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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Fabrication of Microlens Array and Its Application: A Review
ClearMicrolenses arrays: Fabrication, materials, and applications
This review covers fabrication methods, materials, and applications of microlens arrays, examining manufacturing approaches from direct writing to soft lithography and their use in imaging, sensing, and display technologies.
Alignment error modeling and control of a double-sided microlens array during precision glass molding
Researchers developed a new mold assembly design using materials with different heat expansion rates to precisely control the alignment of double-sided microlens arrays — tiny optical components used in light-shaping devices — during the glass molding process, achieving an alignment error of only 10.56 micrometers. The method improves manufacturing precision for optical components used in applications ranging from imaging to sensors.
Manufacturing of Micro-Lens Array Using Contactless Micro-Embossing with an EDM-Mold
This study developed a new method for creating micro-lens arrays using contactless micro-embossing with an EDM mold, offering a low-cost, high-volume approach to micro-scale polymer fabrication. Polymer micro-fabrication methods have implications for understanding how plastic manufacturing processes generate microplastic particles.
Revolutionizing contact lens manufacturing: exploring cutting-edge techniques and innovations for enhanced vision and comfort
This review covers advances in contact lens manufacturing, including new materials, 3D printing techniques, and nanotechnology coatings for better comfort and vision. While not directly about microplastics, contact lenses are a known source of microplastic pollution when disposed of improperly, and the polymer materials used in lenses can shed microplastic particles. The development of more biocompatible lens materials could have implications for reducing microplastic exposure to the eye and the environment.
Microplastic Structures
This paper describes a photolithography technique for creating microscale three-dimensional plastic structures from photoresist material for use in optical and mechanical devices. The term 'microplastic' refers to the miniature scale of the structures produced and is unrelated to environmental plastic pollution.
Manufacturing of Soft Contact Lenses Using Reusable and Reliable Cyclic Olefin Copolymer Moulds
Researchers demonstrated that reusable cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) moulds can reliably manufacture soft contact lenses from both polymer and silicone hydrogel formulations, maintaining high surface quality despite repeated exposure to over 20 kW of UV light. The ultra-precision fabricated COC inserts produced lenses with optical performance comparable to single-use moulds, supporting a more sustainable manufacturing process.
One‐step deposition of nano‐to‐micron‐scalable, high‐quality digital image correlation patterns for high‐strain in‐situ multi‐microscopy testing
Researchers developed a simple one-step technique for creating fine DIC (digital image correlation) patterns needed for microscale mechanical testing, using low-melting-point alloys in an island growth mode. While focused on materials testing, advances in microscale imaging tools have potential applications in microplastic particle characterization.
Advances in lithographic techniques for precision nanostructure fabrication in biomedical applications
Researchers review emerging nanoscale manufacturing techniques — including two-photon printing, nanoimprint lithography, and block copolymer methods — that can fabricate tiny structures for biomedical uses like diagnostic sensors and point-of-care testing devices. The review compares these new approaches to established methods, evaluating their resolution limits, scalability, and cost for practical medical applications.
Effect of Punch Surface Microtexture on the Microextrudability of AA6063 Micro Backward Extrusion
This study examined how different surface textures on metal punches affect microextrusion of aluminum at small scales, finding that surface patterns influence friction and forming quality in micro-manufacturing processes.
On optical sensing of surface roughness of flat and curved microplastics in water
Researchers developed and tested an optical sensor prototype capable of detecting microplastic particles of different shapes and surface textures in water by measuring light reflection patterns. The sensor offers a potential path to faster, in-situ microplastic detection without requiring chemical analysis.
Progress in femtosecond laser fabrication of artificial compound eye
Researchers used femtosecond laser fabrication to create artificial compound eye structures inspired by insect eyes. This is a photonics engineering paper unrelated to environmental microplastics.
Assessing Particle Release from Intraocular Lenses with a Combination of OptoFluidic Force Induction, μ-Raman and μ-FTIR
Seven types of intraocular lens implants were analyzed over 30 days using optical and spectroscopic methods, with all types releasing detectable polymer particles into surrounding fluid — raising concern about chronic microplastic exposure directly within the eye.
Additive manufacturing of microplastic reference materials through microextrusion provides monodisperse and exactly counted particles
Researchers developed a method to produce monodisperse microplastic reference materials using standard 3D-printer nozzles adapted for microextrusion, generating approximately 1,000 particles per hour with precisely defined size, shape, and count from multiple thermoplastic materials including LDPE, PLA, and PMMA.
Method for estimating and analyzing the resolution of digital holographic microscopy
Researchers developed a unified numerical software platform to evaluate and analyze the resolution of digital holographic microscopes, focusing on five key factors: object-to-sensor distance, temporal and spatial coherence of the illumination source, pixel size, and field of view. The platform enables systematic performance analysis without physical experiments, offering a practical tool for the design of compact, low-cost digital holographic microscopes applicable to microplastic detection.
Ultrasonic micro-injection moulding: characterisation of interfacial friction by varying feedstock shape and high-speed thermal imaging for microneedle feature replication
Researchers characterized the internal structure and surface properties of plastic parts produced by ultrasonic micro-injection moulding, finding that processing parameters significantly affect weld line formation and polymer orientation. The study provides insights relevant to quality control in precision micro-manufacturing.
Engineering the Hot-Spots in Au–Ag Alloy Nanoparticles through Meniscus-Confined 3D Printing for Microplastic Detection
Researchers engineered gold-silver alloy nanoparticle substrates using 3D printing for sensitive detection of microplastics via surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy. The study demonstrated that these substrates can detect extremely low concentrations of polystyrene and PMMA microplastics, advancing rapid and sensitive microplastic monitoring capabilities.
Fabrication of Biomimetic Cell Culture Membranes Using Robust and Reusable Nickel Micropillar Molds
Researchers developed a more reliable mass-production method for making porous PDMS membranes — thin flexible sheets used in organ-on-a-chip devices to mimic biological barriers — by using durable nickel micropillar molds that do not degrade or detach during repeated use. The membranes supported healthy human vascular endothelial cell growth and could be used to test how nanoparticles cross biological barriers, relevant to understanding nanoplastic transport in the body.
Microfluidic Devices: A Tool for Nanoparticle Synthesis and Performance Evaluation
This review covers how tiny chip-like devices called microfluidic systems can be used to manufacture nanoparticles with precise control and then test their safety and effectiveness in realistic lab environments. While focused on medical nanoparticles, the technology is also relevant to studying how nanoplastics behave in biological systems.
Concave microlens arrays with tunable curvature for enhanced photodegradation of organic pollutants in water: A non‐contact approach
Researchers designed reusable concave microlens arrays (MLAs) that focus sunlight to boost solar photodegradation of organic pollutants in water by 5.1-fold, even under low light and in turbid river water. This is not directly about microplastics; it is a water treatment technology study targeting dissolved organic pollutants, making it a false positive for microplastic relevance.
Arbitrary Construction of Versatile NIR‐Driven Microrobots
Researchers developed a versatile spin-coating fabrication technique for creating light-driven microrobots using near-infrared-responsive organic semiconductor materials. The method enables coating structures of various shapes and dimensions to create autonomous micro-scale robots capable of performing tasks like cargo transport. While primarily a materials science advance, the technology has potential future applications in environmental cleanup including microplastic collection.
High-Precision Refractive Index-Based Microparticle Sorting Using Airy Beams
Researchers developed a new optical sorting technique using Airy beams that can separate microparticles based on their refractive index with high precision. The method successfully distinguished between particles of similar size but different compositions, including polystyrene, PVC, silica, and acrylic, without requiring any labels or physical contact. The approach has potential applications in microplastic identification and other fields requiring precise particle characterization.
Excellent Energy Storage Performance in Epoxy Resin Dielectric Polymer Films by a Facile Hot−Pressing Method
This paper is not about microplastics; it describes the fabrication and optimisation of epoxy resin polymer films for dielectric energy storage applications in electronics.
A New Class of Reference Material: Additivly Manufactured Monodisperse Number Accurate Microplastic Reference Material through Microextrusion
Researchers developed a new method for producing microplastic reference materials with precise, known sizes and quantities — a critical need for standardizing how scientists measure and compare microplastics across different studies. Using a microextrusion process with specialized nozzles, they produced batches of 1,000 uniform particles in about one hour from a range of plastics including LDPE, nylon, PLA, and PMMA, with particle diameters between 224 and 1,349 micrometers. Lack of standardized reference materials has been a persistent bottleneck in microplastics research; having reliable, reproducible standards will improve the quality and comparability of future studies. This is a technical but important methodological advance for the field.
Optical innovations in microplastic analysis: a critical review of detection strategies
This review surveys advances in optical methods for microplastic detection, including spectroscopic techniques, imaging systems, and sensor technologies. Researchers found that emerging approaches like surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy combined with machine learning are enhancing automation and detection accuracy. The study identifies the need for standardized protocols and improved techniques to handle the challenges of detecting microplastics in complex environmental and biological samples.