Nano/Micro Functional Elements Formation for Bioengineering Applications

In recent years, various technologies dedicated to the formation of micro- and nanostructures have been intensively developed. Microstructures and nanostructures are manufactured from various materials with different parameters in a wide range of industrial sectors. These structures are used in devices such as biosensors, optical devices, microfluidic devices, electronic components, fluid mixing devices, particle separation or mixing devices, and single-molecule analysis devices. In this book technologies are being developed for the formation of nano/micro structures that allow the creation of new types of functional elements used in bioengineering. A magnetostrictive converter was developed and studied for the formation of microstructures in polymers, and a newly developed technology using mechanical vibrations during the chemical process was used to form aluminum nanopores. The synergy of these two technologies ensures the creation of a new type of functional elements used in bioengineering. It is presented how to replace the piezoelectric transducer with a magnetostrictive transducer in order to improve hot embossing technology for formation microstructures in polymers. The improved transducer would not only allow for the formation of structures at higher temperatures but would also eliminate the need for an additional heating element which generates a significant amount of heat during the process, thus optimising the device. The important aspects of this system include determining the working parameters of the structure formation which affect the quality and reproducibility of the structures. Research related to nanostructured nanoporous membranes has been receiving a lot of attention from scientists and businesspeople, which is why it is important to develop technologies and deepen knowledge about the chemical and physical processes that take place during fabrication to solve the challenges related to nanostructured membranes. Having it in mind this book presents a novel fabrication technology of nanoporous AAO membranes using vibrations, including production processes, their parameters, and a description of the properties of the fabricated membranes. Moreover, the book presents a technology for replicating the geometry of the AAO membrane in a biocompatible chitosan membrane, when nanopillars are formed on the surface of the chitosan membrane. It also presents the relationships and interactions studied between various parameters, which is achieved by presenting sets of experimental results. Combining these technologies the manufacturing of functional elements and their application to bioengineering. The book will be useful for researchers not only in Mechanical Engineering but also for Material Science and Chemical Engineering. It could be used for master and Ph.D. students too.