A method for forming a mold insert includes forming a stamp, a surface of the stamp including a plurality of inverted microstructures formed thereon; and pressing the stamp into a medium disposed on a surface of a first mold insert to form a microstructured film, the microstructured film including a plurality of microstructures formed on a surface of the microstructured film based on the plurality of inverted microstructures, the plurality of microstructures being complementary to the plurality of inverted microstructures.

According to one embodiment, an imprint template manufacturing apparatus includes: a supply head that supplies a liquid-repellent material in liquid form to a template having a convex portion where a concavo-convex pattern is formed on a stage; a moving mechanism that moves the stage and the supply head relatively in a direction along the stage; a controller that controls the supply head and the moving mechanism such that the supply head applies the liquid-repellent material to at least a side surface of the convex portion so as to avoid the concavo-convex pattern; and a cleaning unit that supplies a liquid to the template coated with the liquid-repellent material. The liquid-repellent material contains a liquid-repellent component and a non-liquid-repellent component that react with the surface of the template, and a volatile solvent that dissolves the liquid-repellent component. The liquid is a fluorine-based volatile solvent that dissolves the non-liquid-repellent component.

According to one embodiment, an imprint template manufacturing apparatus includes: a stage that support a template having a convex portion where a concavo-convex pattern is formed; a supply head that supplies a liquid-repellent material in liquid form to the template on the stage; a moving mechanism that moves the stage and the supply head relatively in a direction along the stage; and a controller that controls the supply head and the moving mechanism such that the supply head applies the liquid-repellent material to at least a side surface of the convex portion so as to avoid the concavo-convex pattern. The liquid-repellent material contains a liquid-repellent component and a non-liquid-repellent component that react with the surface of the template, a volatile solvent that dissolves the liquid-repellent component, and a fluorine-based volatile solvent that dissolves the non-liquid-repellent component.

An imprinting apparatus comprises a first carrier for carrying a flexible stamp, a set of carrier actuators for translating the first carrier in a direction parallel to a plane of the first carrier, and a second carrier movable relative to the first carrier and configured to carry a substrate having a resist layer. The second carrier comprises a chuck and a set of chuck actuators for translating a portion of the chuck in a direction perpendicular to a plane of the second carrier. This imprinting apparatus provides alignment between the flexible stamp and the substrate by controlling an in-plane position of the first carrier (so enabling X, Y and Rz position control) and controlling Z axis positions of the second carrier (so enabling Rx, Ry and Z position control). Thus, 6DOF position adjustment is enabled with a simple structure. Thus precise control of X, Y and Z translations and rotations is enabled while also enabling loading of substrates and/or stamps.

A resin mold for nanoimprinting has a substrate, a resin layer formed upon the substrate and having a depressions and protrusions pattern on a surface, an inorganic substance layer formed of uniform thickness on at least the surface having the depressions and protrusions pattern of the resin layer, and a mold release agent layer formed of uniform thickness on at least the surface having the depressions and protrusions pattern of the inorganic substance layer. The resin of the resin layer includes constituent units derived from an epoxy group-containing unsaturated compound at a concentration of 1 to 50 percent relative to total constituent units, and the epoxy value is 7.010.sup.4 to 4.010.sup.2.

A method for preparing a composite body (1) comprising a support body (2) and at least one decorative element (3), preferably a gemstone (3a, 3b), the support body (2) comprising a thermoplastic material, the method being characterized by the steps of: arranging the decorative element (3) on the support body (2), heating the support body (2), pressing the decorative element (3) into the support body (2) by using a stamp (4) consisting of an elastically deformable material, the material of the stamp (4) being selected from the group of elastomers.

Implanted medical devices need a mechanism of immobilization to surrounding tissues, which minimizes tissue damage while providing reliable long-term anchoring. This disclosure relates to techniques for patterning arbitrarily shaped 3D objects and to patterned balloon devices having micro-or nano-patterning on an outer surface of an inflatable balloon. The external pattern can provide enhanced friction and anchoring in an aqueous environment. Examples of these types of patterns are hexagonal arrays inspired by tree frogs, corrugated patterns, and microneedle patterns. The patterned balloon devices can be disposed between an implant and surrounding tissues to facilitate anchoring of the implant.

A stamp replication device for producing stamps for the production of at least one of microstructured and nanostructured components has a platform, a cover that is positionable on the platform and a holding device for a stamp carrier, wherein the holding device is provided on the cover or on the platform and includes a carrier as well as a microstructured vacuum surface on the carrier for holding the stamp carrier. In addition, a method for producing a holding device for a stamp replication device as well as a method for producing a stamp are specified.

In an embodiment a nanostamping method includes forming a nanostructure in a layer of optical embossing material on a first carrier substrate by a forming stamp having a nano-relief, wherein the nanostructure comprises a plurality of nano-elevations which are connected via an embossing material base, generating a coated nanostructure by covering the nano-elevations with a filler material layer, wherein the filler material layer and the optical embossing material comprise different refractive indices, applying a second carrier substrate on the coated nanostructure, detaching the first carrier substrate and removing a material of the embossing material base.

A method for manufacturing a soft stamp includes providing a substrate having a first electrode and a second electrode, the second electrode being formed at a distance less than 100 nm from the first electrode so that a nanogap Ng is formed between the first and second electrodes; pouring a curable substance over the first and second electrodes and into the nanogap Ng; curing the curable substance to form a soft stamp; and removing the soft stamp from the first and second electrodes. The soft stamp has a nano-feature having a size less than 100 nm.