A universally adaptable micropatterning method through laser-induced wettability inversion

Abstract

Micropatterning spans numerous fields, and such technologies are crucial for modern fabrication. However, a simple, universal patterning method that is amenable to flexible designs across diverse substrates remains challenging yet desirable. Herein, we present a laser-induced wettability inversion method that is easy-to-use, precise-in-nature, and flexible-towards-design. Substrates were customized with an amphiphobic coating and then selectively inverted with a laser-enabled physicochemical property change (e.g., morphology and surface energy). This method is compatible with a variety of substrates, e.g., aluminum, filter paper, glass, polycarbonate, and 3D-printer filament (polyethylene terephthalate). Differently shaped and sized designs could be easily patterned on the given substrate. With selective trapping, liquid droplets ranging in volume from picoliters to milliliters can be captured on diverse patterns, enabling further applications. Moreover, we demonstrate that substrates can be functionalized via conventional silanization and thereby act as versatile platforms for such applications as cell immobilization, microfluidics, and mini reactors.