS mold should contain micro-sized cylindrical sticks

Results

Optical microscopy images and a 3D profile measurement of the fabricated PDMS mold are shown below.

PDMS mold to produce a microwell-based tissue culture platform

Resulting publication:

Placement and interconnection of a photodiode chip

Background of the research

This was a request from the Electromagnetics research group. They are designing an opto-electric antenna in which a photodiode is compactly integrated onto a dedicated antenna. This work is performed in the context of the ATTO project

Description of the request (small request)

  • Reflow soldering of a chip inductor onto a PCB
  • Gluing a packaged photodiode chip on top of the PCB (dimension of about 900 µm x 300 µm)
  • Connecting the photodiode chip through two bonding wires.

Two assembled PCBs were needed .

Results

The result after components placement and wirebonding can be seen in the figure below. The assembled PCB was functional and the measurements to study the characteristics of the matching network were performed.

 

PCB with chip inductor and wirebonded photodiode
PCB with chip inductor and wirebonded photodiode

Future work

In a next step NaMiFab will assist in the optical connection between the photodiode and a multimode fiber so that an optimal light coupling is obtained. If this prototype performs well, a paper will be written about this hardware. 

Silicon microstructure for Light Sheet Microscopy

Background of the research

This was a request from the Laboratory of General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy. One of there research topics focuses on the development of advanced light microscopy methods for functional imaging. The use of Light Sheet Microscopy gains increasing interest but requires a complex optical setup.

Description of the request (large request)

  • Co-development of a relatively simple silicon microstructure to simplify the optical setup for Light Sheet Microscopy.

Results

The pictures below show the realised silicon microstructure and a schematic representation of its use in the optical setup.

Microfabricated tilted mirror for Light Sheet Microscopy.
Microfabricated tilted mirror for Light Sheet Microscopy.

    Use of a micromirror device in an optical setup for Light Sheet Microscopy.
    Use of a micromirror device in an optical setup for Light Sheet Microscopy.

       

      Fabrication of a stretchable and textile integrated LED display

      Background of the research

      Description of the request (large request)

      • A (low resolution) RGB LED display
      • Integrated in a T-shirt (battery powered)
      • Remotely controlled

      Results

      Some pictures of the produced stretchable display are shown below.

      Stretchable and textile integrated LED display

      Resulting publication: