Methods for fabricating flexible substrate nanostructured devices are disclosed. The nanostructures comprise nano-pillars and metallic bulbs or nano-apertures. The nanostructures can be functionalized to detect biological entities. The flexible substrates can be rolled into cylindrical tubes for detection of fluidic samples.

A device for the transfer of chips from a source substrate onto a destination substrate, including: a source substrate having a lower surface and an upper surface; and a plurality of elementary chips arranged on the upper surface of the source substrate, wherein each elementary chip is suspended above the source substrate by at least one breakable mechanical fastener, said at least one breakable mechanical fastener having a lower surface fastened to the upper surface of the source substrate and an upper surface fastened to the lower surface of the chip.

A processing method for a wafer includes the steps of forming a frame unit having a ring-shaped frame, providing a resin sheet, fixing the resin sheet, which covers the wafer at its front side, at its outer peripheral edge, on the ring-shaped frame, forming through-holes in the resin sheet, holding the frame unit on a side of the resin sheet under suction on a holding surface to fix the ring-shaped frame, applying a laser beam to the wafer to form modified layers inside the wafer, and separating the resin sheet. In the holding step, the adhesive tape is suctioned under a negative pressure acting from the holding surface via through-holes while the front side of the wafer is prevented by the resin sheet from being suctioned on the holding surface.

Methods for forming an electrode structure, which can be used as a biosensor, are provided in which the electrode structure has non-random topography located on one surface of an electrode base. In some embodiments, an electrode structure is obtained that contains no interface between the non-random topography of the electrode structure and the electrode base of the electrode structure. In other embodiments, electrode structures are obtained that have an interface between the non-random topography of the electrode structure and the electrode base of the electrode structure.

A device for the transfer of chips from a source substrate onto a destination substrate, including: a source substrate having a lower surface and an upper surface; and a plurality of elementary chips arranged on the upper surface of the source substrate, wherein each elementary chip is suspended above the source substrate by at least one breakable mechanical fastener, said at least one breakable mechanical fastener having a lower surface fastened to the upper surface of the source substrate and an upper surface fastened to the lower surface of the chip.

A MEMS device, e.g., a flexible MEMS pressure sensor, is formed by disposing a sacrificial layer, such as photoresist, on a substrate. A first flexible support layer is disposed on the substrate, and a first conductive layer is disposed over a portion of the first support layer. A liquid or gel separator, e.g., silicone oil, is disposed on an internal region of the first conductive layer. A second flexible support layer encapsulates the first conductive layer and the separator. A second conductive layer disposed over the second support layer at least partially overlaps the first conductive layer and forms a parallel plate capacitor. A third flexible support layer encapsulates the second conductive layer and second support layer. Soaking the sensor in hot water releases the sensor from the sacrificial layer.

A low-cost, conventional release using low concentrations of HF to overcome the stiction of MEMS structure.

The disclosed technology relates generally to methods and systems for controlling the release of micro devices. Prior to transferring micro devices to a destination substrate, a native substrate is formed with micro devices thereon. The micro devices can be distributed over the native substrate and spatially separated from each other by an anchor structure. The anchors are physically connected/secured to the native substrate. Tethers physically secure each micro device to one or more anchors, thereby suspending the micro device above the native substrate. In certain embodiments, single tether designs are used to control the relaxation of built-in stress in releasable structures on a substrate, such as Si (1 0 0). Single tether designs offer, among other things, the added benefit of easier break upon retrieval from native substrate in micro assembly processes. In certain embodiments, narrow tether designs are used to avoid pinning of the undercut etch front.

The disclosed technology relates generally to methods and systems for controlling the release of micro devices. Prior to transferring micro devices to a destination substrate, a native substrate is formed with micro devices thereon. The micro devices can be distributed over the native substrate and spatially separated from each other by an anchor structure. The anchors are physically connected/secured to the native substrate. Tethers physically secure each micro device to one or more anchors, thereby suspending the micro device above the native substrate. In certain embodiments, single tether designs are used to control the relaxation of built-in stress in releasable structures on a substrate, such as Si (1 1 1). Single tether designs offer, among other things, the added benefit of easier break upon retrieval from native substrate in micro assembly processes. In certain embodiments, narrow tether designs are used to avoid pinning of the undercut etch front.

A method for producing a microstructured air-permeable environmental barrier membrane includes providing a substrate, and structuring a through hole into the substrate, the through hole extending fully through the substrate between two opposite surfaces of the substrate, leaving the through hole uncovered, and depositing one or more nanofibers onto at least one of the two opposite substrate surfaces by applying at least one of an electrospinning or blowspinning method, such that the spun nanofibers combine to a network of nanofibers that forms a free-standing and mechanically compliant nanofibrous membrane covering the previously uncovered through hole.