Imaging the patterning step of R2S microcontact printing

Microcontact printing is a technique that is widely used in the patterning of various materials ranging from small molecules to polymers and nanoparticles. In industrial applications, the roof-collapse of the stamp due to printing pressure is known to cause defective printing. To address this problem, a direct observation system for the patterning step of R2S microcontact printing was devised and used in conducting investigations. Results showed that several modes of roof-collapse were a function of the stamp thickness and area of the raised surface during the patterning step. In developing a model for this relationship, contact mechanics was investigated taking into account the effect of the finite thickness of the deformable poly(dimethylsiloxane).