The subject matter described herein relates to methods and systems for fast imprinting of nanometer scale features in a workpiece. According to one aspect, a system for producing nanometer scale features in a workpiece is disclosed. The system includes a die having a surface with at least one nanometer scale feature located thereon. A first actuator moves the die with respect to the workpiece such that the at least one nanometer scale feature impacts the workpiece and imprints a corresponding at least one nanometer scale feature in the workpiece.

An artificial nipple is formed of an elastomeric polymer by use of 3D printing after imaging of a mother's breast in an active state of lactation. The artificial nipple used as an attachment to a baby bottle or as the nipple component of a pacifier. Use of an artificial nipple formed in this manner mitigates a problem with nipple confusion, as may otherwise manifest in newborn offspring.

The same digital data is recorded with highly integrated manner on a plurality of media able to durably hold information over long-term. A minute graphic pattern indicating data bit information is drawn on a resist layer formed on a quartz glass substrate by exposing a beam and developed so as to prepare a master medium (M1), which comprises the quartz glass substrate having a minute recess and protrusion structure formed by etching where the remaining resist are used as a mask (FIG. (a)). The recess and protrusion structure recorded on the master medium (M1) is shaped and transferred onto a flexible recording medium (G2) on which a UV curable resin layer (61) is formed, whereby an intermediate medium (M2) is prepared (FIGS. (b)-(d)). The inverted recess and protrusion structure transferred to the intermediate medium (M2) is shaped and transferred onto a recording medium (G3) comprising a quartz glass substrate (70) on which a UV curable resin layer (80) is formed, whereby a reproduction medium (M3) having the same recess and protrusion structure as that of the master medium (M1) is prepared (FIGS. (e)-(h)). In shaping and transferring process, the media are separated using the flexibility of the intermediate medium (M2).

There are provided a master and a method for manufacturing the master, the master having, on its outer peripheral surface, a concave-convex structure in which concavities or convexities are continuously arranged with high precision. The master includes: a substrate with a hollow cylindrical shape or cylindrical shape; and a concave-convex structure on an outer peripheral surface of the substrate. The concave-convex structure has concavities or convexities continuously arranged at a predetermined pitch in a circumferential direction of the substrate. The concavities or convexities are arranged with a predetermined phase difference between circumferential rows adjacent in an axial direction of the substrate.

A method for fabricating a mold. The mold may comprise mold features with nanometer-scale resolution or minimum dimensions (e.g. the mold replicates nanometer-scale features of a master). The mold may comprise mold features with nanometer to micrometer-scale resolution or minimum dimensions (e.g. the mold replicates nanometer to micrometer-scale features of a master). The method may comprise providing a plate; applying a solvent to a first surface of the plate; allowing the solvent to penetrate from the first surface into the plate to thereby soften a first region of the plate, the first region of the plate including the first surface; pressing a master against the first region of the plate after the first region of the plate has softened to thereby deform at least a portion of the first region into a negative mold; and removing the master from contact with the plate.

Systems, methods, and apparatus are disclosed for making patterning tools from one or more discrete elements. Such tools can have one or more seams or joints where the individual elements abut which can limit the tools' performance and utility in roll-to-roll manufacturing. Methods are described herein for producing near-seamless tools, that is, tools having seams that exhibit minimum disruption of the tool pattern and thus improved material produced by such tools. The patterning tools can be cylindrical and/or closed in shape.

A method for efficiently manufacturing and fabricating microfluidic chips, where a base mold is formed to have positive-relief features used to cast an intermediary template chip with negative-relief features having dimensions of a scale in the micron range. The intermediary template chip is used to case a production mold, which is formed of a reinforced epoxy resin that, once hardened into a solid epoxy member, can withstand the structural pressures of a CNC machining system. The production mold can be refined by a CNC machining, where the refined production mold is then used to cast production chips to be used as microfluidic chips.

The present invention relates to a method for producing a negative skin and a tool. Such a tool can be used, for example, in the automotive industry.

Silicone compositions are described for the production of negative molds that include a silicone elastomer. The molds can be used in the production of molded articles.

An artificial nipple is formed of an elastomeric polymer by use of 3D printing after imaging of a mother's breast in an active state of lactation. The artificial nipple used as an attachment to a baby bottle or as the nipple component of a pacifier. Use of an artificial nipple formed in this manner mitigates a problem with nipple confusion, as may otherwise manifest in newborn offspring.