Fabrication of microvessels and microlenses from polymers by solvent droplets

A process for the fabrication of microvessels and microlenses in polymers is presented. A drop of solvent (diameter between 15 and 150 mu m) is deposited by an ink-jet method onto a flat polymer substrate. After evaporation of the solvent a lenticular cavity of dimensions comparable to the former drop size is created. This cavity can be employed as a microreaction vessel, as a concave lens, or as a template for a convex lens. Diameter, depth, position, and arrangement of the microvessels on the surface can be controlled. (C) 2005 American Institute of Physics.