The profile shape and the flow behavior of polymer nanoscale gratings made by a thermal nanoimprint process are precisely examined using visible light angular scatterometry. Nanoimprinted poly methyl methacrylate PMMA lines with 60–800 nm width, 100–200 nm height, and varied residual thicknesses of 70–400 nm have been investigated using this optical approach, and insightful observations are mad...

Reiter has recently reported a situation in which the dewetting of quasi-solid films is linked to plastic deformation--rather than viscous flow--resulting from capillary forces. Herein we propose that, in thin films of some glassy polymers--especially poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)--prepared by spin-casting from solvent, structural relaxation might impart sufficient stress to cause plastic de...

Utilizing ~1 W of microwave power, we achieved heating of PCR buffer with unprecedented temperature ramp rates that allowed for rapid thermocycling. Polymeric microdevices, chosen for their low cost and ease of fabrication, were constructed from polycarbonate (PC), poly(methyl-methacrylate) (PMMA), and polyester-toner (PeT) using fast, simple microfabrication via computer-aided milling for PC a...

The humidity response of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)-based optical fiber Bragg gratings (POFBGs) has been studied. The characteristic wavelength of the grating is modulated by water absorption-induced swelling and refractive index change in the fiber. This work indicates that anisotropic expansion may exist in PMMA optical fiber, reducing the humidity responsivity of the grating and introd...

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM Fracture strength of interim fixed partial prosthesis is of great concern, especially in long-span restorations or areas of heavy occlusal stress. PURPOSE Effects of a plasma-treated woven polyethylene fiber (Ribbond) on the fracture strength of polymethyl methacrylate (Coldpac) and a resin-based two-phase curing provisional restorative material (Provipont DC) were evalua...

We have synthesized a prototype of a photochromic styrylquinolyl-dihydroindolizine (DHI), which forms a highly coloured and fluorescent betaine upon irradiation with lambda<400 nm. Embedding this photochromic DHI in a thin polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) film permits the non-destructive readout via fluorescence at low temperature (77 K). Thus, either a non-destructive photoswitch or an informati...

Spatial light modulator addressed with computer generated holograms is used to diffract femtosecond laser pulses into > 15 parallel beams and focused simultaneously inside poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) for high throughput 3D refractive index modification. Uniform modification throughout the structure is demonstrated and used to create a 19 μm pitch, 5 × 5 × 3.5 mm 3 thick volume grating in <...

We report the formation of two-dimensional disordered arrays of poly(methyl)methacrylate (PMMA) microcolumns with embedded single size distribution of Lu0.990Er0.520Yb0.490 nanocrystals, (Er,Yb):Lu2O3, using a disordered porous silicon template. The cubic (Er,Yb):Lu2O3 nanocrystals, which crystallize into the cubic system with Ia3¯ space group, were synthesized using the modified Pechini method...

A coagulation method that provides better dispersion of SWNT in the polymer matrix has been used to produce single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT)/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) composites. Optical microscopy and SEM show improved dispersion of SWNT in the PMMA matrix, which is a key factor in composite performance. Aligned and unaligned composites were made with purified SWNT with different SW...

Herein, we present a simple method for producing nanoporous templates with a high degree of lateral ordering by self-assembly of block copolymers. A key feature of this approach is control of the orientation of polymeric microdomains through the use of hydrophilic additives as structure directing agents. Incorporation of hydrophilic poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) moieties into poly(styrene-b-methyl...